No repeat performance for Ancic

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) Mario Ancic summed up the dilemma facing Roger Federer's opponents after being swept aside by the Swiss in their Wimbledon quarter-final today.

The towering Croat was the last person to beat Federer on grass in 2002 but could not live with him on this occasion and the world number one cruised to a 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory.

''I thought at times I played some unbelievable shots and did exactly what I planned to do but I was getting passed, he was coming up with winners from nowhere.

''I continued to fight and search for solutions, kept being aggressive, but there's not much you can say. I think he played unbelievable today.

''It's very hard. You try to be patient and he goes over you so you have to be aggressive and take chances. He will not give you a match, you have to come and take it.'' Ancic said Federer's backhand was vulnerable when he beat him in 2002 but says there are now no chinks in the armour of triple Wimbledon champion.

''On his backhand you could be aggressive and come in then, but at the moment it's very tough,'' added the 22-year-old who reached the semi-final here in 2004.

''If you're just a little bit off with your approach he'll pass you. But if you stay back he's all over you. It's just Roger, what can you say? Federer, who can become only the third player in the professional era to win the title four times in a row, will play 34-year-old Swede Jonas Bjorkman in the semi-finals.

''I don't think there's anyone who can beat him on grass at the moment, I would be very surprised,'' added Ancic.

Reuters DH VP0110