Top-ranked Roger Federer has advanced to the semifinals at Wimbledon by beating Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (2). (Xinhua Photo)

Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt will clash in a potentially epic semi-final showdown.

Top-ranked Roger Federer has advanced to the semifinals at Wimbledon by beating Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (2).

Federer, who is looking to win the Wimbledon title for the third straight year, has won an Open-era record of 20 consecutive ATP finals and has a 56-3 record in 2005.

Lleyton Hewitt also reached the semifinals after beating Feliciano Lopez of Spain 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (2).

The third-seeded Hewitt, who won the title in 2002, has missed most of this season through injury. He will face Federer in the next round.

Lopez was the first Spaniard to reach the men's final eight since Manuel Orantes in 1972.

No. 2 Andy Roddick, the only American male in the final eight, will meet ninth-seeded Sebastien Grosjean of France, and No. 12 Thomas Johansson of Sweden will take on David Nalbandian of Argentina, the 18th seed.

Editor: Donald