Milos Raonic became the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon on Friday when he stunned punch drunk seven-time champion Roger Federer in a titanic five-set struggle. Sixth seed Raonic triumphed 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 and goes on to face second seed Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, or 10th-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych.
"I pushed him on a few service games, couldn't get it done," said Federer. "He hit the lines with the serve and forehand. He did a great job. It's something I want to forget about." "It hurts. I was so, so close." It was 25-year-old Raonic's first win on grass against a top 10 opponent and shattered Federer's hopes of going on to claim a record eighth All England Club crown and 18th major.
"There was a little opening and I took it," said Raonic who looked down and out in the fourth set. "It's a big impact for Canada. Hopefully, it will be even bigger if I win on Sunday. "I was struggling throughout the third and fourth sets, he was playing some real good tennis. It's a great feeling to be continuing."
After weathering an early storm, Federer had been in complete control of the semi-final, his 10th at the tournament, until the tie turned suddenly and dramatically in the fourth set. The 34-year-old, bidding to become the oldest finalist in 42 years, squandered three break points in the set and slipped from 40-0 up on serve in the 12th game. Federer, whose last Grand Slam crown came at Wimbledon in 2012, had already required five sets to get past Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals, saving three match points in the process.
And the effort took its toll on the 17-time major winner in the decider where he needed treatment on his right thigh and jarred his left knee and foot in a worrying fall. "I hope I haven't hurt myself," said the Swiss. Raonic, nine years his junior, pounced for a 3-1 lead while Federer had to save two more break points in the sixth game.
The Canadian held his nerve and claimed victory when Federer went wide with a weary forehand which condemned the Swiss star to his first loss in a Wimbledon semi-final. Raonic finished with 23 aces and 75 winners while Federer converted just one of nine break points. Raonic, playing in his second Wimbledon semi-final after losing to Federer at the same stage two years ago, came out blasting from the start. He carved out and converted the only break point of the first set for a 3-1 lead before unleashing the fastest serve of the tournament of 144mph (231.7km/h) in the fifth game.
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