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Federer came back from a two sets to love deficit Wednesday to beat Marin Cilic 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3 and advance to his 11th Wimbledon semifinal.
Cilic, who, two years ago, beat Federer in straight sets en route to a U.S. Open title, rolled through the first two sets, winning 87 percent of his points on first serve and dominating short rallies.
With his back against the wall in the third set, Federer’s fight began. He saved three break points at 3-3, broke Cilic, and held serve to bring it to a fourth set.
The drama was heightened in the fourth, with Cilic fighting to close out the match and Federer trying to avoid a disappointing exit. Six combined break point opportunities came and went, but neither Federer nor Cilic could convert and the set went to a tiebreak.
In the breaker, even Federer’s nerves began to show. Up 6-4, the world No. 3 shanked an easy forehand try. Finally, after three match-point saves and four squandered set points, Federer prevailed 11-9 in the tiebreak to send the match to a decisive final set.
Federer carried the momentum from that win and the support of the crowd into the fifth. He fought to earn a break at 4-3, and then, serving for the match, Federer jumped out to a 40-15 advantage and smoked an ace past Cilic to complete the comeback.
”I fought, I tried, I believed,” Federer told reporters after the match. ”At the end, I got it done.”
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"He continues to add chapters to his legacy" Federer celebrates his 10th career win from 2 sets down #Wimbledon clips.wimbledon.com/g/v/9dFZsxc57lo
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”To test the body, to be out there again fighting, being in a physical battle – and winning it – is an unbelievable feeling,” Federer said. ”Yeah, I mean, it was an emotional win.”
Now, Federer’s path to an eighth Wimbledon title will run through sixth-seeded Milos Raonic, whom he will meet in the semifinal. Raonic downed Sam Querrey, who had defeated No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round, in four sets Wednesday.
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