Top seed Novak Djokovic crushed Frenchman Richard Gasquet's hopes of a first Grand Slam final with a 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 victory in their Wimbledon semi-final on Friday.
In the other semi-final, Roger Federer had to dig deep to beat crowd favourite Andy Murray 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 to book a place in the final. The second seed, came up with some really good volleys, but Federer managed to ward off the threat to set up mouth-watering clash with Djokovic.
Gasquet offered fans on a sun-baked Centre Court plenty of "oooh" moments with the stylish single-handed backhand that helped him beat French Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka in the last eight, but Djokovic was unmoved.
Despite needing treatment on his shoulder during the second set, defending champion Djokovic's place in a fourth Wimbledon final never really appeared in jeopardy.
It looked ominous for 21st seed Gasquet when he lost his opening service game but he hit back immediately with a rasping backhand winner and earned himself a tie-break.
Some untimely groundstroke errors from Gasquet rather gifted Djokovic the breaker 7-2.
Djokovic dominated the second set but offered the Frenchman a glimmer of hope at 5-4 when he went 0-30 down, only to slam the door shut with some pinpoint serving.
Djokovic did not keep them waiting too long, closing out a 12th win in 13 matches against the gallant Gasquet with a single break of serve in the third set.
Federer dismantles Murray to reach 10th Wimbledon final
Roger Federer does not lose Wimbledon semi-finals and he produced a display of clinical majesty to down Andy Murray and maintain his bid for a record eighth title with a sparkling 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 win on Friday.
The second-seeded Swiss reached his 10th final at the All England Club with a near-perfect demolition of home favourite Murray to set up a repeat of last year's showpiece decider against world number one Novak Djokovic.
Murray could not lay a glove on the Federer serve and the Swiss upped the pressure at crucial stages of each set before wrapping up victory in two hours seven minutes when the British third seed sent a forehand wide.
"It's been tough. Andy has been playing very well for the season," Federer said.
"I'm unbelievably happy... I played so well on the biggest occasion today and that's probably why I won it.
"I've been serving very well for the entire tournament. I kept the pressure up, I went for my shots and was able to mix it up the way I usually do it. It all worked out very well."
Federer, who has won all 10 of the semi-finals he has played at Wimbledon, will now resume his rivalry with Serb Djokovic, who earlier booked his place in the final with a straight sets win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
