Defending champion and world number one Roger Federer and second seed Rafael Nadal both made smooth progress to the semi-finals at Wimbledon on Wednesday. View all the action as it happened on our matchtracker.
R Nadal beats A Murray - read the match report
6-3 6-2 6-4
20.14 Nadal does the necessary to remain on a collision course with defending champion Roger Federer.
20.08 4-5 Murray has plenty fight and holds to make Nadal serve out for victory.
20.04 5-3 Nadal delivers a steady service game that proves sufficient to deal with the Murray threat.
19.59 4-3 Break for Nadal. Murray’s mini-revival comes to an abrupt end. A bad call angers the Scot but acts as a catalyst as he surges into the lead in the game, but that changes back to frustration as the Scot’s game starts to unravel. The end is nigh.
19.55 3-3 No mistakes on the Nadal serve.
19.49 3-2 Well held by Murray. Brought to the brink by Nadal, the Scot changes tack, winning the game with attacking play. 'No guts no glory' could be Murray’s mantra fro the remainder of the match.
19.42 2-2 Nadal trail 15-30 at one point due to a number of unforced errors, but normal service is resumed as the Majorcan holds his serve.
19.40 2-1 Murray recovers from 0-30 to win his service game, showing an admirable degree of determination in the process.
19.35 1-1 Murray wins just his third point of the Nadal first serve, but that proves futile as relentless Rafa reels off another game.
19.30 1-0 Murray strikes back, although Nadal appeared to take it easy in the set opener.
19.26 6-2 Break for Nadal. Murray’s one-dimensional game and lack of power has been pounced upon by the ruthless Spaniard. There may only be a year between them, but it’s a man against boy scenario.
19.21 5-2 Break for Nadal. Rafa remains on course for a straight-sets victory. The man-mountain is playing wonderfully, but the insipid Murray is making it easy.
19.17 4-2 Nadal’s serve as posing all sorts of problems for Murray. The consistence Scot seems unable to lift his game against top players and consistencey can only get so far.
19.12 2-3 Nadal forces Murray to deuce, but the Scot holds his serve.
19.07 3-1 Flat drives, angled top spin passing shots and sliced winners are deconstructing Murray’s game.
19.05 2-1 Break for Nadal. As shade turns to shadow, Murray’s prospects go from slim to positively anorexic. The gulf in class is clear even to the subdued partisan crowd.
19.01 1-1 Nadal is winning over 90% of matches on his first serve and over 80% on his second serve. A break for Murray seems highly unlikely. The Spaniard levels with a sliced serve that ends up in the car park at SW19.
18.58 1-0 Murray holds his serve at the start of the second set. But only just. The game goes to deuce before Murray’s crosscourt forehand delivers the game.
18.51 6-3 Nadal wraps up the opening set, holding to 15. The highlight of the game is a crosscourt passing shot from Nadal that came from a low, accurate return from Nadal.
18.50 Marat Safin reached his first Grand Slam semi-final for three years with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 victory over Feliciano Lopez – read the match report.
18.48 5-3 Break for Nadal. Murray struggles to cope with the power of Nadal’s groundstrokes, as the Pearl of Manacor racks up two break points. Murray saves the first, but misses an easy overhead smash to hand Nadal the crucial break. The worst possible time for an unforced error.
18.41 4-3 Nadal holds, as Murray takes just one point.
18.38 3-3 A mixed bag from the Scot. A mishit, a double fault, and poor anticipation to a drop shot put Murray in a vulnerable position, but the Scots comes through this test with flying colours, serving out with the second ace of the game.
18.34 3-2 Nadal holds to love as Murray drives a wide serve from Ndal into the umpire’s arm. Not a good idea. The Dunblane man needs all the help he can get.
18.29 2-2 The server has dominated the opening four games. But Nadal is a relatively slow starter.
18.23 1-2 Nadal holds serve with ease, recording the first ace of the match.
18.23 1-1 Murray holds his serve as the crowd, unsurprisingly, express their delight.
18.18 1-0 Nadal wins the opening game with a mixture of brute force and delicate touch.
18.16 The great and the good or, depending on you’re politics, the privileged and over-indulged of British society are waving Union Jacks as the game gets underway. The recent economic downturn has obviously had little effect on those wishing to enjoy the traditions of the summer season. That reminds me, I still haven’t booked my tickets for the opera at Glyndbourne.
17.58 Murray and Nadal are en route to centre court. All British eyes will be on Murray, but has he any real hope of beating Nadal? Can't see it. We'll see though...
R Federer beats M Ancic - read the match report
6-1 7-5 6-4
17.52 Three consecutive aces, the final one coming on Fed’s second serve, sees the defending champion win the game to love. Roll on the semi-final.
17.50 4-5 Ancic wins the game and a challenged call with ease, but you get the feeling Fed just doesn’t want to humiliate a gallant opponent. Drum roll, please.
17.46 5-3 Fed serves to love.
17.44 3-4 Ancic wins an uneventful game – bar Fed’s attempt to drive the ball through a prostrate Ancic! Was done for comic effect rather than in a fit of pique, though.
17.40 4-2 Fed. Fed holds to love. One injection of pace and the contest is over. In racing terms, it would be like running a Classic winner against a selling plater.
17.38 3-2 Break for Fed. Federer has injected a considerable amount of slice into his play, in an attempt to frustrate the giant Ancic. It works perfectly as Ancic’s footwork flounders.
17.34 2-2 The trainer replaces Ancic’s bandage, but it doesn’t have the desire effect.
17.31 On Court One, Safin levels against Lopez. It’s 1-1, with Safin winning the second set 7-5.
17.30 1-2 Ancic. Ancic returns the favour.
17.29 1-1 Fed wins second game with the minimum of fuss.
17.25 0-1 Ancic. At 30-15 Fed latches on to superb wide serve from Ancic to hit an amazing winner down the line. Game goes from the sublime to the ridiculous when the Swiss star challenges a line call for a shot that finished four or five inches long. At deuce, Ancic is the surprise winner of an extended rally, as the opening game ebbs and flows. Fed has the best backhand in the history of the game and restores parity with an effortless passing shot down the line. We might be here for a while. Game reaches ten minutes. Ancic is beginning to look tired, but the big serves keep him alive in the game as we reach deuce number seven. Ancic pumps his fist after winning a point. He may have won the battle but the war is already lost. Fed scores with a superb lob. We’re up to 15 minutes, but Ancic holds his nerve and his serve to take the opening game of the set.
17.15 Stop refreshing the page. Something mad is happening.
17.08 7-5 Fed. Fed unleashes an ace to seal the set. The match had a horrible inevitability about it before it began. It’s being realised on centre court. Game over.
17.05 6-5 Break for Fed. Ancic’s serve-volley game reaps rewards and is worth pursuing, but the Croatian seems reticent to haul his big frame to the net. If he’s to give himself any chance, he can’t expect to outplay the world number one from the back of the court. Double-faults to hand Fed the initiative in the set.
17.01 5-5 Fed is human after all, and misses an easy opportunity to go 30-0 up in the game. But an Ancic error and two more forehand winners seal the game.
16.59 5-4 Ancic. The Croat wins to love yet again. I’m tipping Fed to win this set 7-6 after the tiebreak.
16.58 4-4 Fed wins to love, unfurling a number of superb forehand winners. Then he switches rackets. The quest for perfection is never-ending.
16.55 3-4 Ancic. Ancic’s big serves comes to the rescue as an ace seals the game. But Fed wins two points in the game and Ancic’s poor touch and reliance on that serve almost costs him.
16.50 3-3 Fed holds to love and a tiebreak already looks on the cards in this set.
16.48 2-3 Ancic. Ancic’s powerful, yet metronomic service action is giving Fed no chance and he wins the game to love. If he learned to return the ball, he could be a player.
16.44 2-2 The rain delay may appears to have helped Ancic more than Fed, but the Croatian’s limitations are still apparent. At 15-30, Ancic mistime an easy shot during a rally and return the impetus to Fed. He seizes the opportunity to win the game, serving two aces in the process.
16.39 2-1 Ancic. The Croat give a superb display of serving, winning the game to love.
16.36 On the resumption of play, Fed trades at 1.01 on betting exchange Betfair. For those not well-versed in the world of punting, that means you stake €100 to win one €1.
