Federer eases into semifinals at Wimbledon

(Beijing, July 3) -- World No. 1 Roger Federer has sailed through the quarter-finals after a straight-sets win against Croatian Mario Ancic 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 at Wimbledon on Wednesday.

This victory stretched the top seed's winning streak to 64 on grass and helped him reach his 17th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal.

The Croatian beat Federer once at Wimbledon, six years ago, when Ancic was only 18 years old.

But this week Federer won the match in 101 minutes. Ancic gave a high opinion of the top seed following the match.

Federer is scheduled to face former world No.1 Russian Marat Safin, who beat Federer the last time they met in a Grand Slam semi-final at the 2005 Australian Open.

If Federer enters the finals, he is likely to face his nemesis, Rafael Nadal, who won the championship at the French Open a month ago.