Federer Drops Set On Way To Semis Roger Federer lost his first set of the tournament – just his sixth in five years – today, before seeing off Juan Carlos Ferrero to keep his drive for five successive Wimbledon titles resolutely on course. In a match that began yesterday before rain drove them from the Centre Court, Federer triumphed 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach his 13th consecutive grand slam semi-final. At first it seemed as if the highlight of Ferrero’s day might come with the very first point of the afternoon. After yesterday’s rain they resumed the first set at 5-5 deuce on Federer’s serve, and the Swiss opened proceedings with an error to hand the 2003 French Open champion set point. But any optimism Ferrero, seeded 20 here, might have been harbouring was wiped out immediately when successive aces helped Federer to hold. In the tiebreak, a mid-rally netcord helped Federer make a crushing crosscourt backhand to secure the mini-break, and he closed out the set with his ninth ace of the match so far. Perhaps that micro-wobble on the opening point of the day was down to exhaustion, because of the sheer amount of gear Federer must remember to lug on court with him this year. Twelve months ago we were introduced to his unique white blazer; for 2007 his outfitters have added long trousers and a vast gold monogrammed holdall. Moreover, the quilted holdall appears to be packed with enough stuff to see him through a substantial holiday. What does he keep in there? After all, he carries his rackets separately. Perhaps the holdall is his bag of tricks. No wonder it is so full. Early in the second set, 27-year-old Ferrero was mis-hitting a little but held. Federer seemed intrigued by the strong Centre Court wind, as if anticipating how he might be able to use it to his advantage. Meanwhile, the score stayed level on paper, although on court it felt as if Federer was just waiting to break. But at 3-4, the uncharacteristic forehand errors that allowed the Spaniard to come back from 5-2 yesterday returned to haunt Federer. Ferrero could not convert his first break point; on the second Federer sent the ball long. He challenged but Hawk-Eye could not save him. Ferrero grabbed the set with an unreturnable serve. This in itself merits pause for reflection. Before today Federer had won 31 matches in a row at Wimbledon, and in that time a mere five men managed to unburden him of a set. So Ferrero’s achievement was noteworthy, especially when considered alongside the point he had to win the first set too. In his first-ever Wimbledon quarter-final, Ferrero had cause for small celebration. But perhaps both players were mindful of the fact that no player at Wimbledon during the past five years has been able to take two sets from the champion, so remote has been the possibility of defeat. Moreover, Federer had beaten Ferrero in every one of past six matches. It was daunting stuff for an opponent attempting to talk himself into a winning frame of mind. At the start of the third set, Federer’s nose was wrinkled, as it sometimes is when he is mildly irritated. At 1-2, the four-time champion duly put matters back on their natural course with a brisk break. He was shortening the points now, permitting Ferrero no time to out-think or outplay him, and he broke again masterfully for 5-1. The set was gone in a lightning 19 minutes. Ferrero stopped the runaway train long enough to hold at the start of the fourth, but the Federer Express was on its way and nothing could halt the break for 2-1. Figuring he had nothing to lose, Ferrero became more adventurous and secured three separate chances to break back - without result. Federer was notching up winner after winner regardless of the unpredictable gusts, and a gorgeous forehand pass brought him match point. Another forehand gave him his 52nd consecutive victory on grass, to leave his fifth Wimbledon title just two matches away.