Federer, shadow cast to his left as we look on, bounces the ball two, three times in readiness to serve. Hmmm, furrowed brow from the maestro as a netted forehand gets Raonic to 15-30, but a Canadian on the run gets us back level. Another Raonic dump into the net brings up set point...

Thornts in London, via text: Even at 32 Federer is the best player this year. Knows his game and executes it perfectly. He is majestic to watch to watch on grass. A privilege for SW19.

Marc in London, via text: I would like to thanks my girlfriend's friend for arranging her hen weekend the same weekend as the World Cup quarter finals, Wimbledon finals, start of the Tour de France and British Grand Prix!

Raonic, white sleeve on his right, serving, arm, doesn't show a sign of being under the pump as he finds his range with the boomers. A second serve belted down past the backhand lunge of Federer at a casual 132mph completes the hold and tells Roger there's still work to do.

Image source, AFP

Jimmy Connors
Two-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC TV

"For Raonic this is new and I thought he would go for his shots and swing freely but he came out a bit nervous. But Federer is returning everything so Raonic is being put under pressure."

Rod Laver and Jack Nicholson are spotted by the cameras, chatting away as if unaware of where they are. What do Nicholson and Laver talk about? Brian O'Driscoll and Justin Rose, that's a more likely combo.

Image source, Reuters

A first Federer mistake has him 15-30 down and a stabbed Raonic forehand gives him a first break point. A chance? Not on your nelly. Federer's serve gets him out of myther, leaving Raonic needing to stay in the set.

David Lewis:, external Roger's graceful movement, timing on his forehand, and his general point-construction is making me salivate.

Lorne Phillips:, external At 23 Milos Raonic needs to show he can break through the bubble here and now if he is going to ever be part of the future big four.

Sophie:, external Crossing my fingers and my heart so hard for Federer right now. C'mon Roger!

If Federer is all silk in a glass, Raonic is showing some raw athleticism. He has no right to run miles from corner to net and make a backhand pass, but he does. Federer, a little stunned, barely attempts to return the following serve, which is all part of a Raonic hold to 15. Warming to the task.

Jimmy Connors
Two-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC TV

"It seems to me that Raonic is hitting the ball in hope a bit at the moment. He is taking it a bit late."

Federer has been omnipresent on Centre Court for more than 10 years now. The only thing that has changed is the removal of that dodgy ponytail. Shampoo-commercial hair flopping over a white headband, the former champ holds in the blink of an eye. No doubt who's made the stronger start here.

Image source, PA

Big serve and forehand temporarily gets Raonic out of trouble, followed by a thought-gathering deep breathe. Is he wondering how to deal with the Federer backhand? Some cross-court silk forces another break point, missed with a loose forehand. Two boomers get Raonic to a hold and he heads to his chair with a spring in his step.

Naomi Broady and Neal Skupski's run in the mixed doubles has come to an end in the quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-3 defeat by Aisam Qureshi and Vera Dushevina on Court One. With Jamie Murray also losing today, that means there are no Britons left in the doubles competitions.

Raonic has more than a passing resemblance to Gareth Bale and he squints in the sun as he serves from the Royal Box End. Is he nervous? Federer isn't, this is his yard. Two backhands take us to 30-30, with the deftest of Swiss volleys bringing the chance for a second break.

Jimmy Connors
Two-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC TV

"This is a different level for Raonic to play against and you have to remember who you are playing against - a seven-time champion who knows his way around this court pretty darn well.

"That puts extra pressure on him to do something more."

A few numbers to strike fear into Raonic's perfectly gelled quiff. Federer is eyeing a 25th Grand Slam final, with his 24 already a record. In four previous meetings, Federer has never lost to Raonic, just as he has won all eight games he has played against Canadian opposition. With a casually brilliant lob from a wellied Roanic forehand, Federer holds to love. Good luck, Milos.

Centre not yet full again following the Djokovic-Dimitrov tussle, with Raonic settling after that early wobble. Run around the backhand for winner, ace, an unreturnable. On the board.

Image source, Getty Images

Italian pair Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci are just one match away from a doubles career Grand Slam after reaching their first Wimbledon final.

The second seeds, who are the reigning Australian Open champions, beat ninth seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Zheng Jie 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals.

They will face Hungary's Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic from France in Saturday's final.

Errani and Vinci won the French and US Opens in 2012 and a fifth Grand Slam title together would see them become the first pair to complete the set since Venus and Serena Williams in 2001.

Early service jitters from both men? A Federer double fault makes it 30-30, but two out wide from Federer get him out of trouble, as if to say "you can hit it as hard as you like, it's where it lands that's important".

Tim Henman
Former British number one on BBC TV

"You sometimes see Federer look relaxed early on and he will know the importance of that early break and a good start."

The signal of things to come? Raonic is wide to give Federer a break in the very first game. Federer, the man who have never lost in his eight Wimbledon semis, is up and running.

Most entertaining as Raonic is denied an ace from his very first blow of the match, called out by the chair umpire and confirmed as much on the challenge. Federer already threading the needle down the line, pressing to 30-30 and gifted break point by a double fault.