Andy Murray will play Milos Raonic in his third Wimbledon final on Sunday after comprehensively defeating Tomas Berdych.
The Centre Court crowd are used to being put through the mill by the world number two at this stage of the tournament, but he was simply far too good for the 10th seed and eased to a 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory.
Murray has been the favourite for the title ever since Novak Djokovic's shock defeat by Sam Querrey in round three and for the first time in 11 grand slam finals he will not have to face either the Serbian or Roger Federer, who lost a five-set thriller to Raonic in the first semi-final.
Murray has now reached more slam finals than any other British player, surpassing the mark he jointly held with Fred Perry, and there is no doubt he will be expected to repeat his 2013 triumph, which finally ended Perry's 77-year reign as the last home winner of the men's singles title.
But Raonic has stepped up this season to lead the challenge of the younger generation and he had Murray in serious trouble in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January and in the final at Queen's Club last month before the Scot turned things around.
Raonic now has John McEnroe in his corner, and the performance in beating Federer from an unlikely position suggests he will present a daunting proposition on Sunday.
The good news for the Scot, who will play in his third consecutive slam final after losing to Djokovic in Melbourne and Paris, is that the pressure could scarcely be any greater than that which he has experienced at Wimbledon for the better part of a decade.
Milos Raonic made history Friday, becoming the first Canadian male tennis player to advance to a Grand Slam singles final. He did so at Wimbledon and against Roger Federer no less.
The Centre Court crowd are used to being put through the mill by the world number two at this stage of the tournament, but he was simply far too good for the 10th seed and eased to a 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory.
Murray has been the favourite for the title ever since Novak Djokovic's shock defeat by Sam Querrey in round three and for the first time in 11 grand slam finals he will not have to face either the Serbian or Roger Federer, who lost a five-set thriller to Raonic in the first semi-final.
Murray has now reached more slam finals than any other British player, surpassing the mark he jointly held with Fred Perry, and there is no doubt he will be expected to repeat his 2013 triumph, which finally ended Perry's 77-year reign as the last home winner of the men's singles title.
But Raonic has stepped up this season to lead the challenge of the younger generation and he had Murray in serious trouble in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January and in the final at Queen's Club last month before the Scot turned things around.
Raonic now has John McEnroe in his corner, and the performance in beating Federer from an unlikely position suggests he will present a daunting proposition on Sunday.
The good news for the Scot, who will play in his third consecutive slam final after losing to Djokovic in Melbourne and Paris, is that the pressure could scarcely be any greater than that which he has experienced at Wimbledon for the better part of a decade.
Milos Raonic made history Friday, becoming the first Canadian male tennis player to advance to a Grand Slam singles final. He did so at Wimbledon and against Roger Federer no less.
Milos. Raonic. #Wimbledon finalist. #CdnTennis history has been made. pic.twitter.com/hMnnnlAbeU
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@TennisCanada
The initial reaction was mostly surprise as the 25-year-old knocked out one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Can't believe Federer is out! Well played Raonic. #Wimbledon
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@F0ggyNelson
Took a nap and woke up to see that Roger Federer lost 😮 #Wimbledon
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@RonaldBessling
Federer fans, while heartbroken, were still able to acknowledge the determination displayed by Raonic.
My heart aches to see Federer go out in the semis. He is a beautiful tennis player but Roanic earned the finals today. #Wimbledon
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@sfriedgirl
It's highly saddening to see Federer go this way in 1st S'Final against the Canadian Milos Roanic in 5 sets. Happy for Roanic! #Wimbledon
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@karmughilvannan
Even non-tennis fans are beginning to #believeinthesleeve.
I don't even know tennis but that man Roanic is hype.. and Serena. Bout to watch tennis for the first time
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@UncleNgabo
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Toronto Mayor John Tory threw his support behind the Thornhill, Ont., native.
Another game for Milos! First Canadian man to make a Grand Slam singles final - one more to go. Good luck on Sunday. #Wimbledon
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@JustinTrudeau
History maker! Toronto is pulling for you Milos in the #Wimbledon final. pic.twitter.com/WrcKfqBUkW
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@JohnTory
Canadian Olympians Adam van Koeverden and Liz Gleadle cheered on their potential Rio 2016 teammate.
Milos Raonic!!!
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@vankayak
Officially a big @milosraonic fan!!! WHAT A MATCH! #Wimbledon
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@Javelizz
CBC columnist and Olympian Deidra Dionne, along with Rio-bound
swimmer Ryan Cochrane, expressed what most people across the country
were feeling after the historic win.
So proud to be Canadian during moments like this..#teamMilos #Wimbledon @TeamCanada
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@deidrardionne
So cool to see Canadians making history! Congrats @milosraonic https://t.co/eGhkaB06U9
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@cochraneryan
Oh, and Milos? Well if you ask him, he's not done yet.
"It will have a bigger impact [back home] if I can win. I am by no means done"
- @milosraonic #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/2HLVMiD2Ij
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@Wimbledon
Do you think Milos can finish his historic tournament and win the final? Let us know in our poll.
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