An inspired Novak Djokovic eased into his second Wimbledon semi-final on Wednesday, comfortably outclassing Taiwanese giant-killer Lu Yen-hsun 6-3 6-2 6-2.
Djokovic never gave the slightest chance to world number 82 Lu, who had knocked out three-times Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick but could not mount an effective challenge this time.
The world number three put on a virtuoso performance. 'The way I have played I deserved to win,' Djokovic said, the grin splitting his face.
'I was hitting all the shots. I was playing very solidly from all parts of the court,' he said.
Djokovic's much improved serve paid rich dividends in the first set when the 23-year-old Serb broke Lu in the sixth game and asserted his early dominance.
One fan in the crowd on a sun-baked Court Number One was moved to shout out 'You're a genius, Novak' after one superb cross-court passing shot. He was superb at the net too, in imperious form throughout.
Djokovic upped his game another gear in the second set and Lu's shoulders slumped. He looked in vain to the skies for inspiration from his late father as he had done in the game against Roddick.
The best efforts of flag-waving Taiwanese fans could not raise the spirits of the first Asian to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since Japan's Shuzo Matsuoka 15 years ago at Wimbledon.
The Taiwanese chicken farmer's son was speedily broken in the third set by Djokovic, who in his only other Wimbledon semi-final against Rafael Nadal in 2007 had to retire with a foot injury.
Even Lu applauded in appreciation of Djokovic's prowess at the net. 'He is seeing the ball like a beach ball today,' said former British player Greg Rusedski admiringly.
Djokovic punched the air with joy after his emphatic victory and now faces either six-times winner Roger Federer or Czech Tomas Berdych for a place in the final.
'I sincerely hope to continue with this level of my game,' said Djokovic, now peaking at just the right time.
