Roger Federer: Goodbye Paris

PARIS, June 6

Former world No. 1 Roger Federer, who is targeting a record 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, withdrew from the French Open today, a day after winning a tough third-round match, opting to save himself for the grass-court season. “After discussions with my team, I decided that I should withdraw from the French Open today,” Federer said. “After two knee operations and more than a year of rehabilitation, it’s important that I listen to my body and not rush back into competition,” the 39-year-old Swiss added.

Federer, who has hardly played in the last 17 months because of a knee injury, suffered physically in his four-set, late-night victory over Dominik Koepfer on Saturday and decided to end his campaign ahead of what would have been a punishing fourth-round match against Matteo Berrettini.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander said Federer’s decision made sense as the eight-time Wimbledon champion had more chance to succeed on grass. — Reuters

Day 8: Highlights

Zidansek the star

Tamara Zidansek has become the first Slovenian woman to reach the quarterfinals of a Major tournament. She did so by winning 7-6(4) 6-1 against Sorana Cirstea.

MEDVEDEV vs Tsistipas

Russian Daniil Medvedev beat Chile’s Cristian Garin 6-2 6-1 7-5 to set up a mouthwatering quarterfinals clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who beat Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3 6-2 7-5.

AZARENKA stunned

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova battled hard to beat Victoria Azarenka 5-7 6-3 6-2 and reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 10 years.

Bopanna in quarters

India’s Rohan Bopanna and Croatian partner Franko Skugor are in the men’s doubles quarterfinals after receiving a walkover. Bopanna and Skugor will now face the Spanish pairing of Pablo Andujar and Pedro Martinez.