WIMBLEDON, England — Every year, by the last few days of the Wimbledon championships, the grass on Centre Court becomes chewed up and much of its former emerald gleam fades to a dingy gray-brown. The process is an accelerated horticultural version of the aging process that all athletes ultimately face.

But one man who stood on that patchy turf on Friday has mostly defied the normal expectations brought on by age and natural deterioration.

Roger Federer, who will turn 36 in a few weeks, won his 18th Grand Slam tournament in January on the hardcourts of Melbourne, Australia. Now he is within reach of his second major title of the year.

Seeded third, Federer beat No. 11 seed Tomas Berdych, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-4, to earn a place in his 11th Wimbledon final as his evergreen assault on the record books continues.