16.32 Rory’s failure to mention the correlation between Federer’s recent (relative) decline and his alarming growth of saratorail blunders must be addressed. As a youth, Fed sported a fine mane and an array of bandanas. The bandana is a divisive accessory. Its fortunes have risen and fallen over the years, but it has always maintained its standing in the world of tennis. But recently, Fed has lost his cool. Damn, they’re back on court. But we will return to this important topic, because if clothes really do maketh the man, Fed is in for one hell of a thrashing from Rafa on Sunday afternoon at SW19.
16.18 Play resumes in just over ten minutes.
16.05 Things weren’t going to well for Marat Safin on Court One when play was suspended. The Russian hothead trailed Fernando Lopez of Spain 2-5 in the opening set, but Safin is one of the few characters left on Tour and deserves our support. One of the most talented players on the circuit, the Muscovite’s only Grand Slams came in the 2000 US Open and the 2005 Australian Open. His parents were both coaches and were major influences on the careers of Anna Kournikova, Elena Dementieva, and Anastasia Myskina. A temperamental sort, Safin has a propensity to demolish rackets and swear at umpires when things go wrong. Safin actually booked a flight for home when he was drawn against Novak Djokovic in the second round at Wimbledon, but progressed in straight sets. Safin is a renowned ladies man and his former squeeze Daria Zhukova now enjoys ‘a close relationship’ with divorced Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Oh, you’re not missin anything. Still raining
15.42 Professional gambler and Cheltenham Gold Cup winning owner Harry Findlay Christened Fed the ‘Cash Machine’ a number of years back, such was his unwavering reliability to land the (admittedly short) odds at Grand Slam events. The fearless Findlay consistently won wads thick enough to choke a donkey with and has attributed much of his current wealth to the relentless success of the Swiss maestro.
15.37 Officials at SW19 have rescheduled the resumption of play for 4pm. The bods at the BBC have resorted to broadcasting the banal tennis musings of the green-fingered Alan Titchmarsh.
By Barry McEneaney
15.02: This break in play gives me the opportunity to allow my colleague Barry McEneaney to take over describing the action....when there is any more.
14.59: No further play at Wimbledon until 3.30pm at the earliest is the official update.
14.56 Apparently during Marat Safin's match he hit got a bit frustrated with himself and decided to blast a ball out of the court, prompting a code violation. Brilliant. Beats fist-clenching. I miss Greg Rusedski too, no other tennis player can fit 16 swear words into a sentence during a match!
14.46: It would be great to have an Irish player at Wimbledon in the Senior events soon. Conor Niland came close to qualifying for the Australian Open earlier this year. Congratulations to him on winning a Futures event last week and maybe he will make it to a Grand Slam soon.
14.40 Weather Update: It is still raining. I know, that lacked the glamour of Nuala Carey or the panache of the other RTE Weather crew but it is to the point. No play looks likely for a while, 20 minutes at least.
14.32 Ireland finished on 210-8 in the cricket. The scorecard is here for any of you interested.
14.31: You can e-mail your thoughts on the action sportonline@rte.ie . Tell us your opinion on Murray-mania and whether it is destined for a Nadal-Federer final.
14.30: Word is that the delay will be until 4pm. We heard that before. But Home and Away is over so have to find another way to kill the time.....
14.28: Feliciano Lopez is 5-2 up on Marat Safin in Court One
14.27: But it does look ominous for the Croat. He flew through that first set and it was quite sensational. 27 minutes of play and he was awesome.
14.26: I wonder how long a delay it could be. Ancic looked as if he was finding his feet and making a go of the second set
14.24: Federer draws level in the set and a few seconds later the announcement that play is suspended due to rain.
14.23 0-15 on the Federer serve. This could be his chance, well it seemed like it could be. 40-15 with some great serving. The rain is becoming heavy, this could be the last game before a delay.
14.22: A new set and hopefully a better start for Ancic. He holds, only just and a clench of the fist shows his relief. Breaking Federer next game would be great for the match.
