Roger Federer vs. Milos Raonic: Score and Reaction from 2016 Wimbledon
Roger Federer failed to make it to the final of Wimbledon 2016 on Friday, as he was defeated by Milos Raonic in a five-set war of attrition in the semi-final at SW19.
The Swiss superstar was overcome by the mobile Canadian, initially coming back from a set down, but eventually losing 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Federer did not look his usual serene self in the early exchanges on Centre Court and Raonic settled well with a couple of routine holds.
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The Canadian then forced the first break-point opportunity of the match and was duly gifted the game for a 3-1 lead as Federer double-faulted, an indication that the Swiss was not at his best, per Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim:
The world No. 3 made Raonic work hard to consolidate the break as he forced the next game to deuce.
But he held on to go 4-1 ahead and produced some remarkable serving to keep Federer at bay, per MailOnline's Stuart Fraser:
Serving for the opener at 5-3, Raonic had a slight wobble as he let Federer back into the game after being up 30-0.
A delicate volley from the world No. 7 set up his first set point and, although he was hauled back to deuce by Federer, Raonic then sealed the opener with a forehand winner down the line.
Federer's lapse of concentration on the only set point of the opener had proved the difference, but neither player gave an inch in the second as the pair exchanged holds for 4-4.
Another routine hold for Federer saw Raonic serving to stay in the set and only then did he blink.
His first serve all but disappeared, and he double-faulted to hand Federer three set points, only to then produce two brilliant groundstrokes onto the line and a big second serve to move to deuce.
A stinging backhand down the line from Raonic saved a fourth set point and he served out for 5-5 to survive in impressive fashion, per tennis writer Steve Tignor:
An inevitable tiebreak was forthcoming after another exchange of holds, but this time Raonic was made to pay for his lapse.
Another double-fault from the Canadian gave Federer the first mini-break for a 4-3 lead, and the Swiss legend made no mistake in seeing out the set to get back on level terms and move a step closer to improving his remarkable record in Wimbledon semi-finals, per the New York Times' Christopher Clarey:
Wimbledon provided some statistics from the opening two sets:
In the third, it was again a double-fault that opened the door. After fairly routine holds from both players to 3-3, Raonic produced a seventh double-fault of the match for 15-30 before a brilliant passing forehand winner from Federer gave him two break points.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion squandered the first but then forced a Raonic mistake on the second to go ahead 4-3.
Federer held steady once he had nudged ahead, and he captured the set 6-4, placing one foot in the final.
The 34-year-was steady in the fourth set as the Canadian offered consistency in resistance.
Both players held their serves to make it 5-5 as Raonic failed to take advantage of two individual break-point opportunities. The set appeared destined to go to the tiebreak, but Federer displayed a moment of weakness as his opponent found an extra gear. The Canadian grabbed a dramatic break to win the set 7-5.
Federer called for the trainer before the fifth set, clearly suffering with a leg problem, per the New York Times' Ben Rothenberg:
The Swiss appeared affected by the injury in the final set as the opening games went with the serve. However, the Canadian stole a break to make it 3-1 and put Federer under extreme pressure.
Federer began to look his age as Raonic searched for the double break, but the legend resisted to make it 2-4. However, it wasn't enough as the Montenegro-born player powered through the last games to win the set 6-3.
The superstar was disappointed after the match but gave credit to Raonic for his brave performance and win, as quoted by Piers Newbery of BBC Sport. However, he was introspective about his own contribution:
"I can't believe I served a double fault twice [in a row]. Unexplainable for me really. Very sad about that and angry at myself because never should I allow him to get out of that set that easily.
I mean, he deserved it. He earned it at the end. But I helped him so much to get back into that game.
[...]
I hope I didn't hurt myself. Is it a three‑day thing, is it a 24‑hour thing or is it more? I don't know at this point. I hope it's not so bad. I walked it off. I was able to finish. But I don't slip a lot. I don't ever fall down. It was a different fall for me than I've ever had.
"
Raonic is the first Canadian representative to make a Grand Slam final, and his victory was a huge shock considering the size of the task.
The 25-year-old now meets Andy Murray, who was at his destructive best as he beat Tomas Berdych, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Murray will be confident ahead of Sunday's marquee final and happy to avoid Federer on Centre Court.
However, he must not underestimate Raonic, who could be on the cusp of making a name for himself at the summit of the sport.
Murray should be too experienced for Federer's conquerer, but Raonic has a natural power game that could lean on the Scot's minimal weaknesses.
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