LONDON -- The conventional wisdom swirling around the posh All England Club has this as Roger Federer's latest, greatest and best chance to win an 18th Grand Slam singles title.
Well, the way he played Friday in a 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 thrashing of local favorite Andy Murray, Federer might have a few more in him. Like maybe six or seven.
The 33-year-old father of four bounded around Centre Court with the enthusiasm of a sugared-up puppy, chipping, charging and picking up difficult half volleys off the grass as if they were daisies across the street in Wimbledon Park. It was over, almost astonishingly, in 2 hours, 7 minutes.
Federer's last major win came here three years ago. It was seen by some, particularly in retrospect, as the last rattling breaths of a great champion, akin to the 2002 US Open title that sent Pete Sampras into retirement. Federer has played 11 Grand Slams since, and he's come really close only once -- last year right here, when he lost a five-set match to Novak Djokovic.
And now Federer will have another opportunity to win a record eighth Wimbledon title and that 18th major in another matchup with Djokovic. Their history couldn't be much closer; Federer leads their head-to-head series 20-19.
"Novak's been the best player for a few years now," Federer said immediately afterward, words coming out quicker than usual. "I felt it here a year ago, but I got him a few times, in Shanghai and Dubai, but this is a different occasion."
Federer, who has never lost a Wimbledon semifinal, is now 10-0 at that difficult stage. He's won 30 of 31 sets, which is as close to perfect as you can get.
The 10th game of the second set looked like a turning point that would launch Murray back into the match. It featured seven deuces and five set points -- and Murray somehow saved each and every one. For nearly 15 minutes, they battled, and when Murray ripped a 132-mph ace outside, the score was 5-all.
But Federer checked his momentum with a bracing service game. All it took was four points and two minutes, and Murray was back in the same hole. On the sixth set point, a big forehand led to an easy overhead tap into the open court. Murray's shoulders sagged and Federer was up two sets.
That is the stuff of a champion.
"I was screaming inside of myself," Federer said of that game. "It was so close. I was able to keep the pressure on and pounce when the chances were there.
"Probably the key of the match right there."
There was another subtle but telling interlude in that massive game. After Murray had earlier stopped to pick out a fresh racket, Federer did the same. But he did not hurry to the changeover chair. Rather, he sauntered. He rummaged around his bag, found the proper tool -- and then stopped for a few sips of water. Chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani's only reaction was to admonish the crowd for calling out when the ball was in play.
That is the stuff of a champion, too.
Heading into the match, Federer knew that his serving would probably decide the match -- one way or another.
Federer hit 20 aces and had only one double fault. He got 76 percent of his first serves in and won 84 percent of his first-serve points.
And Federer managed to win exactly half (14) of Murray's second-serve opportunities.
"I've been serving really well for the entire tournament," Federer said. "I don't think I faced a break point against one of the best serve returns. I'm happy about that."
Murray said it was the best Federer has ever served against him.
"I was doing fine," said Murray, "but he served extremely well, hit it close to the lines, made it extremely difficult for me on first-serve returns. The guy served unbelievable."
Part of the retooling of Federer's game under coach Stefan Edberg has been to play more aggressively. Coming to net makes sense for Federer, who has astonishing hand-eye coordination and is very comfortable moving forward, especially on grass.
Federer came to net 42 times -- nearly four times as often as Murray -- in 198 points and won 29 of them.
This was only the third meeting on grass between the two men, and all three have been memorable and meaningful. It was Murray whom Federer beat in that 2012 final here, and one month later, Murray beat Federer in the Olympic gold-medal final. That victory launched Murray on a trajectory that would include the first two Grand Slam singles titles of his career.
Federer turns 34 next month and, like Serena Williams, is artfully defying the gravity of age.
"There's been very few players who have been able to do it," Murray said, citing Andre Agassi and Jimmy Connors. "I don't know if anyone's played as well as Roger at that age. Serena, obviously, on the women's side.
"They are two rare athletes. Yeah, it's impressive."