Britain’s Andy Murray reached his sixth Wimbledon semi-final in seven years with victory over Canadian Vasek Pospisil under the Centre Court roof.The Scot, seeded third, won 6-4 7-5 6-4 in two hours and 13 minutes, and will play second seed Roger Federer in the last four on Friday.
Murray, 28, had to cope with two rain delays, the second of which saw the roof brought across in the second set.
“It was difficult, we were stopped a couple of times,” said Murray.
“I felt I played some good stuff. He served extremely well for periods. I tried to change my return position at the end of the second set to see the returns better.”
Looking ahead to a 24th meeting with seven-time champion Federer, Murray added: “I know Roger very well, we walked to the practice courts together this morning.
“Friday is a different story and hopefully we can have a great match.”
Murray produced a clinical performance to see off Pospisil, the world number 56, in straight sets.
Andy Roddick, three-time Wimbledon finalist |
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“It’s what we thought would happen. We didn’t think Pospisil would threaten Murray’s serve too much. Murray was so solid. I think the roof helped Murray, not that he needed it, though. He looked so comfortable.” |
The Canadian, making his first appearance in a Grand Slam quarter-final, kept Murray’s return game at bay for the most part but the Briton capitalised on fleeting chances to establish control.
Murray converted the solitary break point on offer in each of the first two sets, both with fizzing cross-court backhands that caught out Pospisil at the net.
The first break came just before play was halted for 35 minutes at 3-1 because of the rain, and a second interruption of 30 minutes in the second set saw the roof brought across, despite a burst of sunshine.
Murray did well to hold serve for 4-4 on the resumption as Pospisil pressed, and the Briton took a firm grip on the contest when he broke for 6-5.
Two lengthy rallies played to Murray’s strength, with a breathless Pospisil given a time warning at 30-30, and the 2013 champion clinched the key break with a drop shot and a backhand.
Pospisil, 25, fended off four break points with big serves and a fifth with a brilliant drop volley as Murray raised the pressure further in the third set.
The decisive moment came at 4-4 when Pospisil, who had a first serve taken away for a second time warning, was forced out of position and played a shot between his legs facing a sixth break point.
Murray stepped in and crunched a backhand winner into the corner before saving a break point and converting his second match point in a tense closing game.
“I have loved playing here over the years,” added Murray.
“I have always played some of my best tennis here. I hope I can get to another final but it will be a tough one.”
Top seed Novak Djokovic will take on Richard Gasquet in the other semi-final.
Djokovic, the defending champion, overcame Marin Cilic in straight sets while Gasquet saw off French Open winner Stan Wawrinka in a five-set thriller.
Pat Cash, 1987 Wimbledon champion |
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“Roger Federer is in a different league from Pospisil but this was a good stepping stone towards that match. I’d pick Murray as the favourite. Murray doesn’t need to do anything different; he is serving well, returning well, being patient from the baseline and moving his opponents around. At this level, it is whoever plays the big moments well, grabs the opportunities. It’ll be a tough match, but Murray has the edge.” |
