Leading 6-5 in the second-set tiebreak, Roddick had a relatively-easy high volley put-away on an attempted Federer pass that he for an instant took his eye off of — an instant that changed the match from a potential 2-0 set lead to one-set all.

“Today she was too good, she had an answer for everything. She played the best tennis today,” Venus said. “I’m still smiling though, I don’t think the loss has set in yet. I’ve had so many great times here. I love what I do and most of all I love playing these finals. I’ll see you all again next year, of course.”

Roddick will face Roger Federer in their third meeting in the Wimbledon final. Federer was flawless in dismissing a determined former No. 2-ranked Tommy Haas 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-3. It was another solid performance from Haas who has shown he can play the former world No. 1 close, but perhaps doesn’t have the deep-down belief he can beat the Swiss. Last month Haas led Federer by two sets to love before losing in five at the French Open.

Venus has won five of the last eight against Serena…

Venus steamrolled the No. 1-ranked Safina 6-1, 6-0, with the Russian exhibiting the throat-clutching tennis she usually saves for Grand Slam finals, where she is 0-3 career. It was the first appearance in a Wimbledon semifinal for Safina.

Federer advanced to his 21st straight Grand Slam semifinal by straight-setting the giant-serving giant Ivo Karlovic.

Tommy Haas and Novak Djokovic have Grand Slam wins over Roger Federer. And Lleyton Hewitt has a grass win plus a best-of-five set win over the Swiss…

The Williams sisters are attempting to put at least one sister in the final for an amazing nine of the last 10 years.

“Today was hard to get through a really dangerous match,” Federer said. “Not many rallies, so maybe not as much fun for the people. But I stayed calm, waited for my chance.”

The Williams sisters remain on track for a second straight all-Williams final after younger sister Serena also advanced, brutalizing Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-1. Venus has now won 31 consecutive sets at Wimbledon, the longest streak since Martina Navratilova’s 40 in a row in 1982-85.