14.21: On Court One Lopez has broken Marat Safin and leads 3-1. Still, sounds more competitive than this match. I reckon that could be a five-setter. On Centre Court Federer will be looking to lower his 97 minute average.
14.17: Federer wraps up the first set in 20 minutes. Very impressive first set from the Swiss.
14.13: Break point saved. 12 seconds later Ancic must face another one. It's a mental as well as physical battle. Federer forces Ancic into an error and it is 5-1. The Swiss will serve for the set after 18 minutes.
14.12: Ancic is trying his best but the Fed' express is one step ahead. its 30-30 and these are pivotal points. The set will be all but over if Federer breaks again. A magnificent shot gives him break point. He's incredible.
14.11: Roger Federer 4-1 Mario Ancic.
14.10: Federer just waltzes through the 5th game. 4-1.
14.09 The rain is coming down. This doesn't look good.
14.08: Roger Federer 3-1 Mario Ancic.
14.07: 15-0 to Ancic. Next point looks as if it will turn into a long rally but then Federer just blows him away. But Ancic fights back and wins the game with an ace.
14.06: Roger Federer 3-0 Mario Ancic.
14.05: It's quickly 40-0, make that game Federer with some very routine points. He's yet to drop a point on his serve. 3-0.
14.03: Roger Federer 2-0 Mario Ancic.
14.02 Federer goes 15-30 up in the second game and it isn't looking good. Ancic makes another unforced error and it is two break points. A good serve puts it at 30-40. But Ancic repeats his mistake and Federer breaks.
13.58: Roger Federer 1-0 Mario Ancic.
13.57: Roger Federer to serve first. Ancic looks as if we will challenge the call of 15-0 but decided to wait. Until the next point. Federer's ace is ruled good. A serve and volley for 40-0 and then a second ace to close the game. I can save my 'Super Mario' puns for later then.
13.56 The cream cardigan that Roger Federer wears prior to his match is off. Here we go…
13.52: We're gearing up for the start. The covers are off and Roger Federer emerges with Mario Ancic. Play will start in about two minutes. There is a light drizzle and Federer's glance to the sky doesn't give a good impression.
13.42 'Struth', as Alf Stewart brilliantly says. It's been decided that play will start on Centre and Court One at 1.45pm! So the players should be warming up shortly!
13.41 It is hard to keep boredom away during these breaks….. Miles faces an anxious wait to find out if he will keep his job in Home and Away today for anyone that is interested!
13.34: On a positive note for the British public who are lost in the euphoria of Murray-mania ( the euphoria a British player reaching the second week), Roger Federer's matches have last an average of 97 minutes so far this tournament, so maybe the two matches could be squeezed into today. Why are I doubting him again?
13.30: The rain has stopped and play is looking more likely. Exciting stuff! Well, not really. We'll wait to see if it is a just false dawn.
13.20: I bet the Irish cricketers wish it was raining. They've just lost their sixth wicket against Scotland and haven't yet topped 150. Click here for the scorecard
13.15: Obviously there is no play on Court One either, but when it does begin Marat Safin will face Feliciano Lopez followed by Rainer Schuettler taking on Arnaud Clement in a battle of the veterans.
Weather Report( Update)
13.04: The forecast looks to be a lot more sinister than first thought. 4pm is being mooted as the expected start time but we hope it is a bit earlier than that.
13.02: The slight (hopefully) delay gives me a chance to preview the match. Federer will, of course, be strong favourite. But statisticians have been constantly pointing out that Mario Ancic was the last player to beat Roger Federer at SW19. Hard to believe that was five years ago. The Swiss player went to the length of giving detailed reasons why that defeat will have no impact on the match today. He is definitely still jittery from his French Open final humiliation but he is the man to beat at this tournament.
By Rory Houston
Weather Report
12.45: It's raining and play is suspended on the small courts where the doubles matches were in progress. It looks as if Roger Federer's match with Mario Ancic will not start at 1pm.
12.00: Play on Courts 2-19 began on schedule at noon so Roger Federer and Mario Ancic is expected to start as planned at 1.00pm.
11.00: The official word from Wimbledon is: 'There is a risk of heavy rain during the afternoon but there is a good chance of bright spells between the showers, particularly later on. The temperature will reach just 21C at best.'
