Wimbledon: Raonic ends Federer’s title dream

Canada’s Milos Raonic defeated Roger Federer in a five-set thriller on Centre- Court. Federer served first and took his service game. Raonic held; for a pattern through the match. One break of Federer’s serve was enough for Raonic to clinch the first set 6-3.

In the second set, the first nine games flowed quickly with serve. The excitement came in the ninth with Raonic serving at exactly 60 minutes into the match. He did not get a first serve in and faced three break points at 15-40; yet clawed back and leveled, saving four break points before taking the game for 5-all tally. The set moved routinely to a tie breaker. Federa took his service point to go ahead 1-0 and Raonic took his two. Federer held on to his next two to lead 3-2, then claimed one of Raonic’s points when the Canadian served a double fault.

From then on, Federer took all the points to win the tie break seven points to three and the second set.

There were few rallies in the third set. Each player won his service game easily, with a barrage of aces; especially from Raonic’s racket. Serving in the seventh game, Raonic lost the first point on a net cord ball from Federer, and then he made his seventh double-fault to face break points at 15-40. Although he cancelled one with a service winner, he lost the game to hand Federer his first break of serve in the match.

Federer consolidated to lead 5-4, albeit after an unsuccessful challenge of line umpire’s call by Raonic at game point. Serving for the set, Federer recovered from 15-30 and delivered two aces to take the set six games to four.
Milos Raonic took the fourth set with only one break.

Federer received new balls to serve, in effort to level the fourth set at 6-all. He led 40-0; on a net cord volley winner to have three game points. He lost the first on a double fault, and a second one to get deuced. He lost the first advantage point but hit a service winner celebrated with a “come- on” yell.

A crosscourt forehand winner gave Raonic advantage but was lost. At the next serve, Raonic down the line shot was beyond Federer’s reach for the break point, which was held to the game and fourth set 7-5.
Before the start of the fifth set, Federer received treatment, on court for the muscles in his left thigh. Raonic won the first game of the deciding set quickly, fuelling anxiety that Federer might be nursing an injury.

However, he held on to his serve to level one game apiece. It was a game in which Raonic should have stretched Federer, after the treatment. But Federer wasted no time serving, not wanting to go through long rallies. Raonic held serve to lead 2-1.

Then, in the fourth game, Federer had game point at 40-30 but missed an easy sitter to deuce. On the first advantage to receiver, Federer slipped and fell on all fours. Raonic stood at net with a face of concern for Federer. The game was interrupted and a trainer attended to Federer on court. On resumption, Federer won the point to deuce and the stadium crowd gave him a prolonged applause for encouragement.

However, he lost the game on his opponent’s first advantage. Raonic had the break of serve. In attempt to consolidate the lead, Raonic double faulted but recovered to hold with a 4-1 lead. Federer struggled through a long sixth game but held serve to reduce tally and then he changed rackets.

Raonic opened the seventh game with one of his aces, and then raced to 40-0 as Federer could not get into position to hit shots effectively. The Canadian went up 5-2. Federer succeeded in his attempt to win points quickly, apparently because he was in no shape for long rallies; clinched the eighth game at love.

Milos Raonic stepped up to serve for the match. His first delivery sent Federer wide to the side, but there was no determined attempt to get it back, s the ball skidded off the tip of his racket. The second delivery was an ace for which there was no attempt by the receiver. At match point, Federer hit a forehand return to the sky. Raonic was through to his first Grand Slam Final.