Federer, Safin, Nadal Reach Wimbledon Semifinals

Dark halts last match to fill men's final four
By Chip Bayers,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 2, 2008 4:13 PM CDT
Federer, Safin, Nadal Reach Wimbledon Semifinals
Marat Safin of Russia reacts on his way to defeating Spain's Feliciano Lopez, during their quarterfinal on the Number One Court at Wimbledon today.   (AP Photo)

Five-time champion Roger Federer outclassed Mario Ancic—the last man to beat him at Wimbledon—in straight sets today to reach the semifinals and extend his grass-court winning streak to 64 matches on the first day of significant rain delays at the All England Club. In the bottom half of the draw, No. 2 Rafael Nadal edged closer to a third consecutive Wimbledon final against Federer by blowing away Britain's Andy Murray 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Riding his dominant serve and punishing forehand, Federer put on a masterful performance to beat Ancic 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 and move another step closer to becoming the second man in history to win Wimbledon 6 years in a row. Federer will next face Marat Safin, who served 18 aces and overcame Feliciano Lopez. The quarterfinal between 94th-ranked Rainer Schuettler and No. 145 Arnaud Clement was suspended at one set apiece because of fading light. (More Wimbledon stories.)

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