LONDON, July 6, 2016
Third seed and seven-time former Wimbledon champion Roger Federer headlined Wednesday’s quarterfinals action, performing one of his greatest escape acts on Centre Court. The Swiss saved three match points to come back from two-sets-to-love down, beating ninth seed Marin Cilic 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in a high-level match between two grass court stars.
After three hours and 17 minutes, Federer was through to his 11th Wimbledon semi-final. He pointed his finger in the air and the crowd responded with a standing ovation. At the age of 34, the Swiss maestro has become the oldest player to reach the last four in Wimbledon since 1974.
“I knew I was in so much trouble in the third and again in the fourth. It was great fun playing against Marin, he’s one of the nicest guys on tour, so I feel sorry for him,” Federer had to admit and added:
“The dream continues. I couldn’t be happier. I thought I fought well and played super great at the end. The last three sets were really good. It’s encouraging to see I’m improving. My legs were there, my back was there. Mentally this will give me a hell of a boost.”
Federer will face Milos Raonic for a place in Sunday’s final. The sixth seed from Canada completed a 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 win over US-American giant-killer Sam Querrey, winning 87% of his first service points to seal victory in two hours and 31 minutes.
Meanwhile on Court 1, Tomas Berdych has added his name to the semi-finals line-up with a 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Lucas Pouille. The Czech will play second seed Andy Murray next. The British number one has reached his seventh Wimbledon semi-final, completing a 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final match of the day. The Frenchman pushed Murray hard and there were warm applause for him too from the Centre Court crowd. But it’s Britain’s leading light who soaks up the celebrations and marches into the last four after three hours and 53 minutes.
“It was a tough match. The end of that fourth set was really tough. To lose that set was hard. I just tried to use all of my energy at the start of the fifth and thankfully got the early break and hung onto it. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is one of the best grasscourt players in the world. He started returning better and credit to him for fighting his way back into the match. It was a great match and I’m happy I’m through to the semis,” told Murray.
