Andy Murray takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the men’s singles quarter-final clash of the 2016 Wimbledon Championship on Wednesday (6 July).
Advertisement
A dozen years later and they meet again for the fifth time at Grand Slam level, with Murray having won the last three, and two of those were here at Wimbledon in 2010 and 2012. Federer has been dominant in this year’s tournament, but he was pushed to the absolute limit against Cilic.
Serena Williams sister and doubles partner Venus is listed at 12-1 odds to earn the sixth Wimbledon title of her career and first overall slam since 2008, but she’s just 2-3 all-time against semifinals foe Kerber.
Murray was thrilled with the way he handled the decider, and added: “I’m happy I’m through to the semis, it’s time to go and rest and get ready for the next one”.
Second seed Murray has yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament and the 2013 champion is the highest-seeded player remaining in the men’s draw.
Kyrgios said ahead of the match that it was “love at first sight” with Murray, and the Scot often stands up for his friend when he receives negative press, but not this time. I feel like, ‘Better play well.
Thus, Murray’s quest for a second Wimbledon title remains intact.
Andy Murray wins five consecutive games to start the second set, putting himself in a position to win set point nearly immediately out the gate.
There was tension and drama on the court as Murray and Tsonga both broke each other’s serves, before Murray finally got the upper hand in a long tie-break.
As Tsonga’s form was on an upswing, so Murray’s was dipping downwards.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you can stand and say, Okay, I’ve tried everything that I possibly can”, Berdych said. Tsonga already earned 10 out of 13 matches on grass.
After the memorable Federer exploits there was a danger that Murray’s match against Tsonga might prove a mere footnote. Murray manages to save set point once, but falls to Tsonga in the next game after a 40-30 win for the Frenchman.
On No. 1 Court, Milos Raonic leads Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-5.
Berdych, whose slow start suggested he was feeling the effects of close to 11-and-a-half hours on court in his four previous matches, threatened to fritter away a 5-1 lead in the first-set tiebreak before a deep approach shot set him up for a clean forehand victor.
The match ran a nerve-challenging 3 hours, 54 minutes.
After losing the fourth set from 4-2 up, Murray could have imploded with one of his tantrums, but instead he brought the crowd back into the match.
Murray was a break up at one point in a very tight first set which ultimately went to a tiebreak.
I dunno, get a new coach?
“I think when things get tough, I’m just a little bit soft”. But don’t be surprised if the giant killer cuts down one more beanstalk.
I was definitely tested a lot today. His incredible returning skill will make it hard for Tsonga to control the match as he likes to with a serve. I’ve done a good job of it so far.
“If you’re in that position in the next couple of matches, you know you’ve been there. If I was him, it will be a bonus, for sure”.
He will next face Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals. He was also able to deflect three of Pouille’s four break point tries.
Advertisement
There was no deciding set necessary in Milos Raonic vs. Sam Querrey and Tomas Berdych vs. Lucas Pouille.
