Fed braces for Cilic storm
Eyeing another slice of sporting history, Roger Federer has placed the champagne on ice as he braces for a torrid Wimbledon climax tomorrow.
The ageless wizard takes on Marin Cilic attempting to become the oldest men’s singles winner at The All England Club since 1930 and first-eight times winner in The Championships’ 140-year history.
But the 35-year-old is suitably wary of his big-hitting rival after feeling the full force of Cilic’s deadly serve and baseline power in a humbling straight-sets loss in the 2014 US Open semifinals.
Federer avenged what remains his only defeat in seven meetings between the pair with what the Swiss describes as a ‘‘brutal’’ quarterfinal last year at The All England Club.
‘‘I was down two sets to love and faced match points in the third or the fourth set,’’ Federer said ahead of their 2017 sequel.
‘‘At some stage, things were extremely complicated and I had to get really, really lucky to win.
‘‘He crushed me in the US Open a few years ago when he played the lights out. I hope he’s not going to play that good.
‘‘But I’m really looking forward to playing him.’’
Federer is ranked just one spot higher than Cilic at world No5 after skipping the entire claycourt season to prepare for another all-out tilt at Wimbledon.
The seven-times champion hasn’t dropped a set en route to the final, for the first time since 2008.
‘‘It would have been nice to make this the first one, actually. I’m a little bit disappointed about that,’’ he said, only half joking, after his 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 semifinal win over 2010 runner-up Tomas Berdych.
‘‘It makes me really happy, history here at Wimbledon.
‘‘It’s a big deal. I love this tournament. All my dreams came true here as a player.
‘‘To have another chance to go for No 8 now, be kind of so close now at this stage, is a great feeling.
‘‘Yeah, unbelievably excited. I hope can play one more good match.’’
In reaching a record-extending 11th final, Federer will also be contesting the 29th grand slam decider of his incomparable career. making I
‘‘I feel very privileged to be in another final,’’ Federer said after becoming the oldest man to make the final since Ken Rosewall was runner-up in 1974 at 39.
‘‘I know how much it means to other players to be able to play on Centre Court at Wimbledon at any given time in their career.
‘‘I’ve had the pleasure of playing there many times and, to be in another final, it’s so good. ‘‘I can’t almost believe it’s true again.’’ Cilic ended Sam Querrey’s gruelling and gallant run -- which included three straight five-setters and a quarterfinal victory over Andy Murray - with a 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 win in Friday’s first semi. – AAP