Federer again faces Hewitt
LLeyton Hewitt leads the rivalry 8-4, but has lost both meetings this season.
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Roger Federer keeps winning matches and rave reviews.
With his 21st consecutive victory on grass, Federer advanced to a showdown Wednesday in the Wimbledon quarterfinals against fellow former champion Lleyton Hewitt.
Among those impressed by the top-ranked Federer's recent run is a potential opponent in the final Sunday, Andy Roddick.
"He hits shots that not a lot of other people even think of hitting," Roddick said. "He's kind of immune to pressure right now. Mentally he's very strong. He has no sense of panic in his game, which is impressive."
Defending champion Federer cleared an imposing hurdle Monday: 6-foot-10 Ivo Karlovic, who upset 2002 champ Hewitt in the first round last year.
Federer broke serve only once, but that was enough to win 6-3, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5). He lost just 17 points on his serve and has held in 89 consecutive games at Wimbledon, dating to the 2003 quarterfinals against Sjeng Schalken.
He has faced only six break points in the first four rounds, and he has won 35 consecutive sets on grass.
Praise
Federer's stylish, polished play is winning praise from all corners.
"As a tennis fan, you have to think Roger Federer is the most amazing thing to watch," said Lindsay Davenport, a quarterfinalist on the women's side. "I mean, the way he plays, the way he moves, the way he acts -- if you were to mold a perfect tennis player, that would be him.
"I think he's incredible. I love to sit down and watch him play anybody. So I'm a huge fan of his and just his game overall."
Federer faced a daunting challenge against Karlovic, the tallest player in the game. The Croat hit 95 aces in his first three matches but totaled only 14 against Federer.
"I was really looking forward to this match with Karlovic because there's been so much talk about his serve," Federer said. "It's a different angle it's coming from. You're not used to it."
But nothing has fazed Federer since a third-round loss to Gustavo Kuerten at the French Open. He has won all 22 sets he has played on grass this month, a streak that prompts the Swiss to put his normal modesty aside.
"I have to say every match so far on grass has been quite unbelievable," he said. "I've always played great tennis."
Federer and Hewitt are the only two former Wimbledon champions left in the draw. Hewitt leads their rivalry 8-4 but lost both meetings this year -- at the Australian Open and Hamburg.
"It's going to be an extremely tough match," Hewitt said. "He's the best player out there at the moment. He's No. 1 in the world for a reason. So I'm the underdog for sure."