Though Raonic rifled 25 aces, Federer was more effective on serve, winning 83 per cent of his second serve points, to Raonic’s 53 per cent success rate. Federer prevailed in one hour and 59 minutes to defeat the World No. 21 in a three-set contest for the third time this season.
Raonic was unable to break Federer's serve, and therein lies the key to future success against the world's No. 3 player. Raonic's return of his serve and ability to stay in points longer is much improved, but it must improve yet more. Raonic made 29 unforced errors compared to 12 for Federer.
"I have always lost the first set against him and, like in Madrid, won the third set on a tie-break. Maybe it was this on my mind, to have succeeded once in Madrid, that was decisive today also. You have got to pay Milos a huge compliment. If he carries on like this, then he is going to serve over 300 km/h,” said Federer after a tight match which nevertheless left him with a smile on his face.
Federer, looking to win his sixth title at the ATP World Tour 250 grass-court event in Halle, has advanced to the semi-final stage at nine of the 10 tournaments he’s played this year.
For a place in the final, Federer will face Mikhail Youzhny, who topped Radek Stepanek 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Date: 15.06.2012, Source: ATP and Fox News
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