This combination of pictures created on January 29, 2017 shows Switzerlands tennis player Roger Federer holding up his 18 Grand Slam titles. 1st row, from left : Australian Open 2017, Wimbledon 2012, Australian Open 2010, Wimbledon 2009, Roland Garros 2009, US Open 2008. 2nd row, from left : US Open 2007, Wimbledon 2007, Australian Open 2007, US Open 2006, Wimbledon 2006, Australian Open 2006. 3rd row, from left : US Open 2005, Wimbledon 2005, US Open 2004, Wimbledon 2004, Australian Open 2004, Wimbledon 2003. \/ AFP PHOTO \/ STF <\/p>\n
Five years after his last Wimbledon triumph, Roger Federer can capture a record eighth All England Club title Sunday and become the tournaments oldest mens champion of the modern era. <\/p>\n
With his 36th birthday fast approaching, the evergreen Swiss will comfortably succeed Arthur Ashe, who was almost 32 when he won in 1975, as Wimbledons most senior champion. <\/p>\n
Victory over Croatian giant Marin Cilic will also give him a 19th career Grand Slam title and second in three majors this year after sweeping to a fifth Australian Open in January following a six-month absence. <\/p>\n
I was hoping to be in good shape when the grass court season came around, said Federer who, for good measure, also pocketed back-to-back Masters at Indian Wells and Miami as well as a ninth Halle grass court crown. <\/p>\n
The first three, four months were just like a dream really. So this is something I was working towards, you know, Wimbledon, to be in good shape. Im happy its paying off here now. <\/p>\n
Federer admits his form in 2017 has surprised even himself after he shut down his 2016 season to rest a knee injury in the aftermath of his brutal five-set semi-final loss at Wimbledon to Milos Raonic. <\/p>\n
He has 30 wins and just two losses this year and he has reached his 11th Wimbledon final without dropping a set. <\/p>\n
Sundays match will be his 102nd at the tournament and his 29th final at the majors. <\/p>\n
It makes me really happy, making history here at Wimbledon. Its a big deal. I love this tournament, said Federer, who has been tied with Pete Sampras on seven Wimbledon titles since beating Andy Murray in the 2012 final. <\/p>\n
All my dreams came true here as a player. To have another chance to go for number eight now, be kind of so close now at this stage, is a great feeling. <\/p>\n
Yeah, unbelievably excited. I hope I can play one more good match. 11 finals here, all these records, its great. Im so close now. <\/p>\n
While Big Four rivals Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal failed to even make the semi-finals, Federer has been reborn. <\/p>\n
He came into Wimbledon having radically pruned his playing schedule, skipping the entire clay court season. <\/p>\n
Wimbledon is just his seventh event of the year; 28-year-old Cilic is in his 15th. <\/p>\n
Federer, reveling in the spotlight of having played all his matches on Centre Court, has hardly been troubled on his way to the final. <\/p>\n
He has lost serve just four times and spent four and a half hours less on court than Cilic. <\/p>\n
Federer also boasts a 6-1 career record over Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion who has made his first Wimbledon final at the 11th attempt. <\/p>\n
However, Cilics game is made for grass and 12 months ago he led Federer by two sets to love and held three match points in an epic quarter-final which the Swiss superstar eventually claimed. <\/p>\n
When Cilic won his only Slam in New York three years ago, he demolished Federer in straight sets in the semi-finals. <\/p>\n
I dont want to say its more relaxed going into it because I have a good head-to-head record against Marin, even though the matches were extremely close, said Federer. <\/p>\n
But its not like weve played against each other 30 times. You feel like you have to reinvent the wheel. <\/p>\n
Its more straightforward, in my opinion. I think thats nice in some ways. Its a nice change, but it doesnt make things easier. <\/p>\n
Cilic is only the second Croatian man to reach the Wimbledon final after Goran Ivanisevic, his former coach, who swept to a memorable title victory in 2001. <\/p>\n
A win on Sunday would also make him the first Wimbledon champion outside of Federer, Murray, Djokovic and Nadal since Lleyton Hewitt triumphed in 2002. <\/p>\n
However, he has only won one of his last 12 matches against a top five player at the Slams, even if that was over Federer in New York three years ago. <\/p>\n
Cilic has fired 130 aces at Wimbledon this year and dropped just 10 service games. <\/p>\n
This is Rogers home court, the place where he feels the best and knows that he can play the best game, said Cilic. <\/p>\n
Obviously Im going to look back, 12 months ago I was one point away from winning a match against him here. But its still a big mountain to climb. <\/p>\n
Federers defeated semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych sees only one winner on Sunday. <\/p>\n
Idont see anything that would indicate Roger is getting older. Hes just proving his greatness in our sport, said the Czech. <\/p>\n
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Originally posted here: <\/p>\n
Federer on verge of Wimbledon immortality - Inquirer.net<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This combination of pictures created on January 29, 2017 shows Switzerlands tennis player Roger Federer holding up his 18 Grand Slam titles. 1st row, from left : Australian Open 2017, Wimbledon 2012, Australian Open 2010, Wimbledon 2009, Roland Garros 2009, US Open 2008. 2nd row, from left : US Open 2007, Wimbledon 2007, Australian Open 2007, US Open 2006, Wimbledon 2006, Australian Open 2006 Continue reading