Andy Murray will chase his second Wimbledon crown against first-time finalist Milos Raonic after the title contenders took contrasting paths to the All England Club showpiece.
Murray made it to his third Wimbledon final with a ruthless 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 demolition of Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych, while Raonic stunned Roger Federer with a 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory on Friday.
Raonic’s first win on grass against a top 10 opponent shattered Federer’s hopes of claiming a record eighth All England Club crown and 18th major.
The 34-year-old Swiss star was on the brink of becoming the oldest All England Club finalist in 42 years when he took a two sets to one lead, but the big-serving Raonic hit back to avenge his 2014 Wimbledon semi-final loss against Federer.
“There was a little opening and I took it,” said Raonic, who is the first Canadian man to make a Grand Slam final.
“It’s a big impact for Canada. Hopefully, it will be even bigger if I win on Sunday.
“I was struggling throughout the third and fourth sets, he was playing some real good tennis. It’s a great feeling to be continuing.”
It is the first time since 2002 that neither Federer, Novak Djokovic nor Rafael Nadal have made the Wimbledon final.
On the evidence of his Centre Court masterclass, world number two Murray will be favoured to clinch his third Grand Slam title in Sunday’s final – three years after becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936.
Murray, beaten in eight of his Grand Slam finals, will hope it is third time lucky this year after losing the Australian and French Open finals to Djokovic.
Murray holds a 6-3 lead in his head to head record with Raonic and defeated the 25-year-old on grass three weeks ago in the Queen’s Club final.
“I’m very happy. To make the Wimbledon final is a good achievement. I’ve got one more to go on Sunday,” Murray said.
“The older you get you never know how many chances you will get to play in a Grand Slam final.”
