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Andy Murray’s hopes of retaining his Wimbledon crown are over as a hip injury as well as a magnificent display from Sam Querry saw the Brit succumb in five sets. Murray managed to forge a two sets to one lead but for the remainder of the match struggled physically, as Querry maintained his high quality performance late on to prevail 3-6 6-4 6-7 6-1 6-1.
Querry made a nervous start to the encounter and Murray fully capitalised, breaking his opponent in the first game en route to comfortably seizing the opener. The world number one appeared to be in control when he led the second set by 4-3 with the break, but Querry immediately hit back to forge 5-4 ahead. The American sensed the moment and with Murray under severe pressure in his next service game, Querry crushed a backhand winner to level the match at one set apiece.
However, the world number one quickly regrouped and a loose game from his opponent in the first game of the third set saw Murray snatch the early break. However, as the Brit served for the set at 5-4 up, Querry broke back and eventually the set reached a tie-break. But, the American was erratic in the tie-break and as a result the world number one closed it out to take a two sets to one lead over his opponent.
In the fourth set though, the Brit’s movement and form became sluggish and weary, which enabled Querry to build momentum and take the initiative. After striking twice to race to a convincing 5-1 margin, the American was rampant as he maintained his ruthless streak and broke his opponent once more to force a decider. As Murray continued to struggle with his movement in the fifth set, the American took full advantage to open up a 3-0 lead.
The hampered world number one dug deep to get on the scoreboard but at this point it was clear he was injured with his hip, which had been a concern for Murray before the Championships. However, Querry maintained his composure and aggressive tennis, gaining the double break before serving out the match with an ace.
Querry will play Marin Cilic in the semi-finals, as the Croat defeated Rafael Nadal’s conqueror Gilles Muller in five sets.
On the other side of the draw, Roger Federer defeated Milos Raonic 6-4 6-2 7-6 but the former champion will meet Tomas Berdych in the last four, as Novak Djokovic was forced to retire during their encounter with an arm injury.
Meanwhile, Johanna Konta ensured that there will be a Brit in the SW19 semi-finals as she fought back from a set down to eventually overcome Simona Halep 6-7 7-6 6-4. With this win, Konta becomes the first British woman to reach the last four in the ladies singles since Virginia Wade in 1978, and she will face Venus Williams for a spot in the final.
Also, Magdalena Rybarikova continued her Wimbledon run with a straight sets win over Coco Vandeweghe and Rybarikova will take on Garbine Muguruza next, as the Spaniard dismissed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4.
