Roger Federer is off to a fast start in his 56th Grand Slam quarter-final. The five-time US Open champion took the first set from former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, moving to within two sets of reaching his 11th semi-final in Flushing Meadows.
The 38-year-old Swiss wasted little time under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, breaking the Bulgarian in his first return game en route to a 3-0 lead. And the 102-time tour-level titlist, who qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the 17th time with his first win in New York (d. Nagal), won the battle of rallies that were four shots or less by a margin of 23-15. Dimitrov missed a backhand long after 29 minutes to give Federer the first set.
Federer is the oldest Grand Slam quarter-finalist since a 39-year-old Jimmy Connors made the semi-finals of the 1991 US Open. And if he goes on to lift the trophy, it will be his 21st major title.
On the other hand, World No. 78 Dimitrov is trying to continue to what has been a resurgent tournament. Dimitrov arrived at Flushing Meadows having lost seven of his previous eight matches. But if he is able to defeat Federer, the 28-year-old will reach his third Grand Slam semi-final.
The winner will face in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed. Medvedev, who won his first ATP Masters 1000 title last month at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, defeated Stan Wawrinka in four sets.
Did You Know?
Federer dropped just nine games total in his previous two matches before facing Dimitrov. His 80-minute victory against Daniel Evans in the third round and 79-minute win against David Goffin in the Round of 16 remain the two shortest completed matches of this men's singles event.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2LiKkGV
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