Earning a second life at Wimbledon after coming back from two sets down against Marin Cilic in the quarters, Roger Federer will meet Milos Raonic on Friday. The winner will play either Andy Murray or Tomas Berdych in the final.
Roger Federer and Milos Raonic will be facing each other for the 12th time in their careers when they battle for a place in the Wimbledon title match on Friday.
Federer is dominating the head-to-head series 9-2, including 2-0 on grass and 1-0 at Wimbledon. They also squared off in the semifinals at the All-England Club two years ago, when the Swiss cruised 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Raonic had been an especially futile 1-9 against Federer before prevailing 6-4, 6-4 early this season to capture the Brisbane title.
The first five months of 2016 were nothing short of an injury-plagued disaster for the 34-year-old, but he appears to be heating up at just the right time. On the heels of unspectacular semifinal finishes in Stuttgart and Halle, Federer now finds himself in the Wimbledon semis for the 11th time in his illustrious career. The seven-time champion rolled over Guido Pella, Marcus Willis, Daniel Evans, and Steve Johnson before staging an epic comeback against Marin Cilic on Wednesday that featured three match-point saves en route to a 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3 triumph.
“I prefer to be here than booking a jet,” Federer said after his close call versus Cilic. “I’ll tell you that. For me, I’m very pleased…. Today was epic. (I’m) probably going to look back at this as being a great, great match that I played in my career, on Centre Court here at Wimbledon…. This is huge for me, my season, my career. I’m very, very happy. I think I’m playing good tennis, too.”
Raonic took his turn surviving the brink of defeat during fourth-round action on Monday, when he outlasted David Goffin 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. That was preceded by much more routine defeats of Pablo Carreno Busta, Andreas Seppi, and Jack Sock, and it was followed by a 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 quarterfinal victory over Sam Querrey.
“I look forward to it a lot,” Raonic assured. “(It’s) definitely a great opportunity. Two years have passed since I played him here in the semifinals. I’m happy that I have another shot at him…. Probably from the mental side, I’ll look at what I wouldn’t want to repeat from two years ago.”
With Federer two years older and Raonic much-improved, mentally tougher, and tactically sounder since that 2014 encounter, a much more competitive contest should be in the cards. But Federer is 10-0 lifetime in Wimbledon semifinal matches and that is a record that cannot be discounted even though much of it was compiled during the prime of his career. The world No. 3 is likely to make it 11-0 by scoring another win over an opponent whom he has mostly owned.
Pick: Federer in 4
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WWW?
How I would have liked to have Goffin instead of Milos in this SF!
Roger’s baseline game is yet to reach the required mark. Playing Goffin would have sharpened up his groundies before possible meeting with Muzz.
Anyways, just hoping that he can get the same done against Milos.
Another note from yesterday’s match:
Roger’s 2nd serves are really out of this world!
How’s Fed’s second serve out of this world? Djoko and Murray would most likely return those more regularly, Cilic isnt as good a returner of serves.
Can you please name anyone else on the tour who hits such gutsy 2nd serves at clutch moments?!
Raonic, even Rafa of the past; Djoko.
RAFA!! (Neither in past, nor in present)
Raonic (He’s there but then, he should be)
Nole (He has really improved his 2nd serves, but not really at Roger’s level)
You said gutsy serve! Rafa certainly served gutsy 2nd serve at clutch moment too!
Please, not only Fed is gutsy, he’s not known to be gutsy anyway! Both Rafa and Djoko are more gutsy than him.
With their groundstrokes, Yes.
With their serves, NO!
Nonsense! Ive clearly seen them serving gutsy serves to save important points. Dont let your Fed tinted glasses blurred your vision.
Wonder why Fed’s out of the world second serve never saved him against Rafa who couldn’t second serve to save his life!!! Hilarious!!!
I think you too are confusing between 2nd serves and groundstrokes.
2 different entities.
#DoYouOrDon’tYou
Federer packs more punch in his 2nd serves, Rafa and Nole in their groundstrokes.
#HopeThisHelps
And tennis is much more than just Fed vs Rafa!!
abhirf-Tennis is played with a racket and a ball and each point is started with a serve ( not a groundstroke). Hope this helps.
#Helpful tip: Watch real matches!
Mary W-
Maybe you should start watching some real matches.
And your above statement doesn’t really make any sense.
Trying to finish off a point with a low percentage 2nd serve and a low percentage groundstrokes are 2 different entities!
#HopeThisHelps
Oh, if I remember correctly, Isner too.
abhirf clearly watched Fed’s matches only!
Hahaha!
What an unnecessary outburst.
Doing something 7-9 times out of 10 is considered the norm.
Doing something 2-3 times out of 10 isn’t.
Hope this helps!
Er…So Fed was doing it 2 – 3 times out of 10, so it isnt the norm. I repeat, Fed is not known to be gutsy; in fact he used to play it safe when facing SP/MP which is why he’s not as gutsy as Rafa or Djoko.
