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Roger Federer Wimbledon 2019
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Federer notches up milestone in Dimitrov win


Having fallen to Andreas Seppi at the same stage in 2015, there was no upset this year as Federer moved into the last 16 with a 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory against the No.27Ā seed.

On a stormy day in Melbourne, the match started outdoors, but organisers were forced to close the roof on Rod Laver Arena once more as the rain reappeared.

Dimitrov had never beaten Federer in four previous meetings, but took a set off the 17-time Grand Slam champion for the first time in Brisbane two weeks ago.

After a single break of serve was the difference between the pair in the opening set, Dimitrov got back on level terms, only for Federer to streak away to victory in two hours and 47 minutes.

ā€œIt was my goal to react quickly after the second set because I struggled a little bit, but then found my way back and then was able to take charge of the match,ā€ said Federer. ā€œIā€™m pleased. It wasnā€™t easy. I didnā€™t expect it to be against Grigor.ā€

Federer is no stranger to records and milestones, having reached 1000 match wins in January 2015. He is the first man to win 300 Grand Slam matches, and is just six shy of Martina Navratilovaā€™s all-time record of 306.

ā€œItā€™s very exciting,ā€ said Federer, who will face David Goffin in the fourth round. ā€œLike when I reached 1,000 last year, it was a big deal for me. Not something I ever aimed for or looked for, but when it happens, itā€™s very special. You look deeper into it, I guess, where itā€™s all happened and how. So itā€™s very nice; Iā€™m very happy.ā€

For Dimitrov, it was a fifth defeat to Federer in as many meetings, but a promising start to the season for the Bulgarian, who broke into the top 10 in 2014 but slipped down the rankings after a disappointing season last year.

ā€œI think last year was a learning curve for him,ā€ Federer said of the 24-year-old, whose game has been likened to his own. ā€œSo I think this yearā€™s got to be better for him. Heā€™s playing positive tennis, and thatā€™s what heā€™s got to keep doing moving forward. I think weā€™ll only see a strong Grigor as the year progresses.ā€

ā€œI think slowly the pieces are coming together,ā€ said Dimitrov, who reached the final in Sydney last week as well as the quarter-finals in Brisbane. ā€œBut obviously when you lose matches against the top guys thereā€™s a lot you can see that you can still work on. That I think is just a positive I think for our team.

ā€œItā€™s not like Iā€™m losing every match or anything like that. I thought I played [some] good tennis at the beginning of the year, and thatā€™s important. There are still a lot of tournaments to come ahead. So Iā€™m really going to try to come out there and use all my confidence that Iā€™ve built so far and keep trying.ā€


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.