The last man to beat Roger Federer on grass became his 64th straight victim as the defending champion warned he wants to dominate Wimbledon for another 10 years.
Mario Ancic beat Federer in the first round in 2002 but acknowledged before their quarter-final clash on Centre Court that 'he was not Roger Federer at that time'.
Unfortunately for Ancic, but fortunately for those watching, it certainly was Federer on the other side of the net as the five-time champion breezed to a 6-1 7-5 6-4 victory in just one hour and 41 minutes.
In doing so, the Swiss star racked up yet more impressive statistics to enter into his personal record book.
His 39th straight victory at Wimbledon leaves him just two short of Bjorn Borg's record, and was achieved without facing a single break point.
In a first set lasting just 20 minutes he dropped only one point on his serve, six in the second and just three more in the third.
Through to his 17th successive grand slam semi-final, Federer will face Marat Safin for a place in his sixth straight Wimbledon final and looks a good bet to get there without dropping a set, matching his feat in 2006.
"I think I played well today and throughout the tournament so far," was Federer's rather understated summary of his brilliant performance.
"I really feel like I'm playing as good as the last few years. I feel so comfortable on this Centre Court that my confidence level is obviously very high."
"To be in my 17th straight semi-final is something fantastic. Getting so far in every Grand Slam I've played for so many times in a row, it's something that means a lot to me."
"Being back here in the semis at Wimbledon, it's just fantastic."
"I'll have a chance to win this tournament for the next five or 10 years. I think my game's made for grass. There will always be tough opponents, dangerous opponents. That has been the case for the last years, as well."
"But I found a way to win always. Of course my dream is to not only win this year, but many more years to come. If it doesn't happen, I'll try to win the next one again. This is what it's all about for me at this stage."
It was hard not to feel sympathy for Ancic, a player who has battled back from a long injury lay-off and describes Wimbledon as 'almost a holy place'.
After being blown away in the opening set and gifting Federer the second with a double fault to lose his serve at 5-5, the 24-year-old Croatian battled for 19 minutes just to hold serve in the opening game of the third set.
In a game with 10 deuces which lasted almost as long as the entire first set, Ancic saved four break points and deserved much, much better than to hear some fool in the crowd shout out 'get a move on, we want Andy'.
That wish was granted soon afterwards after Ancic dropped his serve in the fifth game, and was then forced to take evasive action at the net as a Federer forehand flashed towards him.
Federer came around the net to apologise with a wry smile, and you could not blame Ancic for gently throwing a ball at the Swiss in mock anger.
Federer finished the match in style with three consecutive aces and Ancic admitted: "I never saw him serving better. I think this is the best he ever served."
"Today he was serving really, really well, not only the first serve, even with the second he was going for it a lot. He was just the better player."
"I can sit here and talk stories, but he was just a better player. The better player went through."
Mario Ancic beat Federer in the first round in 2002 but acknowledged before their quarter-final clash on Centre Court that 'he was not Roger Federer at that time'.
Unfortunately for Ancic, but fortunately for those watching, it certainly was Federer on the other side of the net as the five-time champion breezed to a 6-1 7-5 6-4 victory in just one hour and 41 minutes.
In doing so, the Swiss star racked up yet more impressive statistics to enter into his personal record book.
His 39th straight victory at Wimbledon leaves him just two short of Bjorn Borg's record, and was achieved without facing a single break point.
In a first set lasting just 20 minutes he dropped only one point on his serve, six in the second and just three more in the third.
Through to his 17th successive grand slam semi-final, Federer will face Marat Safin for a place in his sixth straight Wimbledon final and looks a good bet to get there without dropping a set, matching his feat in 2006.
"I think I played well today and throughout the tournament so far," was Federer's rather understated summary of his brilliant performance.
"I really feel like I'm playing as good as the last few years. I feel so comfortable on this Centre Court that my confidence level is obviously very high."
"To be in my 17th straight semi-final is something fantastic. Getting so far in every Grand Slam I've played for so many times in a row, it's something that means a lot to me."
"Being back here in the semis at Wimbledon, it's just fantastic."
"I'll have a chance to win this tournament for the next five or 10 years. I think my game's made for grass. There will always be tough opponents, dangerous opponents. That has been the case for the last years, as well."
"But I found a way to win always. Of course my dream is to not only win this year, but many more years to come. If it doesn't happen, I'll try to win the next one again. This is what it's all about for me at this stage."
It was hard not to feel sympathy for Ancic, a player who has battled back from a long injury lay-off and describes Wimbledon as 'almost a holy place'.
After being blown away in the opening set and gifting Federer the second with a double fault to lose his serve at 5-5, the 24-year-old Croatian battled for 19 minutes just to hold serve in the opening game of the third set.
In a game with 10 deuces which lasted almost as long as the entire first set, Ancic saved four break points and deserved much, much better than to hear some fool in the crowd shout out 'get a move on, we want Andy'.
That wish was granted soon afterwards after Ancic dropped his serve in the fifth game, and was then forced to take evasive action at the net as a Federer forehand flashed towards him.
Federer came around the net to apologise with a wry smile, and you could not blame Ancic for gently throwing a ball at the Swiss in mock anger.
Federer finished the match in style with three consecutive aces and Ancic admitted: "I never saw him serving better. I think this is the best he ever served."
"Today he was serving really, really well, not only the first serve, even with the second he was going for it a lot. He was just the better player."
"I can sit here and talk stories, but he was just a better player. The better player went through."