Its only now that he’s desparate for Wimbledon no.8 and slam no.18, with both Rafa and Djoko out of the way, that he knows this is his only chance, so he has to be gutsy to beat Cilic and not let this chance slips away.
You still seem confused!
Can’t help you beyond this.
You’re the one who’s confused. In fact OTT about Fed’s gutsy 2nd serve!
Like I said, can’t help you beyond this!
Who needs help? You I think!. Sorry I cant help you to get over your OTT stuff. Good luck!
OTT??
@Mary W
You’re still not getting the point. So if you have really watched tennis, then you must have definitely heard of something known as an ACE or a Service Winner (points finishing up with the serve).
And why do the players go for low percentage serves or shots. Isn’t it meant to finish off the points.
#HopeThisHelps
We are not comparing groundstrokes with 2nd serves. All these while we are talking about 2nd serves – gutsy 2nd serves at crucial moments. Rafa and Djoko did serve some gutsy 2nd serves to get themselves out of troubles. I dont know what you are objecting about, clearly you have not seen enough of Rafa’s and/or Djoko’s matches and think that only your Fed is able to do so.
I see your comment about Fed’s 2nd serve being OTT because I’ve seen others doing that too. Players like Djoko, Raonic and Isner had all served aces in their 2nd serves and they caught their opponents off guard. Rafa, while not serving 2nd serve ace, could vary his pace or picked his spot to serve his second serve that caught his opponent off guard to save crucial points.
Federer has one of the best second serves out there and the general quality of second serves is higher than djokovic’s and esp Nadal’s but Fed’s second serve very gutsy and risky? Not really… He does throw more aggressive ones but he’s not like Sampras… If you are looking at a player from the current lot then Zverev is an example.
Rafa takes risks with the placement of his second serves on some of the key moments…he sometimes fools his opponents by serving second serves to their forehand on the deuece court when they are preparing to run around their backhands and crush rafa’s second serves. Djokovic takes the risk more in the form of pace.
And remember, Rafa doesn’t have as much action on his serve as Federer does so it requires more GUTS for rafa to hit a risker second serve….. Murray’s got the least action on his serve so it is the riskiest for him and we don’t see him doing that.
Fed’s got a massive kick serve which also provides a better margin for error.
And yeah, Rafa and Djokovic are more GENERALLY aggressive on set points/ match points.
abhirf you are saying you finish off a point with a serve!!! ROFL!!!! Actually you start a point with a serve.I recommend you watch some tennis matches. You are probably mixing up tennis with some other game. Hope this helps.
vr,
Thank you for weighing in with a solid and informative breakdown and analysis of the respective second serves of Fed, Rafa, Novak and Murray. I appreciated the dispassionate and reasonable way in which you broke it all down.
I liked the point you made about what Rafa does to make his second serve effective. Each of the top players have different strengths in their serves.
When you take the emotion out if it and bias to one player over another and don’t make it personal, then it elevates the discussion and makes everything so much clearer.
Thanks for a really good read! 🙂
thanks for the comment, NNY 🙂
Just mentioned some of the observations I had to contribute to the ongoing discussion.
Waiting for Raonic-Fed now!
@Mary W
You’re still not getting the point. So if you have really watched tennis, then you must have definitely heard of something known as an ACE or a Service Winner (points finishing up with the serve).
And why do the players go for low percentage serves or shots. Isn’t it meant to finish off the points.
#HopeThisHelps!
Please oh please I hope Roger wins!!!!!
Ditto
Fed in four
I guess Raonic is a tougher opponent for Fed compared to Cilic. Raonic is more calm and composed so I doubt he would make the same nervous errors Cilic made.
Raonic may not have Cilic’s smooth and light footed movement but he’s more willing to move forward to attack. He’s getting better these days, certainly playing better than Wimbledon 2014, so I think Fed will have a hard time ahead.
Raonic can make nervous errors. Especially against the big guys.
Raonic in straights.
Wow, bold to say Raonic in straight!
It can go either way, Fed or Raonic, depending who’s more clutch at crucial moments. If Raonic makes the same mistakes like Cilic, he’s cooked. Fed is very experienced at slams so no slip ups if Raonic wants to win.
Nathan JULY 4, 2016 AT 8:48 PM
Cilic in 4
LOL
Cilic had match points in the 4th set, don’t “lol” at me. I think Federer is an amazing player, but I think that after that five setter, he’s knackered. Raonic doesn’t allow rhythm for any player, we saw what he nearly did against Murray in the Queens final, and Murray is a much better returner than Federer. If Raonic turns up with 100% I can’t see Fed winning a set.
hahaha
This is not Queens! There is a world of difference between a best of three set match and a best of five set slam match.
One simply cannot ignore Fed’s record at Wimbledon. It speaks for itself. It’s not like Raonic has even won Wimbledon! Or any slam for that matter!
Fed’s experience in these kinds of matches means a great deal. He has dealt with this kind of pressure and has the 7 Wimbledon titles to prove it.
