Haas the "perfect player" on grass: Djokovic

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - Fourth seed Novak Djokovic paid Tommy Haas the highest of compliments on Wednesday, calling the German a ''perfect player'' on grass and saying he has a chance of upsetting Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semis.

The Serbian was gracious in defeat after his shock quarter-final loss to the 31-year-old German, but he really beat himself up for being so nervous.

"When I needed to step it up in the important games, I was too nervous in these moments. He took his chances and played better," Djokovic said after losing 7-5 7-6 4-6 6-3.

It was the second time in a month that Djokovic had lost on grass to Haas, victor last month in the final at Halle.

"I think he''s a perfect player for this surface," Djokovic said.

Haas, reaching his first Wimbledon semi-final at his 11th attempt after a career often blighted by injury, now faces five-times Wimbledon champion Federer, whom he took to five sets in the French Open last month.

Djokovic was bold in his forecast of the semi-final result, saying of Haas: "I think he has, even in the next match, he has good chances if he serves well. He just needs to keep his consistency."

Haas, reveling in his dream run at Wimbledon after so many near misses in the past, got a little weary with reporters constantly wanting to analyze his Paris match with Federer.

"Enough of the French," he said.

With his self-confidence on a real high, Haas said he was playing great tennis.

"I always felt like deep down maybe Wimbledon will maybe still have something left for me," he said.

But with the clock ticking on his career, he added: "It better come up soon as I am not getting any younger."

(Editing by Miles Evans)