Federer at 16-5 to win in four sets

Roger Federer faces potentially his toughest examination of this year’s Wimbledon when he meets a revitalised Marat Safin in the last four of the men’s championship on Centre Court on Friday.

Whilst it is a test the Swiss is expected to pass, odds of 1-2 that he secures a sixth successive straight-sets victory may underestimate Safin’s armoury. Boylesports offer a more palatable 16-5 that Federer wins by a three-sets-to-one margin and that looks the way to go.

Safin, a former world No.1, has made a mockery of his present ranking of 75 in progressing to his first Wimbledon semi-final, ending the hopes of third-seed Novak Djokovic in the second round before overcoming three further, higher-ranked players, Andreas Seppi, Stanislas Wawrinka and Feliciano Lopez.

Although Safin has beaten Federer just twice in their ten previous meetings, his huge serve always makes him a formidable rival.

Federer’s progress has been impressive, albeit that the draw has panned out kindly for the world No.1, with Lleyton Hewitt, the 20th seed, being the highest-ranked player he has met. The Aussie took Federer to a first-set tie-break before succumbing 7-6 (9-7), 6-2, 6-4.

Match odds see Federer at 1-14 with totesport, Coral and William Hill. Safin is a best-priced 10-1 with Boylesports.