Raonic is a talented young player who has had some really good results. I don’t think he will just hand over the match to Fed. But I think it’s a huge stretch to think he can pull it off.
Go back and watch how Fed fought off those match points against Cilic and how he dug deep even at the age of 34, to find a way to win. That is what Raonic will be up against.
Well we’ll see tomorrow, whoever wins, it will be a good match, can we agree on that?
Yes we can agree on that.
Yeah I can’t see fed the seven time champ getting a set either. Raonic will likely triple bagel him. I mean Milos at 100% is way better than fed at 100%. Roger has no momentum or confidence after that easy win over Cilic. (Yes everything I said here was completely sarcastic)
Did you bet? How much did you lose? I refuse to bet on any Federer’s match because I get hurt.
No I don’t bet. I was just commenting on how someone said they couldn’t see fed winning a set. Thought it was funny lol. Raonic is gonna be tough match though.
Raonic is a much more complete player these days but still needs to develop tactical nous against the top players. I don’t see him getting the better of the rejuvenated, vastly more experienced Fed over five sets on grass.
Federer in 4 (at least 1 TB)
I think Fed will be highly motivated to get to another final. He’s playing like a man who knows this may well be his one last shot with Novak out of the way. I think that Raonic has the game and mental strength to make this a good match. He’s shown that he can keep it together in tough moments. He’s worked to develop a complete game.
I think Fed will pull out all the stops in this one. I see him winning in 4 sets and expect him to have to work for this one, too.
I really don’t see Raonic breaking Federer’s serve if it’s up to par. Federer may not be able to break Raonic if he serves well, so it will come down to tiebreaks. Let’s see how Federer recovers – his 5-setter was no joke and he’s not getting younger – and how Raonic handles his nerves. He came totally unglued vs Rafa in the Rogers Cup final in 2013, but Raonic is a much improved player since then.
FWIW I’ll go with Fed in 4 tight sets.
And btw, “Never say Federer is not a fighter” — R. Nadal
Ramara,
Thanks for posting that quote from Rafa. He should know!
Rafa obviously knows that Fed is also a laugher – he laughed for 10 minutes (according to his own words) after Rafa lost at Wimbledon in 2012.
Raonic in 5 with three tie break sets. Fed aging is catching up, he will not be able to sustain bomb coming from Raonic racket.
Fed in 3 or 4, most likely 4 but no more than 4.
There is no way Fed is not taking this title.
#18NID
Most likely Fed in three.
(with Milos up 4-2 in the first).
I remember years ago Lendl was compared to McEnroe on grass, its not unlike the Raonic /Federer comparison .On any other surface Id back Raonic but he doesn’t have Federers feel or movement .Add to that experience /place in history .Federer in four tight sets with atleast one tiebreak.
I hate it when my 2 favourite players face each other. As much as I’d love to see Fed get #18 and this may be his last chance, I also want to see Milos win his first Slam. My gut feeling is that Fed will win but it will be a close match.
Raonic’s in with a real shot- no doubt about that. But, Fed really gave him a lifeline in the qtr final and he would be rejuvenated.
Cilic is much better than Raonic from the baseline and moves better too. Raonic will really have to his use big forehand well and use his backhand DTL which he has developed over the last 2 years.
Fed’s backhand slice did wonders against Cilic and it will again be a life-saver for him. Fed will get errors from Raonic’s forehand.
Raonic will probably force a couple tie breakers and could not win them given how big he can serve. This will be interesting.
I think fed’s going to neutralize Raonic’s power and win in tight 4 sets. If it goes to 5, I am actually going to favor Raonic.
It is different from last few years because Fed does not have to play 2 or 3 consecutive 5 setter matches in a row. He has one day off should be good. In addition, Cilic’s match did give him some directions to fine tune his groundstrokes again.
I think it is a good match and it will not be easy for Fed. I hope he wins because I don’t like Raonic.
When this tournament began I did not think Fed would even make it to the second week. But here he is and looking like a title contender!I did not like him when he was at his peak but the Cilic match was a thriller and underscored Fed’s genius and fighting qualities! Just imagine if Rafa hadn’t been there, this guy would probably have at least 25 GS titles!
Yep. He would most likely have multiple RG titles.
If Rafa was not there, I’d dread to think of what the field would have looked like.
Raonic in 5. Going for the upset.
Loving all the comments people. I agree that it would have helped facing a big server in the round before and fine tuning a few things having been given a second life, I actually think he won the match more than Cilic handing in to him, some of those rallies on the clutch points was out of this world.
So I think the hunger will be there from both players, but more so on Rogers side as deep down he knows this is his last chance at a slam without some key big players out the way already. What he cant allow is for his serve to be broken cos breaking down the Raonic serve twice in a set wont be easy at all.
I will go Roger in 4 sets, with so much riding on the 1st set though, If Raonic wins the first, I dont think fed will come back again though.
