The 32-year-old Federer is bidding to win an unprecedented eighth Wimbledon crown and goes on to face either Milos Raonic or Nick Kyrgios for a place in his ninth final at the All England Club
“I’m just really pleased that I’m back strong this year at Wimbledon,” said Federer, who suffered a shock second-round exit at the hands of Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2013. “Last year was such a disappointment. I was very deflated leaving Wimbledon on that note. It’s good to be back in the semis. The prospect is very exciting.”
The Basel native lifted the Wimbledon trophy in 2003-’07, ’09 and ’12; his only final defeat came in 2008 against Rafael Nadal. He has a 72-8 tournament record, the second best mark in the Open Era behind Jimmy Connors (84-18).
Wawrinka came out firing against Federer, striking 10 winners as he claimed the opener in 30 minutes. Both players hit top form in the second set, yielding no break point chances, but Federer came out on top in the subsequent tie-break to level the match.
A tiring Wawrinka appeared to be fading fast in the third set, surrendering his serve in the seventh game as Federer took the lead. But the Lausanne native found a second wind in the fourth set, after going down an early break. As Federer served for the match, Wawrinka frustrated his countryman, saving four match points and squandering one break back point before Federer closed out victory in two hours and 33 minutes.
“It's tough [playing Stan],” said Federer. “I must say he played a great first two sets. He struggled with his fitness after that. He was hitting the ball too cleanly for me to do anything. I had to wait two and a half sets to get the first break. He's hard to get by because we know each other’s patterns really well. We both played at a high level.”
It was Federer’s 14th win in 16 meetings with Wawrinka and avenged the loss he suffered against his countryman when they met in the final of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in April. Prior to that defeat, Federer had recorded 11 straight wins against Wawrinka.
The 29-year-old Wawrinka was contesting his first Wimbledon quarter-final after playing three matches in three days. Rain forced the Swiss’ third-round match to be cancelled on Saturday. After completing it Monday, he then returned Tuesday to beat the in-form Feliciano Lopez in the fourth round.
Wawrinka was bidding to win his second Grand Slam championship after a breakthrough victory at the Australian Open in January, where he beat both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
atpworldtour.com
Up next Milos Raonic who he's got a 4-0 record against but it won't be easy.
He's gonna have to serve as well as he did today if not better. But I see him going through in tie-breaks.
Today was a good test for Roger fighting and winning from a set down and that last game to close out the match.
He's gonna need that fighting spirit for the next 2 matches.
Today was a good test for Roger fighting and winning from a set down and that last game to close out the match.
He's gonna need that fighting spirit for the next 2 matches.
Trying to take it one match at a time has become so difficult now that Roger so close to the finish line I can't help thinking ahead.
I've been rooting for Raonic up to this point, (being Canadian) but if you read this blog before it's fairly obvious who I root for. Is it Friday yet?!.
On the women's side I have to congratulate and root for Canadian Genie Bouchard who has reached her 3 straight semi-final in a major, how is that for impressive?.
I hope she can go one step further and maybe even win the whole thing.
Wouldn't that make a great sports headline on the weekend. Canada would go nuts. Fingers crossed :).
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