NEW YORK—Contesting his 19th US Open, Roger Federer has faced a slew of opponents ranging from Andre Agassi to Nick Kyrgios.
The five-time US Open champion suggests the closest he comes to facing himself is when he shares the court with quarterfinal opponent Grigor Dimitrov.
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The resurgent Bulgarian, once dubbed "Baby Fed", burst by Alex de Minaur, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, into his first US Open quarterfinal and a date with Federer.
The pair share eye-popping athleticism, all-court acumen, versatile one-handed backhands and a career-long commitment to Wilson rackets.
That makes for a dynamic match-up, but not exactly a demanding rivalry. Federer has swept all seven of their prior matches, winning 16 of their 18 sets.
"Yeah, I've done well against him in the past," Federer said. "But new match, new Grigor, new me again. I don't know where we're going to be, if it's day or night, all that stuff. But I like watching him. I like playing against him.
"Of course, when we play, it's as close as it gets to being a similar playing style. I think for both of us it's cool to play one another."
The 78th-ranked Dimitrov, who has been slowed by shoulder and serving issues this season, denied the only break point he faced in an impressive deconstruction of de Minaur.
Despite his career-long struggles vs. Federer, Dimitrov says he's doing his best to make the most of this opportunity.
"Given the history of me and Roger, how we've played the past years, nothing had favored me," Dimitrov said. "But it is what it is right now. I'm very appreciative of where I'm at right now. I'm very appreciative of what I've gone through and what I'm going through. I'm exactly where I should be.
"Again, I could never predict, after a summer like, that beginning of the year like that, that I'm going to be out here. But I'm here. Excitement? Yes. So was every other feeling you could possibly think. But it's one of the most important things, not to look too far ahead. Enjoy the moment for a second, appreciate the situation, and we move on.
Dimitrov, who is coached by Agassi and Radek Stepanek, two former Federer rivals, practiced with the 20-time Grand Slam champion in Cincinnati earlier this month.
While Federer is a fan of the Bulgarian's stylish attack, he hasn't been too philanthropic in their career meetings.
In their last encounter, Federer permitted just four games defeating Dimitrov in the 2018 Rotterdam final.
"I practiced with him in Cincy. He was the guy I practiced with first when I just came off the plane," Federer said. "Know Grigor very well. He's a good friend of mine. It was fun having him also at the Laver Cup last time around. I spent a week there with him.
"I'm happy that things are going better for him after he won Cincinnati a couple years ago now, last year, a couple years ago I guess it is now. Also the World Tour Finals. He had a bit of a slump. This is the big quarters for him, obviously with an opportunity against me. I'm aware of the fact it's a big match for him."
Photo credit: Christopher Levy