'Back to the drawing board' for Sandgren after Federer near-miss

A bitterly disappointed Tennys Sandgren said it was "back to the drawing board" Tuesday after he missed a golden opportunity to upset the great Roger Federer in their Australian Open quarter-final.

The unheralded 28-year-old held seven match points as he pushed six-time champion Federer to the brink, but couldn't find the killer blow and lost 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3.

Despite the defeat, it was a gallant effort from a man who likes Melbourne Park, having also made the last eight in 2018.

"Tired. Emotionally tired. Physically tired," he said after the gruelling encounter on centre court with the 38-year-old Swiss legend.

"I mean, I'm sure I'll look back in a couple days and appreciate the tennis I played the last eight, nine days. But currently just disappointed."
"It just seemed like his level picked up when his back was right up against the wall," he said of Federer. "He just wouldn't give me anything. Credit to him, for sure."
"All credit to him for sure."