London, Aug 4 (IANS): National Basketball Association (NBA) star Kobe Bryant was in the Centre Court crowd at Wimbledon in the Olympic Games to witness the longest three-set tennis match in the Open Era when Swiss Roger Federer overcame Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina in the semifinal.

The LA Lakers shooting guard, who was paying his first visit to the All England Lawn Tennis Club, came to see Federer against Del Potro and cheer on his compatriot Serena Williams Friday, reports Xinhua.

But Bryant had to wait nearly four-and-half hours for the first match on the Centre Court to finish, Federer eventually winning 3-6, 7-6 (5), 19-17 to reach his first gold-medal match in men's singles.

"For me it was great to be a part of history and see that match," said Bryant, who would never normally get the chance to visit Wimbledon for the championships as it clashes with the NBA season in the US.

He said Williams has "an incredible chance" to win gold and when asked about his own Olympic experience, he said: "We're winning so it's all good right now."