LONDON (REUTERS) - Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro recovered from a horrible first-game fall to overpower David Ferrer 6-2 6-4 7-6 (7-5) and reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time on Wednesday.

The towering eighth seed looked on the verge of pulling out when he injured his already-bandaged left knee after skidding on the fifth point and needing lengthy treatment.

He continued, however, and produced a barrage of baseline bombs to leave fourth seed Ferrer floundering.

Striking his sledgehammer forehand with effortless power, del Potro broke twice to win the first set and clinched the second after Ferrer cracked at 4-4.

The Spaniard looked weary from the effort of reaching his second consecutive Wimbledon quarter-final on top of getting to the French Open final but battled hard in the third.

Former US Open champion del Potro proved invincible, though, and wrapped up an outstanding victory with a crunching forehand winner after 2hr 16min.

He will meet Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday's final.

The world No.1 showcased his full catalogue of acrobatic skills and on-court nous as he broke down the defences of Czech Tomas Berdych to reach his 13th successive Grand Slam semi-final with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-3 win.

The Serb performed the splits and pulled off lunging volleys as Berdych tried to throw him off balance by bombarding the 2011 champion's half of the court with an onslaught of winners.

However, Djokovic kept his wits about him even when he trailed by two breaks and was 0-3 down in the second set.

Berdych surrendered the set when he slapped an easy forehand into the net and from then there was only one winner.

Djokovic sealed the win when the Czech seventh seed smacked a forehand into the net.