Wimbledon: Ivanisevic fairy-tale goes on

Goran Ivanisevic continued his fantastic Wimbledon run with a four set victory over Marat Safin.

The Croatian, unseeded this year after a dreadful run of form, beat Safin 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3).

He will now face either Britain's Tim Henman or teenage sensation Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

Ivanisevic hammered down nine aces on his way to taking the first set.

The Croat, who had hit 120 in his four matches so far in this tournament, showed no sign of letting up on his unlikely championship assault as he took the first set tie-break 7-2.

Unsurprisingly there were no breaks of serve in the first set although Ivanisevic did have a break point in Safin's first service game which he failed to convert.

And a long forehand by Safin presented the wildcard with two set points at 5-4, but Safin escaped courtesy of a fortunate netcord and a big serve before the breaker which Ivanisevic raced through with some aplomb.

Ivanisevic, who has been troubled with left shoulder problems for two years, slipped awkwardly in the second game of the set and called the trainer at the next end-change.

He appeared to be given painkillers but did not seem unduly troubled, as he continued to hold his serve with ease and even performed some audacious shots from behind and between his legs.

Then Ivanisevic grabbed the crucial breakthrough in the 11th game, a long forehand from Safin giving the Croat three break points, and ultimately the first break of the match.

Serving for the set, Ivanisevic was taken to deuce but held his nerve admirably and two booming serves gave him the set 7-5 and the lead by two sets to love.

Cracks finally began to appear in Ivanisevic's serve at the start of the third set, with Safin getting but then wasting his first two break points in the first game.

Ivanisevic served two double faults in the sixth game to set up another chance for Safin, and this time he broke with a cross-court backhand to go 4-2 up.

The Croat had two chances to break back immediately but could not take advantage of them, and Safin then served out to take the set 6-3 and narrow Ivanisevic's advantage to 2-1.

The fourth set could have gone either way, with both players creating opportunities to break.

However, neither could take the chances and the set went into another tie-break.

Ivanisevic once again displayed his phenomenal ability to win the big points by establishing a 6-2 lead.

He eventually sealed a momentous victory over the world number three 7-3.