Federer, Safin, Nadal Reach Wimbledon Semifinals

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.)