London: Roger Federer's final shot of the day clipped the let cord, dribbled over the net and settled softly in the grass, beyond even 6-foot-9 John Isner's reach.
The crowd responded with a collective "aww," Isner grimaced and Federer offered a sheepish wave of apology. But after all these years, he's probably overdue for a little luck in the Olympics.
Federer advanced on Thursday to the semifinals by beating Isner 6-4, 7-6 (5). With that tall hurdle cleared, the four-time Olympian and 17-time Grand Slam champion needs one more win to clinch the first singles medal of his career, which would plug the biggest hole in a remarkable resume.
On Friday, Federer will face No. 8-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. Del Potro advanced by beating No. 15 Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Serena Williams also seeks her first singles medal, and she advanced by beating former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, 6-0, 6-3. Williams, who has lost only 13 games through four rounds, will face top-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the semifinals Friday.
Azarenka defeated No. 7 Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-4, 7-5 under Wimbledon's roof. Kerber eliminated Venus Williams on Wednesday, but Azarenka feasted on the left-hander's serve, winning more than half of those points and breaking six times.
No. 2-seeded Novak Djokovic advanced by sweeping No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 7-5. Djokovic's opponent in the semifinals will be British hopeful Andy Murray, who delighted a crowd that included Prince William and wife Kate by beating No. 11 Nicolas Almagro of Spain, 6-4, 6-1.
Murray, seeded No. 3, was runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon last month. Djokovic won Wimbledon in 2011 and was a bronze medalist in Beijing in 2008.
Americans Bob and Mike Bryan advanced to doubles semifinals by edging Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (10). Neither team managed a service break, and the Bryans sealed the victory on their fourth match point when Erlich double-faulted into the net.
Williams played on sun-splashed Court 1 and swept the first seven games against the No. 8-seeded Wozniacki. As a complement to her booming serve and slingshot returns, Williams kept one exchange going with a desperation, off-balance left-handed forehand.
"I haven't practiced it in a couple of months," she said. "I wish I could have hit it better."
Williams lost that rally but won most of the others. She dropped only nine points on her serve, never faced a break point and hit 30 winners to seven for Wozniacki.
"I felt a little off today, believe it or not," Williams said. "But I'm really, really hard to please."
Williams has won 11 consecutive matches this summer at the All England Club, including her fifth Wimbledon title a month ago.
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