Roger Federer has been hailed as the greatest player in tennis history by the man he is expected to meet again in Sunday's Wimbledon men's singles final.

Second seed Andy Roddick believes Federer has the talent to eclipse the achievements of all-time greats like Pete Sampras and Rod Laver.

Federer continues his bid for a third consecutive Wimbledon crown today against third seed Lleyton Hewitt on Centre Court.

Roddick - who takes on 12th seed Thomas Johansson in his semi-final - said the Swiss No 1 was becoming almost unbeatable on grass.

Roddick said: "Roger's play speaks for itself - he is probably the most talented person ever to carry a racket around.

"There have been a lot of great champions but he is just classy - he is never high and mighty in the locker room or anything like that.

"He treats people with respect, even if it's the lockerroom attendants or people serving food. I think that's why he's so well-respected and well-liked on tour."

Federer starts as hot favourite against Hewitt, whom he has beaten in each of their seven most recent meetings since the 2004 Australian Open final.

Hewitt shares Roddick's high opinion of their big rival and nemesis as he attempts to end his awful sequence against the world No 1.

Hewitt said: "Roger is obviously the best player in the world for a reason - he has taken his game to another level in the last couple of years.

"He's nearly unbeatable in certain matches, he doesn't have a lot of weaknesses but you've got to go in there to try to pin something down.

"Obviously, he's got to be pretty confident against anyone and especially on Centre Court, which he's pretty much made his own."

However, defiant Hewitt maintains he is in shape to repeat his 2002 Wimbledon title triumph, having recently returned from three months out with a succession of minor injuries.

He said: "I've lost to him a lot, but it's all been in the last couple of years when he's dominated pretty much everyone.

"There are little areas where I think I might have a slight advantage. You've got to believe in yourself and I think I am capable of winning the match.

"It's not going to be easy and I've got to play one of the best matches I've got but I believe I can do it."

Federer's straight-sets quarter-final win over Fernando Gonzalez may have been his 34th consecutive success on a grass court but neither is he taking anything for granted against the tenacious Hewitt.

His professionalism and intense preparations have become a hallmark of his game and he knows enough about Hewitt to realise that the Australian has the tools to unsettle him.

Federer said: "He's beaten me enough times to believe in his chance and, on grass, almost anything can happen against him.

"He knows how to win the title here. He hasn't been playing any tournaments, so we don't know how hard he worked, how much he changed his game and what he has got."

Meanwhile, Roddick seeks to justify the controversial decision to shunt him above world No 2 Hewitt in the seedings system. Having already overcome two five-set matches on his way to the last four, he must beat the 2002 Australian Open winner, Thomas Johansson.

The 30-year-old Swede has made a remarkable recovery to enjoy his best Wimbledon, after missing the entire 2003 season with a knee injury which threatened his future.

Johansson's conclusive win over David Nalbandian proved he cangive Roddick trouble. He said: "A lot of people did not think I was going to be able to come back, but I love tennis and I missed it a lot.

"This is one of the best weeks of my life. Wimbledon has a great history and it's the biggest tournament and now I'm in the semi-final.

"A lot of people say this is just once in a lifetime but I don't feel like that. I know what it takers to win a Grand Slam and when I play my best tennis, I can compete with the big boys.