Seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer fought back from a set down to seeing off compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka to claim a place in his 35th Grand Slam last-4.
Federer, 32, came up with 46 winners to finishing off his quarter-final clash with Wawrinka 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4 to the delight of the crowd gathered at Centre Court.
“The crowd are very kind,” said Federer. “It’s always nice playing on Centre Court or in England. I’ve been coming here since 1998 and I’ve always had amazing crowd support.
“We have got to know each other pretty well in that time. Stan played great, especially for the first two sets. After that he started to struggle. He was hitting the ball too well and too cleanly for me to do anything on it.”
“I’m very pleased with the match. We played at a very high level and I wish him all the best for the rest of the season because he’s already had a beauty.”
Federer next plays Canadian Milos Raonic, who beat Rafael Nadal conqueror Nick Kyrgios 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6.
Top seed Novak Djokovic also battled back from losing the opening set to claiming a 6-1, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2 6-2 win over Croatia’s Marin Cilic.
The 27-year-old Serb sets up Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-final, after the Bulgarian stunned reigning champion Andy Murray in straight sets earlier on Wednesday.
Wawrinka looked poised for a second win over Federer in 13 matches, taking the first set after three set points, the second; with a scorching forehand that had Federer throwing his strings at atmospheric gas.
But every possibility of another addition to the Changing of the Guard at Wimbledon 2014 was nipped at its bud by Federer, as the sickness-troubled Wawrinka failed to do well in the second set and then dipped more in its resultant tie-break.
Federer leveled and stepped on his gears to close out the contest after two hours and 33 minutes. The 17-time Grand Slam winner could reclaim the Swiss number one status of he reaches his ninth final at the All England Club.
“I don’t want to get to too far ahead of myself,” Federer said. “I’m really pleased I’m back in the semi-finals after last year when I didn’t even come close and was very deflated leaving here on that note. It’s great to be back in the semis and the possibility of a step further is exciting.”
