• Five-time winner beats German in straight sets
• Winning opening set tie-break 7-3 key to victory

Roger Federer has taken another step towards a record 15th grand slam title by beating Tommy Haas 7-6, 7-5, 6-3.

The 31-year-old Haas, who blew a two-set lead against Federer in the French Open last month, went shot for shot with the world No2 in an opening set that remained with serve throughout.

The German’s ploy was clear from the opening game as he adopted the serve-and-volley tactics that served him so well against Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. Federer got a couple of challenges wrong but just about everything else right, gradually bringing out his full array of shots.

And it was the 27-year-old Swiss ace who took his precision and accuracy into the tie-break, reeling off four points in a row to settle it in decisive fashion, winning 7-3.

There were clear signs of Federer establishing a grip on the match early in the second set as he reeled off back-to-back love service games. Haas, who has produced some of the best tennis of his career to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final, had to work harder to hold his serve and the nerves began to show in the 10th game. He missed a volley to present Federer with a set point – the first break point of the match – before redeeming himself with a 123mph serve.

It was only a temporary reprieve, however, as he put a forehand long to give his opponent a second set point, which Federer won to take the second set 7-5.

The third set was also a closely fought contest but there was something inevitable about Federer’s progress to his seventh straight Wimbledon final appearance. Haas began to look more and more resigned to defeat and, despite saving a break point at 3-4, he lost that eighth game when he put a sliced backhand into the net. Federer went on to win his service game – and the match – to celebrate another semi-final win.