Thursday 9 July 2015 11:51, UK
We take a look at five talking points after Andy Murray's 6-4 7-5 6-4 win over Vasek Pospisil in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
Serving strong
His average serve speed might only have been 101mph, but Murray never looked in danger of being broken by Pospisil.
The Canadian, whose strength is his own serve, did not fashion a single break-point chance until the last game of the match - and he was unable to take that.
Murray’s dominance on serve meant that he was able to exert more energy trying to break Pospisil and that was especially evident in the third set.
While Murray managed to hold serve with relative ease towards the start of the set, the Canadian came under increasing pressure and eventually cracked in the ninth game.
Murray will be hoping for more of the same in the semi-finals against Roger Federer, who has only been broken once all tournament.
The Brit was also clinical at the net, winning 21 of 23 points when he came in to volley.
Remaining focused
After breaking in only the third game of the match, rain threatened to disrupt Murray’s momentum as the players were forced off for almost 40 minutes.
But even though Pospisil appeared to come out with more energy after the break, Murray held firm to see out the set.
He then did the same in the second set as he returned from another rain interruption at 4-3 down and won four of the next five games to take the set.
Murray then adapted to the new conditions under the Centre Court roof and remained focused to close out the win.
"It was tough because we stopped a few times and it was difficult conditions,” said the third seed afterwards.
Majorly consistent
Of all the top players on the tour, Murray and Novak Djokovic have been the most consistent at Wimbledon in recent years.
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.
Not only is it a remarkable achievement, but it reflects Murray’s impressive all round consistency at the majors.
Not since 2010 has he failed to make it into the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam and he is now joint-sixth on the list of most Wimbledon semi-final appearances in the Open era.
The win over Pospisil was also his 150th victory at a major, putting him behind only Federer, Nadal and Djokovic among active players.
Murrays making history
Murray’s win over Pospisil meant he joined brother Jamie in the semi-finals, with the pair becoming the first brothers to reach the last four in the singles and doubles at Wimbledon since John and Neale Fraser in 1962.
For Jamie this is uncharted territory as he had never previously made it past the third round at the All England Club before in the men's doubles, although he did win the mixed doubles in 2007.
He now has the chance to make his first major men's doubles final as, along with partner John Peers, he faces Jonathan Erlich and Philipp Petzschne in the last four.
If both Andy and Jamie can make it into the final then it could be a weekend to remember for the Murray family.
Federer test
Undoubtedly Murray’s biggest challenge of the tournament so far awaits in the semi-finals as he faces seven-time champion Federer.
The Swiss has looked in supreme form on his way to the last four and narrowly leads the head-to-head with Murray 12-11.
He also won their last meeting 6-0 6-1 at the ATP World Tour Finals in November, although their matches at the All England Club have been split, Federer beating Murray in the 2012 Wimbledon final and the Brit getting the better of the Swiss in the Olympic final shortly afterwards.
"I've played Roger many times. I know him well and we get on well, but obviously on Friday it will be a different story," Murray said.
"We've played some good matches here and hopefully this will be a great one."
