Federer sure he can put his back into next task

Roger Federer insists he will be fit enough to continue his fight for a seventh Wimbledon title despite suffering a back injury en route to victory over Xavier Malisse.

Federer took a medical time-out after feeling a twinge in his back following the eighth game of the first set yesterday.

The third seed moved gingerly afterwards, but he still managed to record a 7-6 (7/1) 6-1 4-6 6-3 win that ensured his passage to a 33rd consecutive grand slam quarter-final.

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The 30-year-old Swiss thinks a combination of yesterday’s cold weather, and his five-set win over Julien Benneteau on Friday, could have caused his injury, but he is confident the problem will have cleared up by the time he faces Mikhail Youzhny tomorrow.

Federer said: “Two good nights’ sleep and I’m pretty convinced I’ll be 100 per cent on Wednesday.

“Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to pull off the win the way I did (over Malisse).

“I felt it go at the start of the first set so I decided to have treatment. I’ve had bad backs over the years. They go as quick as they come.”

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As well as his injury, Federer had to battle through the elements.

At one point play was suspended for 40 minutes, and high winds, cold temperatures and persistent drizzle made life difficult for both players on Centre Court.

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