Wimbledon, England (Sports Network) - Six-time champion Roger Federer landed
in a record 33rd straight Grand Slam quarterfinal with a less-than-routine
four-set victory Monday at The Championships, Wimbledon.
The third-seeded former world No. 1 great held off capable Belgian grass-
courter Xavier Malisse 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 on the famed Centre Court at
the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The victory also marked the 850th of
Federer's remarkable career.
Federer and Malisse had to wait out a brief rain delay on Day 7 and the Swiss
icon had to summon a trainer to treat an achy back while leading 4-3 in the
opening set.
The 30-year-old Federer ultimately prevailed in 2 hours, 11 minutes with the
help of six breaks and nine aces. Malisse also recorded nine aces, but managed
only half as many breaks as his Swiss counterpart on a dreary Day 7.
Federer was asked right after the match if his back was okay, and he said "I
wouldn't be doing this interview right now if it wasn't."
The 31-year-old Malisse was a Wimbledon semifinalist 10 years ago.
Federer will meet the Mikhail Youzhny-Denis Istomin winner in the round of
eight.
In addition to his six titles, Federer was the 2008 Wimbledon runner-up to
Rafael Nadal, as the two men played in an epic five-set final that year
regarded as the greatest match in the history of tennis.
The Swiss star, who reached seven straight Wimbledon finals from 2003-09, is
still seeking his first Grand Slam title since the 2010 Australian Open.
The Sports Network