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ShareLondon: Roger Federer reached a record 20th Grand Slam final and his seventh successive Wimbledon title appearance while Andy Roddick ended Andy Murray's bid to become the first British champion here since 1936.
Five-time champion Federer coasted to a 7-6(7/3) 7-5 6-3 win over German veteran Tommy Haas and will be chasing a record 15th Grand Slam crown on Sunday when he tackles old rival Roddick.
The American sixth seed put an end to the hype and hysteria in Britain with a 6-4 4-6 7-6(9/7) 7-6(7/5) win over third seed Murray who had been hoping be the first British men's champion since Fred Perry.
"I had to play my best tennis today. I can't say enough good things about Andy's game but I can play some tennis sometimes," said Roddick in the courtside interview.
"Not many people gave me a chance but I knew if I stayed the course I had a shot."
Federer will be the overwhelming favourite though, having beaten Roddick 18 times in 20 matches including the 2004 and 2005 finals here. Watched by Grand Slam greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver, comfortably installed in the Royal Box, the world No.2 put up a magnificent show of serving against 31-year-old Haas, 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. "I have had great matches with Roddick. You can never underestimate him with that serve," he said.
Haas was full of praise for the Swiss. "There aren't really any weaknesses. He moves in such a smooth way and has such good defensive play. The slice bites a lot," said the German. "When you think sometimes you might get a relatively easy volley, he kind of either dinks it in front of you, or he as he did today... makes spectacular slice lobs over the head at important points."
