When Roger Federer announced withdrew from his French Open campaign after the third-round victory against Dominik Kopefer, tennis fans expected the Swiss star to have a deep run at his favorite slam – the Wimbledon Championships.
Watch this story: A Look Back At Roger Federer’s Record 8 Wimbledon Championship Titles
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In a way, Federer did surprise everyone at SW19 with the way he played in the first week after a disappointing start in the first-round matchup against Adrian Mannarino. At two sets all, the Frenchman had to retire from the match due to a nasty fall he had in the fifth set.
Hubert Hurkacz bageled Federer in the third set to reach Wimbledon semis
Since that matchup, Federer gradually raised his level and looked to bring out his old form back on Center Court. But, the Swiss Maestro’s run was halted by the talented youngster Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals.
Not only Hurkacz outpowered Federer in every department, he also bageled the Swiss star. Federer never lost a set 6-0 at Wimbledon in all of his 22 appearances.
Even though Federer didn’t look like bouncing back after losing the first two sets against Hurkacz, the center court fans weren’t expecting the Pole to bagel the eight-time Wimbledon Champion.
Roger Federer was absolutely gutted to have lost the way he did against Hurkacz as he mentioned that he needs time to think about the way to move forward.
Barring this match, what were the other matchups where the Swiss Maestro was bageled by his opponents? Let’s find out.
French Open 1999 Round 1 – Roger Federer vs Pat Rafter
Former Australian world number one Pat Rafter was the first player to ever bagel Roger Federer. Back in 1999, when the Swiss star just turned pro, he faced Rafter in the first-round at Roland Garros.
Rafter, who was seeded third in the tournament, lost the first set to Federer 5-7. In the next three sets, the Aussie used his experience to power past Roger.
As his level crumbled after the first set, Federer went on to get bageled in the third against Rafter. After his first-round victory against a young Roger, Pat Rafter lost in the third round against Brazilian Fernando Ariel Meligeni.
French Open 2008 Final – Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal
Just ahead of their epic final which will go on to the tennis record books as one of the best finals every played at Wimbledon, both Federer and Nadal locked horns in the finals of Roland Garros in 2008.
Incidentally, Nadal defeated the Swiss star in back-to-back finals in 2006 and 2007 as well. Even in the year 2008, the Swiss star couldn’t matchup to the novelty the Spaniard produces on the red clay.
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After losing the first two sets 6-1, 6-3, Federer was all over the place as Rafael Nadal thumped the Swiss star 6-0 in the third set. This victory also marked Nadal’s fourth straight French Open crown.
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Also read: ?I?ve Got to Regroup?: Roger Federer Skeptical Regarding His Next Wimbledon Appearance