Wimbledon 2016: How Milos Raonic outclassed Roger Federer
Baby faced Milos Raonic is the new rock star of world tennis.
On Friday (July 9), the Canadian bomber left seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer shell-shocked as he pulled of an adrenaline-felted 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory to enter the men’s singles final.
At the end of three hours and 25 minutes when the packed Centre Court applauded the young 25-year-old hero who became the first Canadian man to enter a Grand Slam final, it was trauma time for Federer.
Another five-set epic for Roger Federer, but it's Milos Raonic who's celebrating a place in the #Wimbledon final... https://t.co/PRmBkhuq90
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016
The Swiss master has been craving for his eighth Wimbledon title and each year it is getting only harder and harder.
There was a clear chance for Federer in the fourth set but Raonic came up with a superb brand of tennis which was full of power, precision and purpose.
It’s not easy taking on Federer at Centre Court. He has experience and the backing from a full house whenever he plays. Raonic ensured on this day he was not going to let anything bother him as that’s what he has been tutored to by his coaching staff.
Raonic’s coaching entourage is a huge one. He has Carlos Moya as his main coach, accompanied by Ricardo Piatti. Then there is Dalibor Sirola as his fitness trainer and physio Claudio Zimagila to keep him in good shape.
But the most recent addition to the list is none other than American legend John McEnroe, who was in the BBC commentary booth today.
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McEnroe, who has a great eye to spot talent capable of winning Majors, had said a few months ago if he were to pick six contenders for Wimbledon, Raonic was one of them. In no time, Raonic approached McEnroe to help him out and the New Yorker agreed.
McEnroe has a very simple prescription for Raonic and the most important thing is not to tamper too much with his game. Instead, McEnroe had told the Canadian to remain calm, believe in himself and turn on the aggression against Federer.
Meetings between Raonic and Federer are not new. Each time in the five outings before this, Federer had won, including once at Wimbledon in 2014.
The problem for Federer these days is the harder he tries, more is the pressure on him. Friday’s match was a good chance for the living legend of tennis to pull it off but Raonic’s huge serve was not easy to deal with. Having racked up 119 aces before this match, Raonic rifled in another 23 aces to take his tally to 142.
Against that kind of serving which possibly had even worms in the grass in trouble, Federer could have hoped for luck to return the ball rather than anticipating where the ball was going to land! Federer’s best opportunity to seal victory was in the fourth set, when he had two clear chances.
On this day, Raonic responded like a rocket. If the serve had the sonic boom in it, his groundstrokes, court craft and ability to pick the ball early flummoxed wily Federer.
It was a sad sight watching Federer’s entourage, sporting the RF cap, egg on their hero. Wife Mirka was also engrossed in the match but perhaps she knew today Federer was not playing his best tennis.
For, when the Swiss icon shows his class, none can stop him.
In the final set, Federer looked nervous. As one whose court coverage borders on the sublime, he had a bad fall and landed on his knee. He was lucky that after a brief massage from the ATP trainer he could resume play.
But the bigger challenge was handling the Scud missiles which Raonic served and matching pace in the rallies where the Canadian superstar showed he is not a bunny at the net.
After the match, Raonic was ecstatic."It was a tough match and all the help and guidance I got from my coaches helped. Having said that, I have to rest and focus for the final. There is still a job to be done," he said ahead of Sunday's final where he meets Andy Murray.
Murray thumped Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to reach his third Wimbledon final.
(Courtesy of Mail Today.)