So far so perfect for Federer at Wimbledon

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer said his progress to a sixth consecutive Wimbledon final had been perfect after a straight sets semi-final defeat of Marat Safin on Friday.

"I haven't had many problems so far throughout the championship," the world number one told reporters after making it 18 sets out of 18 so far with a 6-3 7-6 6-4 victory.

"It's been a perfect way to the finals but there's one more left. But so far it's been quite unbelievable actually."

Federer, aiming to eclipse Bjorn Borg's feat of winning five titles in a row between 1976 and 80, also took a gentle swipe at those who said he was vulnerable this year after being thrashed in the French Open final by Rafael Nadal.

"I don't think it matters really a lot if I'm the favorite or not," said the 26-year-old Federer after ending Safin's surprise run at the grasscourt slam.

"I'm on an incredible winning streak on grass. First somebody has to be able to break that before we start talking differently."

Nadal, Federer's tormentor on clay, awaits in the final. Federer beat the Majorcan powerhouse to win his last two titles, although 12 months ago he was pushed to five sets.

Last month Federer suffered one of his most humiliating days on a tennis court when he managed just four games against Nadal in the Roland Garros final but he said that would have no bearing on Sunday's final.

"I hardly remember anything about it, it went so quickly. It's not really a big problem," said Federer.

He will have to dig deeper into his vast grasscourt experience than he had to when knocking up a 65th consecutive grasscourt victory against Safin.

"It was easy in terms of being able to control a really dangerous player who has the potential to upset anyone," Federer said. "It was a perfect match for me."

(Editing by Clare Lovell)