“We’ve never played on grass before”, said Murray. “So, yeah, that’s different”, Murray, who won the 2012 US Open against Djokovic, told reporters.
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Murray will enter this final as the favourite, and the fact that he’s had a relatively easy progression while Raonic spent a lengthy amount of time on the court in his semi-final will be another advantage in his favour.
Murray and Raonic played each other three weeks ago in the final at Queen’s Club, with Murray beating the Canadian in three sets.
The 6-foot-5 Canadian’s serves reached 144 mph and averaged 129 mph on first serves – 3 mph faster than Federer’s fastest of the day.
When Milos Raonic was out on Centre Court fighting for a spot in the Wimbledon final, John McEnroe was watching closely.
Serena and Venus Williams advanced to the women’s doubles final at Wimbledon.
The American sisters beat eighth-seeded Julia Goerges of Germany and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (3), 6-4 on No. 1 Court.
It took Britain 77 years to end its men’s title drought at the All England Club thanks to Andy Murray’s historic triumph in 2013.
Serena has also reached the singles final, where she will face Angelique Kerber on Saturday.
The Scot’s only brief wobble came early on when he dropped serve in the third game, having broken in the game before. But Murray’s all-around game is the reason why he’s the No. 2 ranked player in the world behind Djokovic.
I’d suggest not enough to get the better of Murray, who has now beaten Raonic in their last five meetings, on grass, clay, outdoor hard and indoor hard. He beat the 34-year-old in straight sets in the Brisbane International final to kick off the 2016 season.
“You’re playing who Roger is today”, Raonic said, “not who he’s been the past few years”. But it did take five sets and could take a physical toll on the big Canadian, while Murray won his semi-final against Tomas Berdych in three easy sets.
Federer looked on course for victory when leading two sets to one and he squandered three break points in the fourth set before serving two double faults to help the Canadian force a decider.
Raonic kept up the fight until a 5-all tie in the second set, but ultimately lost the set 7-6. For Murray, it was a blast from the successful past, a time when he won an Olympic gold medal at London 2012, followed by wins at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. In the third, Federer used his vast experience to claim the set 6-4.
Second set and Roanic serving to stay in the frame, and he exchanges some heavy groundstrokes with Federer, and the Swiss is able to unload a backhand for a victor.
Raonic was 3-for-8 in break chances against Federer.
Berdych made countless errors on his forehand and could not capitalise on the one slight opening that came his way in the sixth game of the second set.
And when Federer walked off and turned to wave, 15,000 people raised the roof in a chorus of appreciation, all too aware that it may be one of the last times they see their hero on Centre Court.
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Many tennis fans were penciling in a Roger Federer vs. Murray Wimbledon final, and looking at this tournament as maybe Federer’s best chance at one more grand slam title.