I’m still in shock and awe from the amazing Fed win on Wed…..he’s still the player we can all look up to!!! I’ll take him in 4 today.
Roger 6-4 7-6 7-5
All things aside, the draw kinda appears strange & hollow without Nole in the latter stages. Has been such a regular member of this stage of the slams.
Similar to 2004-07.
4-1 to Raonic first set
Raonic’s won 1/5 on second serves so far…. he’ll have to improve that or he won’t win the match. He’s in a very good position to win set 1 now….just two service holds.
Fed will break here for 3-4 on serve.
your Canadian boy’s taken it, hawkeye. 6-3! Well done. It will only get tougher now
Raonic serves himself out of trouble from 0-30. He has a GOLDEN chance to win this set as Fed double-faulted his service game away…not gonna happen again.
Raonic’s first two service games in the 2nd set will be huuuuge.
Expect Fed to capitalize on a Milos letdown to break early.
Roger will break here to go up 4-2.
Roger will break here to go up 5-3 and serve for the second set.
#18NID
Roger will hold for 5-4 and break to take the second set.
3 set pts…almost saw that coming
Raonic Ace-DF ratio: 6-5…. that’s bad
Massive hold for Milos from 0-40 down and four BPs saved!!!
Wow! Raonic won the first set! Tight second set and Raonic fights off set points. Fed is up against it again.
Fed will hold for 6-5 and break to take the second set 7-5.
Fed is going to lose this tie break…
TB! This is going to be pressure for Fed. It appears that Raonic came with his A game today!
Fed will win the TB to take the second set.
Jon gets it…
Jon Wertheim @jon_wertheim 50s50 seconds ago
You have the inescapable feeling that the player to win this tiebreak wins the match …
Double fault from Raonic! Fed needs to capitalize.
After two sets Vegas says… Fed -147 / Raonic +121
Pseudo McEnroe @McEnroeTweets 29s30 seconds ago
You get the sense this is a tiebreak. For both these guys.
Fed will get the mini break for 4-3 and go on to win the TB 7-4.
Fed wins the TB! We have a match!
GSM Fed.
Fed trying to use his second serve to ‘bluff’ his not so good in returning opponent. Both Cilic and Raonic are rather bad returner of serves hence not smart enough to figure out how to deal with Fed’s second serves. Notice that Fed has for certain games, not getting many first serves in, just so that he can use his second serves to win points.
Milos choked
#NID
That is exactly what I was going to say! You read my mind! Double faulting to give Fed the advantage when he’s got that big serve. So Raonic is feeling the pressure.
He ESPN commies were talking about Raonic taking a long bathroom break after losing the first set and saying that fed was not pleased.
Hahaha, maybe Milos is waiting for the sun to move.
Carole Bouchard @carole_bouchard 35s36 seconds ago View translation
Raonic prend une longue pause pipi. Federer attend et ça n’a pas l’air de lui plaire.
Translated from French by Bing Wrong translation?
Raonic takes a long pee break. Federer awaits and it didn’t please him air.
Carole gets it…
Carole Bouchard @carole_bouchard 44s45 seconds ago
Usually when Raonic is “come on-ing” and stuff, it’s not good sign for him. When he’s really locked in : he shows nothing.
Fed will roll now.
Good serving from fed to climb out of a 0-30 hole and hold. First serves, too!
ESPN commies showing their bias in going on about Raonic taking the bathroom break. They want their Fed/Murray final!
3 aces in a row from Milos! that’s some way of responding !
Well, is it just me or does anyone else also feel that Milos has lost some weight!
Milosh making far too many errors when he gets into rallies 🙁
Raonic has settled down after losing the TB.
Break points for Fed!
Fed breaks!
Now or never for the fed express
It’s now!
F’in fantastic… But a break is only a break if he can hold his next service game
He did
Its Rogers match to lose from here in… just needs to keep taking care of his own service games
Raonic very poor in rallies. I hope Fed beats him. I cant imagine having a slam winner with poor rallying skills in the current modern tennis world.
Raonic has no chance against Murray. Well, neither does Fed for that matter.
Well I don’t think Milos is winning this one. not if fed continues to put pressure on his service games. I hope Berdych takes Murray to another 5 setter later on
The big four are the big four, they’re just so good in their all round game and with their serves and returns.
Raonic is so limited in his game despite his improvement. He totally relies on his serve, his return is so poor that after 3 to 4 sets, he still cant get a read on Fed’s second serve! He has to rely on Fed to make errors in order to break him (in set one). Once they go into a rally, Raonic would lose the point most of the time.
Fed & BP’s – the love story continues!
Looks like this will be another breaker… This needs to be finished off in 5 sets, very seldom Raonic loses two TBs though
I think it’s easy to criticize a player when you are sitting at home watching it on TV. Raonic has hardly embarrassed himself in this match. He won the first set, took the second set to a TB, and is still in it in the fourth. Fed is playing very well now, but Raonic hasn’t quit and is still in there fighting and trying to break Fed.
