Federer genius looms over Henman Hill

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer sprinkled his magic all over Centre Court on Friday to reach a seventh consecutive Wimbledon men's singles final and underline the challenge facing anyone trying to stop him reclaiming his grasscourt crown.

The Swiss, bidding for a sixth Wimbledon title after Spain's Rafael Nadal stole his limelight last year, was at his flamboyant best to beat German's Tommy Haas 7-6 7-5 6-3 in his 21st consecutive grand slam semi-final.

Federer unleashed every shot in his armoury against a gallant Haas, ending the two-hour exhibition with a slam dunk smash reminiscent of Pete Sampras whose record of 14 grand slam titles he can break in Sunday's final where victory would also return him to number one in the rankings.

Despite precious little happening on the All England Club's outside courts, the grounds were already buzzing with anticipation with thousands of fans pouring through the gates on a muggy morning to watch Andy Murray try and become the first British man to reach the final since 1938 by taming the fury of Andy Roddick's firecracker serve.

Up on the grassy banks of Henman Hill, named after Britain's four-times losing semi-finalist here, they watched Federer's masterclass with a sense of wonder -- and maybe a little dread.

In this form Federer looks simply unstoppable.

"It's quite staggering now, having reached again I think it's my sixth straight grand slam final," Federer, who hit 49 winners of mind-boggling variety and offered up not one break point chance for Haas, told reporters.

"Having so many things going for me now, an opportunity again on Sunday, it's fantastic. Quite amazing to be back in the Wimbledon final already because it seems like now all of a sudden everything happened very quickly."