Roger Federer sails into Wimbledon semifinals for 10th time

French giantkiller Richard Gasquet has spoiled the big four’s scheduled semi-final party to join grand slam heavyweights Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray in the last four at Wimbledon.

Vancouver’s Vasek Pospisil lost to Andy Murray in three sets in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon on Wednesday. He has a 12-11 career edge over Murray, but the Briton beat him on Centre Court in the final of the 2012 Olympic tournament – a few weeks after Federer defeated Murray in the Wimbledon final for his seventh title.

There was later another rain delay in the second set with Murray down 4-3 before the roof was closed.

A match that started under grey skies and finished under Centre Court’s roof because of rain showers was never straightforward for the third seed but his grand slam pedigree told in the important moments.

Federer has never lost in the Wimbledon semifinals, holding a 9-0 record.

He has faced nobody ranked higher than 23 so far but things are about to get considerably trickier with second seed Federer looming on Friday.

“Then I kept fighting”.

The last time he dropped serve was in the second set of his opening round win over Philipp Kohlschreiber in Halle – more than 100 service games ago.

But, at 5-4 down in the fourth, Wawrinka produced a first double fault of the match to send the engrossing tie between players boasting two of the best backhands in the sport into a fifth set.

But even though Pospisil appeared to come out with more energy after the break, Murray held firm to see out the set. Likewise, Marin Cilic has shown before that he has the weapons to challenge Novak Djokovic – previous year here they played a fifth set. “It’s a direct influence on the match, he gives me a violation”, Pospisil said.

But Gasquet, no slouch on grass after reaching the semi-finals here in 2007 and twice winning Nottingham, hung on with consistent shot-making and waited for more errors.

LONDON (AP) – 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.

The defending Wimbledon champion will make his sixth consecutive semifinal appearance. “They helped me rather than hindered me”, said Federer who said he was looking forward to meeting Murray.

“I know Roger very well, ” Murray said.

“So it’s very impressive that he’s managed to stay at the top of the game for so long, considering how long he’s been at the top of the game for and how many matches he’s played”.

“I felt like I played some good stuff”, Murray said.

Bidding to become the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon titles since Fred Perry, who lifted the trophy from 1934-1936, Murray has extended his winning streak on grass to 10 matches. The key point in this set was when Pospisil was called for a time violation at 5-5, 30-30.

While Federer and Rafael Nadal have suffered surprise early exits, Murray is now into his sixth semi-final in the last seven years – the only blip coming in 2014 when he was beaten in the quarters by Grigor Dimitrov.

“We both like to look back on that summer of 2012. I’m the worst when you see Federer, Djokovic and [Andy] Murray and me but I want to enjoy it”.

Pospisil dived in vain to try and cut off a dipping backhand on break point down at 5-5 and Murray held for a two-set lead. To go on the court and think you can win, it’s something I need to do it on my mental part, to be there to win.

Federer broke right back, then served out the set this way in a game interrupted by rain after the first point: 125 miles per hour ace, 115 miles per hour service victor, 109 miles per hour ace, 122 miles per hour ace.