Sachin Tendulkar congratulates Roger Federer on Wimbledon 2016 quarterfinal win

The two sporting greats have been friends for years

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who is a close friend of former World No. 1 Roger Federer, took to social media yesterday to express his delight at Federer’s laboriously fought five-set win over Marin Cilic at the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon men’s singles.

The Swiss legend dropped the first two sets against his Croat opponent, but staged a spectacular comeback to win the subsequent two sets. He then taxed Cilic in a match that saw the pair fight for control of the fourth set, which would eventually go to a tiebreak.

Cilic had match point on three occasions, but lost out each time, with Federer converting them to set point for himself instead.

The Swiss put on a brilliant display of athleticism last night despite having only just returned from injury, and covered the court, rushed the net and brought out some of his classic shots against the tall Croatian baseliner.

Tendulkar has had his own struggles with injury, most notably a tennis elbow that caused him repeated pain throughout his career. The now-retired legend, like Federer, is considered the greatest of all time in his sport, with a number of his records still unsurpassed.

Federer will now face Milos Raonic of Canada for a spot in the finals of Wimbledon 2016.

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