Defending champion Roger Federer is out of Wimbledon after eighth seed Kevin Anderson fought back from two sets down in a gripping quarter-final.
Top seed Federer, who was aiming for a record-equalling ninth singles title, missed a match point in the third set. It proved pivotal as the South African recovered to win 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-4 13-11 in four hours and 13 minutes.
The 2017 US Open finalist will meet Canada’s Milos Raonic or American John Isner in his first SW19 semi-final.
Eight-time champion Federer has already won more Wimbledon singles titles than any other man, but was aiming to equal Martina Navratilova’s all-time record.
The Swiss, who turns 37 next month, had been utterly dominant on his way to the last eight, swatting off Dusan Lajovic, Lukas Lacko, Jan-Lennard Struff and Adrian Mannarino in a combined total of little more than six hours on court.
But Anderson, playing in his first Wimbledon quarter-final, finally made the 20-time Grand Slam champion look human. The 32-year-old became the first opponent to win a service game, and then a set, against Federer at this year’s Championships.
Anderson continued to grow in confidence and stature as the match wore on, holding his nerve to earn his first win over Federer in five attempts. “He played the match of his life,” said former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker.
It was an absorbing battle full of surprise, suspense and swings of momentum – unquestionably the match of the men’s singles tournament so far.
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