Rain forces semi-final rearrangement

Second seed Andy Roddick’s Wimbledon semi-final against Mario Ancic was this afternoon moved to court one as bad weather threatened to mar the final weekend of the championships.

Defending champion Roger Federer had taken a 3-2 lead in his semi-final against Sebastien Grosjean on Centre Court when rain stopped play after just 23 minutes earlier this afternoon.

The second semi-final between Roddick and Tim Henman’s conqueror, Ancic, had been due to follow that match on Centre Court but it was announced at 5pm that, with better weather expected this evening, it would now take place on court one.

A Wimbledon spokesman said: “We are anticipating longer dry spells later this afternoon and in the evening.”

Tournament organisers faced the prospect of both men’s semi-finals spilling over into Saturday, when women’s champion Serena Williams is due to defend her title against 17-year-old Russian Maria Sharapova.