• Wimbledon, Day 11

Berdych rolls on into maiden Grand Slam final

Tomas Berdych secured his place in his first Grand Slam final © Getty Images

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• Profile: Tomas Berdych | Novak Djokovic

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Tomas Berdych produced an assured performance to send third seed Novak Djokovic tumbling out of the draw in straight sets and secure his place in his first Grand Slam final.

Berdych, who became only the second man in eight years to inflict a defeat on six-time champion Roger Federer at Wimbledon, showed no signs of a hangover from his stunning four-set victory over the top seed, to seal a 6-3 7-6(9) 6-3 victory.

After an edgy opening encounter, it was the Czech who took first blood, taking full advantage of the only break point of the set to go 4-2 up. Serving for the first set, with three set points, the first signs of nerves began to creep in when he served his first double fault of the match, but sealed the set with an emphatic forehand.

Both players had their chances in the second set. Berdych, trailing 2-1, was forced to save break point with a massive forehand that gave Djokovic no chance, and the Serb could only shrug his shoulders. Berdych had two break points of his own in the following game, but Djokovic was unable to make the most of his chances.

Berdych grabbed a crucial break to take a 6-5 lead in the second after Djokovic hit a wild smash that sailed out. But as the Czech served for the second set, Djokovic threw everything at his opponent in a desperate attempt to find a way back into the set, and forced the tie-break.

Trailing 3-6 in the tie-break, Djokovic won four points in a row to hang on, but after a number of exhausting rallies, Berdych sealed the tie-breaker 11-9, and from two sets down it proved too much for Djokovic to find his way back, and the No. 12 seed sealed an impressive victory to move into the final.

There he will meet world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who overcame home favourite Andy Murray in straight sets.

"It was quite amazing to get on Centre Court and to beat such a great player in straight sets," Berdych said. "It is tough to describe it now, but it is amazing.

"Every young kid who hits the ball for the first time thinks about being in the final of a grand slam. It is the top. This is definitely the biggest tournament for me. And right now it could not be any better.

"I will now try to do the same after the Roger Federer win, to enjoy the winning feeling and to then prepare for the final."

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