Jana Novotna
Former Wimbledon champion on BB Radio 5 live

"When you don't see a massive celebration it means the job is not done yet and she will be back on Saturday to complete the job."

Image source, AFP

Bouchard, 15-0 to the good, but a backhand long gives Halep a sniff at 15-15. Oh! That is choppy though from Halep. Between the tramlines for 30-15. Big serve, slap-away forehand for 40-15 and two match points - this time on Eugenie Bouchard's own serve.

The Canadian wants this done. And quick. She can't nail it down on either though, cracking an all-or-nothing forehand long and overreaching on a second serve to double-fault.

A sixth match point and this time she makes it stick! Whip-crack serve and Halep's grope out wide dribbles into the net!

Image source, Reuters

Eugenie Bouchard, still chugging like an express train, moves to 15-40 and two match points.

The first crumbles Halep's way via a marginal Hawk Eye call. Bouchard claims that she still had a play on the ball. The umpire says that she didn't. Bouchard argues her point eloquently and forcefully but there is no changing his mind.

The second match point slides south for Bouchard as she cuffs long. A third from deuce. And this time Halep drills a 24-carat winner down the line. Stirring defence.

And Halep holds to ensure that her 20-year-old opponent will have to do the dirty deed of snuffing out her challenge off her own serve.

BBC Sport's Phil Shepka at Wimbledon: "Court One is filling up nicely under the glorious sunshine as hopes build of a British victory.

"Neal Skupski and Naomi Broady had never played together before Saturday, but they have held their own so far here, beating the ninth seeds in the second round.

"However, after a thrilling opening, they find themselves a break down against Florin Mergea and Elina Svitolina in their latest match."

Christian Smith:, external Bouchard's composure in her first Wimbledon semi-final is remarkable, and at such a young age. Real talent.

Dan Gregory:, external Bazinga! Come on Bouch, get to the final.

Jana Novotna
Former Wimbledon champion on BB Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

"Eugenie Bouchard is so composed and what a fighter she is. Whenever she is down in a game she comes up with a great shot. Her nerves, composure and aggression are always in check."

Simona Halep mounts more of a challenge, taking the game to deuce.

Eugenie Bouchard' forehand is still is rude health though, big, bassnotes resounding around Centre Court as she thumps away a winner for advantage.

A spot of nerves there though. A double fault pegs her back momentarily, but it is only a brief hold-up. One game away from the first of what is going to be plenty of Grand Slam finals.

John McEnroe
Three-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC TV

"You can see a champion in the making in Eugenie Bouchard. It would be a shock if she were to lose out now and the likelihood is Bouchard won't be out here much longer."

Tracy Austin
Two-time Grand Slam champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"Bouchard really has the ability to forget about anything that has happened and think immediately about the next point. It is such a great asset to have and she is going to be a great champion. She is showing no fear with the end so near."

Lindsay Davenport
1999 Wimbledon champion on BBC TV

"Halep's big hope now is that Bouchard gets overwhelmed by the moment or nerves. Her level has dropped from that opening set."

Simona Halep is looking peaky. And she is not getting any sympathy from Eugenie Bouchard. The Canadian spears another break with precise groundstrokes, while Halep's usually tight and tidy game starts to disintegrate.

This one might not be detaining us much longer.

John McEnroe
Three-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC TV

"I think after losing the first set tie-break Halep has tried to keep the intensity high but it is hard to do, especially when you blow a couple of points which you know you should have done better with. She will have to find something soon."

Image source, Getty Images

Eugenie Bouchard is charging headlong towards her first Grand Slam final. A watertight service. Never mind blowing away the old guard, she is swatting away even the very-slightly-less-young guard with the way she is dealing with Simona Halep.

Is that the breaking point in the match? Simona Halep inexplicably attempts to moon-ball a high bounce behind her own baseline and overcooks it long to give Eugenie Bouchard 15-30. Bouchard whittles her way to a break point at 30-40 and is able to sit back and watch a Halep second serve clear the service box to seal the game.

A fist pump aimed towards the players' box from Bouchard. Halep trudges back to her courtside seat. That ankle is probably hurting a little more. She is right in the Canadian's pincers.

Jana Novotna
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AP

"Eugenie Bouchard is making Simona Halep very uncomfortable out there. She is very aggressive and not letting her opponent play. When she needs to she comes up with some great shots and that is what makes her stand out from the other players."

Four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters has tweeted:, external Bouchard always looking to move forward! Great attitude! Halep great mover, great attitude! Young girls should be watching this match...

Is that sit-on-the-baseline swipe a shot that exists only in the women's game? Eugenie Bouchard attempts it at 40-0 to the good and finds only net. Maybe retreating would have been a cannier strategy...

Ohh, lovely! Simona Halep arrowing a forehand down the line to move within striking distance. But that is as close as she is going to get to a break, screwing wide on the next rally.

John McEnroe
Three-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC TV

"It's almost more admirable to me because you have seen them both fight through adversity in that opening set. We thought it would be close and it has been so far."

Lindsay Davenport
1999 Wimbledon champion on BBC TV

"If you are Simona Halep you have to start the match again and get some momentum at the start of the second set because there is still time."

Never mind a tennis match, this has the feeling of the World Stare-out Championships they used to show on Big Train. Halep finally blinked first as they went to a shootout.

An hour on the clock. It took Bouchard only 72 minutes to deal with Andrea Petkovic in the quarters. She is in for a longer shift today.

Halep has recovered to make a solid start to the second set, holding serve to 15.