Federer stuns Djokovic

Six-time champion Roger Federer reached a record eighth Wimbledon final on Friday when he defeated world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

In the pair's 27th meeting but first on grass, Federer booked his place in his 24th Grand Slam final where he will face either Andy Murray or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Victory on Sunday will take the 30-year-old level with Pete Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon wins, allow him to reclaim the world number one ranking and clinch a 17th career Grand Slam crown.

Djokovic, who was bidding to reach a fifth successive Grand Slam final, had defeated Federer six times in their last seven meetings. But Federer, playing in a record 23rd successive major semi-final, was not to be denied as he buried the heartache of having been knocked out in the quarter-finals in the last two years.

He also took his record of semi-final victories to eight out of eight at the All England Club.

"I'm ecstatic. I played a great match today. Novak played great in the first two sets too, but the third set was key," said Federer.

"I stepped it up then. He had a break points in the ninth game of the third set. AFP