Reuters
London, July 6: Roger Federer put his global army of ‘Fed-Head’ fans through the wringer for four nerve-shredding sets before he kept alive his pursuit of a record eighth Wimbledon title with a 6-7 (4-7), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (11-9), 6-3 win over Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals here Wednesday. It was his 307th singles win in Grand Slam events.
Novak Djokovic’s shock third round exit had raised hopes that this could be the week when the Swiss finally ends his four-year hunt for an 18th Grand Slam title, as the Serb had been the only man to beat him at the Majors over the past two years.
However, all those expectations appeared to be heading for the dustbin as Cilic stood one point away from victory – not once, not twice but three times in a pulsating fourth set that had everyone on the edge of their seats.Three huge serves kept Federer alive – just – and he then produced the kind of form, and outrageous shots, that has made him the most successful man in tennis by stealing the tie-break 11-9.
An ace on his first match point finished off the job and carried him into an 11th Wimbledon semifinal and 40th overall in the Majors.
“This is a great day indeed,” said Federer who for the 10th time in his career came back to win a match erasing a two-set deficit. “I was just not ready to give up and it helped. Marin (Cilic) played very well, but I always knew it was a matter of two-three points. I got them and that is why I am sitting here in front of you,” the affable Swiss told reporters.
Federer will face another big-server, Canadian Milos Raonic, for a place in Sunday’s final. Raonic served 22 aces as he ended the run of giant-killer Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
The influence of John McEnroe, a new addition to his coaching team, was apparent as sixth-seeded Raonic charged into the net behind his booming first serves and confounded American Querrey with a succession of deft winning volleys.
Also making to the last four stage was sixth seed Tomas Berdych. He defeated Lucas Pouille of France 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-2 in a match that went on for 118 minutes.
