At the 2014 US Open, Novak Djokovic had lost to Kei Nishikori in the first semifinal. The stage seemed set for Roger Federer to add to his cabinet of trophies. Only, a six-foot-ten-inch Croatian was standing in his way. Marin Cilic dismantled the Swiss Mmaestro in straight sets and went on to win his only Grand Slam championship.
A similar situation was recreated in the 2016 Wimbledon quarterfinal, where the former World No. 1 quickly lost the opening two sets and found himself in a hole, down 0-40 at 3-3 in the third set. Cilic had three other opportunities to close out the match but Federer just refused to lose. He dug deep and swiftly served it out with an ace, his 27th of the match, to become the oldest player to move into the semifinals at the Championships since 1974.
Fellow member of the Big Four, World No. 2 Andy Murray, also faced a stiff test against Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga. Tsonga had already come off a long five-set match against John Isner, winning 19-17 in the fifth set. Murray raced to a quick lead – 7-6, 6-1 – before the Frenchman began scripting a comeback.
When he forced a fifth set, there were echoes of Tsonga's comeback victory against Federer in the 2011 Wimbledon quarterfinals, but it was not to be thus time for the Frenchman. Murray kept a cool head and claimed the last set 6-1 to move into the semifinals.
The play of the day came from neither of these 10 sets, however. It came from the Milos Raonic versus Djoker-slayer Sam Querrey match, which the Canadian won in four sets 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. The video also showcases what the perfect drop shot is – one that bounces back over the net.
Federer will play Raonic and Murray will face 2010 finalist Tomas Berdych in the semifinals on Saturday.
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