Wimbledon 2021: ‘Ageless’ Roger Federer defeats Norrie in 4-set marathon to enter fourth round

There were even a few beads of sweat on the 39-year-old eight-time champion’s brow by the end of a testing afternoon – probably exactly what was needed as the No.6 seed heads for the second week when the “real tournament” starts.

Having won the first two sets Federer must have thought this match was for the taking but Norrie is now world No.34 thanks to his final appearance at Queen’s and far from a pushover.

Wimbledon 2021: Ageless Roger Federer defeats Norrie in 4-set marathon to enter fourth round

He also endeared himself to the crowd when his loose ball inadvertently struck a young boy. Seeing the youngster’s tears, he immediately raced over to present one of his towels and received a huge round of applause.

There were also cheers in the third set as Norrie extended it and the match into a fourth. Federer has been a long-time injury absentee and this certainly tested him at every level.

He finally served for the match at 5-4 after two-and-a-half hours. A forehand crosscourt set up the match point. Federer served, Norrie netted and it was all over.

The 8-time Wimbledon champion had earlier defeated Richard Gasquet of France in the last round and will attempt to book his place in the pre-quarterfinals

Notably, Federer is chasing his 21^st major in his attempt to reinstate his position in men’s singles. The 39-year-old is currently level with Rafael Nadal with 20 Grand Slam titles each.

Roger Federer vs Cameron Norrie 4th set

6-4 Federer wins

5-4 to Federer

4-4 to Federer

4-3 to Norrie

3-3 fourth set evenly poised

3-2 Federer rebounds strongly

3-2 Federer rebounds strongly

2-1 to Norrie

1-1 to Federer

1-0 to Norrie

Roger Federer vs Cameron Norrie 3rd set

7-5 Norrie bounces back in 3rd set

He couldn't, could he…?@cam_norrie wins the third set against Roger Federer with the 8-time champion 2-1 to the good – but is a fightback brewing…#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/BhQiYF5t0h

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2021

6-5 to Norrie……And the wait continues

5-5 to Federer, evenly poised

5-4 to Norrie, Is there a twist in the tale?

4-4 to Federer

4-3 to Norrie

3-3 scores level

3-2 to Norrie

2-2 to Federer

2-1 to Norrie. Can he go on to win this set?

1-1 to Federer

1-0 to Norrie

Roger Federer vs Cameron Norrie 2nd set

Federer wins second set 6-4

5-4 Norrie delays Federer’s win

It’s 5-3 to Federer

4-3 Norrie rebounds again

4-2 to Federer

3-2 Norrie reduces his deficit

3-1 Federer stretches his lead over Norrie

2-1 to Federer

1-1 to Federer

1-0 Norrie with impressive start

Roger Federer vs Cameron Norrie 1st set

6-4 Federer defeats Norrie in opening set

5-4 to Federer, a game away from clinching first set

4-3 Federer takes the lead for first time in the opening set

3-3 Federer rebounds again

3-2 to Norrie

2-1 The see-sawing battle starts

1-1 to Federer

1-0 to Norrie