LONDON -- The match, and Roger Federers bid for a record eighth Wimbledon championship, essentially should have been over after

Posted in IYH Forums by jokergreen0220 at 09:13, Feb 13 2020

LONDON -- The match, and Roger Federers bid for a record eighth Wimbledon championship, essentially should have been over after a little more than 1 1/2 hours Wednesday.Already trailing two sets to none, he was down love-40 while serving at 3-all in the third.Once that problem was solved, his quarterfinal against Marin Cilic really could have concluded 45 minutes later, when Federer faced a match point at 5-4 in the fourth. Or 10 minutes and two games later, when Cilic again was a point from winning. Or another 10 minutes after that, when Cilic held a third match point.Through it all, Federer, a month shy of his 35th birthday, would not go away. And Cilic, who beat Federer in straight sets en route to the 2014 U.S. Open title, could not close the deal. Saving that trio of match points, Federer eventually emerged with a dont-look-away-or-youll-miss-something 6-7 (4), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9), 6-3 victory over Cilic to reach his 11th semifinal at the All England Club.I fought, I tried, I believed, Federer said after his 10th career comeback from a two-set hole, equaling the most on record. At the end, I got it done.Indeed, he did. When he capped his escape with a pair of aces at 126 mph and 115 mph, the third-seeded Federer thrust both arms overhead and violently wagged his right index finger. Hes no longer ranked No. 1. He hasnt won a Grand Slam trophy since 2012. He dealt with knee surgery and a bad back this season, the first since 2000 that he arrived at Wimbledon without a title. He sat out the French Open, the first major he missed since 1999, raising doubts about his readiness for Wimbledon.To test the body, to be out there again fighting, being in a physical battle -- and winning it -- is an unbelievable feeling, said Federer, who could become the oldest man to win a major since Ken Rosewall did it at 37 at the 1972 Australian Open. Yeah, I mean, it was an emotional win.On Friday, Federer faces No. 6 Milos Raonic, a 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 winner against No. 28 Sam Querrey, the man who surprised No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round.Raonic, beaten by Federer in the 2014 Wimbledon semifinals, declared: Im happy that I have another shot at him.On the other half of the draw, No. 2 Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, barely avoided the same fate as Cilic and held off No. 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (10), 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1. Murrays seventh Wimbledon semifinal will come against No. 10 Tomas Berdych, who eliminated No. 32 Lucas Pouille 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2.Itll be tough for any remaining match to achieve the intensity of Federer vs. Cilic.Both served supremely well for stretches. Federer led in aces, 27-23, was broken only once, and in the last two sets, altered his stance on returns to get a better read on the ninth-seeded Cilics speedy serves. There was a lot of quick-strike tennis, yes, but still room for lengthy, engaging points. There were rare signs of frustration from Federer, who swatted a ball angrily after one fault, then gave a line judge a talking-to about a call.Most memorable, though, were Cilics wasted opportunities, starting at 3-3 in the third set.That switched, a little bit, the momentum, conceded Cilic, who was 52-0 at majors after taking the first two sets.He earned three break points by smacking a forehand passing winner. On the first, looking tight, Cilic netted a backhand. On the second, he sent a forehand long, and Federer let out a guttural yell. On the third, Cilics backhand return went wide, and Federer shouted again. Federer took the next two points to hold, and at the ensuing changeover, fans chanted: Lets go, Roger! Lets go!Seemingly all 15,000 or so spectators at Centre Court willed Federer on, rising to their feet and roaring louder with each game -- and, sometimes, each point -- that went their mans way.Roger is very liked everywhere, especially here. ... But it didnt bother me, Cilic said. Obviously, in some situations, it can help him.In the next game, Cilic double-faulted to let Federer break for the first time, and soon the 17-time major champion was shaking his right fist, celebrating. Finally, a set belonged to him. Plenty of work remained: those match points in the fourth set, all on Federers serve.At 30-40 in the 10th game, a gutsy 104 mph second serve drew a long forehand return from Cilic.At 30-40 in the 12th game, Federer conjured up a 120 mph ace.And at 7-6 in the ensuing tiebreaker, Federer again didnt hold back on a second serve, this one at 108 mph, and Cilic flubbed a forehand return, this one into the net.Five minutes later, Federer converted his fifth set point of the tiebreaker, when Cilics forehand found the net. Suddenly, everything was even at two sets apiece, and while Cilic is 7 years younger, it was Federer who thrived as the match moved past the 3-hour mark, grabbing the last three games.This is a big one, Federer said. Probably not the biggest, but a big one.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/walt-schupp-jersey-store/" class="TyTxtSmlC">Walt Schupp Jersey Store . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/alfred-malone-jersey-store/" class="TyTxtSmlC">Alfred Malone Jersey Store . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/dave-pacella-jersey-store/" class="TyTxtSmlC">https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/dave-pacella-jersey-store/ . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/lamonte-hunley-jersey-store/" class="TyTxtSmlC">Lamonte Hunley Jersey Store . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/dennis-mckinnon-jersey-store/" class="TyTxtSmlC">Dennis McKinnon Jersey Store .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. FORT LEE, N.J. -- A New York Mets pitcher featured in a new anti-domestic violence ad campaign is now facing a domestic violence charge in New Jersey.A complaint filed by authorities in Fort Lee municipal court alleges that Jeurys Familia caused bodily injury to another and that they observed a scratch to the victims chest and a bruise to the victims right cheek. It says the 27-year-old Familia -- who is identified in the complaint as Jeurys F. Mojica -- was arrested early Monday and charged with simple assaultt.dddddddddddd Major League Baseball confirmed Familias extended last name is Mojica.The All-Star pitcher, the married father of a year-old boy, serves as the Mets closer.Familias agent declined comment on the matter. The Mets issued a statement that said the matter was brought to our attention and we are monitoring the situation.The matter was first reported by The Record newspaper. ' ' '