Perfect day for rampant Roger

TO FIND the last time the Big Four of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray had only a single representative in the Wimbledon semi-finals, you have to go back to 2005. An 18-year-old Murray had lost in his first Grand Slam, while Nadal and Djokovic likewise suffered early exits at the All England Club. That left Federer as the sole survivor. Twelve years on, it has happened again. In one hour and 58 minutes in his 100th Wimbledon match, Federer won 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 against Milos Raonic, the Canadian with the 140mph serve in his locker. This was a win made all the more extraordinary by the fact that Federer turns 36 in less than a month. He has not dropped a single set at this year’s tournament, so it is understandable that some are saying it is his to lose. Federer, though, is refusing to buy into that. Standing in the way of an eighth Wimbledon title is 11th seed Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals, then either Sam Querrey or Marin Cilic. As far as Federer is concerned, he is the David, and they are the Goliaths.

‘Being the favourite or not the favourite doesn’t matter,’ Federer said. ‘These other guys are all big hitters. I feel like they will have their word to say on the outcome of the matches. ‘They’ve got big serves, big forehands, big hitters really. All three guys are taller and stronger than I am. I have got to figure out a different way, carve my way through the draw somehow with my slice and my spins, my consistency maybe. ‘I’m just happy that I’m still doing so well. Am I surprised? Maybe a little bit.’ On reaching his century of matches at Wimbledon, Federer said: ‘I can’t believe it’s 100. It’s a lot, but I’m very happy my body has kept me going all these years. You have to make sure your average is as high as possible every day and I think I’m doing a great job this week.’ There was a revenge element to his victory over Raonic. It was at the same stage of this tournament last year where Federer lost in five sets to the Canadian. This time, he feels fitter and back to his best. ‘I’m much better prepared for Wimbledon this year than last year,’ said Federer (right). ‘Last year I had a hard, hard time practising through the clay-court season. The grass-court season was difficult because of the back issues I had, and the knee issues. ‘This year, I’m just a normal tennis player again where I can focus on tactics.’ Do not be fooled, this is no normal tennis player. While the rest of the Big Four were dropping like flies, their oldest member — who won the Australian Open in January and can become the oldest man in the Open era to win Wimbledon — was giving us a reminder of why he is timeless. Federer won 90 per cent of first-serve points, went unbroken throughout and lived up to the favourite tag he started the fortnight with. With that trademark one-handed backhand, he saw off a serious threat in Raonic, who conceded he was simply beaten by the better man. ‘I did everything I could,’ Raonic said. ‘I tried. I can say for a fact I did everything I could to try to find a way to win. Roger is a phenomenal player. ‘He kept a very high gear the whole time without giving many real glimpses. I think that was the most defeating thing. ‘I tried to claw my way back into it, gave myself a few opportunities. He played them well. ‘That’s how the cookie crumbles.’ Now, the Big Four is the Big One.