Luck ridden as Andy Murray and Roger Federer reach Wimbledon semi-finals after thrillers
Britain's Andy Murray insists newly re-appointed coach Ivan Lendl is proving a pivotal presence during difficult moments after the world No2 withstood a dangerous fightback from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to reach his seventh Wimbledon semi-final.
Title favourite Murray allowed a two-set lead slip from his grasp as 12th seed Tsonga retaliated to draw level, only for the Scot to ease through the final set, winning 7-6 (12-10), 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1. Murray will now face Czech Tomas Berdych for the first time on grass in tomorrow’s last-four clash.
“It’s beneficial having him [Lendl] there, for sure, because I trust him and have a lot of confidence in him,” said Murray. “So, for sure, he can help when I’m on the court, just his presence. Might be a small amount, but like I said, every little bit helps.”
Seven-time champion Roger Federer, meanwhile, breathed a huge sigh of relief after battling back from two sets down to squeeze past Croatia’s Marin Cilic and set up a semi-final tussle with big-serving Milos Raonic.
Third seed Federer saved three match points in the fourth set before navigating the fifth and posting a 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory.
“It’s great winning matches like these, coming back from two sets to love, it’s rare,” said Federer.
“I definitely felt like I got lucky to some extent today. But I fought, I tried, I believed. At the end I got it done, so it was great on many levels.”
Raonic, the tournament’s sixth seed and 2014 semi-finalist, advanced to the last four after beating America’s Sam Querrey – the conqueror of world No1 Novak Djokovic – 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.