Federer, Djokovic, Murray reach Olympic semis

Wimbledon, England – Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Wimbledon runner-up Andy Murray moved into the semifinals at the Olympic Games tennis event at the All England Club.

The reigning No. 1 Federer got past 10th-seeded 6-foot-9 American John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) on the famed Centre Court, where the super Swiss captured a men's-record-tying seventh Wimbledon title last month.

The match ended in 1 hour, 25 minutes and Federer recorded the only break of the affair to grab a 5-4 lead in the opening set. The match came to an end when a Federer backhand return clipped the net cord and trickled over for a winner.

Federer avenged a stunning February Davis Cup setback in his native Switzerland at the hands of Isner and is now 4-1 lifetime against the towering American.

The 30-year-old Federer owns a men's-record 17 Grand Slam titles, but needs a victory this week to secure the career "Golden Slam."

"Being in the medal matches, at least I'll get two shots," Federer said. "That's why I looked at this match as a final. You can imagine the relief and happiness I feel right now."

Federer's semifinal opponent will be eighth-seeded Argentine slugger Juan Martin del Potro, who stunned the Swiss great in the 2009 U.S. Open final in New York.

The second-seeded Djokovic, who captured a bronze medal in Beijing four years ago, handled fifth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 7-5 in another quarterfinal on Centre Court.

Djokovic tallied 22 winners and topped Tsonga in 1 hour, 20 minutes by breaking the Frenchman four times, compared to only one break for Tsonga. The Serb broke the Frenchman for a 6-5 edge in the second set and then closed out the quality match on his serve.

"It was a great win for me. Tsonga is a great competitor and he is a very powerful player from the baseline so, for me, the right thing to do today was use my serve as efficiently as possible in these windy, tough conditions," Djokovic said.

The powerful Djokovic is the reigning Australian and U.S. Open champion who coughed up the No. 1 ranking to Federer last month.

Meanwhile, cheered on by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -- Prince William and his wife Kate -- the third-seeded Murray blew past 11th-seeded Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-1 on Court 1.

The rout was over in 59 minutes, as a dazzling Murray clubbed 15 aces and was not broken on Day 6 of this nine-day tournament. The Brit smacked 23 more winners (29-6) than the overmatched Almagro, who battled a sore right shoulder in the setback.

Murray lost to Federer in his first career Wimbledon final last month in this London suburb.

The four-time Grand Slam runner-up Murray will meet Djokovic for a 14th time, with the Serb leading their all-time series, 8-5, including a 2-1 Djokovic advantage this year. The 25-year-old good friends have never met on grass.

"Andy is the home hero," Djokovic said. "He has been playing better than ever on grass courts. I will have to be at the top of my game."

The aforementioned 6-foot-7 del Potro stopped 15th-seeded rising Japanese Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) on Court 1.

Del Potro will face Federer for a 15th time, seeking only a third win (2-12). Federer is already 5-0 versus the Argentine this year and has won six straight overall against the tall South American.