Roger Federer races to Wimbledon milestone

Wimbledon 2017: Roger Federer proves that less is more

14 July

Sometimes less is more. Roger Federer certainly believes that is the case as he homes in on another Wimbledon final appearance, even though it may seem an odd sentiment for a man who has collected titles and records like no other during a glittering career that shows few signs of fading.

"Once you hit 30, you've got to look back and think of how much tennis have I played, how much rest did I give my body over the years, how much training have I done, did I do enough, did I overdo it," said Federer.

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"For me [taking a long rest] worked out. It doesn’t mean it's going to work out for everybody. But sometimes maybe the body and the mind do need a rest."

The statistics certainly back up his theory. While the other three members of the Big Four – Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal – have all played more than 100 matches since January last year Federer has chalked up just 54.

Eyebrows were raised when the Swiss withdrew from the French Open last month but that decision has paid off handsomely says Kevin Mitchell of The Guardian.

"Roger Federer wrote the book on survival in the tennis jungle. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, who were cut down so cruelly by injury and the stress of a physical sport in the quarter-finals, could do worse than heed his example and walk away from the game for six months. It is a formula that has worked as no other in the recent history of the sport."

Cilic is expected to provide a stern test today as he bids to reach a Wimbledon final for the first time but even if he plays the match of his life it may not be enough with Federer looking unstoppable.

"Federer is in vintage form with his match win rate in 2017 prior to Wimbledon standing at 92.3 per cent – the fourth best in his career," says the Daily Telegraph. "Were he to win Wimbledon this would increase to 94.1 per cent – just a handful of victories away from eclipsing his incredible 95.3 per cent win rate in 2005."

Federer’s appearance in the semi-finals is not just vindication of his streamlined schedule but also proves that grace and guile can still bring success even in a sport increasingly dominated by big-hitters according to Paul Newman of The Independent.

Cilic towers above the 6ft 1in Federer at 6ft 6in and has sent down 105 aces during Wimbledon compared to Federer's 51. Sam Querrey – who takes on Tomas Berdych in today’s other semi-final – leads the way in terms of aces with a staggering 126.

"The millions of Roger Federer fans around the world will not be the only ones happy at the prospect of their hero playing in his 42nd Grand Slam semi-final. The three other semi-finalists are all excellent players, but it will be left to the seven-times champion to provide a respite from the relentless big-hitting that has become such a feature of the modern game."

Johanna Konta goes down fighting against Venus Williams

13 July

Johanna Konta's dreams of becoming the first British woman to win Wimbledon since Virginia Wade in 1977 were dashed by 37-year-old Venus Williams, who booked her place in the final with a straight sets victory over the new home favourite.

The veteran was in imperious form as she won their semi-final 6-4 6-2 in just 73 minutes, and will now play Garbine Muguruza in Saturday's final after the Spaniard dismissed Magdalena Rygarikova 6-1 6-1 in just 65 minutes.

Williams defied time, the odds and Konta to become the oldest finalist since Martina Navratilova in 1994, says Kevin Mitchell in The Guardian. And it was her experience that proved critical.

"No active player can match Williams's 20 Wimbledon appearances. This was her 101st singles match at the All England club, her tenth semi-final – where she has won five times – and Konta's 12th and her first semi-final.

"Those numbers represent a yawning gap in experience and achievement."

Konta has a "uncomplicated but increasingly potent game", says Mitchell. But although she is "blessed with better movement and a bigger serve, Konta did not bring as much variety" as her opponent.

Williams was "relentless, putting pressure on Konta's serve and forehand", says Stuart Fraser of The Times. And after winning the first set "Konta could do nothing to halt the dominance of Williams".

Konta struggled with her second serve, which "was eaten alive by a ravenous Williams" says Charlie Eccleshare of the Daily Telegraph, and Williams won the battle of the forehands.

It would be "churlish" to dwell on negatives after such a fine run from Konta, but she does need to make adjustments.

"On the technical side, she needs to tighten up the forehand, because this match illustrated that it can break down under pressure. She also needs to play with a bit more variety because while her Plan A of serve well and back it up with solid groundstrokes is mightily effective, there doesn't seem to be too much of an alternative."

Yet she still tested Williams and will move into the world's top five thanks to her run in SW19.

"She has come a hugely long way from the player who lost in round one four times here, particularly in terms of mentality, but the very best players take their chances and she is still some way behind Williams in that regard," says Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard.

Veteran Federer stands tall as big guns fall at Wimbledon

13 July

Roger Federer appears to be the man to beat at Wimbledon yet again as he closes in on a record eighth title.

Federer despatched last year’s runner-up Milos Raonic 6-4 6-2 7-6 (7-4) in the quarter-finals and is now clear favourite to eclipse the legendary Pete Sampras by lifting the trophy on Sunday.

His path to what would be a remarkable 19th Grand Slam victory - and his first at Wimbledon since 2012 - was made simpler following shock exits for main rivals Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in the last eight.

With Rafael Nadal having lost an epic five-setter to Gilles Muller on Monday it means Federer is the only survivor of the so-called Big Four left in the tournament.

“This victory was so routine only those anxious to part with their money would bet against him still being there come Sunday evening,” says Jim White of The Telegraph.

“For one thing, those left in contention cannot rely on age to wither him. After swatting Raonic aside in straight sets Federer became, at 35, the oldest man to reach a semi-final since Ken Rosewall in 1974.”

Federer was on a different level to Raonic as he booked his place in the semi-finals for the 12th time in what was his 100th singles game at the tournament.

The Swiss lost just 19 points on his serve and only looked in danger of being broken once when he saved four break points in the eighth game of the third set.

Federer will now face Tomas Berdych in the last four after his match with Djokovic came to a premature end when the Serb retired due to an elbow injury.

Djokovic called for the trainer after losing the first set on a tie break and withdrew two games later in obvious pain.

“It was a disappointing end to what had been a much-improved tournament for Djokovic after months of below-par outings but he may now have to miss the US Open and perhaps even longer to put right an

injury which he said has been bothering him, on and off, for 18 months,” says The Guardian.

Djokovic’s exit means Murray will remain world No.1 despite bowing out to big-serving American Sam Querrey.

Defending champion Murray led by a set and a break but was troubled by a hip injury as he lost 12 of the last 14 games to go down 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-1.

Marin Cilic awaits Querrey in what would have seemed an unlikely semi-final at the start of the tournament. Cilic reached the last four for the first time as he got the better of veteran German Muller in another five-set battle.