Wimbledon 2015: Roger Federer and Andy Murray reach semifinals with comfortable wins
Roger Federer produced a masterclass to oust Gilles Simon 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 in an hour and 34 minutes, booking his spot in the Wimbledon semifinals.
Federer came into the match with zero breaks on his service games. Simon started strongly with two backhand passing winners in the opening game, but the Swiss hung on with four big serves.
Federer was the first to gain edge in this encounter in a long second game that had four deuces as he struck a brilliant passing shot down the right-hand sideline to take the break.
After a slight rain delay, Simon came on board in the first set in the fourth game. He did not have much of a chance on Federer’s serve as he tried to stage a comeback from 30-30 in the ninth game. Federer finished the set with a thunderous ace and looked at complete ease.
Federer got 85% of his first serves in the second set and got the crucial break in the seventh game when Simon hit a forehand long in a lengthy rally. It was not all over for the Frenchman though as he earned himself three break points when Federer was serving for the set at 5-4. He needed only one as the No. 2 seed hit his foreand wide.
A whipped forehand in the 11th game handed back the advantage to Federer as he leads 6-5, Federer hit three aces to take a two sets to love lead on court 1.
A couple of unforced errors by Simon in the opening game gave Federer break points which he duly converted. Federer got the second break in the seventh game when Simon netted a weak forehand. The Swiss had no further trouble as he served out the match to book a place in the semifinals.
Murray sails through
No. 3 seed Andy Murray continued his impressive run in the Championships with a clinical 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win over Vasek Pospisil.
Murray won 82% of first serve points in the opening set and converted one break point opportunity to seal the set. The second set was closely contested with Pospisil coming to the net more often to finish off points. Murray hung in there and broke Pospisil late in the second set before leading two sets to love.
The Canadian got a break point in the third set, but failed to capitalise on it. Murray was in no mood to extend his stay on Center Court as he broke Pospisil to close out the set and match.
The Scot was impressive at the net, winning 9 out of 9 points in the third set.
The semifinal is a repeat of the 2012 Wimbledon final, which Federer won to claim his 17th Grand Slam title.
It's a 150th Grand Slam match win for @andy_murray - he sees off Pospisil 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. Next up: Federer #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bvtldmWq3Z
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
.@RogerFederer remains on course for an 8th #Wimbledon title, cruising past Gilles Simon 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/PkrsAFgdqv
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
Federer: "The stop & goes are tough...I'm happy I managed my opponent & the conditions well today" #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/kNbSngwR2y
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
WATCH Not for the first time, @rogerfederer soaks up the applause at #Wimbledon http://t.co/Xhymb0JW1c
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
WATCH An elated @andy_murray has everyone from the Beckhams to the Royals on their feet #Wimbledon http://t.co/5xNfLZ3YiI
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
Murray: "I hope I can get to another final but it's going to be a tough one" #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/0jYSsj9C7Y
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
Murray: "I know Roger very well... We walked to the practice courts together this morning. On Friday, it'll be a different story" #Wimbledon
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
Roger Federer in Grand Slam events has Most titles: 17 Most finals: 25 Most semi-finals: 37 most quarterfinals: 45 #Wimbledon #Wimbledon2015
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 8, 2015
10th career #Wimbledon semifinal for Federer. He's lost just one set and one service game this tournament.
— TENNIS.com (@Tennis) July 8, 2015
In GSlam Roger Federer has been involved in 232 matches that ended in straight sets - he won 212, lost 20 (win% 91) @ #Wimbledon 58-2 (97%)
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 8, 2015
"If we knew I was going to win #Wimbledon and him the Olympics, we both probably would have taken it." -Federer on Murray and summer 2012.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 8, 2015