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Andy Murray saw his dreams of becoming the first Briton in 71 years to reach the men's final at Wimbledon dashed when he was beaten 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6 by Andy Roddick on a packed Centre Court.

Roddick was exceptional in outpowering Murray and will now face Roger Federer in the showpiece match on Sunday after the five-times champion reached his seventh successive Wimbledon final.

The American shocked the home crowd in SW19 after taking the opening set 6-4, before Murray hit back to set up a tense third set.

Roddick held his nerve to outplay Murray in a tie-break and repeated the feat in the fourth set, winning his 26th breaker out of 30 this season.

The first five games of the opening set passed without much damage being inflicted on either player's serve, as both men tried to settle into the match.

Roddick harried his opponent with the aim of shortening the points - and proceeded to rush into the net more than usual in an attempt to force an error from Murray.

With the first set seemingly drifting towards a tie break, Roddick pounced on some indecisive play from the number three seed and broke serve with some precise percentage tennis.

A sliced backhand from Roddick drew the crucial error: with Murray taken aback, he planted a forehand into the net and the first set was Roddick's.

The setback appeared to jolt Murray and the Centre Court crowd, who suddenly exploded into action.

The Brit broke Roddick in the opening game of the second set to stamp his authority on proceedings, and his sudden burst of intensity was too much for the American.

Roddick, not renowned for his prowess at the net, clearly decided to employ the tactic along with his coach Larry Stefanki, and won all 10 of his serve and volley attempts as he forced Murray to battle for the second set.

The match was levelled with the world number three holding his composure to secure the second set, having outmanoeuvred his opponent in the final game to serve out for 6-4.

Roddick was immediately under the cosh in the third set after Murray set up three break points, but the sixth seed fought ferociously to save all three and hold his serve to the dismay of the home fans.

Roddick was relentless, forcing two break points with a thunderous forehand down the line in the fourth game of the set, with an unforced error from Murray also contributing to his demise.

The first break point was saved with an exquisite forehand lob from Murray which landed right on the line and prompted an exuberant celebration, but Roddick broke with his fifth opportunity after the Brit overhit a forehand.

Roddick held firm on serve until he reached 5-3. He then suddenly looked nervous and hesitant as he attempted to close out the set, and Murray capitalised.

The sixth seed planted a backhand into the net to send the crowd into raptures, and a scintillating backhand pass from Murray forced three break points. Roddick saved the first with a solid volley, but then went long with a backhand to prompt a roar of delight from the Brit.

With the crowd giving fervent support to Murray, Roddick became rattled on his serve after his opponent had levelled at 5-5; however he held his composure with two big first serves.

The third set tie-break lurched wildly in fortunes between the two players, with Roddick saving a set point as Murray rode the wave of the crowd's vociferous support.

The American was not to be deterred, however, and capitalised on his second opportunity of the breaker to seize the advantage once more, taking it 9-7 after chasing down a Murray forehand.

There was again nothing between the pair in the opening exchanges of the fourth set, with both players holding under pressure to leave it tantalisingly poised at 3-3.

The fourth set tie-break seemed an inevitability - and when it arrived Roddick was again the grateful recipient of the shortened format.

The sixth seed flashed a forehand cross-court to convert the second match point and reach his third Wimbledon final against the five-time champion.

Jamie Murray then lost in the mixed doubles semi-finals to complete a miserable day for the family.

He and American Liezel Huber went down 6-2 7-5 on Centre Court to Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport