If you believe Marat Safin, we are about to witness the most onesided Wimbledon semi-final ever. The Russian is a double Grand Slam title winner, but sees little hope of victory against Roger Federer, arguably, the greatest grass-court player in the history of tennis.

"It's just too difficult," was Safin's lament. The fact Safin delivered that verdict with a laugh only partly explained his prediction of imminent doom because, deep down, he knows it is a pretty hopeless assignment.

Given that Federer is chasing a recordequalling sixth successive Wimbledon title the portents are not good for Safin, who slipped so badly down the world rankings earlier this year - slumping to No93 in April - he had to qualify for the Hamburg tournament.

The Russian has lost eight of his 10 matches with Federer, including a thirdround meeting at Wimbledon last year and with the world No1 predicting he can win this tournament "for the next five or 10 years", those backing the 28-year-old challenger will be hard to find.

Federer, who destroyed Mario Ancic 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 yesterday, believes his opponent's ranking of No75 is "ridiculous" and insists he is not happy to have the former Australian and US Open champion on the other side of the net.

Safin disagrees and offers this prediction for the match tomorrow: "To beat Federer you need to be Nadal and run around like a rabbit and hit winners from all over the place. It's another chance for me, but I think it's just a little bit too difficult for me to beat him."

While he gives the impression of having already booked his flight out of Heathrow for tomorrow evening, it is necessary to point out that we are talking about one of the most gloriously nutty members of the tennis fraternity.

Safin earned the right to face Federer with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 quarter-final win over Feliciano Lopez and is just happy to be a winner again after so many set backs in a career blighted by injury and faltering confidence.

He said: "All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I started to play better in the clay-court season this year and the confidence started to come. I am surprised still to be here and that I won two Grand Slams - but I would prefer to have the career of Federer, of course.

"I have had to deal with a lot of injuries and I am tired of making comebacks every year. It's annoying. For the first time in my life I am in the semi-finals of Wimbledon and it's unbelievable."

Safin was in real trouble during the first set against Lopez when he suddenly hammered a ball so hard it flew out of No1 court. Besides making him a target for Major League baseball scouts, it was confirmation that the demons are still very much part of Safin's makeup and he can lose his temper in spectacular fashion at any moment.

With Federer possessing the ability to turn a tennis match into a very public humiliation for his opponents, the Centre Court crowd had better bring their ear plugs, hard hats and catching gloves because rackets and tennis balls could be flying all over the place.

Federer used to love that kind of show but is now campaigning to stamp the practice out. He said: "For kids watching, I want them to have a proper example. I enjoyed watching Goran, McEnroe and those guys throwing racquets. I thought it was funny. But at the same time, I don't think a tennis player needs to act this way.

"I think there are different ways and I hope that kids get inspired by this more than throwing racquets. But then again, I think it's okay, too, to throw a racquet here and there. It's not a problem."

Federer doesn't abuse his racket, he uses it to weave tennis magic and on the evidence of his latest masterclass there is only one player - Nadal - who is capable of taking the top seed out of his comfort zone on grass.

However, Federer knows that if Safin turns up tomorrow ready to play, it could become his toughest match on grass this year and dismisses the idea that the Russian is a spent force.

He said: "I never look at Marat as No75 in the world - that's ridiculous and he knows that himself. He's finally showing again what he can do and it's quite surprising because he used to dislike this surface.

"Last year I wasn't happy to see Safin in my draw - I am never happy and he probably knows that.

"I will have a chance to win this tournament for the next five or 10 years. It doesn't matter how I play from here and I think my game's made for grass.

"There will always be tough opponents, dangerous opponents but I have always found a way to win.

"Of course, my dream is to not only to win this year, but many more years to come. This is what it's all about for me at this stage."

Ancic had the serve and volley game to test Federer and was simply found wanting when it came to the big points with the champion admitting: "I was in complete control and never really under pressure.

"When you go through a match like that, not having to save breakpoint and the other guy has to work extremely hard to win his service games, you know you're in a good and comfortable position. Today was excellent."

Now it's up to the racquet throwing and ball abusing Safin to try and turn tennis upside down - but don't hold your breath.