Murray Reaches Third Wimbledon SF

© Getty ImagesAndy Murray is hoping to reach the Wimbledon final for the first time.

‘Murray Mania’ is gathering pace at SW19 after World No. 4 Andy Murray dismissed the unseeded Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the third year in a row. "I got off to a good start in all of the sets. That helps against someone like Feli because he serves well," Murray said afterwards. "Normally against the big servers, they like to put pressure on you towards the end of the set. But because I got ahead early in all of them, I was able to dictate the points from the back of the court and played a good match."

The hopes of a nation rest on the Scot as he looks to become the first British male winner at The Championships since Fred Perry in 1936. He was beaten at the semi-final stage in 2009 (l. to Roddick) and 2010 (l. to Nadal).

Murray will have the chance to avenge last year’s defeat when he faces Rafael Nadal again in the semi-finals. The Spaniard overcome American Mardy Fish in four sets on No. 1 Court. "I believe I can win against him. I had chances last year," said Murray. "I just have to have a better game plan. Sometimes it comes down to strategy. Sometimes it comes down to having more experience. Just have to go out there and play well and serve well and believe and I'll have a chance."

The Dunblane native goes into the semi-finals on a nine-match winning streak, having prepared for the grass-court major by winning the AEGON Championships (d. Tsonga) for the second time in three years. Prior to his title at The Queen’s Club, he reached the Roland Garros semi-finals (l. to Nadal) for the first time.

The 24-year-old Murray is bidding to win his first Grand Slam championship. He lost out to Roger Federer in the 2008 US Open and 2010 Australian Open finals, and fell to Novak Djokovic in the Melbourne final again this season. He is through to his seventh Grand Slam semi-final, more than any other British man in the Open Era. 

Watched by Pippa Middleton, sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Murray was always in control against the left-handed Lopez, who had ousted Andy Roddick in the third round. The Scot broke through in the sixth game with a testing service return to Lopez’s feet that drew a half volley error. He was denied on two set point chances in the sixth game, but closed out the first set on serve after 41 minutes, having committed just two unforced errors.

Murray then built on his lead, breaking the Lopez serve in the fifth game of the second set as he quickly established a two-set lead. The right-hander broke at the same stage in the third set and, after saving two break points in the eighth game – the only two he faced in the match, he served out victory in the 10th game with his 13th ace. He finished the two-hour match with just 11 unforced errors and 40 winners.

The 29-year-old Lopez was contesting the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the third time; he also lost out in 2005 (l. to Hewitt) and 2008 (l. to Safin). "He was a much better player today and he was great on the court. He played unbelievable tennis. This is the main reason I lost," Lopez said. "But still a great tournament for me. I'll take this as an experience, for sure, and hopefully it's going to help me in the future." 

The Spaniard had saved two match points as he fought from a two-set deficit in the fourth round to beat Lukasz Kubot.  

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