Roger Federer has been hailed as the greatest player in tennis history by the man he is expected to meet again in Sunday's Wimbledon men's singles final. Second seed Andy Roddick believes Federer has the talent to eclipse the achievements of all-time greats like Pete Sampras and Rod Laver. Federer continues his bid for a third consecutive Wimbledon crown today with a semi-final against third seed Lleyton Hewitt on Centre Court. And Roddick - who takes on 12th seed Thomas Johansson in his semi-final - admitted the Swiss No 1 is becoming almost unbeatable on grass. Roddick said: "Roger's play speaks for itself - he is probably the most talented person ever to carry a racquet around. "There have been a lot of great champions but he is just classy - he is never high and mighty in the locker room or anything like that." Federer starts as hot favourite against Hewitt, whom he has beaten in each of their seven most recent meetings stretching back to the 2004 Australian Open final. Hewitt shares Roddick's high opinion of their big rival and nemesis as he tries to figure out a way of stemming his awful record against the world No 1. Hewitt said: "Roger is obviously the best player in the world for a reason - he has taken his game to another level in the last couple of years. "He's nearly unbeatable in certain matches, he doesn't have a lot of weaknesses but you've got to go in there and try to pin something down." However, defiant Hewitt maintains he is in shape to repeat his 2002 Wimbledon title triumph having recently returned from three months out with a succession of minor injuries. "I've lost to him a lot but it's all been in the last couple of years when he's dominated pretty much everyone," insisted Hewitt. "There are little areas where I think I might have a slight advantage. You've got to believe in yourself and I think I am capable of winning the match." Meanwhile, Roddick faces another tough test as he seeks to justify the All England Club's controversial decision to shunt him above world number two Hewitt in the seedings system. Having already overcome two five-set matches on his way to the last four Roddick must overcome the 2002 Australian Open champion Johansson. The 30-year-old Swede has made a remarkable recovery to enjoy his best ever Wimbledon after missing the entire 2003 season with a knee injury which threatened his future. | 
