Federer on his game with an easy victory

WIMBLEDON, England — The “Ooohs” and “Aaahs” from an appreciative crowd began during warmups, when Roger Federer volleyed one ball through his legs. His artistry grew more impressive once play began for real.

Facing the last man to defeat him on grass, three-time Wimbledon champion Federer quickly turned the Centre Court rematch into a mismatch, beating No. 7-seeded Mario Ancic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the semifinals.

If the score was routine, Federer’s play was anything but. Some shots were so sublime that even the Swiss star was taken aback.

“I definitely had a period where it was so good, it was just incredible,” said Federer, bidding to become the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set. “You’re not afraid to try anything, you’re not afraid to hit the ball hard, you’re not afraid to go for aces. That’s the sensation you get when you’re playing so well. That’s exactly what I felt today.”

Ancic’s assessment was more succinct: “He’s just Roger. What can you say?”

Federer will be joined in Friday’s semifinals by two far-less-expected participants. Unseeded Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden eliminated No. 14 Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (7), 6-4 to become, at 34, the oldest Wimbledon semifinalist since Jimmy Connors in 1987. And No. 18 Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus knocked off 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

The last member of the final four won’t be decided until today: No. 2 Rafael Nadal’s quarterfinal against No. 22 Jarkko Nieminen of Finland was postponed after two rain delays totaling nearly 2 1/2 hours interrupted play early in the day.

Federer wasn’t bothered at all by the weather.

Or the two jokesters who jumped out of the stands in the first set with rackets and balls but were quickly shooed away by security.

Or, most impressively, anything Ancic threw at him.

It was Federer’s 26th consecutive victory at the All England Club, and 46th in a row on a grass court, extending his Open era record. His last loss on the surface came against Ancic in the first round at Wimbledon in 2002.

“He is a completely different grass-court player than he was then,” said Ancic, whose serve-and-volley skills carried him to the Wimbledon semifinals two years ago. “It’s very hard to say, ‘Be aggressive. Attack him.’ Because if you’re just a little bit off with the speed of the ball (on the) approach, you’re passed.”

Federer finished with more than twice as many winners (35) as unforced errors (17). He broke Ancic four times, matching the total of service games lost by the Croat through the first four rounds. During one stretch, Federer won 30 of 34 points.