An intense and intriguing match unfolded on Centre Court this afternoon (6th July), with seven-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer taken on by the undaunted and in-form Marin Cilic.
Cilic began the match in blistering fashion, capitalising on some nervy shots from the Swiss former Wimbledon winner to open up a two set advantage. It was, however, never going to be an easy afternoon for the Croat and Federer was able to dig deep and stage a fightback.
Drawing the match at two sets apiece following a tiebreak in the fourth set, it was a close-run and tight affair, with the action played out in front of the capacity crowd on Centre Court at the Championships, Wimbledon.
Powerful second serves were what made the difference for Federer in unsettling his opponent as he clawed his way back into the match, defending match point after match point in the fourth through sheer skill, grit and determination.
It was Federer who was able to apply the pressure in the fifth though, as he achieved the most important break of the contest to go 5-3 ahead. The Swiss was able to serve out for the match and secured victory in style to come back from two sets to love down and win 6-7 (4-7) 4-6 6-3 7-6 (11-9) 6-3.
With top seed Novak Djokovic already eliminated and Andy Murray facing a hard contest in his own quarter-final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 2016 could be another year for Federer to etch his name on the iconic Wimbledon trophy.
It would be his eighth championship in total and move him one beyond the tally of Pete Sampras (seven) to become the most-decorated Wimbledon winner of all time.
By Keith Prowse