Federer survives 'emotional' Tsonga scare to reach last eight in Halle

Roger Federer admitted that he got lucky after avoiding a major setback in his preparations for Wimbledon in a gruelling 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-5 victory over Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the ATP event in Halle on Thursday.

Federer, 37, appeared firmly on course for a place in the quarter-finals at a set and a break up before an impressive comeback from Tsonga took the second-round match to a decider.

"I knew when I gave away that lead that it would be tight. Then it was about holding my nerve," he said.

"The third set was more of a battle. I tried to stay calm.

"It had a bit of everything: happiness, sadness, frustration. I maybe got a bit lucky, but you need that sometimes.

"It was a bit emotional at the end, which was nice." Federer said he felt for the defeated Tsonga, who returned to the tour this year after a seven-month absence due to a knee operation in 2018.

"I was pleased for him when he got an ovation at the end." The Swiss, who is eyeing a record tenth career title at Halle this year, faces Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the last eight on Friday.

"Roberto wins his points differently than Jo does. Jo does it with the serve, the power, the variety. Roberto does it with repetition," said Federer.

- Zverev eases into quarters -
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