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Business News/ Mint-lounge / Features/  Wimbledon: Roger Federer shows us he’s still got it
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Wimbledon: Roger Federer shows us he’s still got it

With his 307th Grand Slam victory, Federer breaks Martina Navratilova's long-standing record, and advances to the semi-finals of the Wimbledon

Roger Federer, the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since 1974, celebrates after winning against Marin Cilic. Photo: AFPPremium
Roger Federer, the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since 1974, celebrates after winning against Marin Cilic. Photo: AFP

Novak Djokovic crashed out in the third round of Wimbledon, his earliest Grand Slam loss since the 2009 French Open, in what was arguably one of the biggest tennis upsets of the year. When Sam Querrey, the architect of Djokovic’s undoing, emerged victorious, one message rang loud and clear: the competition is fiercer than ever.

Andy Murray continued his Wimbledon dreams, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a thoroughly entertaining four-setter. Sam Querrey didn’t last much longer, being beaten by Milos Raonic. Murray is in great form, Djokovic has been shown the door, Rafael Nadal didn’t even show up for the party and Roger Federer, in all his messianic glory, has miraculously come back from the dead.

As Marin Cilic used his massive serve and powerful ground strokes to secure the first two sets 6-7, 4-6 against Federer in their quarter-final match, it seemed like we were headed for yet another upset. But the whip of the maestro miraculously brought an almost finished match back to life. Federer’s remarkable comeback ended with him winning the gruelling, 196-minute-long five-setter 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. The first set produced some great tennis from both players, and although Federer hit 17 winners and set up two break-points on Cilic’s serve, he failed to capitalize on them. In the tie-break, Cilic’s serve and consistent returns left Federer one set down, and center court groaning in unison as their perennial favorite faltered.

Things got even harder for Federer in the second set, when Cilic broke his serve and took the second game. Even though Federer succeeded in taking the third set, to raucous cheering from the crowd, Cilic didn’t back down, his thundering forehands whizzing past Federer, leaving everyone stunned. Cilic even set up more than one break point in the fourth set, failing to convert them. As the decibel-level at center court rose, one could see Federer’s game changing and becoming better, glimpses of his peak years emerging.

Both the tension and the level of tennis reached a crescendo in the fourth set, with Federer saving not one, not two, but three match points in tie-break. Both men blew their chances to win it, and it finally took a fifth set point for Cilic to falter, his backhand falling just shy of the net, a crucial error he isn’t going to be forgetting any time soon. The decider was neck and neck as well, until, at 4-3, Federer edged ahead with a sublime, down the line forehand to break Cilic’s serve. After he knocked his 27th ace past Cilic to seal his 307th Grand slam victory (setting a new record) and 11th Wimbledon semi-final, he raised his arms up to the sky, and center court stood up in response to the legend, who showed them exactly why he is one.

Federer has come back two sets down nine times before this, but this victory was especially vital for his psyche. Now the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since 1974, he has had a year weighed down by knee and back injuries. The buildup to this epic quarter final saw him beating significantly lower ranked players, which is why this victory is a timely psychological boost as well. As his dream for an 18th Grand Slam continues, he’ll face big server Raonic in the semi-final, while Murray plays Czech Tomas Berdych.

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Published: 07 Jul 2016, 01:24 PM IST
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