Tomas Berdych beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets to reach the Wimbledon final.

The Czech Republic star, who shocked Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, was always in control over the number three seed and claimed a comfortable 6-3 7-6 (11/9) 6-3.

In doing so he becomes the first Czech man to reach Wimbledon final since Ivan Lendl in 1987 - and if he wins that he will be only the second from his country to win the crown alongside Jan Kodes in 1973.

After the first four games went comfortably with serve, Djokovic then threatened to break when forcing Berdych to deuce but the Czech took the next point before hammering down an ace to edge back ahead.

This minor scare appeared to kick Berdych into action, finding his range with some powerful baseline shots to race into a 15-40 lead in the following game before clinically converting his first break point to go 4-2 up.

Djokovic tried to make an immediate response but despite finding himself in a decent position at 30-30, his worrying unforced error count continued and allowed his opponent to move within one game of clinching the opening set.

The Serbian held his serve with relative ease to put the pressure on Berdych but the ice cool Czech was showing no sign of stage fright in only his second Grand Slam semi-final - and first at SW19 - as he sealed the set with a thumping forehand winner.

After the first three games at the start of the second set easily went with serve, a rejuvenated Djokovic visibly raised his game and carved out a break point having earlier being on the wrong end of a very tight Hawkeye call when leading 0-30.

The big-serving Berdych responded and after two deuces, he eventually prevailed when his opponent was unluckily deceived by an unpredictable bounce right on the baseline, forcing him to push his shot well out wide.

This was a body blow for the 23-year-old and had the opposite affect on Berdych, who earned two more break points in the following game and a big chance to move clear towards a two-set lead.

However Djokovic, who had won the only two previous meetings between the players without dropping a set, dug deep to bounce back, chalking up the next four points on the bounce to save his serve.

The set continued to stay on serve but the third seed was living dangerously at 4-4 as Berdych applied unrelenting pressure from the baseline to go 15-30 up but after levelling the game score, he was then let off the hook when the Czech twice found the net with two attempted winners.

Danger signs were there for Djokovic however, and in his next service game an untimely double fault helped give the 12th seed a 0-30 lead before a stunning cross-court backhand winner brought up three break points.

The Serb saved the first of these, but in the next point he fired an awful smash well long, handing his opponent the chance to serve for the second set.

Cracks in Berdych’s armour then began to show as Djokovic immediately broke back to force what would prove to be a dramatic tie-break.

At 6-2 up in the breaker, the Czech was in prime position to go 2-0 up but was guilty of choking as a combination of unforced errors and plucky play from Djokovic saw the first three set points vanish.

One of the rallies of the tournament followed but it was controversially ended when a superb lob from the Serb was incorrectly called out when clipping the baseline and although the successful Hawkeye challenge saved the set, he was clearly annoyed to be told the point had to be replayed.

Nevertheless he responded with brilliance and an awesome backhand winner down the line brought the crowd to their feet as the breaker was levelled at 6-6, and suddenly the momentum appeared to be with Djokovic.

The next seven points though went with serve and when trailing 10-9, Djokovic blew all that previous hard work with a double fault. While Berdych roared with delight, his opponent found it necessary to take his frustrations out on his racquet and the umpire Carlos Ramos, who he applauded sarcastically.

Djokovic’s body language was disconsolate but still managed to stay with the impressive and imposing Berdych during the third set, with the first seven games going to serve with no break points.

Even so he never looked like turning the match around and when trailing 30-40 at 3-4 down, another double fault allowed Berdych to serve for the match - a chance he took with both hands.

He will now bid to become only the second from his country to win the Wimbledon crown alongside Jan Kodes, who triumphed way back in 1973.