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MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021 Federer set for pullout and end four-decade Paris stretch PARIS: could end his Open and has always said Wimbledon French Open career which has is his main goal. He is chasing a ninth stretched over four decades with an title at Wimbledon which starts on June injury-enforced withdrawal today as 28. He is also scheduled to play the the 39-year-old rests his weary bones warm-up grass court tournament in for an assault on his primary objective, Halle beginning on June 14, the day a ninth Wimbledon title. after the French Open ends. The 20-time title winner, Federer, who made his Roland who will be 40 in two months’ time, Garros debut in 1999 and was champi- battled over three and a half hours until on in 2009, was playing a night session 12:45 yesterday morning to reach the for the first time. However, the almost last 16 in Paris. He is due back on court empty 15,000-capacity court was eeri- today to tackle Matteo Berrettini for a ly silent. “I might have been more nerv- place in the quarter-finals. ous if the stadium had been full,” added However, having undergone two Federer. “All the matches I’ve played knee surgeries in 2020, the Swiss star since the injury are information for the admitted there are doubts he’ll make it. rest of the season. “I don’t know if I am going to play,” “It gives me real pleasure to be able said Federer who is likely to be playing to play 3hr 30min at a high level his last French Open. against a very good player. It shows “I have to decide whether or not to that I’m on the right track.” As Federer continue. Is it too risky to keep putting weighs up leaving a tournament where pressure on the knee? Is it a good time and were to rest? Every match I have to reassess always the title favorites, fellow veteran the situation and see the next morning resumes her bid for a in what state I wake up and how my historic 24th Grand Slam title. knee is doing. “It may be even more true after a Serena eyes history match as long as the one tonight.” If his Seeded seventh, the 39-year-old PARIS: Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns the ball to Germany’s Dominik Koepfer during their men’s singles third round match knife-edge 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 Williams is the second-highest ranked on Day 7 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris yesterday. — AFP (7/4), 7-5 win over 59th-ranked Dominik player left in the women’s draw. After Koepfer was his last match in Paris, it will ’s shock withdrawal, time record of major trophies, takes wins on the clay,” Williams said after face either 2019 Roland Garros runner- be remembered as a gripping affair on missing the event through on Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina for a beating fellow American Danielle up Marketa Vondrousova or Paula the court, but soulless off it. injury and early losses for Bianca spot in the quarter-finals. Williams has Collins in round three. Badosa for a place in the semi-finals. Andreescu and Angelique Kerber, none not gone beyond the fourth round in Tamara Zidansek yesterday became The 23-year-old had never previ- Wimbledon target of the players who have beaten Williams Paris since losing the 2016 final to the first Slovenian woman to reach the ously got beyond the second round of a Due to a government-imposed in Grand Slam finals since her last title Garbine Muguruza. quarter-finals of a Grand Slam when major. Greek star is COVID-19 curfew, Court Philippe at the 2017 are still in She arrived at this year’s French she defeated Romania’s Sorana Cirstea seen as a favorite to reach his first Chatrier was devoid of fans and atmos- the competition. Open with just one win on clay this 7-6 (7/4), 6-1. The world number 85, Grand Slam final, with Nadal, Djokovic phere. Federer is playing only his third The former world number one, still term. “I’ve had a rough clay court sea- who knocked out former US Open and Federer all in the other half of the tournament since last year’s Australian just one short of Margaret Court’s all- son thus far, so I’m happy to get some champion Andreescu in round one, will men’s draw. — AFP