Ailing Federer reaches Wimbledon quarterfinal; Djokovic cruises

Wimbledon—London, England

Six-time former winner Roger Federer overcame a back injury after the first set against his opponent Xavier Malisse of Belgium on Monday, advancing to the quarterfinals, 7-6(1), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

After squeezing through the first set and winning the second set in comfortable fashion, Federer dropped the third set to the shot-making world No. 75.

Trailing in the fourth set 2-0, Federer returned to his grass court brilliance by breaking Malisse and serving out the match. Improving to 10-1 against Malisse in lifetime meetings, Federer struck nine aces, won 73 percent of his first serve points and hit his biggest serve of the day at 122 MPH. Recording his 33rd straight grand slam quarterfinal, Federer will next face Mikhail Youzhny for a place in the final four. Youzhny reached his first career Wimbledon quarterfinal in seventh attempts after dispatching Denis Istomin, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-5.

Elsewhere, defending champion Novak Djokovic breezed past countryman Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 later in the day.

Earning his 12th straight victory against Troicki in 13 meetings, Djokovic won 81 percent of his first serve points, struck four aces and converted on six of eight break point opportunities.

Aiming to win his sixth major title, Djokovic will next face either Florian Mayer or Richard Gasquet. The pair had their match suspended by rain with Mayer leading 6-3, 2-1.

In other matches that weren’t able to finish or start on Monday because of rain, Andy Murray led Marin Cilic 7-5, 3-1, Mardy Fish led Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 1-1, and David Ferrer vs. Juan Martin del Potro and Brian Baker vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber were cancelled.

Tuesday’s order of play will see the resumption and completion of all men’s fourth round matches.

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If you have sustained an injury during a training session at a sports club, Irwin Mitchell is a great resource for injury claims information.

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