Wimbledon 2015: Andy Murray meets Roger Federer for final spot

Britain's Andy Murray will seek to reach his third Wimbledon final when he takes on seven-time champion Roger Federer in Friday's second semi-final.

Murray lost the 2012 final to the Swiss in their last meeting at Wimbledon but did beat him in the Olympic final at the All England Club in the same year.

"I feel like I'm playing better tennis than I was then," said Murray, who won the title at SW19 in 2013.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic plays Richard Gasquet in the first semi.

A lot has happened to Murray in the three years since he choked back the tears on Centre Court after a four-set defeat to Federer.

The Scot from Dunblane has won two Grand Slam titles and one Olympic gold medal, while Federer has not had major success since.

Murray, who became the first British man in 77 years to be crowned Wimbledon champion, is in his sixth All England Club semi-final and 17th at the majors.

"I hope I get good support on Friday," Murray said. "It's been the case throughout the whole event and every year that I played here.

"Roger's extremely popular everywhere he goes, so it might not be as partisan a crowd or atmosphere as some matches that I play here.

"But it will still be an excellent atmosphere. I'll still get a boost from the crowd, I'm sure."

With Jamie Murray already in the men's doubles final, should Andy Murray beat Federer the pair will become the first brothers since 1906 to reach the men's finals in singles and doubles in the same year

Record breaker?

Federer, 33, is bidding to become the oldest champion of the Open Era at Wimbledon and the first to win eight titles.

He is 4-1 up against Murray in Grand Slams, including wins in the 2008 US Open final win and the 2010 Australian Open final, and has beaten the Brit in their last three meetings.

"There was a lot on the line with Andy in 2012," said Federer. "He was going for his first Wimbledon in 2012. So obviously it was always going to be tough.

"He had lost some majors before that.

"Then the Olympics was just a different vibe altogether. I was a bit weathered but Andy played as good a final as you can play."

'Incredible match'

The number two seed has dropped only one set en route to his last-four clash with the British number one and is now just two victories away from an 18th Grand Slam triumph.

"I didn't think Roger was going to win another one," said three-time champion John McEnroe. "But every time I watch him play like this, you've got to think, 'Well, of course he's got a chance if you're playing this well'.

"But to beat Murray, and in all likelihood Djokovic, to do that back-to-back, best-of-five, that's a tough situation for Roger.

"So that's why I've picked Murray to win the tournament but it's going to be an incredible match."

The 'best backhand in the world'

Holder and world number one Djokovic believes he will be coming up against one of the finest backhands in the world when he faces 21st seed Gasquet.

Frenchman Gasquet has only ever appeared in two previous grand slam semi-finals, losing them both, and has only won one of 12 meetings against the Serb.

"I think Gasquet's backhand is one of the best one-handed backhands in the world," Djokovic said.

"That's his weapon. He has a variety. He can play really well from defence and offence. I think he's also very skilled on the net. He improved his serve. He's an all-around player."