In stunning comeback, Roger Federer makes it through to his 11th Wimbledon semifinals

Roger Federer is a beast. Coming back from a two-set deficit in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, the Swiss, third-seeded player saved three match points to topple Croatian Marin Cilic in a "five-set thriller."

So far, it was the contest of the tournament. Cilic initially held the lead through the first two sets with his "lightning bolt" forehands, hammering his opponent one after another. But in the third set, the crowd witnessed that "brilliant Federer fightback," writes The Guardian's Les Roopanarine, "his full dazzling repertoire on display as he claws his way back to hold, roaring in triumph as he goes."

Tensions mounted in the fourth set as Federer launched serves reaching 105 and 111 mph into Cilic's court. But Cilic responded in kind, forcing the set-point to volley back and forth until Federer took the decisive win. Though still packed with pounding serves and gripping moments, the fifth set sailed by compared to the "nail-biting" show of the fourth. Federer ultimately won 5-1.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Federer called the match "incredible" and said he looks forward to facing fourth-seeded Milos Raonic in the semifinals. With No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic's shockingly early elimination, Federer could be in line to win his record eighth Wimbledon trophy, giving him his 18th Grand Slam title.

Do yourself a favor and check out The Guardian's coverage of the Federer vs. Cilic match. Les Roopanarine's commentary is as exuberantly whip-fast as the sport itself.