Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates after winning against Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych during their men’s singles semi-final match. Photo: AFP
Seven-time champion Roger Federer reached his 11th Wimbledon final on Friday, downing 2010 runner-up Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
The 35-year-old, bidding to win a record eighth title and become the oldest champion at the All England Club in the Open era, will face Croatia’s Marin Cilic in Sunday’s final.
Seventh seeded Cilic reached his first Wimbledon championship match at the 11th attempt with a 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 win over America’s Sam Querrey.
Berdych has played this role to perfection over the years. He, Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori have long been the bridesmaids of the tour.
Immensely rugged and powerful, with the physique of a Greek god, he served at a ferocious lick yesterday, making breaks hard to come by. As a result, he extended Federer past the two-hour mark for the first time in this tournament.
