LONDON: Roger Federer became the oldest Wimbledon finalist in 41 years when he downed Andy Murray 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 on Friday to set up a title rematch with defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Federer, 33, will be playing in his 10th Wimbledon final on Sunday and 26th at all the Grand Slams where victory will give him an eighth All England Club crown and 18th major.

His demolition of 2013 champion Murray was his most impressive in recent years and featured 20 aces, 56 winners and just 11 unforced errors.

He allowed Murray, who he has now defeated in five out of six Grand Slam clashes, just one break point and that was in the opening game of the two hour seven minute match.

Djokovic, who beat Federer in last year’s final, had earlier swept into his fourth Wimbledon final with a ruthlessly efficient 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Richard Gasquet.

“It’s been tough, Andy has been playing very well this season and there was so much expectation on this match,” said Federer, who is the oldest finalist since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1974.

“I had to try to focus and keep holding my serve one more game. You do it so many times you think the break will go against you eventually, but I managed to hold on.

Murray said he had served well and was happy with his performance. “Roger served fantastic. I had one break point in the first set but after that I didn’t get any opportunities,” admitted Murray who was looking to make the Wimbledon final for a third time. Federer fired 11 aces, 23 winners and committed just three unforced errors.

Earlier, defending champion Djokovic overcame an early barrage of single-handed backhand winners from Gasquet to win in sunny conditions on Centre Court at the All England Club. “It was a very good performance, considering the occasion,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic was twice treated by a trainer on his left shoulder near the end of the second set, but showed no sign of injury as he dominated the third set to reach his 17th Grand Slam final.

Djokovic, playing in his sixth consecutive Wimbledon semifinal and seventh overall, extended his dominance over the 29-year-old Gasquet to 12-1. He has dropped just one set to the Frenchman in their last 10 meetings — none in their three Grand Slam matches.

Gasquet is renowned for his one-handed backhand, one of the best in the game. The shot was on full display in the first set against Djokovic when he repeatedly ripped clean winners off that wing - including to break back after falling behind 2-0.

The two players held serve the rest of the set to force a tiebreaker, but Djokovic won five straight points from 2-2 to take control. He then broke in the first game of the second set and was in front the rest of the way.

“Richard had a great tournament, deserved to be in the semis,” Djokovic said. “Things could have gone his way, also, the first set, but I think that was the turning point for me.”

Djokovic finished with 12 aces. Down 15-30 while serving for the second set, he came up with back-to-back aces — both at 125 mph — and went on to hold.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play