London: Roger Federer stood one match away from a record 15th Grand Slam title after he snuffed out the challenge of Germany's Tommy Haas 7-6, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the Wimbledon final on Friday.
The five-times champion edged his 31-year-old rival in a display of sheer brilliance before a mesmerised Centre Court crowd, ending the contest with a brilliant slam-dunk smash.
By downing Haas in just over two hours, the Swiss became the first man to reach seven successive Wimbledon finals since the abolition of the Challenge Round in 1922.
It did not take him long to turn his thoughts to what will be at stake on Sunday.
"It's unbelievable to be back into another Wimbledon final," said Federer, who shares the record of 14 Majors with American Pete Sampras.
"I've had a lot of pressure over the years so this is just another great opportunity for me to get into the history books," he said. "It's not the only reason why I'm playing tennis because I love it but going for something that big this coming Sunday it's quite extraordinary."
The rest of Britain will now wait to see if Andy Murray can join Federer in the final as the Scot takes on American sixth seed Andy Roddick in the second semi-final.
Federer did not care who he faces in the showpiece match even though he holds a commanding 18-2 record against Roddick but trails the British third seed 6-2 in career meetings.
"I don't mind. I've had some great matches with Roddick over the years, twice here in the finals which I thought were fantastic," said the 27-year-old, who achieved another milestone on Friday by becoming the first man to reach a record 20th Grand Slam finals.
"I have a great record against him so obviously that would be a good thing. He's never to be underestimated with the wonderful serve he has and his great fighting spirit. Murray, playing at home, it's special too. I have not that a good record against him but he's really proved he's a contender for grand slams and we had a great match at the US Open so either one is fine but I'm happy I'm through," said the Swiss player.
Posed threat
Federer has every right to feel confident as on Friday he did not face a single break point and there has been little indication that anyone will be able to match his precise footwork or sublime touch at these championships.
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Former champions Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver dropped in two days early to watch the man who is now widely considered as the greatest ever tennis player and both must have been impressed with what they saw.
Federer had won nine of his previous 11 meetings against the surprise semi-finalist but he had been wary of the threat Haas posed since the German came within five points of wrecking his French Open dreams last month.
The second seed, whose five-year Wimbledon reign was ended by Rafael Nadal last July, was in no mood to put his heavily pregnant wife Mirka through another nerve jangling ordeal and after teasing Haas for about 80 minutes, he moved in for the kill.
He conjured a crafty forehand angled winner to bring up set point and then played tug-of-war with Haas for 17 strokes before the German dragged a forehand long to surrender the second set.
Quickly running out of options, and with both players standing by the net, the German even resorted to waving his hands high in the air to stop Federer hitting another one of his exquisite winners.
The ploy worked -- but only temporarily.
After chuckling at his opponent's cheek, Federer was back into the zone and produced one of Sampras's slam-dunk specialties to finish off the contest in style.
Asked if Sampras will be making a flying visit to Centre Court on Sunday, Federer said: "He might come around, he might not. It's his choice.
"I would love to see him as he is a good friend of mine and I am very honoured to share the record with him," added Federer, who could also regain the top ranking should he win on Sunday.
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