By Nick Powell
Milos Raonic became the first Canadian in history to reach a Grand Slam Tennis Final after he fought back from two sets to one down to upset Roger Federer and end Federer's hopes of winning the oldest male winner of the tournament.
Raonic opened up a 4-1 lead very quickly and the pair shared the final four games of the first set as the Montenegro born Canadian won a set for the first time in a Wimbledon semi-final.
After a tight and tense second set, Federer came through a tie-break and was close to his best tennis as he won the third 6-4 but Raonic fought back.
Federer looked the better of the players for much of the fourth set but Raonic snuck a break in the final game of the set to take it to a decider.
And it was Raonic who made the final after Federer was dramatically broken mid-way through the set and could not claw his way back to lose in the semis for the first time, having won his previous 10 giving Raonic the 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win
Raonic Roars out the blocks
After an exchange of games at the start, Raonic burst into the lead with three straight games. His break was gifted to him by a Federer double fault, but the Canadian was at a high level as he took control.
Federer held, but knew he desperately needed to find a break to avert falling a set down. He had 0-30 on Raonic's serve in the falling game but a barrage of giant serves took the chance away. Federer pushed Raonic to deuce on the final game of the set, but Raonic came through to seal it 6-3 and take a vital lead.
It was the last thing Federer would want or need, given the fact he had had to come through such a tough battle in his previous match. Another five set thriller could make like very difficult if he made the final.
Seven time Champion pulls through tight second set
The second set was a near-perfect display in serving as neither player could break their opponent, but it was not just about the serve. Both players were playing clever, well placed shots and were making winners from powerful ground strokes also.
Federer missed four set points in game 10, and the set went to a tie break. At the change over the score was 3-3, but Federer was handed the mini-break after a double fault from Raonic and two powerful serves helped him earn three set points.
And after Raonic sent a backhand into the tram lines, Federer pumped his fist as he drew level in the match for the first time since 1-1 in the first set.
Federer moves ahead as Raonic serve falters
Raonic went for a toilet break between the sets which lasted a long time. A frustrated Federer may have felt that the Canadian was trying to break the momentum he had gained from levelling the match and that seemed to be the case as Raonic looked far more likely to break in the first four games of the new set.
But Federer looked as if he was starting to get a better read on his opponent's serves and after a quick hold he created a golden opportunity to make his first break after Raonic served his 7th double fault and then a fine passing shot gave Federer two break points.
A long backhand from Raonic gave Federer the break, and the remaining games of the set were held to love to give him the third set and a lead on sets for the first time.
Raonic sneaks fourth set to force fifth
Federer continued from where he left off as. He earned two break points at 2-2 after a brilliant forehand gave him the lead in the game and his opponent misfired attempting a similar shot to give himself a huge opportunity to take control and simplify his route to the final.
Raonic produced two beefy forehands to see off the chance and continued hitting strongly to hold, but Federer was putting all the pressure on and Raonic was fighting hard to stay in it.
It seemed the only way he could win was through a tie-break, he was having to grind out every service game whilst Federer was holding with ease.
Raonic had another nervous game at 5-5 but powerful serving saw him eradicate the 0-30 deficit and Federer would have to serve to stay in it. Federer led 40-0 but after missing a golden chance and serving two double faults, the game was at deuce, with Raonic two points away from the set.
And he nicked it. Some brutal and clever shots helped him to earn three chances. He took the last one after a dramatic point where the two battled at the net. Raonic's pass was terrifically taken, but Federer's attack was weak and he would have been devastated at the nature of the way he lost it.
Youth triumphs as Federer fades out of contention
Federer looked frustrated and flat after losing that set and soon was taken to deuce on his serve. He slipped after rolling over his ankle in an intense rally, handing Raonic the break point chance. This prompted the trainer to be brought on for the second time in 15 minutes and Federer would have to play the rest of the set with a niggle.
Federer dramatically saved the break point and gave himself a game point, but Raonic won three points on the spin to seal the break and put himself in a fine position to claim his place in a first grand slam final.
He battered his way to consecutive holds, between which he had two opportunities to earn a double break. They would surely have been match winning for Raonic, but at 5-2 he was one game away from a dream match.
Federer held to love, but after three monstrous serves, Raonic gave himself the chances to see the Swiss off. Federer's hopes of a first Wimbledon title since 2012 and an eighteenth grand slam title were ended as he sent a passing shot long to send Raonic through to the biggest match of his career.
Photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/tennis/36405988
Raonic opened up a 4-1 lead very quickly and the pair shared the final four games of the first set as the Montenegro born Canadian won a set for the first time in a Wimbledon semi-final.
After a tight and tense second set, Federer came through a tie-break and was close to his best tennis as he won the third 6-4 but Raonic fought back.
Federer looked the better of the players for much of the fourth set but Raonic snuck a break in the final game of the set to take it to a decider.
And it was Raonic who made the final after Federer was dramatically broken mid-way through the set and could not claw his way back to lose in the semis for the first time, having won his previous 10 giving Raonic the 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win
Raonic Roars out the blocks
After an exchange of games at the start, Raonic burst into the lead with three straight games. His break was gifted to him by a Federer double fault, but the Canadian was at a high level as he took control.
Federer held, but knew he desperately needed to find a break to avert falling a set down. He had 0-30 on Raonic's serve in the falling game but a barrage of giant serves took the chance away. Federer pushed Raonic to deuce on the final game of the set, but Raonic came through to seal it 6-3 and take a vital lead.
It was the last thing Federer would want or need, given the fact he had had to come through such a tough battle in his previous match. Another five set thriller could make like very difficult if he made the final.
The pre-match underdog drew first blood on Centre Court
Seven time Champion pulls through tight second set
The second set was a near-perfect display in serving as neither player could break their opponent, but it was not just about the serve. Both players were playing clever, well placed shots and were making winners from powerful ground strokes also.Federer missed four set points in game 10, and the set went to a tie break. At the change over the score was 3-3, but Federer was handed the mini-break after a double fault from Raonic and two powerful serves helped him earn three set points.
And after Raonic sent a backhand into the tram lines, Federer pumped his fist as he drew level in the match for the first time since 1-1 in the first set.
Federer moves ahead as Raonic serve falters
Raonic went for a toilet break between the sets which lasted a long time. A frustrated Federer may have felt that the Canadian was trying to break the momentum he had gained from levelling the match and that seemed to be the case as Raonic looked far more likely to break in the first four games of the new set.
But Federer looked as if he was starting to get a better read on his opponent's serves and after a quick hold he created a golden opportunity to make his first break after Raonic served his 7th double fault and then a fine passing shot gave Federer two break points.
A long backhand from Raonic gave Federer the break, and the remaining games of the set were held to love to give him the third set and a lead on sets for the first time.
Federer looked to be in control as he won the third set to lead the match
Raonic sneaks fourth set to force fifth
Federer continued from where he left off as. He earned two break points at 2-2 after a brilliant forehand gave him the lead in the game and his opponent misfired attempting a similar shot to give himself a huge opportunity to take control and simplify his route to the final.
Raonic produced two beefy forehands to see off the chance and continued hitting strongly to hold, but Federer was putting all the pressure on and Raonic was fighting hard to stay in it.
It seemed the only way he could win was through a tie-break, he was having to grind out every service game whilst Federer was holding with ease.
Raonic had another nervous game at 5-5 but powerful serving saw him eradicate the 0-30 deficit and Federer would have to serve to stay in it. Federer led 40-0 but after missing a golden chance and serving two double faults, the game was at deuce, with Raonic two points away from the set.
And he nicked it. Some brutal and clever shots helped him to earn three chances. He took the last one after a dramatic point where the two battled at the net. Raonic's pass was terrifically taken, but Federer's attack was weak and he would have been devastated at the nature of the way he lost it.
Raonic fought back from 40-0 down to nick the fourth set and keep the match alive
Youth triumphs as Federer fades out of contention
Federer looked frustrated and flat after losing that set and soon was taken to deuce on his serve. He slipped after rolling over his ankle in an intense rally, handing Raonic the break point chance. This prompted the trainer to be brought on for the second time in 15 minutes and Federer would have to play the rest of the set with a niggle.
Federer dramatically saved the break point and gave himself a game point, but Raonic won three points on the spin to seal the break and put himself in a fine position to claim his place in a first grand slam final.
He battered his way to consecutive holds, between which he had two opportunities to earn a double break. They would surely have been match winning for Raonic, but at 5-2 he was one game away from a dream match.
Federer held to love, but after three monstrous serves, Raonic gave himself the chances to see the Swiss off. Federer's hopes of a first Wimbledon title since 2012 and an eighteenth grand slam title were ended as he sent a passing shot long to send Raonic through to the biggest match of his career.
Photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/tennis/36405988
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