Wimbledon 2015: Roger Federer helped into quarter-finals by injury to Roberto Bautista Agut

The seven-time champion will face Gilles Simon on Wednesday after straightforward 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win

Steve Tongue
Monday 06 July 2015 21:27 BST
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Roger Federer was in complete control throughout his three-set victory over Bautista Agut
Roger Federer was in complete control throughout his three-set victory over Bautista Agut

He hardly needed any outside assistance but Roger Federer received some anyway when opponent Roberto Bautista Agut injured an ankle before going down 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in under an hour and a half.

Federer's quarter-final against Gilles Simon on Wednesday will be his 45th in a Grand Slam event - a record - and he cannot have reached many of them in more straightforward fashion.

The Spaniard was already trailing by a set and a break at 2-3 when he fell heavily, requiring a seven-minute break. He declined to have the ankle strapped but had to do so after conceding that set. His movement was clearly restricted and the seven-times champion, gentleman that he is, was not going to make any allowances, continuing to move him all over the court.

Bautista Agut, seeded 20, and never in the last eight of a Grand Slam, did well in the circumstances to take three games in the final set. He saved five match points, mainly on rare Federer errors, but was always on a loser and finally conceded in the sixth by netting with a tired backhand.

"I'm happy he was able to play on although he said it wasn't great," Federer said. "The last few matches I've been dominated by big servers whereas today I could work with more finesse. It was good to play a baseliner for a change."

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