Weather on Nadal's side this time

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Due to the weather, the Spanish star was forced to play five matches in five days last year to reach his second consecutive final, eventually losing in five sets to defending champion Roger Federer in an epic confrontation.

"I was unlucky to be on the wrong side of the draw last year, this time I hope the weather is good," Nadal said before the start of the championships.

This time the world number two's progress has been more comfortable thanks to a largely rain-free tournament, but Schuettler was not so lucky in his quarter-final against Arnaud Clement.

Play started late on Wednesday afternoon on Court One and the match was poised at one set all when it was called off for the day around 9pm.

Resuming at 1pm on Thursday, two more rain delays followed before Schuettler eventually sealed a 6-3 5-7 7-6 6-7 8-6 victory in five hours and 12 minutes, the joint second-longest match in Wimbledon history.

Nadal, fresh from thrashing Britain's Andy Murray in straight sets in the quarter-finals, is a massive favourite to win and set up a third straight final with Federer - who faces Marat Safin in the other semi - but insisted he was not looking ahead.

Nadal said: "I'm going to have a difficult match against Schuettler because he is playing well. If he is the semi-finals, it is because he is playing very well. I don't want to think about the final. Not yet.

"I have to play very well if I want to win this tournament. I am playing well, but I don't know if it is enough. I hope so."