LONDON (AFP) –
Andy Roddick survived a Wimbledon epic to reach the semi-finals with a dramatic 6-3, 6-7 (10/12), 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Lleyton Hewitt on Wednesday.

Roddick, seeded sixth, was on course for the last four when he broke in the fourth set after taking a two sets to one lead, but Hewitt defied a leg injury to send the match to a final set.

With the shadows lengthening on Court One, Roddick finally finished off the Australian after three hours and 50 minutes and will play third seed Andy Murray for a place in the final.

Roddick last reached the semi-finals at the All England Club back in 2005 when he went on to suffer the second of two successive final defeats to Roger Federer.

The American hadn't been past the last eight at Wimbledon since that loss, but he finally ended that barren run after a heroic battle with 2002 champion Hewitt.

Roddick arrived at Wimbledon revitalised by his marriage to model Brooklyn Decker and more mobile after losing weight on the advice of his new coach Larry Stefanki.

He had won the last four of his 11 meetings with Hewitt, including a tight third round match at Queen's earlier this month.

Hewitt had needed treatment for a thigh injury during his five-set victory over Radek Stepanek in the previous round and the Adelaide-born star looked tentative in the early stages.

Roddick took advantage as he broke in Hewitt's first service game. Hewitt found it impossible to dent Roddick's formidable serve and the American took the first set.

Hewitt broke to go 3-1 ahead in the second set before Roddick broke back to set up a dramatic tie-break.

The tension mounted as Hewitt saved two set points then got the decisive mini-break to draw level.

By midway through the third set, Roddick had served 26 aces and, with Hewitt's serve almost as impressive, the match was developing into a real slug-fest.

Another tie-break was needed and this time Roddick took control from the start to move ahead two sets to one.

When Roddick snatched an early lead in the fourth set it looked all over for Hewitt, but the Australian dug in.

He got a break back and then piled the pressure on Roddick, forcing enough miscues at 5-4 to win the fourth set.

The final set was a test of endurance as much as skill. Hewitt seemed to be struggling with a recurrence of his leg injury, while Roddick became embroiled in a row with umpire Carlos Ramos over a disputed line-call.

Neither player was prepared to give an inch but Roddick finally broke at 5-4 and held serve to end a titanic struggle.