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Roger Federer played his first Major quarter-finals at back-to-back tournaments at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2001. The Swiss could not repeat those results a year later, experiencing early losses and hoping for a better run in 2003.
Federer clinched his first grass-court title in Halle a few weeks ahead of Wimbledon and headed to the All England Club as one of the favorites. Roger lost only one set against Hyung-Taik Lee, Stefan Koubek and Mardy Fish to find himself in the second week.
The Swiss toppled Feliciano Lopez in the fourth round despite a severe back injury that almost cost him the opening set and maybe the entire match. Federer defeated an injured Sjeng Schalken in the quarter-final to set the anticipated clash against Andy Roddick, with two youngsters fighting for the first Major final.
Federer played on a high level to score a 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 win in an hour and 43 minutes. Roger fended off a set point in the tie break and never looked back in sets two and three. Roddick wasted only two break opportunities at the beginning of the second set and struggled to follow the rival's pace.
The American got broken three times to propel Roger over the finish line.
Roger Federer was a player to beat at Wimbledon 2003.
Blasting 34 service winners and a potent 40 from the field, Federer sprayed only 35 errors to tame his strokes nicely and mount the pressure on the other side.
After the match, Roger felt confident after such a strong performance, proving he is a Major material and hoping for more in the title clash against Mark Philippoussis. The Swiss was ready to try again in the following years in the case of losing the final, which was not the case.
"I still have one more match to play, and if I do not win the title, I will try to come back and triumph in the upcoming years. This Wimbledon has shown me that I can fight for the big titles and take the next steps, as I have never played in the semi-final before.
I knew I could perform well in the best-of-five Davis Cup clashes, but you only play them sometimes, especially if you lose early at Majors. This result will give me confidence and experience ahead of the next tournaments; I have won many matches this year, which gives me an extra boost," Roger Federer said.