It’s Fedex vs Roddick

London, July 3: Roger Federer reached a record 20th Grand Slam final and a seventh straight Wimbledon title match with a 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-3 win over German veteran Tommy Haas in the semifinals on Friday.

Federer who is chasing a record 15th Grand Slam crown, now tackles Andy Roddick, who beat British hope Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5) in the other semifinal.

Watched by Grand Slam greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver, comfortably installed in the Royal Box, five-time Wimbledon champion Federer put on a magnificent show of serving against the German 31-year-old, not giving up a single break point.

“Tommy played great so I knew that there was a danger. I’m happy with my performance and it’s unbelievable to be in another final,” said Federer.

“I have had a lot of pressure over the years but I am looking forward to another great match and a chance to get into the history books.”

Federer said he was looking ahead to the challenge of the final. “I have had great matches with Roddick. You can never underestimate him with that serve. Murray’s at home. My record against him is not that good. He’s shown over the last 18 months that he can be a Grand Slam contender,” he said.

The opening set on Friday was dominated by serve, but the Swiss second seed was the strongest in the tiebreak.

He went to three set points when Haas unleashed a loose forehand with the world number two wrapping up the set when the German, stranded behind the baseline, pushed a backhand into the net.

It was the dream start for the five-time champion after the nightmare beginning he suffered against the same opponent at the French Open last month when he had to recover from losing the first two sets in the fourth round.

Former world number two Haas, playing his first Wimbledon semifinal, had to save a set point, which was also the first break point of the match, at 4-5 in the second set. But Federer broke through in the 12th game for a two-sets lead when another Haas forehand went long. That was the beginning of the end for the German.

Results:

Men’s singles semifinals: Roger Federer (Switzerland x2) bt Tommy Haas (Germany x24) 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-3; Andy Roddick (USA) bt Andy Murray (UK) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5).

Women’s doubles Semifinals: Serena Williams/Venus Williams (USA x4) bt Cara Black/Liezel Huber (Zimbabwe/USA x1) 6-1, 6-2; Samantha Stosur/Rennae Stubbs (Australia x3) bt Anabel Medina Garrigues/ Virginia Ruano Pascual (Spain x2) 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-2.
Mixed doubles Semifinals: Leander Paes/Cara Black (India/ Zimbabwe x1) bt Stephen Huss/Virginia Ruano Pascual (Australia/Spain x12) 6-4, 6-4.