The first semifinal on centre court was between Serb Novak Djokovic and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, fresh from his five set epic against Roger Federer.
The Frenchman was off to a tentative start but fought back to take the first set to a tie-breaker.
The Serb, very impressive in the tie breaker, closed out the first set 7-6 (7-4 in the tie-breaker).
Tsonga, involved in a lot of rallies, especially at the net, seemed exhausted from all the running and did not get his rewards as he lost the second 6-2.
The third set, made more enthralling thanks to Tsonga's immense athleticism, ran from one tramline to another at breakneck speed as both players showcased some brute hitting, combined with some mindblowing net plays and volleys.
It was eventually decided in a tie breaker, which Tsonga won 11-9. Djokovic, who was a couple of points from a place in the final, was not a happy camper.
Tsongo, though, did not care. He was delighted at having taken the match to a fourth set.
But the fourth set did not go according to Tsonga. And after some three hours on court, the new world no.1 closed out the eight game of the fourth set in the first semifinal to reach his first ever Wimbledon final. But the Serb was made to work every inch of the way.