Roger Federer celebrates winning the fourth set in his match against Croatia's Marin Cilic
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) 4-6 6-3 7-6(9) 6-3 win over Marin Cilic the
quarter-finals on Wednesday.
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 year.
Switzerland's Roger Federer in action against Croatia's Marin Cilic.
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 tiebreak 11-9.
An ace on his first match point finished off the job and carried him
into an 11th Wimbledon semi-final, and 40th overall in the majors.
He will face another big-server, Canadian Milos Raonic, for a place in Sunday's final.
Raonic powers past Querrey
Canada's Milos Raonic celebrates winning his match against USA's Sam Querrey.
Raonic produced an irresistible display of classic grasscourt tennis to overcome 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.
So great was the 25-year-old's control of the first two sets that he
lost just seven points on his serve during that period and faced no
break points, in a display at times reminiscent of Pete Sampras in his
heyday.
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