Murray in Wimbledon semi-final against Andy Roddick 3\EPA

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ANDY MURRAY’S Wimbledon hopes have been dashed – at least for this year – after he lost a gruelling Centre Court battle against American veteran Andy Roddick for a place in the final.

In a tough-fought semi-final, Murray lost out to fast-serving Roddick 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6 in three hours seven minutes.

The 22-year-old was bidding to become the first British man to reach the final since Henry "Bunny" Austin in 1938.

But Roddick's firepower proved too much.

The 26-year-old American dropped to his knees as he won the match before appearing to mouth "I'm sorry" to the crowd.

Speaking afterwards, he paid tribute to his opponent and the weight of expectation on him.

"He had all the pressure on him and I could come out and swing and that probably helped me today,” he said.

"Let's make no mistake, he has been a much better player than I have over the past year. I was just a little bit better today."

"Let's make no mistake, he has been a much better player than I have over the past year. I was just a little bit better today"

British tennis fans will now have to wait another year to see if their hero can become the first winner of the men's singles since Fred Perry in 1936.

On Sunday, Roddick will play Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who earlier showed sublime form in beating German Tommy Haas 7-6-7-5 6-3.

The crowd was buzzing with excitement as the two players walked out on to Centre Court. But the first call of "Come on Andy!" was met with some confusion and a response of "Which one?"

In the third game Roddick proved he meant business when he fired an ace at 143mph. It was the fastest serve of the tournament so far and just 3mph short of the all-time record, set by Roddick himself in 2004.

Fans had poured through the turnstiles at the All England Club this morning to secure a place on Henman Hill in front of the big screen.

But they were left shell-shocked as their dreams came to an end for another year.

Former British number one Tim Henman told BBC One it would take Murray a long time to leave the defeat behind him.

But he added: "I don't think it will alter his view - or certainly my view - that he will win here on day."