LONDON, July 2:
Roger Federer shook off a back injury to beat Xavier Malisse 7-6 6-1 4-6 6-3 and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals today.
The six-times champion left Centre Court after the seventh game of the first set for treatment and returned eight minutes later before dropping his serve to trail 5-6.
But the third seed broke back immediately, roared through the tiebreak 7-1 and dominated the second set.
The 31-year-old Malisse, world number 75, broke the Swiss early in the third set and with Federer’s movement clearly restricted the underdog pulled a set back.
Federer received more off-court treatment and dropped his serve again at the start of the fourth set but Malisse’s game suddenly fell apart and the 16-times grand slam champion wrapped up victory with an ace. (Agencies)
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