Andy Murray stayed on course for a blockbuster Wimbledon final showdown with Novak Djokovic, but only after surviving an almighty scare against Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the quarter-finals.
Murray was runner-up to Djokovic last year, dashing hopes for the first British winner of the Wimbledon men’s title since 1936 (Fred Perry).
Seeded number two this year, Murray had British hearts in mouths during a dramatic match on Centre Court last night, fighting from two sets down to grind out a 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 7-5 victory over the world No.54 to reach the semi-finals.
In contrast, world No.1 Djokovic earlier cruised through to the semis with a straight-sets win over seventh seed Tomas Berdych.
Asked whether or not such a tough hit-out would help or hinder him ahead of a semi-final meeting with Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz on Friday, Murray was not fussed by the manner of the win.
“Who knows? Some of the guys have gone through (easily). Like Novak I don’t think has lost a set yet,” said Murray who kept up home hopes of a first British champion since 1936.
“I’m sure he’s pretty happy with where his game is at just now.
“I’m just happy to be in the semis. Regardless of whether it’s been five sets or the first matches were in three sets, it makes no difference.”
With fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson sitting among a raucous home crowd, Murray delivered the sort of comeback Manchester United would be proud of.
He put a slow start down to a mix of his own bad play and Verdasco’s high level, but felt his experience got him through.
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Murray said he expected another tough encounter against 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz, who defeated compatriot Lukasz Kubot 7-5 6-4 6-4 to become Poland’s first male grand slam semi-finalist.
Djokovic will meet Argentine eighth seed Juan Martin del Potro after both wrapped up quarter-final wins within 10 seconds of each other earlier on Wednesday.
Serb Djokovic reached his 13th consecutive grand slam semi-final with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-3 win over Berdych, who had beaten Australian Bernard Tomic to reach the last eight.
Djokovic will go into the match having not having dropped a set in the tournament while holding an 8-3 winning stranglehold against Del Potro.
“I have a great respect for him. He’s a grand slam winner,” Serb Djokovic said of the 2009 US Open champion.
Del Potro played through the pain barrier to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final with a 6-2 6-4 7-6 (7-5) win over Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer.
The Argentine said he thought about quitting after suffering a horror fall in the first game of the match.
He was in tears after his already-injured left knee bent awkwardly but he gritted his teeth through two hours and 16 minutes of play.
“I’m okay, if I do everything good to be ready for my next match,” Del Potro said.
“I will need to be 100 per cent or 110 per cent against him.”
Earlier, Janowicz exchanged his shirt with Davis Cup teammate Kubot and broke down in tears after his win.
“Right now, I’m the happiest person in the world,” he said.
“… Lukasz played and incredible match and it was really one of the toughest matches in my life.”
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HOW THE AUSTRALIANS FARED ON DAY NINE AT WIMBLEDON
Women’s doubles, quarter-finals
12-Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua bt 2-Andrea Hlavackova (Cze)/Lucie Hradecka (Cze) 2-6 6-2 6-4
Mixed doubles, third round
John Peers/Ashleigh Barty bt 6-Marcelo Melo (Bra)/Liezel Huber (Usa) 6-4 1-6 6-2
13-Scott Lipsky (Usa)/Casey Dellacqua lost to 3-Nenad Zimonjic (Srb)/Katarina Srebotnik (Slo) 6-2 6-7 (3-7) 6-2
Boys singles, third round
1-Nick Kyrgios (Aus) lost to Hyeon Chung (Kor) 6-2 6-2
Thanasi Kokkinakis lost to 4-Laslo Djere (Srb) 3-6 6-2 6-0
Boys doubles, first round
Thanasi Kokkinakis/Nick Kyrgios bt Rafael Matos (Bra)/Marcelo Zormann (Bra) 4-6 6-3 6-4
Jay Andrijic/Bradley Mousley bt Evan Hoyt (Gbr)/Wayne Montgomery (Rsa) 6-3 7-6 (7-4)
Girls doubles, second round
Sara Tomic/Carolina Meligeni Rodrigues Alves (Bra) bt Anna Brogan (Gbr)/Maia Lumsden (Gbr) 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-0
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