Milos Raonic tops Roger Federer to reach first Wimbledon final
Facing the biggest challenge of his career, Milos Raonic rose to the occasion, topping Roger Federer to advance to his first Wimbledon final.
The 25-year-old Canadian outlasted the seven-time Wimbledon champion 6-3, 6-7(3), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Friday’s first semifinal was chock full of scintillating tennis from both players, each of whom had several chances to take hold of the match. But it was Raonic who responded best when the pressure was at its peak.
Federer double-faulted on the only break-point opportunity of the first set, allowing Raonic to jump out to one-set lead.
In the second set, Raonic continued to show off his powerful serve and aggressive game plan. He won 17-of-26 points at the net and saved four break points. In the ensuing tiebreak, though, Federer was able to break through after Raonic double-faulted and committed three straight errors.
Capitalizing on the momentum, Federer continued to rally into the third set. He won 94 percent of his first-serve points and 5-of-6 points at the net while giving up just one unforced error and closing out the set with an ace.
Federer had two opportunities to run away with the match in the fourth, but Raonic stood tall both times.
With Raonic on serve at 2-2, Federer took a 40-15 lead. Facing double-break point, Raonic dug in, forcing Federer into four forehand errors for the crucial hold.
Then, at 5-6, Federer grabbed a 40-0 advantage and looked poised to take the set to a tiebreak. Once again, though, Raonic held his nerve while Federer double-faulted twice, squandering the opportunity to move on to a 10th Wimbledon final.
Raonic, who added three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe to his coaching staff after the French Open, kept up the pressure in the fifth, whereas Federer appeared a bit weary from having to go the distance for the second consecutive match. He broke the 17-time Grand Slam winner at 2-1, then closed out strong to capture the match.
Federer’s loss was his first-ever defeat in a Wimbledon semifinal. He was hoping to end a four-year major title drought and climb back from an injury-plagued 2016. After walking off the court to a standing ovation, he reiterated his plans to return to continue his chase for his eighth Wimbledon title.
“I hope to be back on Centre Court, to be very clear,” Federer said after the match. “But this one clearly hurts. I could have had it. I was so, so close.”
With the win, Raonic became the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final.
“It will have a bigger impact [back home] if I can win,” Raonic said on the court after the match. “I am by no means done.”
Raonic will face Andy Murray in Sunday’s final.