I am speaking as someone who is not a fan of Raonic, but I think he deserves credit for how he’s played. He’s not giving it away. He is a much more complete player now. There is always room for improvement.
And Raonic breaks to win the fourth set and take it to a fifth!
Not bad for a guy who is supposedly lacking!
It’s not over yet! Raonic has done himself proud.
Didnt change the fact that he’s limited. His return is poor, his rallying is poor for a top ten player.
nny gets it.
lucky misses Rafa.
Huh??
WOW
Yup
Wtf??
How on earth did Roger ended up losing that set! *facepalm*
Brain freeze by Fed! How can he hit that last point right back at Raonic?? Raonic just passed him easily to take the fourth set!
WOW, leading 40-15 and throws the set away like that, im speechless. don’t think he will win two 5 setters in a row. don’t see that happening
Vaaaaaaamos Miloooooshhh
Poor Fed, he throws a lifeline to Raonic; now he really must battle hard for the win.
i fking cant believe that serve bot broke fed at 40-0 up
Federer will hand the match over to Milos. I turn off my Tivo now. No words.
I think fed will lose the 5th set, his legs wont carry him another 5 setter
BP Milos!!!
Arash (TSN reporter) gets it…
Arash MadaniVerified account
@ArashMadani
If you’re going to whine about a long bathroom break, you better look in the mirror about taking a medical timeout on break point.
Struggling to hold here. huge game in this set, could be the deciding factor
And that should be the match…
No.
Milosh BREAKS!!!!
VAMOOOOOSHHH MILOSHHHHHH!!!!
Raonic breaks in the 5th set, but I still don’t think he can do it. Too
Milosh will hand back the break now.
Raonic needs to stop making errors at the wrong time.
MASSIVE hold for 4-1.
VAMOSH MILOSH!!!!
Raonic will win…really impressed with his passing shots today.
ssssshhhhhhhh. stop it vr.
Carole gets it…
Carole Bouchard @carole_bouchard 40s40 seconds ago View translation
Raonic à deux jeux de sa première finale en Grand Chelem : ça risque d’être les 2 plus longs jeux de sa carrière.
Translated from French by Bing Wrong translation?
Raonic at two games of its first Grand Slam finale: it may be the longest 2 games of his career.
I don’t see him dropping his serve, might get a bit nervous but Fed and break points don’t go well together
Nerves are everything.
Long way from over.
30-all. A double break here would be most awesome.
Fed saves a BP. 🙁
Damn. Saved 2 BPs.
Hawkeye really doesnt want Fed to win – this match, and the title.
Fed will win -this match, and the title.
#18NID
Fed will break for 3-4.
#NID
Miloss should have broken there. Sense a break coming
Fed will break from 40-0 down.
40-15
After the fall, Fed is gone!
No. Too much pressure and biased crowd will be Milos’ downfall serving for the match.
I’ve seen this movie too many times.
Novak Djokovic @DjokerNole 41s42 seconds ago
Excellent cooked variation of my favorite raw dish made by @JacobsCreek at ‘Our table’ dinner
Miloshh held but I am sure he will be broken serving for the match 🙁
you and me both vmk1. 🙁
#HowManyTimes!!!!
Mahesh Bhupathi @Maheshbhupathi (TSN Reporter)
@milosraonic has transformed himself into one of the best volleyers on tour…#Amazing #McEnroe #outoftheblue
Raonic -1250 to win the 9th set; Fed +415
Curtains.
*9th game of 5th set
Will be surprised if Milos wins first point of the game
Fed will break here.
#18NID
will be surprised if he wins pt 2
wil be shocked if he wins pt 3
Will be gobsmacked if he wins the match :O
Another game for Milosh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gB-d0JxW2Y
The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh. All he had to do was hold and get to TB. Ughhh
Vamos Carlos Moyà! ✌
Congrats Raonic for the win.
This has to hurt!! Both physically and emotionally!!
Ah Roger! Hope that knee is OK!!
Congratulations to Milos for hanging in there in the 4th and finally getting it done in the 5th! Hope that he can repeat that performance in the final.
Commies to abhirf, best fedfan on-line.
Vaaaaaaaaaaaaaamos Milooooooooooooosh! 🙂 🙂
I guess it right again
Well. Congrats to the Raonic fans and condolences to the FedHeads. (There’s a reason 34 yo’s don’t win majors but it was a lovely dream for a little while.)
@Wimbledon 31s32 seconds ago
Raonic: “John [McEnroe] gave me plenty of nuggets that helped today. So did Carlos [Moya]. I hope they have a lot more to give me”
I still cant believe he couldn’t hold his serve at 40-0 in that 4th set.. its going to hurt for a long time and all those missed opportunities on BPs… But theres gotta be a loser and today was fed. Well done to Raonic, hopefully he can serve as well against Andy on Sunday and win his first major as the longer rallies will belong to Murray.
