Targeting most wins, Federer to hold semifinal with Murray at Wimbledon

Lee Hyung-taek (39), once a flagship player of Korean tennis, said, “Roger Federer seems to be displaying performance of the time when he was in the peak of his career.” Lee made the remarks after watching games of Federer (34) at this year’s Wimbledon in which the Korean is participating as coach. Lee lost Federer at the first round match at the Wimbledon in 2003 and his first showdown with the Swiss tennis star, and lost 0-3. Lee recalled the time, saying, “Federer’s strokes danced as if they were alive.” Federer won the Wimbledon title for the first time that year, and ushered in the era when he became the new emperor of the sport.

Some 12 years later, Federer, now in his mid-30s, continued to show his solid performance. Federer, ranking second in the world, crushed 3-0 (6-3, 7-5, 6-2) Gilles Simon (France), who is ranking 13 in world rankings, in the quarterfinals of men’s single at the Wimbledon tennis championship at All England Club near London on Thursday, and advanced to the semifinals. In the four games to his quarterfinal match at the event, Federer only played a total of 6 hours and 16 minutes, the shortest time played by the eight men who made to the quarterfinals. Likewise, he overwhelmed the opponents. Federer has had no major championship title since winning the Wimbledon in 2012, and if he wins the title this time, he will become the champion of men’s single in eight times in the championship, the most in the number of titles taken by a player.

Federer will hold its semifinal match with Briton Andy Murray (28) in his bid to advance to the final. Murray became the first Briton to win the men’s single competition of the Wimbledon in 77 years in 2013. The most exciting match is just about to unfold right before the final of the championship.

kjs0123@donga.com