Djokovic, Murray, Federer target place in last four
london — Defending champion Andy Murray will retain his world number one ranking if he makes the Wimbledon semifinals Wednesday, while Roger Federer defies age and Novak Djokovic fights a shoulder injury.
Adding extra spice to Wednesday’s drama is a growing concern over the state of the All England Club’s famed Centre Court where, according to Djokovic, a hole has developed. Murray faces big-serving Sam Querrey bidding to make his eighth Wimbledon semi-final in the last nine years.
The world number one is also in his 10th straight quarter-final at the tournament and has reached the last-eight at 24 of the last 26 Slams.
Sam likes the conditions here. Obviously a big serve. Goes for his shots. Very aggressive player Andy Murray
He leads Querrey 7-1 with the 29-year-old American’s only win coming in Los Angeles seven years ago. Murray also won their previous clash at Wimbledon in the fourth round in straight sets in 2010. But the two-time champion won’t underestimate the player who knocked out Djokovic in the third round 12 months ago. “Sam likes the conditions here. Obviously a big serve. Goes for his shots. Very aggressive player,” said Murray.”
Querrey made the quarterfinals in 2016 where he lost in four sets to eventual runner-up Milos Raonic.
He has needed two successive five-set matches to get to the last eight, seeing off French 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Kevin Anderson.
Federer will attempt to reach his 12th Wimbledon semi-final and stay on course for a record eighth title when he faces Raonic.
Djokovic takes a staggering 25-2 career record over Czech 11th seed Tomas Berdych into his quarterfinal as he eyes a potential semi-final duel with Federer. —