So Raonic did it! I am not at home and have been trying to follow the score.
I saw Fed take that nasty tumble and wondered if he would be okay. I did see Raonic get the break to go up 3-1. That’s when I had to leave.
Not bad for a guy withal just poor returns and rallying! No player is perfect. Everyone has weaknesses. But Raonic did not give up. He stayed mentally tough and hung in there. He played well when it counted. That is what wins slams!
Raonic is a much more complete player than he was a few years ago and will continue to work on aspects of his game. But he deserves all due credit for showing heart and guts an fight.
I picked Fed, but I was wrong. I thought he was so close that nothing would stop him from getting to another final. But it was not to be. Commiserations to Fed fans on this tough loss for your man.
The Fed of last year would win this match. Fed clearly not that good this Wimbledon, esp after his narrow escape vs Cilic. In fact had Cilic not choked, he would have won in 3 or 4 sets.
Fed was still the better player in set 3 and 4 and he was unfortunate to serve those DFs in the last game of the 4th set, played a brain freeze point and lost.
Raonic won but that didnt change the fact the his game is limited. On grass with his big serve and volleying he still can get things done but I doubt that’s enough on the other surfaces when his returns and rallying aren’t great. The grass surface suits his game best but if Fed could handle his serves then what about Djoko and Murray?
Well said nny! Lucky doesn’t get it.
Yes Milos has limitations but here’s a guy who’s continued to try everything to squeeze out every ounce of potential from his game.
Maybe last year’s Fed would have won today (arguably the best grass player of all time and at/near that best last year), but last year’s Raonic certainly wouldn’t have won today.
Vamos Milosh! No matter what!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hawkeye didnt get it. Who said Raonic didnt improve? Read again! I said despite his improvement his game is still limited. I’ve already said enough about his limitations, not going to repeat.
Promises, promises.
You need to read my post. You still don’t get it lol.
Hawkeye,
I agree with you that Fed of last year would have won. I also agree that Raonic of last year would not have won. There is simply no question that he has improved his game and especially his groundstrokes. Big guys are not usually great movers, but I think that Raonic has also improved in that area. He’s always had composure and mental toughness.
I appreciate how Raonic has worked to improve his game. That is what you want to see in a young player. He’s got the big serve, but he’s not a one-note.
Fed had the match in his hands when he went up a break in the fourth set. But Raonic just refused to give up. That is a quality which can trump some of the limitations in his game.
No player is perfect or without weaknesses. Even the top players. Rafa exposed fed’s backhand when he went after it, most memorably in the 2009 AO. Novak had innate talent, but did not have the mental strength, physical fitness and will to hang in when things got tough. But then came Novak 2.0 and an even more improved version last year.
Players want to maximize their strengths and not let their opponents take advantage of their weaknesses. Raonic managed to win and his weaknesses were not a factor because he had other strengths that compensated.
As I said previously. I am not a fan of Raonic. But as a tennis fan, I have to respect his effort in coming back to win the match.
Wimbledon @Wimbledon 6m6 minutes ago
Milos Raonic is the first non-European male finalist at #Wimbledon since Andy Roddick seven years ago
Federer lost to age, not Raonic.
The best Fed fan is Benny, not abhirf. Benny is never rude, loves Fed but doesn’t hate other players. abhirf is rude and is anti-Rafa. Benny knows his tennis. abhirf doesn’t know the difference between a serve and a groundstroke!
you’re biased
Thank you.
Hawkeye,
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Thank you.
Look who is talking about instigating! The one who felt the need to cheap shot abhirf yet one more time! If that isn’t instigation, I don’t know what is!
that’s enough
Ricky, That’s rich! Look who is talking!
Oh dearie me, I must have pressed native’s buttons! Such a vicious attack on me! Might I remind you, any exchange between abhirf and me is none of your business? Or is it?
I don’t really need to defend myself here.
Your posts were clearly the one that revealed you don’t know anything about serve and groundstrokes (and maybe even tennis)
I’ve been long here on this blog for others to know whether I’m anti-rafa or not.
You are entitled to your wishful opinions!
That 2 double faults at 5-6 40-15 in the 4th…
C’mon Rog!
Anyway, Raonic played a great match, especially that game he broke Fed in the 4th he was amazing so kudos to him. Of course I wanted Fed to win, this loss really hurts me as an obsessed Fed fan, but I guess that’s the way it goes, the youngsters beat those oldies’.
Now I kinda hope he retires at the end of this season, because in 2017 losses to guys younger like 10 years than him will happen more systematically and maybe it is better to retire when you are (almost) at the top?
Still hoping for some titles this year, Basel, Cincinnati maybe Shanghai, Rio Olympics or even the Us Open?
Epic BP that lead to the win…
https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/751445951798206464
Well done Raonic… told ya he was going to win if it went to 5…. fed had to do it in 4… Federer looked kind of spent too in the fifth.
