21st-seeded Richard Gasquet crashes a star-studded field in men’s semifinals.
LONDON — Roger Federer and Andy Murray ran into each other Wednesday morning in the champions’ locker room at the All England Club, then walked together over to the practice area to prepare — on adjacent courts — for their respective quarterfinals later in the day.
“We weren’t chatting about anything. It was just, ‘Hey, how you doing?’ Nothing interesting,” Murray recounted. “We get on well. But obviously, on Friday — different story.”
Yes, they’ll meet up again Friday. But things might be a tad less cordial, because the two recent Wimbledon titlists face each other at Centre Court in the semifinals.
Federer vs. Murray
The No. 2-seeded Federer is closing in on his record eighth trophy at the grass-court tournament; No. 3 Murray’s 2013 championship was the first for a British man at Wimbledon in 77 years.
In 2012, Federer won his 17th — and to date, last — Grand Slam title by beating Murray in the Wimbledon final. A few weeks later, also at Centre Court, Murray repaid the favor, beating Federer for the singles gold medal at the London Olympics.
“We both like to look back at that summer,” said Federer, who is 12-11 against Murray. “Me, not so much at the Olympics; him, probably not so much at Wimbledon.”
Both advanced in quarterfinals slowed only by a pair of rain delays. Federer’s 116-hold streak in service games, dating to his previous tournament, ended, but that was merely a blip during a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory over No. 12 Gilles Simon of France.
Murray was hardly troubled at all by a weary Vasek Pospisil of Canada and won 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in front of an audience that included Prince William and his wife Kate.
Another past champion, No. 1 Novak Djokovic, also barely was tested, eliminating No. 9 Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to improve to 13-0 against the 2014 U.S. Open winner.
Djokovic vs. Gasquet
Djokovic, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, plays No. 21 Richard Gasquet of France next. Gasquet emerged from the most compelling quarterfinal — featuring two beautiful one-handed backhands — with a 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 11-9 win over No. 4 Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland.
“It was great to watch them go backhand-tobackhand today,” said Djokovic, who is 11-1 against Gasquet. “Some great points, great exchanges.”
Until Gasquet dropped to his back at the baseline when French Open champion Wawrinka’s last backhand sailed long, it appeared this might be the first Wimbledon semifinals in 20 years involving the top four men’s seeds.
Gasquet truly is an interloper, the only remaining man without a major title. Never been to a final, even.
“I’m the worst,” Gasquet said with a smirk, “when you see Federer, Djokovic and Murray and me.”
He’ll be in his third Grand Slam semifinal.