Path to the semis
Milos Raonic
QF Sam Querrey 6-4 7-5 5-7 6-4
R16 David Goffin 4-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-4
R32 Jack Sock 7-6(2) 6-4 7-6(1)
R64 Andreas Seppi 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2
R128 Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6(4) 6-2 6
Roger Federer
QF Marin Cilic 6-7(4) 4-6 6-3 7-6(9) 6-3
R16 Steve Johnson 6-2 6-3 7-5
R32 Daniel Evans 6-4 6-2 6-2
R64 Marcus Willis 6-0 6-3 6-4
R128 Guido Pella 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 6-3
ROGER Federer and Milos Raonic have had contrasting paths into the 2016 Wimbledon semifinals.
It was a battle of the big servers in the first quarter between Raonic and giant killer Sam Querrey.
The world number seven looked to be in control for the majority of the match, despite a scoreline that gave the impression of an even contest.
Raonic said post-match that he felt privileged to make it through to the semis at Wimbledon for just the second time in his career.
“It’s a well-deserved win for me, to have another shot in a semi-final,” said the Canadian.
“It’s exciting and it’s also humbling at the same time.”
A win on Friday evening would see Raonic progress through to his first ever Grand Slam final.
That would mean defeating arguably the greatest grass-court tennis player of all time.
After one of the most epic comebacks in Wimbledon history, Federer’s quest for an 18th Grand Slam is alive and well.
He had his back to the wall against Croatian Marin Cilic, who held a 2-0 set lead over the world number three, but the Swiss maestro rallied to take the match to five sets.
A loss would have been the first time in 12 years that neither Djokovic, Federer, nor Nadal had reached the semi-finals at a Grand Slam event.
That unbelievable record remained intact, however, as the seven-time champion completed an incredible comeback to advance to the last four – a result he was “ecstatic” with.
“The last three sets were really good and, as the match went on, I was improving,” Federer said.
“My legs were there, my back was there … this is going to give me a hell of a boost. I’m ecstatic I was able to come through.”
The win leaves Federer as the second favourite for the Wimbledon title ($3.75 at Sportsbet.com.au).
The head-to-head record between he and Raonic is lopsided, to put it lightly.
The Swiss master has won nine of their 11 meetings and has a 2-0 record on grass against the Canadian, including a straight sets win the first time Raonic made it through to a semis at the All-England Club.
The last time the pair met, however, was at the Brisbane International final, where Raonic claimed the spoils.
Federer vs. Raonic match odds
Provided by WilliamHill.com.au
Milos Raonic – $2.20
Roger Federer – $1.62
Despite having a relatively safe passage through to the semi-final stage compared to his opponent, Raonic is the outsider.
The bookmakers are not expecting Federer’s extra time on court to be a factor, and they are expecting the Swiss superstar’s strong head-to-head record to see him through to the final.
Betting predictions
Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au
Winner: Roger Federer – $1.62
Total sets: Over 3.5 – $1.36
Set betting: Roger Federer 3-1 – $3.75
Federer and Raonic may be at contrasting stages of their career, but there is no question they are both playing phenomenal tennis.
The two men have met previously at the Wimbledon semi-finals, back in 2014, when Federer won in straight sets.
The Fed struggled at times to contain Cilic’s big serving prowess, and that will again present a huge challenge against one of the tour’s best exponents.
Can Raonic overcome an imposing 9-2 record that Federer has over him? Or will the 17-time Grand Slam winner edge one step closer to that mystical 18th crown?
We are siding with the world number three.
Federer’s dominance over Raonic, coupled with his class factor and authority on the grass surface, should put him in a position to win his first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon 2012.
