Wimbledon Semi-Final Highlights: Milos Raonic Beats Roger Federer to Reach Final

Roger Federer's hopes of ending his four-year major drought and winning his 18th Grand Slam title ended in heartbreak on Friday, after a five-set defeat at the hands of sixth seeded Milos Raonic in the semi-finals of Wimbledon. Federer dropped the first set 6-3, but won the second in a tie-breaker (7-3), before winning the third set 6-4. Raonic came back to win the fourth set 7-5, and then broke Federer early in the fifth set before closing it out at 6-3. Catch highlights of Roger Federer vs Milos Raonic here. Follow the live updates of Andy Murray vs Tomas Berdych here.

Milos Raonic celebrates his Wimbledon semi-final win over Roger Federer.

© AFP

 

21:25 IST: That's all from us for the first men's singles semi-final at Wimbledon. Do join us for the second semi-final match between Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych. 

21:15 IST: There will be contrasting emotions between the two players after that match. For Milos Raonic, this has been some campaign! Will he be able to keep the momentum going in his first ever Grand Slam final? We will get to know on Sunday. For Roger Federer, the dream of an 18th Grand Slam title has to be kept on hold for now. It remains to be seen whether Federer, less than a month away from his 35th birthday, comes back to win another major. But tennis, as a sport, has a lot to thank him for.

21:05 IST: It's all over at the Centre Court as Federer hits a forehand wide. Milos Raonic wins 6-3, 6-7 (3), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. He will face the winner of the second semi-final between Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych in Sunday's final. 

21:04 IST: Federer holds serve with some panache, but it's now or never for the Swiss maestro. Raonic is serving for the match and a place in Sunday's final.

21:02 IST: Raonic holds his serve again. Now Federer will serve to stay in the tournament.

20:58 IST: Federer saves two break points to hold serve. Raonic now serves at 4-2 in the deciding set.

20:52 IST: Raonic holds again. Roger Federer on the brink at Centre Court! 

Wow. Some stunning defence from Raonic & he breaks with an exquisite forehand passing shot. He leads 3-1 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/iPtNAmV1kX

- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016

20:48 IST: Raonic breaks Federer in the fifth set. The Canadian fails to convert the first break point in this game, but comes back to earn another break point, which he converts. He leads 3-1 in the deciding set!

20:44 IST: Federer slips while trying to reach a shot from Raonic. He gets back up, but needs medical attention. He faces a a break point now.

20:40 IST: Raonic doesn't have any trouble holding serve here. He leads the fifth set 2-1 now.

20:36 IST: Raonic holds serve to take a 1-0 lead. Federer responds by holding serve to love. It's 1-1 in the deciding set!

Milos Raonic celebrates after winning the fourth set against Roger Federer.

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20:28 IST: And it's all level once again in this semi-final. Federer goes 40-0 up, but goes on to make two back-to-back double faults. Raonic gets three break points later on, and converts the third one to win the set. We are going to a fifth set at Centre Court!

Back-to-back double faults put Federer in a spot of bother & Raonic breaks with a lovely backhand. We're going 5! pic.twitter.com/xijti4mPQE

- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016

20:20 IST: Some fine display of tennis at the Centre Court as Milos Raonic holds serve after coming under serious pressure from Federer. The former champion will now serve to stay in the set.

20:15 IST: Federer holds serve after being 15-30 down. Five-all in the fourth set!

20:10 IST: Raonic faces another break point, but shows nerves of steel to hold his serve. Federer has managed to convert just one of his nine break points in this match.

20:07 IST: Roger Federer will be one win away from his eight Wimbledon title if he wins today.

A seven-time #Wimbledon champion...

Will Federer need to update his shoes at the end of The Championships? pic.twitter.com/MnWd20qm8k

- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016

20:06 IST: Federer holds on once again to level things up. Raonic to serve at 4-4.

20:02 IST: Federer is on the attack here, but Raonic manages to stave him off after two deuces. The Canadian leads the fourth set 4-3.

19:59 IST: Federer holds serve after being put in a spot of bother by Raonic. He comes back from 15-30 down to close out the game.

19:53 IST: Raonic holds serve after saving two break points in a topsy-turvy game. Federer has now converted only one of his 8 break points in this match.

19:46 IST: Federer displaying his forehand prowess to close out the game with ease. Two-all in the fourth set!

19:43 IST: Raonic holds again. Federer to serve at 1-2 now.

19:41 IST: Federer levels things up in the fourth set with another good service game.

19:40 IST: Raonic holds serve in the first game of the fourth set.

Roger Federer has come back from a set down to win the next two sets of his Wimbledon semi-final clash against Milos Raonic.

© AFP

19:37 IST: Advantage Federer as the seven-time Wimbledon champion holds serve to love to take the third set 6-4.

19:33 IST: Raonic has a good service game, and holds on with comfort. Federer will now serve for the third set.

19:31 IST: Federer holds serve with ease to lead the set 5-3.

A big roar from Federer as Raonic miscues a backhand to give up the break. Federer leads *4-3 in the 3rd set pic.twitter.com/doOFUy4o2Z

- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016

19:28 IST: And Federer finally breaks Raonic! His powerful cross-court forehand winner earns him two break points, and he forces Raonic into an unforced error after dropping the next point. The Swiss star now serves at 4-3.

19:25 IST: This time the World no 3 holds his serve to love. All level in the third set!

19:22 IST: Federer hasn't broken Raonic's serve yet, and he fails to do so again in the fifth game of the third set. The Canadian leads the set 3-2.

19:19 IST: Federer showing nerves here, and his uncharacteristic errors see the game going into deuce twice. The 17-time major winner eventually bails himself out with two very good serves. Two-all in the third set!

19:13 IST: Milos Raonic continues to serve well, and holds service once again to lead the third set 2-1.

