Goran Ivanisevic's Wimbledon fairytale continued as he became the first ever wildcard to make it to the semi-finals.

Marat Safin had no answer to the Croatian's trademark power-serving and despite taking the third set never looked like winning the tie.

Ivanisevic, ranked a lowly 125th in the world, had only won eight matches all year and had given no indication whatsoever that he was capable of challenging for a Grand Slam title.

But he beat the number four seed and eased into the last four like a champion in the making.

And he took time to praise the level of support he received from a rapt crowd.

"The public were fantastic - I 'm hoping for a Brtitish passport now", he said.

He looked at ease throughout the match going out of his way to play trick shots between his legs, sometimes unwisely.

Safin, by contrast, seemed ill at ease at times on the grass surface and his body language could not have been more different.

The first set went to script with service dominating until Ivanisevic took it on a tie-break, demonstrating his greater serving power.

US Open champion Safin had survived two break-points in his final service game but Ivanisevic blew him away moments later.

The Russian then had to save two break points in the next game to capitalise on his advantage before serving out to win the set.

Both players were visibly nervous in the fourth set, but Ivanisevic was able to apply more pressure.

He pushed Safin hard in the 12th game but was unable to force a break.

The Croatian's frustration showed in the tie-break when he was given a code violation for an audible obscenity.

But his emotions could not have been more different when he finally booked his place in the semi-finals, tearing his shirt off and dancing around the court.

"Other times when I got to the final it was expected. This time nobody expected me to reach the semis," he said.

"I surprised myself with the way I played from the back of the court.

"In the tie-breaks I played well, I didn't miss a serve.

"The pressure is growing because now I think I can win the tournament."