Hurkacz stuns Federer in Wimbledon quarterfinal
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz shocks Swiss great in quarterfinal match World No 1 Novak Djokovic reaches tenth Wimbledon semifinal
London, UK - Roger Federer crashed out of Wimbledon in the quarterfinals at the hands of Poland's Hubert Hurkacz on Wednesday, potentially bringing down the curtain on the Swiss legend's All England Club career.
On a day when world No 1 and five-time champion Novak Djokovic reached his tenth Wimbledon semifinal and 41st at the Grand Slams, Federer, who turns 40 next month, was beaten by a player 15 years his junior in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0.
It was only the eight-time Wimbledon champion's 14th defeat at the tournament in 119 matches and his first straight-sets loss since an opening round exit against Mario Ancic in 2002. It was also the first time Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam title winner, had lost a set 6-0 at Wimbledon.
Earlier, defending champion Djokovic, chasing a record-equalling 20th major, defeated Hungary's Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. He will face Canada's tenth seed Denis Shapovalov, who beat Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4, for a place in Sunday's final.
‘Dream come true’
"It's super special to have played Roger here, it's a dream come true," said Hurkacz. "He's done so many special things here."
World No 18 Hurkacz, 24, had never got beyond the third round of a Grand Slam before this Wimbledon. However, boosted by having defeated world No 2 Daniil Medvedev in five sets in the last-16, he was a break up on a sluggish- looking Federer in the sixth game of the opening set.
The Swiss star, who underwent two knee surgeries in 2020, carved out a break for 2-0 in the second set. He couldn't hang on and Hurkacz levelled in the seventh game from 1-4 down before dominating the tie-break.
Federer looked punch drunk and he was quickly down 0-2 in the third set before Hurkacz wrapped up the decider in just 29 minutes. He is only the second Polish man to reach the semifinals at Wimbledon - Jerzy Janowicz being the other in 2013.
Up next is a clash with either Matteo Berrettini of Italy or Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in Sunday's final.
"I noticed the mis-hits, awkward looking points from Roger and obviously the last set of course, 6-0," said former champion Boris Becker commentating on Federer's performance.
"He would never ever say if there was a niggle, but I don't know if we will ever see the great man again here."
Djokovic on a roll
It was 34 year old Djokovic's 100th career grass court victory.
Djokovic became only the third man to capture all four majors more than once with his second French Open victory last month.
Now he is halfway to becoming the first man in the Open Era and only the third in history to complete a calendar Grand Slam of all four majors.
"I'm aware of certain stats, I love this sport with all my heart, body and soul and have been devoted to it since I was four," he said. "Sometimes things do look surreal for me but I try to live in the moment and take every opportunity I have on the court.
"Going for history is a huge inspiration for me, let's keep it going."
Djokovic raced into a 5-0 lead in the first set before 29 year old Fucsovics got on the board.
The world No 48, bidding to become the first Hungarian man since 1948 to make the semifinals at Wimbledon, saved five set points. However, the rearguard action was too late to prevent the champion prevail.
The top seed broke for the only time in the second set in the ninth game which was enough for a two sets lead. Djokovic had spent three hours fewer than the muscular Fucsovics in getting to the last-eight and his freshness showed when he crucially broke in the first game of the third set and then fought off two break points in the sixth.
Shapovalov fired 17 aces and 59 winners past Khachanov to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal. The left-handed Canadian will be a huge underdog against Djokovic having lost all six matches against the world No 1.
"Obviously he's the best player in the world but I think anything is anything is possible. When you look at the scoreboard first thing it will be 0-0," said the 22 year old.
"Nothing else matters. Its a tennis match and it can go either way. I have full belief in myself and my team."
‘Not a bad guy’
Despite his success, Djokovic later faced the first questioner at his post-match news conference who asked, “what has it been like to be something of the 'bad guy' chasing after Roger and Rafa all these years?"
"I don't consider myself a bad guy. I mean, that's your opinion," replied the Serb. "I'm not chasing anybody. I'm making my own path and my own journey, my own history. I'm privileged to be part of history of this sport that I love.”