Roger Federer saved three match points to beat Marin Cilic 6-7 (4/7), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (11/9), 6-3 and reach a record-equalling 11th Wimbledon semi-final on Wednesday.
Centre court felt alive. Thanks for the support 💪🎾🚀🤖👊 pic.twitter.com/0mNkSCNIeR
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) July 6, 2016
The 34-year-old seven-time champion also claimed a new record for Grand Slam match wins of 307 as he made a 40th semi-final at the majors.
History!
Roger Federer defeats Marin Cilic for his 307th Grand Slam singles win, the most for a man or woman. pic.twitter.com/RZJy5Uei4L
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2016
His dramatic triumph was his 84th win at Wimbledon — taking him level with Jimmy Connors — and gave him a semi-final against Canada’s Milos Raonic as he continues his pursuit of an 18th Grand Slam title and a record eighth All England Club crown.
In a thrilling Centre Court confrontation, it was Federer’s 10th career comeback from two sets down.
It was a tie which saw him save three match points in a titanic fourth set as Federer became the oldest Wimbledon semi-finalist since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1974.
Federer fired 27 aces and 67 winners to avenge his semi-final loss to ninth seed Cilic in the semi-finals of the 2014 US Open.
And he put up some insane numbers:
How about this guy?
2 sets down, 3 match points saved. All in an afternoon’s work for @rogerfederer. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/c1UJ3F1Nkj
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) July 6, 2016
Most times in GS SFs
40 Roger Federer31 Jimmy Connors30 Novak Djokovic28 Ivan Lendl26 Andre Agassi25 Ken Rosewall23 P Sampras/R Nadal
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 6, 2016
Fed knows comebacks.
Roger Federer is tied for most career wins from 2 sets down (Open Era, all competitions). pic.twitter.com/4wVcnPZXvB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2016
Most career Grand Slam singles victories:
Roger Federer—307Martina Navratilova—306Serena Williams—302 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/NxgCWJxiEI
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 6, 2016
And Twitter could not stop talking about the match!
Watched you fight back from 2 sets down and 0-40 down on your serve. Great fight back and fantastic spirit. All the best! @rogerfederer
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 6, 2016
Great comeback from the greatest #RogerFederer #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/JRvggPDE2q
— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) July 6, 2016
Per usual.. Inspiring from @rogerfederer !
— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) July 6, 2016
There is only one Roger Federer! What will we do when he actually retires!😀
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 6, 2016
Just enjoy him ok. Just enjoy Roger Federer.
— Sofia_RF (@Sofia__RF) July 6, 2016
A pleasure to live in the era of Roger Federer.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) July 6, 2016
When Federer plays like this – and wins – the world seems a so much more agreeable place
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 6, 2016
Huge congratulations 👏👏@rogerfederer
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) July 6, 2016
Me: “Federer is getting old.”
Dad: “He’s 34. Your age.”M: “He’s 1 month 6 days older than me.”D: “You have 36 days to win 17 grand slams.”
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) July 6, 2016
After seeing Federer’s match, matches of most other players seem insipid and boring – that’s the true genius of the man
— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) July 6, 2016
But the man who summed it up perfectly was, none other than, Harsha Bhogle:
What proportion of the world wills @rogerfederer on? Any other athlete in the world close?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 6, 2016
Feature image source: Twitter