Federer gets back to work after break

While every other man left in the Wimbledon draw was busy playing over the weekend, Roger Federer got a two-day break.

He’ll get back to work on Monday.

Federer, whose record 17 grand slam titles include seven at the All England Club, faces 29th-ranked Steve Johnson of the US, as all 16 men’s and women’s fourth-round matches are on the day eight schedule.

Thanks to putting matches on court on the middle Sunday for the first time since 2004, and fourth time ever, the tournament is finally back on track after a rainy opening week.

On Friday, Federer was the first man to get through the third round, helped by getting to play each of his matches on centre court, Wimbledon’s only arena with a retractable roof.

Nine others advanced on Saturday.

And six more men had to win Sunday, including four – No.7 Richard Gasquet, No.12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No.15 Nick Kyrgios and No.32 Lucas Pouille – whose matches began the day before.

So that quartet will be in action for a third day in a row Monday.

Don’t expect much sympathy from Federer for those who might be weary.

“Credit to myself for maybe winning as much as I did here in previous years that I do get put on either centre court or (No.1 Court),” Federer said.

“Maybe (I’ve) got to go on court one next week. Maybe have to play four days straight. Who knows?” Federer said.

“Things have gone well for me in the first week. We’ll see how they go in the second week.”

First up is Johnson in what shapes up as quite a mismatch.

Federer is trying to reach his 48th Grand Slam quarter-final, Johnson his first.

At 26, Johnson is eight years younger than Federer, and is not shy about saying the Swiss star was one of his idols growing up.

“I’m going to go out there thinking I’m going to be the winner. I have no fear out there,” Johnson said.

He can take some inspiration from his friend and doubles partner, Sam Querrey, who ended No.1 Novak Djokovic’s 30-match grand slam streak on Saturday.

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