Fed fells a flyer

05 July 2016 - 09:23 By AFP, Reuters

Roger Federer yesterday reached his 14th Wimbledon quarterfinal and tied Martina Navratilova's all-time grand slam record of 306 match wins. A short while later, also on centre court, defending champion Serena Williams brushed aside the Russian challenge from Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5 6-0.Federer, a seven-time champion at Wimbledon, achieved his double landmark by seeing off high-flying Steve Johnson of the US 6-2 6-3 7-5 in the fourth round.Despite pre-match hype about Johnson, fresh from victory at the Nottingham grass court event, there was to be no Independence Day party for the burly American, as Federer showed more than enough to suggest he remains on track for a record eighth Wimbledon men's singles crown.Federer next takes on Croatia's Marin Cilic.Cilic progressed to his third Wimbledon quarterfinal when Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori pulled out of their last-16 clash with a rib injury.Federer has a 6-1 record over Cilic, but the big Croatian stunned him in the US Open semifinals in 2014 on his way to his maiden grand slam title."He brushed me off the court in the US Open a few years ago and I hope to get him back," said Federer.Federer has reached the last eight without dropping a set.Sam Querrey followed up his shock defeat of Novak Djokovic by beating French veteran Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6 (5) 6-4 to reach his first grand slam quarterfinal. Querrey is the first American in the last eight at Wimbledon since Mardy Fish in 2011.In the women's singles, Slovakian 19th seed Dominika Cibulkova sent world No3 Agnieszka Radwanska crashing out with a surprise 6-3 5-7 9-7 fourth-round victory yesterday.Cibulkova, who also defeated Radwanska at Eastbourne last month, played high-quality tennis to secure her first Wimbledon quarterfinal berth since 2011. The 27-year-old, who has never made the last four at the All England Club, cried tears of joy as she rolled on the court in celebration after the final point, but the triumph could come with a sting in the tail as she will have to postpone her wedding if she makes it to Saturday's final.The 2014 Australian Open runner-up is due to get married to fiancé Miso Navara in Bratislava on the same day, after planning the big day nine months ago. Now she may have to change plans. ..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.