Roger Federer reached a record 20th Grand Slam final, and a seventh straight Wimbledon title match yesterday, while Andy Roddick ended Andy Murray's bid to become the first British champion since 1936.
Five-time champion Federer coasted to a 7-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over German veteran Tommy Haas and will be chasing a record 15th Grand Slam crown tomorrow when he tackles old rival Roddick.
The American sixth seed put an end to the hype and hysteria in Britain with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 win over third seed Murray who had been hoping be the first British men's champion since Fred Perry 73 years ago.
Federer will be the overwhelming favourite for the title having beaten Roddick 18 times in 20 matches, including the 2004 and 2005 finals at Wimbledon.
Watched by Grand Slam greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver, comfortably installed in the Royal Box, the world number two put on a magnificent show of serving against 31-year-old Haas, not giving up a single break point.
"Tommy played great so I knew that there was a danger. I'm happy with my performance and it's unbelievable to be in another final," said Federer.
"I have had a lot of pressure over the years but I am looking forward to another great match and a chance to get into the history books."
Federer said he was looking ahead to the challenge of the final.
"I have had great matches with Roddick. You can never underestimate him with that serve," he said.
Haas was full of praise for the Swiss.
"There aren't really any weaknesses. He moves in such a smooth way and has such good defensive play. The slice bites a lot," said the German.
"When you think sometimes you might get a relatively easy volley, he kind of either dinks it in front of you, or he made two spectacular slice lobs over my head at important points."
Roddick will be playing in his first major final since 2006.
"I had to play my best tennis today. I can't say enough good things about Andy's game but I can play some tennis sometimes," said Roddick, who had won just two of his previous eight meetings with the Scot.
"Not many people gave me a chance but I knew if I stayed the course I had a shot."
Murray out-aced Roddick 25-21, but the American's awesome power in the tiebreaks proved decisive.
The third seed saved a match point in the fourth set breaker but went down to defeat when he netted an approach.
Four years younger than Roddick and five years younger than Federer, Murray believes it's just a matter of time before he wins a major.
"I think I have a chance. I believe I can win a Grand Slam, whether it's Wimbledon or US Open or Australia or whatever, I'm going to give myself chances."