Roger Federer demolished Croatian danger man Mario Ancic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday to move just two wins away from a fourth consecutive Wimbledon title.
The world number one shrugged off two lengthy rain delays to rack up his 46th win in a row on grass against the man who was the last player to beat him here in 2002.
Federer, who now faces either the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek or Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden for a place in Sunday’s final, was never in trouble in his quarterfinal triumph over the seventh seed, whose stylish serve-and-volley game had been expected to cause major problems.
”It’s a great feeling,” said Federer, who has now reached a ninth successive Grand Slam semifinal.
”It was difficult with the rain delays and also knowing that Mario was the last man to beat me here four years ago. That defeat made me very sad, so I’m happy to be in the semifinals.
”But I’m a little surprised that I came through so convincingly.”
The pair managed just four games on centre court before rain caused a 90-minute rain interruption but, when they returned, Federer seized control, breaking straightaway to lead 3-2.
He smoothly clinched the first set 6-4 after 36 minutes.
Federer broke Ancic again in the opening game of the second set, backing it up with a love-service game.
With Federer ahead 3-2, back came the rain which kept the players off court for another hour.
But Ancic’s fortunes didn’t improve on the resumption, with the world number one wrapping up the second set after only 70 minutes of playing time.
Federer grabbed a double break to lead 3-0 in the third set before Ancic stopped the rot with a break of his own in the fourth game, only the second time the top seed had lost his serve in the entire tournament.
However, he wasn’t to be denied and took the tie on his third match point with an ace after 1hr 46min. — AFP
