Polish youngster Hubert Hurkacz stunned eight-time champion Roger Federer 6-3, 7-6, 6-0 in the quarterfinal of Wimbledon on Wednesday.
The 39-year-old Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries last year, is still on the recovery curve and has looked off-colour on the famous lawns. This was the first time, though, that he was bagelled (6-0) at Wimbledon.
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Meanwhile, first-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist Hurkacz showed no nerves coming into the contest against perhaps the most popular player on Centre Court.
An ovation for 22 years of memories 👏
It's been a pleasure as always, @rogerfederer #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/GvsOenp68C
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2021
“It was super special,” Hurkacz said during the on-court interview. “It is a dream come true just playing Roger on Centre Court.”
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The 14th seed struck 10 aces and won 77 per cent (41/53) of points behind his first serve, saving three of the four break points he faced on Centre Court.
He kept Federer under pressure as he moved the Swiss around the court, converting five of his 15 break opportunities as he fired 20 winners en route to victory.
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After taking down World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round and upsetting eight-time champion Federer, the 24-year-old became the second Polish man in history to reach the semi-finals at a Grand Slam.
He follows in the footsteps of Jerzy Janowicz, who reached this stage here in 2013.
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Hurkacz will play the winner of the match between Matteo Berrettini and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinal.
Shapovalov through in five
Denis Shapovalov broke new ground on Wednesday, fighting back to defeat Karen Khachanov 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1 6-4 to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal.
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The 10th seed, who also reached the quarter-finals at the US Open (l. to Carreno Busta) last September, rallied from two-sets-to-one down, hitting 59 winners to advance in three hours and 28 minutes on No. 1 Court.
He will take on Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.
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Djokovic motors on
World No. 1 Djokovic recorded the 100th grass-court win of his career (100-18) for a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
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The Serb got off to a fast start against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary on Centre Court, but ultimately needed to work his way to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over two hours and 17 minutes.
Djokovic will go level with Federer and Rafael Nadal for most number of men’s singles Grand Slam titles (20) if he wins Wimbledon.
