Milos Raonic of Canada celebrates a point against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's semifinal singles match on day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 8, 2016.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Milos Raonic has made history at Wimbledon, becoming the first Canadian man to reach the final of a tennis Grand Slam.
He beat Roger Federer in the semi-final on Friday, 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
In photos: Raonic tops Federer in Wimbledon semi-final
Raonic, 25, came out strong, taking the first set and breaking Federer's serve in the early stages. He caught the 34-year old off guard several times and seemed in control. But Federer fought back, winning the second set in a tie breaker, 7-3, and gaining strength in the third when he broke Raonic's serve and went on to win 6-4. He looked better in the fourth, but Raonic didn't falter. He held off three break points and finally broke Federer's serve in the final game to win the set 7-5.
He broke Federer again in the fifth, in a dramatic fourth game when Federer seemed shaken up briefly after diving for a ball. He returned after a short break but could not hold off Raonic. The Canadian won the set 6-3.
Raonic will face No. 2 seed Andy Murray of Britain in Sunday's final.
Federer was going for history as well this year at Wimbledon. He was seeking to win his eighth title, which would break the record he shares with Pete Sampras.
Raonic had come into the match with much more confidence and a broader game under new coach John McEnroe, a three-time Wimbledon champion. He had beaten Federer in their last meeting in January at the Brisbane International.
Raonic was up against a unfriendly crowd, which overwhelmingly favoured Federer. Cheers and calls of "Go Roger" rang out after almost every point he won, whereas Raonic received only a smattering of applause. However, at the end the crowd gave both players a standing ovation.
Federer had high praise for Raonic, saying his game has improved markedly in the last few years.
"I just think he believes it more now and he has clearly evolved as a player in the last two to three years," Federer said.
"Eventually you got to break through, you get the lucky break or you just deserve it because you've worked hard and you believe in what you are doing and then things fall into place nicely and that's what happened here today. So I wish him well for the finals."
He added that Raonic "fought really hard today and he's got a fighting chance on Sunday. I think he's playing great and I wish him the best really."
Federer also said he disappointed in his play in the fourth set, when he had three chances to break Raonic's serve and didn't and double faulted twice. "It was a very disappointing end to the match."
He also said he was worried about the fall he took in the fifth set, saying he isn't sure yet how badly he has been injured. "I just felt not the same afterwards."
Federer said he plans to return to Wimbledon next year to try again for his eighth title.
Paul Waldie