LONDON—Whenever Roger Federer has stepped onto Centre Court over the past nine days, there has been a lingering fear that this might be the last time Wimbledon’s favourite son will be seen in action at the All England Club.
On Wednesday, Hubert Hurkacz, a man who had won only four matches on grass before this fortnight, could well have made those fears a reality after he produced an inspired display to hand his childhood idol a 6-3 7-6(4) 6-0 mauling in the quarterfinals.
Before Wednesday, the eight-times champion had contested 404 sets at Wimbledon since making his debut in 1999 and never before had he lost one 6-0 at the grasscourt major.
If the 407th set he contested at…
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