Fed favoured to win record eighth Wimbledon
The door has blown wide open for Roger Federer to storm through and continue his amazing renaissance with an unprecedented eighth Wimbledon men’s singles crown.
With the last two of his heavyweight rivals crashing out yesterday, Federer is tantalisingly close to adding another magical moment to his unparalleled career after surging into a record 12th semifinal at The All England Club.
The seemingly ageless Swiss avenged a five-set semifinal loss to Milos Raonic last year with a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) destruction of the big-serving Canadian as top-seeded titleholder Andy Murray and triple champion Novak Djokovic followed Rafael Nadal out the exit gates.
Murray struggled with a hip injury as he was blasted off the court by bigserving Sam Querrey, and Djokovic withdrew from his match against Tomas Berdych with an elbow injury that may need surgery.
Federer, widely pensioned off after hobbling out of Wimbledon last year with a career-threatening knee injury, is having a stellar year.
Triumphant at the Australian Open in his first tournament back after six months out, the 35-year-old father of four faces Berdych in the semifinals as he bids to become the oldest grand slam champion in 45 years. And so wildly dominant has Federer been this season that a 19th major may not even be the exclamation mark to his grand career.
The world No 5 and highestranked player left in the draw, Federer fired a warning to the remaining three challengers after celebrating his 100th match on London’s hallowed courts in majestic fashion.
“I’m much better prepared for Wimbledon this year than last year,” he said after winning his fifth straight match without dropping a set.
A month shy of his 36th birthday, Federer’s 12th quarter-final victory eclipsed Jimmy Connors’ record.
“I’m just so, so happy to be in another semi here,” he said. “I can’t believe it — 100 matches. It’s a lot. I’m very happy that my body kept me going all these years. I’m very pleased with how I’m playing. I’m happy my dream run continues.”
If he sees off Berdych, Federer will face either Croatian seventh seed Marin Cilic or Querrey in the title decider.