Roger Federer beats Kei Nishikori RECAP
Federer has looked in cruise control all throughout Wimbledon 2019 so far, beating Matteo Berrettini in little over an hour, but he looked out of sorts in the opening exchanges against Nishikori.
And the 29-year-old took full advantage as he won the opening set with an upset potentially on the cards.
Federer quickly regained his composure in the second set, before killing off Nishikori's fighting spirit by taking the crucial third.
Nishikori frustrated Federer in the fourth before eventually getting his break late on before serving out for the match in style to set up a potential semi-final with Rafael Nadal.
Roger Federer beats Kei Nishikori RECAP
*denotes previous server
GAME, SET, MATCH - Federer beats Nishikori
Federer* 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 Nishikori
What a way to see out the match! Utterly brilliant from the world No 3.
Now over to Rafael Nadal to see whether he can make the semi-finals for what would be a sensational match-up.
Federer 4-6 6-1 6-4 5-4 Nishikori*
The chance Federer has been waiting for. Two break point opportunities.
He misses the first and immediately turns and shakes his head. And he gets it!
Federer* 4-6 6-1 6-4 4-4 Nishikori
Small chance for Nishikori on Federer's serve at 30-30, but he sends one long to the frustration of the crowd before Federer holds.
Federer 4-6 6-1 6-4 3-4 Nishikori*
Federer beginning to look a little frustrated that he can't get a breakthrough. He's also had a terrible record with his challenges in this match. The Japanese star holds and could well be hoping for a tiebreak here.
Federer* 4-6 6-1 6-4 3-3 Nishikori
All well and good Nishikori holding serve but he's got to start finding something on Federer's service game to give himself a chance.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion is in cruise control at the moment. Still no break in this fourth set.
Federer 4-6 6-1 6-4 2-3 Nishikori*
Two quick break points for Federer but Nishikori battles on to hold serve once more. He's not backing down here but it's a similar pattern to the third set.
Federer* 4-6 6-1 6-4 2-2 Nishikori
Utterly relentless from Federer now, just breaking down Nishikori's spirit every service game. Still Nishikori in this though...
Federer 4-6 6-1 6-4 1-2 Nishikori*
Federer with a break point opportunity as Nishikori sends one into the net. He can't make it stick with the 29-year-old eventually holding. This is a foregone conclusion now.
Federer* 4-6 6-1 6-4 1-1 Nishikori
No trouble for Federer there.
Federer 4-6 6-1 6-4 0-1 Nishikori*
Federer immediately with a chance to break, but Nishikori fights back well to hold. The 29-year-old's head has dropped through after losing backt-to-back sets.
FEDERER WINS THIRD SET
Federer* 4-6 6-1 6-4 Nishikori
And he has given it everything! Break point for Nishikori as he gets rather fortunate with a forehand winner hitting the net.
But immediately sends his return long for deuce to miss his opportunity. Federer next to miss his opportunity at set point. But he makes no mistake on the second to take a 2-1 lead.
Federer 4-6 6-1 5-4 Nishikori*
Nishikori forcing Federer to serve out for the set. Got a feeling it's all or nothing for the 29-year-old here.
Federer* 4-6 6-1 5-3 Nishikori
No issue consolidating the break for Federer. Love-service game to move within one of taking a 2-1 set lead.
Federer 4-6 6-1 4-3 Nishikori*
It was inevitable the way the third set was going but Federer has two break point opportunities as Nishikori sends one into the net.
Nail-biting rally as Nishikori saves one but a 110mph ace saves the second to bring up deuce. A third break opportunity soon follows but Federer sends his next shot sailing over his opponent over the baseline.
Federer refusing to back down on Nishikori's serve sensing blood and gets his fourth opportunity, this time taking it.
Federer* 4-6 6-1 3-3 Nishikori
Simple hold for Federer once again. The 37-year-old really taking control on every point on his serve.
Federer 4-6 6-1 2-3 Nishikori*
Another mini break for the 20-time Grand Slam champion, but Nishikori once again fights back. Finely poised at the moment.
Federer* 4-6 6-1 2-2 Nishikori
Nishikori showing he's far from out of this contest with a strong forehand winner, but goes too strong on his next one as Federer holds.
Federer's service games are definitely ending quicker than Nishikori's.
Federer 4-6 6-1 1-2 Nishikori*
Another mini break for Federer. Nishikori's got to find something extra here to get the Swiss star off his back.
A pin-point serve in the corner is a good way to start and he holds to 30. Get the feeling whoever wins this set will go on and win the match.
Federer* 4-6 6-1 1-1 Nishikori
Federer now cutting out the unforced errors from the opening set making Nishikori's life even more difficult.
Straight-forward hold for the world No 3.
Federer 4-6 6-1 0-1 Nishikori*
All the confidence from winning the first set seemingly zapped from Nishikori now. Federer dictating points as he takes a 0-30 lead.
The 29-year-old battles back to 40-30 but an epic rally ensues with Federer coming out on top for deuce before hitting an unstoppable backhand cross-court to bring up break point. Nishikori saves it with an ace.
Back and forth ensues before Nishikori eventually holds.
FEDERER WINS SECOND SET
Federer* 4-6 6-1 Nishikori
Well that was more of what we expected from Federer! Draws level with a volley at the net and will no doubt have the momentum heading into the third
Federer 4-6 5-1 Nishikori*
Nishikori now handing Federer opportunities as the 37-year-old takes a 0-30 lead following a forehand into the net. And some frustration creeping into Nishikori's game as he sends one long to give Federer two break points.
