Roddick overcomes Schalken's challenge

Andy Roddick has reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second straight year with a no-nonsense win over Dutchman Sjeng Schalken…

Andy Roddick has reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second straight year with a no-nonsense win over Dutchman Sjeng Schalken.

After two tight tie-break sets, the second seed and US Open champion ran away with the third for a 7-6 7-6 6-3 victory on court one, showboating on match point with a spectacular leaping smash.

"Hey, it was a dog-fight," Roddick said. "I had to work for it out there. That second set tie-break was huge, coming out straight off a rain break."

Roddick, winner of the Stella Artois championships warm-up event at London's Queen's Club earlier this month, has not lost on grass since he was beaten by champion Roger Federer in the semis here last year.

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He avoids the Swiss this year and will meet Croatia's Mario Ancic in the last four. Ancic ousted Britain's Tim Henman earlier in the day.

"We played at Queen's," Roddick said. "I won but it was a tough one so should be interesting."

Roddick is yet to lose a set at the grasscourt grand slam and is looking a good bet to add the Wimbledon crown to the U.S. Open title he won last September.
 
However top seed and champion Roger Federer is likely to be his biggest threat. The Swiss is locked in battle with 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt on Centre Court.