Playing in the fourth round at Wimbledon for the fourth time in the last five years, Roger Federer defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in two hours and 15 minutes to advance into the last eight. Like in the previous three matches, Roger served well and suffered one break of serve while serving for the win at 6-5 in the third set, bouncing back quickly to seal the deal in the tie break and set the clash against Fernando Gonzalez.
Federer scored one break in each set against the Spaniard who had a solid campaign that year at the All England Club, overpowering him from the baseline to stay on the title course. The Swiss claimed the opener with a break in game four, repeating that at 2-2 in the second and serving well to find himself two sets to love in front.
“Juan Carlos was right when he said he has to be motivated and believe in his chance. He is a fantastic player; grass is not his favorite surface but he showed that he could play well on it. It’s always interesting to play against him.
I thought I played well today. I was struggling with the sun initially; to be honest, it was impossible to see the serve on one side. He played well from the baseline in the third set and it wasn’t easy to break him. On a break point, you are not allowed to miss and I felt pressure at that moment.
He played a consistent game to pull the break back and reach the tie break. The court was extremely slow today, that’s how I feel. Maybe it has to do with Juan Carlos who wasn’t missing. It wasn’t easy to overpower him, having to embrace risky shots to stand a chance and break his defense.
Fernando Gonzalez is a good player. With his serve and forehand, he is dangerous for anybody.
I had almost lost a set against him at Roland Garros but it should be better on grass that suits me more.
I’m looking forward to playing against him and it should be an excellent encounter.
Gonzalez is trying to hit all-or-nothing forehand in almost every point; I could do that too but that’s not my game philosophy. His forehand is consistent and it’s not easy to handle it. His serve has also improved. My serve has been consistent at Wimbledon this year.
I had some loose games against Kiefer but everything else was fine. I would wish to come to the net more but that’s not possible at the moment. As long as I keep winning from the baseline, that’s o.k. I always have goals I set myself when the season starts.
Last year, I played much better than I ever expected, raising the level compared to 2003 that was already terrific. I want to win Wimbledon and stay on the ATP throne as long as possible. I think I have created an aura around me at Wimbledon, like Andy Roddick on the hard court at home or Rafael Nadal on clay.
I always take every match from zero, as nothing would be handed to me. In tough positions, I always want to bounce back and prove once again I can do that again. I’m happy with the way I have been dealing with pressure in the last couple of years.
I think the players don’t work on their volleys enough these days. We can’t volley like the players from the past in the slower conditions. Still, the youngster could win Wimbledon if he becomes a better volley player.”
Earning a late break at 5-5 in the third set, Roger Federer broke Juan Carlos but couldn’t finish the job there, suffering the only break a few minutes later Before taking the tie break 8-6 to move over the top.
