Roger Federer one step away from history; Dimitrov into quarters
Roger Federer is closing in on becoming the oldest world number one in tennis history.
The Australian Open champion progressed into the quarter-finals in Rotterdam, although he was made to sweat by Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The German forced a tie-break in the first set, which Federer won before taking the match 7-6 (10/8) 7-5.
Victory in the quarter-finals against Dutchman Robin Haase, who beat compatriot and wild card Tallon Griekspoor, would see the 36-year-old Swiss accrue enough points to usurp Rafael Nadal at the top of the ATP world rankings.
It would be the first time in more than five years that sat atop the men’s game, and Federer would also replace Andre Agassi, who was 33 when he was last ranked no. 1 in 2003, as the oldest number one in history.
Elsewhere, second seed Grigor Dimitrov beat Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (7/4) 7-5 to set up a meeting with Andrey Rublev, who defeated Damir Dzumhur 6-4 7-6 (7/4).
Daniil Medvedev secured a comeback win against Pierre-Hugues Herbert to secure a clash with Andreas Seppi on Friday.
Lopez will now face Federico Delbonis, who defeated Portugal’s Gastao Elias 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (8/6).
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