Federer into 14th Wimbledon quarterfinal

Roger Federer has returned to his majestic best to move effortlessly into a record-equalling 14th Wimbledon quarterfinal and confirm his status as tennis’ most enduring champion.

Federer’s former coach Stefan Edberg was in the Swiss master’s box as the seven-time champion stepped up his latest title bid with a crushing 6-2 6-3 7-5 win over American Steve Johnson.

Turning 35 next month, Federer was delighted to have powered into the last eight without conceding a set in an ominous warning to his rivals.

“I was very happy how I played because Steve picked up some nice confidence over the last few weeks and you could see it,” Federer said of his vanquished opponent who’d won 10 of his previous 11 grasscourt matches.

“I would never have thought I was going to win the (first four) matches in straight sets.

“You can always lose the tournament in the first week, but never win it.”

Favourite to capitalise on Novak Djokovic’s shock removal from the top half of the draw and reach his 11th final at the All England Club, Federer will meet Croatian ninth seed Marin Cilic next on Wednesday.

“He brushed me off the court like I was nothing in the semis of the US Open a few years back, so I hope to get him back,” Federer said.

He will in this vintage form.

Federer emphatically dismissed concerns of being underdone after an injury-plagued lead-up with an imperious display against the in-form Johnson.

Showcasing all his extraordinary talents, Federer broke Johnson twice to take the opening set, produced a ridiculous spinning backhand drop-shot return before pocketing the second and hit straight back after dropping serve for the only time midway through the third set.

The third seed also would have impressed Edberg with the re-introduction of his so-called SABR tactic – Sneak Attack By Roger – to constantly have the American under pressure on serve.

He wrapped up the contest after 97 minutes to join Jimmy Connors as the equal-most prolific men’s quarterfinalist ever to grace London’s hallowed grass courts.

Federer’s victory was also his 306th at the Grand Slams, matching Martina Navratilova’s all-time record mark.

Cilic earlier on Monday became the first man through to the quarters when Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori retired with a rib injury while trailing 6-1 5-1 in their fourth-round match.

In a repeat of their 2014 US Open final, which Cilic won to secure his first and only Grand Slam title to date, Nishikori managed to win just seven points in the opening set.

He continued to struggle before calling it quits as Cilic closed to within a game of a two-set advantage.

“It was too much pain,” Nishikori said. “I could not really compete today. Every point I played it got worse.”

Djokovic’s third-round conqueror Sam Querrey also advanced to the last eight.

The big-serving American only faced one break point all match in ousting Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6(5) 6-4 and awaits the winner of the Milos Raonic-David Goffin fourth-round encounter.