Third seed Lleyton Hewitt has set up an enticing Wimbledon semi-final against Roger Federer with a commanding quarter-final display.

Hewitt breezed past Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7-5 6-4 7-6 and will meet top seed Federer in what many pundits say should be the final rather than a semi.

Defending champion Federer was equally impressive in his 7-5 6-2 7-6 win over Chilean Fernando Gonzalez.

Hewitt, although ranked No.2, was controversially seeded third behind Federer and Andy Roddick for Wimbledon, resulting in a semi-final clash between the world's two best players.

But Federer will go into Friday's semi with a big hold over Hewitt, winning their last seven contests to take a 9-7 head-to-head record against the Australian.

"Last time I made the semis I went on to win the tournament, so hopefully that's a good omen," he told BBC TV after the win.

"Roger is going to be a tough match, it's like a final for me."

After a shaky start against Lopez, Hewitt charged into the Wimbledon semis for the second time with his best performance of the tournament.

The 2002 champion delivered 15 aces as his serve was again a major weapon while his speed around court and regular forays to the net unsettled Lopez.

Hewitt answered every challenge put to him by the rare Spanish serve-volleyer who kept watching potential winning shots fired back past, or over, him.

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