More sports

Federer even wows himself

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 6, 2006

WIMBLEDON, England - The "ooohs" and "aaahs" from an appreciative crowd began during warmups, when Roger Federer volleyed one ball through his legs. His artistry grew more impressive once play began for real.

Facing the last man to defeat him on grass, three-time Wimbledon champion Federer quickly turned the Centre Court rematch into a mismatch, beating No. 7-seeded Mario Ancic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Wednesday to reach the semifinals.

"I definitely had a period where it was so good, it was just incredible," said Federer, bidding to become the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set. "You're not afraid to try anything, you're not afraid to hit the ball hard, you're not afraid to go for aces. That's the sensation you get when you're playing so well."

Ancic's assessment was more succinct: "He's just Roger. What can you say?"

Federer will be joined in Friday's semifinals by two far-less-expected participants. Unseeded Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden eliminated No. 14 Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 to become, at 34, the oldest Wimbledon semifinalist since Jimmy Connors in 1987. And No. 18 Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus knocked off 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.

The last member of the final four won't be decided until today: No. 2 Rafael Nadal's quarterfinal against No. 22 Jarkko Nieminen of Finland was postponed after two rain delays totaling nearly 2½ hours interrupted play early in the day.

Federer wasn't bothered one whit by the weather.

Or by the two jokesters who jumped out of the stands in the first set with rackets and balls but were quickly shooed away by security.

Or, most impressively, anything Ancic threw at him.

It was Federer's 26th consecutive victory at the All England Club, and 46th in a row on a grass court, extending his Open era record. His last loss on the surface came against Ancic in the first round at Wimbledon in 2002.

Federer finished with more than twice as many winners (35) as unforced errors (17). During one stretch, he won 30 of 34 points, including 14 straight, on his serve.

Yet numbers don't do justice to Federer's flair.

He flicked passing shots right through tiny spaces left uncovered by the 6-foot-5 Ancic. On one point, Federer waited until the last possible nanosecond, watching which way Ancic was leaning, before whipping a forehand winner. Federer broke in the second set's opening game with the help of a backhand hit so forcefully Ancic stumbled to his knees when he tried to volley.

"If I keep up this sort of a performance, I don't see myself losing," Federer said. "But look: It's Wimbledon. It's the semifinals. You don't want to underestimate anybody."

It might be natural to underestimate his next opponent: Bjorkman is ranked 59th, is into only the second Grand Slam singles semifinal of his career and is better known for his prowess in doubles, having won eight major championships.

And he got some help from a tight Stepanek, who was cheered on by girlfriend Martina Hingis. Stepanek double-faulted three times when he served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set; he held a match point at 6-5 in that set's tiebreaker, but netted a backhand.

Baghdatis converted all seven break points against Hewitt and finished with a 53-29 edge in winners, pounding his chest and screaming after key points.

"In the middle of the second set, I start realizing that I'm, like, beating Hewitt. I'm one set up and two break points up against Hewitt, and I'm in the quarters, playing for the semis," Baghdatis said. "So I start thinking a bit there, start choking a bit. The most important thing is that I got through."

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 06:19:16]