Wimbledon Quarters
When the bracket was first released for Wimbledon, many believed that Rafael Nadal would be coming out of the bottom half with little competition, searching for his third title at the All England Tennis club.
After Nadal was shockingly defeated in 5 sets in only the second round, it was time for a new competitor to step up and reach a major final. The candidates included: 4th seed Andy Murray, 5th seed Wilfred Tsonga, 7th seeded David Ferrer, and 27th Phillip Kohlschreiber.
Each individual had their only story coming into the tournament. Murray was looking to become the first British man to win at Wimbledon in 76 years. Ferrer had only been broken three times coming into the match against Murray. Tsonga was looking to reach the next level and reach the semifinals at Wimbledon in consecutive years. Kohlschreiber, the dark horse left in the field, had not dropped a set since his 5 set match with Tommy Haas in the first round.
With all of these players so evenly matched, both matches were primed to be good ones and failed to disappoint.
Murray One Step Closer to Wimbledon Crown
On Centre Court, Andy Murray was looking to take another step towards winning this major and ending the drought. However, when Murray was broken early in the first set, it looked as though he would start the match in a hole. Murray showed toughness later in the set, breaking back to tie the game at 5. The set would go into a tiebreak, with both players showing how important it was to win the opening set. In the end, Ferrer took the tiebreak 7-5, the set 7-6, and one step closer to ending Murray's chances at glory.
Just when it seemed that this match would go into its third tiebreak, Murray took advantage of his lone opportunity to break Ferrer and take a 5-4 lead in the third set. He then closed the set without dropping a point in the last game.
It is was do or die for Ferrer in the fourth and he sure did play like it. After holding serve for the first three games, Ferrer finally had his opportunity, as he had two break points to put him up 5-3. Murray saved both points and ended up winning the game, tying the set at 4. To the surprise of no one, the 4th set went into a tie break. The tiebreak was 6-4 when Murray hit an ace down the middle of the court to keep the hopes of himself, as well as his fans, alive.
The key to this match was the little things. Murray was able to execute in the tiebreaks when Ferrer struggled to hit winners at times. Murray's ability to place the ball when it mattered most is why he will face Tsonga in the semifinals on Friday.
Murray wins the match: 6-7 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
Tsonga Holds off Kohlschreiber, advances to Second Straight Wimbledon Semifinal
On Court 1, Phillip Kohlschreiber was looking to reach his first semifinal in 33 major appearances. His opponent was the high powered Wilfred Tsonga, looking to take his game to the next level and win a major tournament. The first set was standard with both players holding serve with few break chances. The set went to a tiebreak, where Tsonga took a 6-1 lead. Kohlschreiber was one point from tying when Tsonga finished out the set, winning the first 7-6.
Tsonga came out flat during the second, giving the German a chance at an early break. Kohlschreiber was up 4-2 when Tsonga finally found his touch, breaking his opponent's serve and tying the set at 4. A lapse in judgement gave Kohlschreiber another break and the second set, which he took 6-4.
Although Tsonga was considered the favorite, Kohlschreiber showed no signs of backing down. He continued to hold serve against the Frenchmen, but Tsonga continued to hold back, causing the second tiebreak of the match. Unlike in the first tiebreak, both players were exchanging points and staying on serve. After being tied at 2, Tsonga took 5 out of the next 6 points to take the tiebreaker 7-3 and being one set away from a semifinal appearance.Unfortunately for Kohlschreiber, it seemed as though he lost all confidence after losing a third set tiebreak. After being broken early in the fourth set, the match belonged to Tsonga. He easily took the fourth set 6-2 and secured his spot in the semifinals.
The key to this match was Tsonga's ability to embrace the pressure. He knew coming in that Kohlschreiber would have nothing to lose and would play at his highest level. The Frenchman was able to overcome that and move to his fourth major semifinal.
Tsonga takes the match: 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
Murray vs. Tsonga
When Nadal was knocked out earlier in the tournament, many thought these two men would be the ones to carry the load. Each took care of business in their quarterfinal match, setting up a match between finesse and power.
Tsonga covers the court extremely well and is in the best shape of anyone left in the field. If he can move Murray around to where he is uncomfortable, he should have the advantage.
On the other hand, Murray will use placement and strategy to disrupt Tsonga's powerful game. In addition, almost everyone by Centre Court will be cheering for Murray, hoping he can make the final and finally break the 76 year curse.
If anything is for sure, the match will be both entertaining and played at a high level. Both players have something to prove and what better way to do it then on one of the biggest stages in the game of tennis.
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