Wimbledon 2014: Seven-time champion Roger Federer beats Milos Raonic to set up Novak Djokovic final
Federer won 6-4, 6-4, 6-5
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Your support makes all the difference.The sorcerer had the better of the apprentice for the second time in the men's semi-finals when Roger Federer beat Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to qualify for Sunday's final against Novak Djokovic.
Unlike the No 1 seed, Federer did not drop a set or even need a tie-break, which the heavy serving young Canadian would have hoped for at the very least.
He blasted down one second serve of 132mph - something most players would be pleased with on a first serve - but otherwise found his biggest weapon neutralised by the 32 year-old Swiss, nine years his senior.
Raonic had never previously beyond the second round at Wimbledon, but becoming the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam final will have to wait, as will the new generation's dreams of taking over from the established big four of Djokovic, Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray.
The victory required just one break of service each set, and Federer scored a valuable psychological point by achieving the first one in the opening game of the match before Raonic had a chance to settle. Offering few chances for retaliation he took that first set in 34 minutes, followed up with the second set in exactly the same time and went 5-4 up in the third by capitalising on three break points.
A service winner finished matters off to the delight of the Centre Court crowd and those with tickets for Sunday can expect a potential classic.
“I really had to focus on every point,” Federer told the BBC. “I know that is always the case at this stage but it was hard. I had to be very careful on my service games and I knew there was only going to be a few chances on his serve but I am very, very happy.
”I played some great tennis under pressure at times because I didn't play well here last year and I expect a lot of myself. In the second week I have played better as the week has gone on.
Now I can look forward to another great match with Novak.“
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