This wasn’t in the script; a 5 setter between Kevin Anderson and Roger Federer on Court 1, and a sorry Federer leaving Wimbledon, a sight that not many would have predicted.
It was anguish for Federer and his fans, as the Swiss just looked out of sorts, despite getting those first two sets under his belt.
Kevin Anderson was a pillar of strength and calmness, a man, who was on a mission, a mission that he wasn’t going to abolish despite the circumstances.
Roger seemed on course for another Wimbledon semi-final, after cruising through the first and scraping through the second set. And when he had match point in the third, it seemed like the Anderson challenge had run its course.
But in the most unlikeliest of turn arounds, Anderson found this raw energy from somewhere in his system and this belief that absolutely blew away Federer in the next two sets.
With the decider set to begin, you would have given the edge to Roger, as he was serving first and had the weight of the 20 grand slam titles to maybe push him through.
Anderson though was riding on the momentum that he had somehow carved and built for himself in the 3rd and 4th set, and was in no mood to bow to the pressure of playing a 5th against Roger Federer at Wimbledon.
The duo held serve admirably, with Anderson being taken deep on a lot of service games, but there just wasn’t a way through.
Federer however was broken in the 23rd game of the set, and Anderson put absolutely no foot wrong to win the final game of the match to send Roger Federer crashing out of Wimbledon.
This is how Twitter reacted:
“I need to watch the football” what a shout 😂 #Federer #federeranderson #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/AuxCMNHxC1
— Feners (@Ellis_Fenwick) July 11, 2018
.@KAndersonATP WINS 2-6, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11.
8-time champion Roger #Federer is out. #Anderson saved match point in the third set & is through to his first ever #Wimbledon semifinal.
TAKE. A. BOW. BIG KEV. pic.twitter.com/KtxMtJXdII
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) July 11, 2018
‘Beating Roger #Federer at #Wimbledon* is something I’m going to remember.’
Us too, Kev.
*he didn’t actually pronounce the hashtags pic.twitter.com/1d9S61YLm4
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) July 11, 2018
Today’s match loss is the 20th Match in @rogerfederer ‘s career when he’s lost a match after being Match point up. #Wimbledon #Federer #Anderson
— Vibhu batra (@VIBHUISM) July 11, 2018
Roger Federer out of #Wimbledon! From 2 sets to love up, loses 13-11 in the 5th set, against Kevin Anderson. Surreal. #Federer #Wimbledon
— Deon Britto (@DeonBritto) July 11, 2018
Kevin Anderson has officially made it into my hate list by defeating Federer 😡
But have to say that was some performance by Anderson.#Wimbledon #Federer— Ayush (@itsayush23) July 11, 2018
Kevin Anderson has just demonstrated why u never give up! Match point down against #Federer 2 hours ago… he just came back to win 13-11 in the 5th set & advances to his 2nd Grand Slam semi-final 👏🏼 (And Roger might not be rushing back to No.1 Court!) #Wimbledon
— Cara Banks (@CaraBanksGC) July 11, 2018
Ah Im devastated! #Federer #WorldCup2018 what can I say…#Anderson was a machine! pic.twitter.com/VJIwh0gujv
— Ciara Fitzgerald #BeKindtoAnimals Ⓥ (@Kilts4me) July 11, 2018
Stunner. Federer our at Wimbledon. Only 3rd time in a slam Federer has lost after taking the 1st two sets. The loss tie Kevin Anderson “drops” Fed’s record to 266-3 in slams when up 2 sets to love
— trey wingo (@wingoz) July 11, 2018
“As the match went on, I kept telling myself, ‘This is going to be my day'” – Kevin Anderson after his marathon upset of Roger Federer
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) July 11, 2018
BOOM: #8 Kevin Anderson stuns #Wimbledon favorite #1 Roger Federer, an eight-time champion here, after trailing two sets to none.
2-6, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11. Big shock on the second-biggest stage, Court 1.
Anderson awaits the winner of the Raonic-Isner quarterfinal, up next.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 11, 2018
Whatever happens in this match, to have a match point against you in the third set and then go on to win the next 2 sets against Federer at Wimbledon in your first quarter final, amazing. Kevin Anderson doing us so proud 🎾🇿🇦 #KevinAnderson
— Marike Lombaard (@MarikeLombaard) July 11, 2018
Not vintage Federer but definitely vintage Kevin Anderson who produces the biggest victory of his career: 2-6, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11 to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Remarkable guts, remarkable performance
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) July 11, 2018
How does it feel when only thing in the world which gives you joy is taken away from you? #Federer
— Mikhail (@FedexMahindra18) July 11, 2018
U did good @rogerfederer
I love u no matter wat!
😘😘#federervsanderson #federer— Sue (@sujusweety) July 11, 2018
Ronaldo Leaving #RealMadrid Last night #Federer OUT of #Wimbledon
I can only handle these much Loses In two nights .
Please #Croatia , Trash #England tonight at #WorldCup SF..
This ” its coming home ” shit gotta end TONIGHT#CROENG #ENG #CRO
— Rakesh TR 👔🎬 (@RakeshToRocky) July 11, 2018
Thank you #wimbledon @rogerfederer and #KevinAnderson for the most amazing game of tennis played by 2 gentlemen of the game. Alas my son may never speak to me again -as a huge #Federer fan he’s gutted that his first trip here ended with a loss for his hero @Wimbledon
— SoullaStylianou (@SoullaStylianou) July 11, 2018