19:11 IST: Raonic starts the game by attacking Federer's serve. The Swiss maestro goes two points down, but produces an excellent forehand winner and a couple of big serves to turn it around. It's 1-1 in the third set now.

19:08 IST: Raonic hits three consecutive aces and forces Federer into an unforced error to take the first game of the third set.

19:00 IST: And it's all level in this semi-final as Federer wins the second set tie-breaker 7-3 to take the set 7-6.

Lift off for Federer.

He levels the match after taking the second set 7-6(3) #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ZhBUUIvU6A

- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016

19:00 IST: Federer gets a mini-break after Raonic double-faults. He produces two big serves to lead the tie-breaker 6-3.

18:57 IST: Both players continue to hold serves in the tie-breaker as well. 3-3!

18:54 IST: We go into a tie-breaker here as Raonic comfortably holds his serve to level up the set at 6-6.

18:50 IST: Federer once again holds after a tense game. Raonic will, once again, serve to stay in the set. Federer leads the set 6-5. 

18:47 IST: After saving four set points, Raonic finally holds serve. It's 5-5 in the second set!

Raonic showing his mettle.

The Canadian fends off four set points to hold for 5-5 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/32n7NYPS3W

- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016

18:45 IST: Raonic starts the game with two unforced errors and one double fault, but subsequently saves the three set points after forcing Federer into a couple of unforced errors. The game moves into deuce twice.

18:40 IST: Federer again faces pressure from Raonic. He adopts a more defensive approach, and manages to close out the game. Raonic now serves at 4-5, to stay in the set.

18:37 IST: Raonic continues his dominance with his service as he closes out the game in less than a minute, holding serve without dropping a point.

18:36 IST: Federer is put under serious pressure by an offensive Raonic, but the former pulls out some big serves to win the game.

18:32 IST: Raonic holds serve once again, dropping only a point during the game. It's 3-3 in the second set.

18:28 IST: Federer's response is swift and flawless, as he closes out his service game within a minute. Raonic to serve at 2-3.

18:26 IST: No problem for Raonic, as he holds serve to love in the fourth game of the second set. 2-2!

18:23 IST: Federer holds service with ease once again. Can he break Raonic's serve now?

18:21 IST: Raonic holds serve after dropping two points. 1-1 in the second set!

18:17 IST: Federer starts the second set with a fine service game. Raonic will serve to level things up.

Milos Raonic has taken the first set 6-3 in his semi-final clash against Roger Federer.

© AFP

18:13 IST: Milos Raonic takes the first set 6-3 after a tense ninth game. The Canadian serves and volleys twice, before Federer produces a brilliant forehand winner to take the game to deuce. Raonic, however, holds his nerve and closes out the set with a forehand winner.

Raonic is headed in the right direction - he converts on his 2nd set point to wrap up the opening set 6-3 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DZz3s9rMCi

- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2016

18:08 IST: Federer comfortable holds his serve in the eight game. Raonic now serves for the set.

18:05 IST: Federer wins the first two points after a couple of errors from Raonic, but the latter produces four brilliant serves to extend his first set lead to 5-2.

18:01 IST: Federer serves and volleys once and produces an ace to hold service without much trouble.

17:57 IST: The fifth game goes into deuce twice as Federer attacks Raonic's serve in his attempt to break back. The Canadian produces two big serves to bail himself out and hold serve again.

17:51 IST: Raonic breaks Federer! The Swiss World no 3 makes four unforced errors to hand Raonic the initiative in this first set. The Canadian is now serving at 3-1.

17:48 IST: Federer's defence is no match to Raonic's big serves, as the Canadian holds once again. Federer to serve at 1-2 now. 

17:44 IST: Federer holds serve to love in response. Absolutely no trouble for the World no 3.

17:43 IST: Raonic holds serve in the first game of the match. Some good serves from the Canadian in that game.

17:40 IST: And we are off at the Centre Court! Milos Raonic starts proceedings with an ace. He quickly follows it up with a double fault.

17:38 IST: Raonic and Federer have met once this year, in the title clash of the Brisbane International. Raonic had stunned the Swiss in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, on that day. 

17:35 IST: The legendary Bjorn Borg is in attendance at Centre Court today. IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is among the crowd as well. Will they witness a Wimbledon classic today, or will it be business as usual for Federer?

17:30 IST: The two players are out into the court to a rapturous applause from the Centre Court crowd.

17:25 IST: Roger Federer and Milos Raonic have previously faced off on eleven occasions. Federer leads the head-to-head 9-2.

17:20 IST: Hello and welcome to the live-blog of the first men's singles semi-final of Wimbledon 2016, as 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer takes on Milos Raonic of Canada. 

Milos Raonic and Roger Federer will fight it out for a spot in the Wimbledon's Men's Singles final. 

© AFP

At 34, Federer is trying to become the oldest Wimbledon winner since Ken Rosewall back in 1974.

Federer, bidding for a record eighth Wimbledon title and 18th Grand Slam trophy, almost came unstuck in the quarter-finals. He saved three match points and came back from two sets down to defeat 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic to stay on course for a first major since lifting a seventh Wimbledon four years ago.

Federer missed the French Open due to a back injury but has shown no sign of pain at All-England Club. It was the first Grand Slam Federer had missed since 1999 and came in a year where he has yet to win a trophy. His only final appearance was in Brisbane in January where he lost to Raonic.

Federer has beaten Raonic twice on grass, the last time at Wimbledon in 2014 in what was the Canadian's first appearance in the last four.

Raonic is coached by John McEnroe and the former Wimbledon champion has urged his charge to show Federer some swagger when they go head-to-head in Friday's Wimbledon semi-final.

Catch Wimbledon live tennis score of Roger Federer vs Milos Raonic.