Honestly, to me personally, not being one of the best players of the 5th set puts a dent on federer’s legacy. He just wilts away on many occasions.
Fed is arguably the best of this era but today was Raonic’s day. The Canadian deserves it. He handled the occasion too well and used his strengths fabulously.
this is not false
Bad call at the toss to receive 1st.
Raonic got the opportunity to serve 1st in 4 of the 5 sets.
Tough to serve under constant pressure.
Also again, like many of his losses in important matches, his BP conversion lost him the match once again!!
The two dfs at 40-15 at 6-5 cost him. If he had held and even if he lost the tb, he would be serving first in the fifth otherwise.
Called it.
Although I am not a Fed fan, I felt sad seeing how Time can lay low a genius! I never thought I would feel sentimental or teary. I agree with luckystar. Raonic doesn’t have the genius of the big four or even Berdy.
This is Roger’s 1st Wimbledon SF defeat ever.
Well Done. Raonic!
Huge chance. 2014 U.S. Open all over again. Kudos to Raonic I heard he played great. I had to go out at 5-5 in the fourth. I heard fed doubled twice at 5-6 40-15 though. That’s just not getting it done when he needed to. I so hope he will get an 18th slam but he missed a big opportunity here. This is huge for Raonic. The addition of Johnny Mac to the team was an amazing move. He will probably keep McEnroe as a coach now unless McEnroe has other priorities or something like the champions tour. Man I’m just so bummed now. I just don’t think the final will be as exciting now. I think fed and Murray would’ve been so much more compelling. Raonic and Murray won’t be awful but the points and atmosphere just won’t be as good. And it could be a very short final. Especially with the crowd fully behind Murray. The crowd would’ve been a bit more neutral if fed was his opponent. I’m definitely rooting for Raonic in the final though. Would be sick to see him win his first grand slam.
Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau 10m10 minutes ago
Another game for Milos! First Canadian man to make a Grand Slam singles final – one more to go. Good luck on Sunday. #Wimbledon
https://youtu.be/0gB-d0JxW2Y
Murray has a chance to go through a GS without having to face Rafa Roger or Djoko. Murray’s title to lose. Poor guy has a record of 2-8 in finals 🙁
I thought Fed played super this Wimbledon. Raonic was always going to be tight especially after a tough 5 setter against Raonic. Unfortunately for Fed, it went the other way this time
Super tough draw even with no Djokovic, Cilic, Raonic and Murray. Ask very accomplished grass court players that are grand slam our future grand slam winners.
I thought Fed played super this Wimbledon. Raonic was always going to be tight especially after a tough 5 setter against Cilic. Unfortunately for Fed, it went the other way this time
Super tough draw even with no Djokovic – Cilic, Raonic and Murray. All very accomplished grass court players that are grand slam or future grand slam winners.
Not only is Milos in the final but the Canadian youngster Shapovalov is in the junior final. Canada having a great Wimby.
And all 3 Canadian boys are in the doubles SFs – Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime are playing together and Sigouin with a German partner. The future looks bright.
Fed of 2015 would definitely have won this one in my view. Remember that Federer is not even match tough at the moment! He has not played much lately and since his injury he hasn’t had a good run to develop that match toughness. It clearly showed today.
The Federer factor aside, Raonic deserves so much praise. He lost the second set and opened the third to bomb 3 aces in a row to win the first game! His attitude was there and he really used his strengths well. When you can serve as big as Milos can, you are allowed to take big swings on your return esp when the server is under pressure. That’a what Milos did in the fourt set! Fed was so sloppy to make two DF’s but Raonic returned so aggresaively once he saw the opportunity and I was really impressed with his passing shots.The break in the fifth set was also thanks to his brilliant passing shots. He lifted his return and baseline game.
I believe the right handed players should use backhands DTL more and more against Fed….Fed is no longer efficient in defending his forehand corner and is often seen to be playing open stance forehands on the run…He was hitting most of the running forehands with a close stance in his prime years.
Anyway, the better player on the day won.
I said after the AO that Raonic will be a big force come Wimby as long as he keeps his injuries in check. He is a future wimbledon champ but on Sunday it will be Murray’s second wimbledon.
vr,
You make some good points about fed not being match tough. On ESPN they showed some of Fed’s presser and he said that he over achieved here. But he also said that it hurts to come so close.
Considering how Fed’s year has gone, this really was a good result. But you could sense that Fed realized with Novak out of the way, he had a golden opportunity. But he ended up losing to a younger player.
I also appreciated your praise for Raonic. Instead of going on about him being limited, I prefer to focus on the things that he did well. His groundstrokes have improved so much even in the last year. I see a young man who appears to want to be a complete player. I think hiring JMac paid off. Raonic now shows some emotion in matches. He’s not as robotic. I like to see s young player who wants to keep working to become the best he can be.
