Clash of the titans: Federer vs Hewitt

LONDON, July 1: The stage is set for the big semi-final clash. Defending champion Federer will face-off with Lleyton Hewitt in the first semi-final at Centre Court. Federer is the overwhelming favourite having beating the Aussie in the last seven encounters.
Federer has been in sublime form in at Wimbledon. It's no secret Federer likes grass courts having constructed a remarkable unbeaten run of 34 matches.After a stellar display in defeating Fernando Gonzalez 7-5 6-2 7-6 (2), the Swiss numero uno is two matches away from emulating the feats of Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and English legend Fred Perry who won three titles on the trot.
Hewitt who has had his fair share of controversies at Wimbledom will have to keep his focus if has to beat the defending champion. Federer holds an edge over Hewitt in matches played before with a slender 9-8 advantage. Their last meeting was at Indian Wells where Federer beat the Aussie in straight sets 6-2 6-4 6-4.
In the second semi-final on Centre Court, 2003 U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick is will be up against Swede Thomas Johansson.
The Swede is the surprise package in the line-up. He is, like the others, a Slam winner, having won the 2002 Australian Open title. Johansson, who missed the entire 2003 season due to surgery, will have it tough against the powerful American.
Roddick has played Johansson on just two occasions once at Wimbledon in 2001 when the powerful American beat the Swede in a tough five setter 7-6 (1), 6-1, 4-6, 7-6. In their last meeting at Bangkok the big serving Roddick beat Johansson in straight sets 6-3 6-4.
At 30 Johansson is the oldest member in the semi-final line-up. He is seeking to be the first Swede to reach Wimbledon men's final since Stefan Edberg in 1990. But the Swede won't find it easy against the big serving Roddick who has so delivered 78 aces, the fastest of them 145 miles an hour.