And Federer needs just the one! Nishikori again sending his shot wide. Federer serving for the set.
Federer* 4-6 4-1 Nishikori
Federer not giving Nishikori a chance at getting back in this set. Sees out the game with a 117mph ace for a love-service game.
Federer 4-6 3-1 Nishikori*
Nishikori will be glad to get that game out the way. Some solid hitting from the Japanese star but Federer is starting to find his rhythm.
Federer* 4-6 3-0 Nishikori
And Federer consolidates his break. Test of nerve for Nishikori now that it has swung in the favour of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
Federer 4-6 2-0 Nishikori*
Federer immediately jumps up to a 0-30 lead as he has Nishikori scampering across the baseline before a driving forehand down the line.
A long backhand from Nishikori brings up three break points for Federer... and he only needs one! Stunning forehand down the line and out of reach of Nishikori.
Federer* 4-6 1-0 Nishikori
Federer needed that to begin the second set. A relatively comfortable service game.
NISHIKORI WINS FIRST SET
Federer 4-6 Nishikori*
Great start from Nishikori with a serve-and-volley giving him an early 30-0 lead. Federer fights back to level it up, but the Japanese star with a deft drop shot at the net to bring up match point.
And he takes it! Wow what an opening set from Nishikori there. Could be a huge upset on the cards on Centre Court.
Federer 4-5 Nishikori*
Federer making Nishikori serve out for this one. Fine service game from the eight-time Wimbledon champion. Over to you Nishikori.
Federer* 3-5 Nishikori
Nishikori looking calm and collected out there so far, not letting the occasion get to him.
But Federer battles back to bring up deuce with another beautiful backhand. Nishikori retaliates with a rare ace but Federer not prepared to let this one go as he dictates play before dropping a volley just over the net. Federer unable to capitalise though as he makes another unforced error. Nishikori just one game away from taking the first set.
Federer* 3-4 Nishikori
Arguably the two best backhand hitters in tennis right now exchanging blows in some pretty intense rallies. Federer with a comfortable hold there. Crucial game for Nishikori coming up here.
Federer 2-4 Nishikori*
Nishikori willing over a drop shot to re-take his two-game lead but fall just short. The 29-year-old then sends a backhand into the net to bring up deuce.
And Federer with his first break opportunity with a fierce volley at the net. Federer looks up at the sky as a Nishikori winner flies past him after nicking the net. Deuce.
What a shot from Nishikori to take advantage! Places a pin-point backhand into the left corner and a long Federer forehand hands his opponent the game.
Federer* 2-3 Nishikori
The 20-time Grand Slam champion still not looking close to what he was showing in the early rounds at Wimbledon.
Another double fault brings up deuce and a small chance for Nishikori. But the 37-year-old holds to stay within one. Nishikori looking great out here so far.
Federer 1-3 Nishikori*
Federer now looking in the groove as he takes a mini break. But Nishikori with some fine shot placement to keep his opponent in the backfoot and he holds.
Federer* 1-2 Nishikori
Double fault to start for Federer, a zipping forehand from Nishikori and a long backhand from the world No 3 immediately hands the 29-year-old three more break points.
He saves them all and he looks like he needed that to wake him up a bit. Eventually holds to get his first game on board.
Federer 0-2 Nishikori*
Groans from the crowd as Federer misreads a bounce on the line and sends it long and wide to give Nishikori a 40-0 lead. Responds immediately with two trademark backhand winners.
He can't repeat the success of his two previous points though as Nishikori holds. A bit rusty from the No 2 seed to start.
Federer* 0-1 Nishikori
A mini break for Nishikori to start as Federer sends a forehand wide. And the No 8 seed follows up with a stunning return to bring up two immediate break points.
And Nishikori makes it stick! Tremendous start for the Japanese star.
3.35pm: Now the players out on Centre Court to rapturous applause from the Wimbledon crowd. Plenty of support for Nishikori here as well but it's always clear who's going to get the most support when Federer is in action.
3:25pm: Out come the ball boy and girls, meaning the players will shortly follow. Centre Court abuzz with excitement for this one.
3:15pm: The incredible stat being passed around this morning is that Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have only ever reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in the same year once before - 12 years ago in 2007.
Djokovic has already booked his place while tennis fans all over the world will be hoping for Federer and Nadal to progress with a potential blockbuster semi-final clash on the horizon on Friday.
3:08pm: Routine win from Djokovic there to reach another semi-final! He will face either Pella or Agut. But now we're moments away from Federer vs Nishikori.
3pm: Good afternoon and welcome to Express Sport's live blog for this fascinating quarter-final between Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori.
Nishikori has a better than average record against the former world No 1, winning three of their 10 contests. The Japanese No 8 seed won their last match-up at the 2018 ATP Tour Finals so this will be no easy feat for Federer.
The match follows the conclusion of Novak Djokovic vs David Goffin, with the Serbian two games away from reaching the semi-final.
Stay tuned for the latest updates with Federer soon to enter Centre Court.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1151667/Roger-Federer-vs-Kei-Nishikori-LIVE-Wimbledon-updates-Rafael-Nadal-semi-final-tennis-score
2019-07-10 18:23:28Z
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