Raonic has many strengths and they were on display in this match. It’s true that Fed helped with the DF’s in the crucial moments of the match. But Raonic was putting a lot of pressure on Fed. He was being aggressive and along with that big serve as a weapon, he was able to prevail.
nny knows tennis:
“But Raonic was putting a lot of pressure on Fed”
Solid post NNY…on quick hard courts and grass in particular,the dynamics are different. It is about imposing your strengths to the extent that your weaknesses don’t quite matter. Look at arguably the best grass court player ever- Pete Sampras.
Pete sure had some limitations and they were manifest in his struggles on clay. However, his strengths were so overwhelming on grass that he was untouchable! He used his service games to play freely in return games. I am not comparing Pete to Raonic…Pete was in another league….his forehand, his movement and his net play were quite extraordinary but he sure had some limitations that were exposed on slow courts.Therefore, Raonic should certainly keep on improving his strengths further to the point he is able to impose them on the field. He has done it for 6 matches here!
On another note, I saw fed’s presser and he was GUTTED…he was very very very disapppinted…
vr,
It’s a pleasure to talk tennis with you. Regarding Sampras, I have to say that I was not a fan. However, I absolutely respected his greatness. You are so right about how hood he was on the grass. That serve! But he had the complete game. When Sampras and Agassi played, I would tend to root for Agassi because I liked his baseline game and his awesome ROS. I didn’t have a favorite, so I could just watch and enjoy. The contrast in styles made it so appealing. Sampras was never able to win RG. His game was not ideally suited for clay. Back then, winning on clay was highly valued. There was an appreciation for what it took to win RG. Both was revered for his success there.
When Fed and Rafa came along, then some rabid Fed fans started to denigrate winning on clay because of rafa’s success. Also, some bloggers like Pete Bodo started this business of rafa being a one-dimensional clay court player. As though it was a bad thing to be good on clay!
I firmly believe that no player is perfect or without limitations or weaknesses. But it’s what you do with what you have, how you maximize your strengths and potential. I think the top four have done that.
I have never said that Raonic is in the same class as the top four. He is not. He may never be in their class. But what I do see in him is the work ethic and desire to keep on working and improving.
One big difference between Cilic and Raonic is mental toughness. I think Cilic should have won his match with Fed. Although Fed played some great tennis to run the fourth set, I thought that Cilic made too many errors and kind of lost his way. Raonic did not let that happen. That is the one thing that stands out as a contrast in how he and Cilic handled the pressure.
Didn’t have the privilege of witnessing the Andre-Pete rivalry. I have some their matches but I can imagine how much the excitement would have been at that time. Agassi’s my favourite returner ever!! I don’t have your experience of watching the game over all those years but I do understand what you’re saying.
And yeah, sampras was a complete player… he only had ‘relative limitations’ which were exploited by good players on clay and slow hard courts. His strengths were so overwhelming on quick courts that he was just unstoppable! He has such a strong case for being the best fast court player ever.
I agree with your mental toughness point as well… Raonic handled the pressure far better than Marin.
And your observations on how winning on clay has lost its significance or has been made to appear to have lower signifiance is totally valid…it is absurd!
I am a fan of both Fed and Milos, but was rooting for Milos today even though I thought Fed would have a slight edge. Anyway, am very happy. At the beginning of this year I predicted that Milos would win either Wimbledon or the USO, so want Milos to make my prediction come true. Beating Andy at Wimbledon will be very tough but I think Milos can do it. He was close at the AO until the adductor injury, so I think he has a real shot on Sunday.
RT @FireChrisChase: For the first time since 2002, there will be a Wimbledon final without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.
#JustWow
wow…
Also, Raonic’s serving patterns were really mature today. I am sure Moya and Johnny mac have a role in this. Raonic had SO much variety in his serve today. He was not going for corners all the time….he hit body serves as high as 140mph+ and was willing to set up a forehand rather than winning the point outright. Then there were occasions when he hit wonderful slider serves and the huge bombs up the middle or wide to the backhand on the ad court…. Really impressed with his serving patterns today….always kept Federer guessing.
Watched the highlights and they confirmed how well Raonic played. He was down 0-30 on 5-5 in the fourth set and how he managed to hit that lunging forehand volley winner was incredible! Again, his body serves were so effective. he did’nt go for many aces today and wa smart with his patterns. We know how well Fed can block big serves so Milos was tactically really smart.
I’m so so proud of Roger for what he’s managed to accomplish in the tournament. IMO, he was quite stiff yesterday and that largely contributed to the DFs when you’d think he was going to win his service game easily. What scared me most however, was that fall. It wasn’t because his movement isn’t there yet (which is true). It looked like his legs just buckled at that point-quite literally. He was quite scared too by the looks of it, at how it happened.
I’m not a fan of Milos tbh, and I don’t expect him to do much in the final (in any case I’m rooting for Andy) but Mac obviously did a good job with him at the net in the limited time they’ve spent together.
Roger came to Wimbledon hoping to make the second week. He did much more than that and his match versus Cilic-with both the CC crowd and Henman Hill going crazy for him, will be a match to remember.