London, July 05: As Andy Roddick walked to his chair, two sets down and headed toward elimination at Wimbledon, he could only smile in admiration at the play of his opponent, Roger Federer.
"He's just playing very well," Roddick said. "On a couple of points, I felt like I put in really good points and was just on the losing end of them by a long shot."
Outserving Roddick and hitting winners from all over the court, Federer won their semifinal showdown yesterday, 7-6 (7/6) 6-3 6-3.
The no. 4-seeded Federer, the first Swiss man to reach a grand slam final, will play for the title tomorrow against unseeded Australian Mark Philippoussis, who overpowered no. 13 Sebastien Grosjean 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 6-3.

The final pairing might result in some entertaining tennis, never a given on grass. Philippoussis' single-minded, big-swinging game, which has produced 164 aces in six rounds, will be matched against Federer's stylish all-court approach.



Federer showed he could play on grass two years ago as a precocious 19-year-old, when he ended Pete Sampras' 31-match Wimbledon winning streak. This year he has won grass, hardcourt and claycourt titles, a testament to his versatility.



All that's left is the long-expected grand slam breakthrough.



"He's a true master of his class," three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker said. "He's playing tennis like they used to play - go back to Ilie Nastase.


Bureau Report