Another grand slam tournament, another final but for Andy Murray there is nothing routine about playing for the sport’s greatest prizes.
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In his previous 10 major finals the man across the net was either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer, but not this time.
“The older you get, you never know how many chances you’re going to get to play in Grand Slam final”.
Raonic made 40 unforced errors – the more graceful Federer limited his to 14 – but overcame them with several pinpoint winners when the match was on the line in the final set.
While Henman failed to get past the semifinal stage at Wimbledon four times, Murray is now into his third final here.
Cancel all plans for Sunday – Andy Murray is back in the Wimbledon final and this time he’s not playing with the weight of history on his shoulders, just the heavy burden of expectation.
Murray holds a 6-3 lead in his head to head record with Raonic and defeated the 25-year-old on grass three weeks ago in the Queen’s Club final. Raonic said at the time that he would be looking for a swift rematch and has been as good as his word.
Roger Federer lost the semifinal match against Milos Raonic in five sets. “I’ve got to put my energy into that”.
He’s also had back issues, missed the French Open to end a 65-appearance streak at majors, and came to Wimbledon without a title in 2016.
The Swiss soon went to another three set points and this time he pounced, levelling the match when a Raonic backhand stab drifted wide.
On Sunday, Raonic will face No. 2 Andy Murray, who easily eliminated No. 10 Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in the second semifinal. Made it very hard for Tomas.
Murray didn’t let the lack of atmosphere distract him and he landed the first blow in the second game after an ill-timed Berdych double fault on break point. Murray got a break with his three-set win over Berdych after he’d gone the distance against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters. “I know how difficult it is to make the finals of these events – and how hard they are to win”.
And as for beating Federer, Raonic insisted it was one of the best results of his life.
Raonic’s success is inspiring young tennis players across the country – including many in our city.
While serving at 2-1 down in the fifth set, Federer lost his footing on a deuce point and fell onto his stomach on the turf while trying to reach a passing shot.
Berdych, who was enjoying his best Wimbledon since reaching the 2010 final, kept Murray honest by holding his next two serves, but the home favourite was always comfortable as he served it out to book a spot in Sunday’s final. “The middle part of the second set was really key”.
“I hope that’s an advantage”, said Murray when asked if his experience of playing and winning slam finals could prove significant.
The 29-year-old will be typically fired up again and 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt believes aggression, both in his personality and his play, is the best way forward for Murray this weekend. It’s something I want to forget about.
Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a return to Marin Cilic of Croatia during their men’s singles match on day ten of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 6, 2016.
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It pains me to say it, but this is yet another chance to win one last grand slam title that has slipped through his fingers – and he’s not going to get many more.
