Tennis: Djokovic, Federer Zoom Into Wimbledon Open Last Eight
Novak Djokovic marched into his 50th Grand Slam quarterfinal while Roger Federer became the oldest man in the modern era to make the last-eight at Wimbledon on 'Manic Monday' at the All England Club.
World number one Djokovic, chasing a sixth Wimbledon and record-equalling 20th major, eased into the last-eight for the 12th time with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Chile's Cristian Garin.
Federer, who will be 40 in just under five weeks' time, brushed aside Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 to make the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the 18th time and 58th overall at the majors.
Djokovic will next face Hungary's Marton Fucsovics, one of a host of players booking last-eight spots at the tournament for the first time.
The list included women's top seed Ashleigh Barty, second seed Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Pliskova, Viktorija Golubic as well as Matteo Berrettini, Denis Shapovalov, Karen Khachanov and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the men's draw.
Djokovic is halfway to a calendar Grand Slam.
Only two men have swept all four majors in the same year with Rod Laver the most recent back in 1969.
"Confidence levels are very high after winning the French Open," said Djokovic.
"It was one of my biggest wins in the circumstances -- two five-setters, two four-setters in the second week.
GAVE ME WINGS
"They took a lot out of me but they also gave me wings."
Eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer will face either second seed Daniil Medvedev or Hubert Hurkacz, the 14th seed, for a place in the semifinals.
Medvedev was leading Hurkacz 6-2, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 3-4 when play was halted for the night due to rain.
"It is not fair for anyone. I have been in these situations before -- but these guys are young and they can recover," said Federer, the oldest man in the last-eight since the dawn of the Open Era in 1968.
Barty reached the quarterfinals for the first time, beating French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-3.
The 25-year-old Australian will play compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic who was leading Emma Raducanu 6-4, 3-0 when the British teenager, ranked at 338 in the world, retired due to medical reasons.
"It was an incredibly tough match," said Barty.
"Barbora has had an unbelievable year and am happy to come through in the end."
Ons Jabeur's historic campaign saw her also reach the quarter-finals for the first time, beating Poland's 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.
The 26-year-old is the first Tunisian woman to reach the last eight and will face Belarus second seed Aryna Sabalenka who defeated Elena Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
"It was a great match and I had to stay calm rather than get angry," said Jabeur.
Both Jabeur and Sabalenka have a season-leading 33 wins in 2021. (Reuter)