体坛英语新闻：Federer, Djokovic to meet in Wimbledon final

LONDON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Swiss Roger Federer set a Wimbledon men's final clash with Novak Djokovic of Serbia after both came through the semifinals at the All England Club on Friday.

Federer made short work of Canadian Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 while world No. 2 Djokovic had to dig deep before beating Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (9-7).

The 32-year-old Swiss is through to his ninth final at Wimbledon and is bidding to win an uNPRecedented eighth title. Victory would mark his 18th Grand Slam championship win and first since beating Andy Murray two years ago.

"I'm extremely happy to be in another final," Federer said after beating first-time semifinalist Raonic in one hour and 41 minutes. "It would mean a lot to win Wimbledon again. I feel unbelievably proud every time I walk the grounds here. I know I don't have 10 years left. I'll try to enjoy it. The first one in 2003 was a dream come true; it's surreal that I've been so successful here."

Federer is through to the final for the loss of just one set, overcoming Stan Wawrinka in four sets in the quarterfinals. The Basel native has dropped serve just once in reaching the final and only faced one break point against Raonic.

"It took big concentration," said Federer. "I had to really focus every point. I had to be very careful on my service games. I knew there would only be a few chances on return. I was unbelievably effective.

"I've played some great tennis under pressure during the tournament. I didn't play so well last year and I expect a lot of myself here. In the second week I've really played better as the tournament went on. It wasn't easy today but I got it done and I look forward to a great match with Novak."

Djokovic, who won at the All England Club in 2011, is looking to win his seventh Grand Slam championship and first since the 2013 Australian Open.

The 'Big Four' of Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Rafael Nadal have accounted for 35 of the past 37 majors, and that trend is set to continue when Federer and Djokovic square off for the 35th time on Sunday.

"We always play good matches against each other," said Federer. "We've played each other a lot the past six months, and it's gone back and forth a bit. Novak is a great champion; he's used to these occasions. He's won here before and knows how to get it done. I hope it's going to be a good match."

Djokovic said: "Federer's playing at a very high level in this tournament. I've been watching him in a few matches. With his immense experience of winning this title so many times and from being so dominant in men's tennis for over a decade, he certainly has some mental advantage in the final."

"Hopefully I can tactically prepare myself and execute well to not allow him to be at his top shape on Sunday."

The 27-year-old Djokovic has finished runner-up in his past three major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open last year and last month at Roland Garros.

"Considering I have lost the last couple of Grand Slam finals - and I could have won them all - I'm looking forward to it," Djokovic said.