Federer Moves One Step Closer To Olympics Gold

© Getty ImagesRoger Federer will play Juan Martin del Potro in the Olympics semi-finals

Roger Federer moved one step closer to his first singles medal on Thursday at the London 2012 Olympics Tennis Event.

The top-seeded Swiss, who is also looking to retain his place at No. 1 South African Airways ATP Rankings, committed just 12 unforced errors to defeat No. 10 seed John Isner of the United States 6-4, 7-6(5) in 85 minutes on Centre Court, at the All England Club, Wimbledon.

“I think I am playing my best,” said Federer. “I don’t know if I can play a whole lot better. Overall, I’m extremely happy. Obviously, being in the medal matches, at least I’ll get two shots. That’s why I looked at this match as a final. You can imagine the relief and happiness I feel right now."

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Federer sealed the only break of the match at 4-4 in the first set, which lasted 35 minutes, after Isner’s first serve momentarily faltered under pressure. Seven of Federer’s nine winners came from his forehand.

Isner lost just seven points on serve in the second set, prior to the tie-break, which Federer won when a backhand return clipped the net cord and trickled over to book a place in the semi-finals. When asked what went through his mind we he won with a net cord winner, Federer said, “You just feel bad really, but relief because it is finally over.”

It was his fourth win in five meetings against Isner, who hit eight aces and 24 winners on his Centre Court debut. “I think he’s (Isner) got a great game. He’s now a solid Top 10, Top 15 player, and I expect him to stay there. He’s got the game to go deep in every tournament he plays [on] every surface. It’s nice to see him improving, but it makes it so much tougher for us facing up against him.”

Federer, who won Switzerland the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal with Stanislas Wawrinka, will next meet eighth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro on Friday.

On facing del Potro next, Federer said, “I’m not surprised he’s made it to the semis. He’s played a lot of tennis this year. I think he took advantage of the draw here and then was able to come through convincingly. I have my hands full with Juan Martin. He’s a big player with a big serve. That makes it obviously tricky on a fast court like grass.”