By Mike McIntyre

Roger Federer advanced to his record extending 21st straight Grand Slam semi-final with a 6-3, 7-5, 7-6(3) win over Croatia's Ivo Karlovic at Wimbledon on Wednesday.

Federer was brilliant on serve all day, only losing eleven service points in three sets. The incredible serve of Karlovic was subdued, as Federer became the first man to break him during the tournament after 79 straight holds. Karlovic was broken once in the first set, once in the second and then failed to threaten Federer during the third set tiebreak.

Other than his monstrous serve, Karlovic appeared completely lost on court against Federer. His approaches to the net were often a failure and his abilities in a rally were equally inept.

Asked if playing against Karlovic was boring, Federer replied;

"Look, everybody plays different, you know. Like I said before the match, I enjoy the match playing Ivo. It's not fair to call him boring. He's got a phenomenal serve. The way he backs it up with his volleys, it's quite something. I think it's exciting actually to go see him play."

Kudos to Federer in his ability to neutralize Karlovic, who up until today had been having quite an astounding run at Wimbledon. It was the 6'10'' Karlovic's best Grand Slam run to-date, having never before reached the quarter-finals of a Slam.

Federer now advances to the semi's on Friday where he will face German veteran Tommy Haas, who dispatched of Novak Djokovic 7-5, 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3.

Asked about playing Haas again, Federer had the following to say;

"He's always been one of the best ball strikers in the game. I think he's really gotten his game together again after some tough injuries. I actually played him before he got his surgery in Paris, and then I went on to play the Shanghai Masters, I think 2002 it was. So he's had a rough few years, you know, behind him. But it's so nice to see him back. We're very friendly. We're good friends. You know, I hope we can live up to the expectations and repeat a good match like we had in Paris."