Wimbledon 2015: Roger Federer sweeps into semi-finals

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer swept aside France's Gilles Simon to set up a mouth-watering semi-final meeting with Andy Murray.

The Swiss second seed continued his impressive progress despite two rain interruptions on Court One.

Federer was broken for the first time in 68 service games at SW19 this year near the end of the second set.

But that was virtually the only blip for the 33-year-old as he won 6-3 7-5 6-2 in one hour and 34 minutes.

Federer's last Wimbledon title came in 2012 when he beat Murray in the final and he will face him again in the last four on Friday after the British number one beat Vasek Pospisil 6-4 7-5 6-4.

"We both like to look back on that summer of 2012," Federer said. "If we knew beforehand that I would win Wimbledon and him the Olympics, I think we both would have taken it. It was a great summer for us.

"I am happy for him, he is doing so well after his back surgery. People forget how hard it is to get back from injury and get back into contention to win tournaments.

"Friday will be a tough one for me but I am obviously looking forward to it."

Federer has had some marathon battles with Simon in the past but this time only the weather looked like holding him up.

On two occasions the players had to come off for 30-minute breaks because of showers, but the delays did not affect Federer's focus.

He also remained unruffled after Simon ended his run of 116 consecutive unbroken service games, which started in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle last month.

Federer broke back immediately as he went on to take the second set, and took Simon's serve apart in the third to quickly complete his victory.

"The stop and goes with the weather are tough but I think I used them to my advantage," Federer added. "The breaks helped rather than hindered me.

"Simon was a quality return player and the game I got broken he was too good."