ROGER FEDERER eventually emerged with a don’t-look-away-or-you’ll-miss-something 6-7 (4), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9), 6-3 victory over Marin Cilic to reach his 11th semifinal at the All England Club on Wednesday.

    Novak Djokovic’s shock third-round exit had raised hopes that this could be the week when the Swiss finally ends his four-year hunt for an 18th Grand Slam title, as the Serb had been the only man to beat him at the majors over the past year.

    However, all those expectations appeared to be heading for the dustbin as Cilic stood one point away from victory — not once, not twice but three times in a pulsating fourth set that had everyone on the edge of their seats on Center Court.

    Three huge serves kept Federer alive — just — and he then produced the kind of form, and outrageous shots, that have made him the most successful man in tennis by stealing the tiebreak 11-9.

    An ace on his first match point finished off the job and carried him into an 11th Wimbledon semifinal.

    At 34, Federer is the oldest man to reach the semifinals at the All England Club since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall was runner-up in 1974. He will face another big-server, Milos Raonic, for a place in Sunday’s final.

    Canadian Raonic produced an irresistible display of classic grasscourt tennis to overcome giant-killer Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 on Court 1.

    Raonic charged into the net behind his booming first serves and confounded American Querrey with a succession of deft winning volleys.(SD-Agencies)