Roger Federer is into the Wimbledon final once more after defeating Sebastien Grosjean 6-2 6-3 7-6 this afternoon.
The defending champion and world number one had to withstand a spirited fightback from the Frenchman when they resumed their semi-final which had been abandoned last night after a day of constant showers. But he finally booked his spot in tomorrow's final on his fourth match point in a third set tie-break to take the match 6-2 6-3 7-6.
The pair had resumed at noon with Federer potentially just two games away from the final, leading by two sets to love and 4-3 up in the third set. Grosjean, a notoriously slow starter, knew he had to begin aggressively if he was to have any chance of launching a comeback.
He managed to win his first service game to level the scores in the third set but it was ominous the way Federer slipped immediately back into the serving groove which has been a feature of this championship.
The Swiss star won his first service game of the afternoon with ease and then the Grosjean serve was under the most intense pressure and it was no surprise when Federer earned his first match point when the Frenchman dumped a forehand into the net.
Surprisingly he could not take advantage, nor could he when Grosjean pushed a forehand wide moments later to give him a second chance of wrapping up proceedings. And it seemed the 22-year-old might pay for his wastefulness when he lost his serve in the 11th game, only the second time he has done so in the entire tournament.
Grosjean, however, could not take advantage, immediately losing his own to 15 and taking the set to a tie-break. Even then the Frenchman was first to make a move, racing into a 4-0 lead and the match looked poised to be prolonged.
Federer, however, had other ideas, stepping up the pace on his groundstrokes and while Grosjean saved another match point at 6-5 the champion finally wrapped up matters with a confident overhead smash to take the shoot-out 8-6. He will play the winner of the other semi-final on Court One between Andy Roddick and Mario Ancic.
Filed by Johnny Proby
