Murray falls but Djokovic and Federer battle through to semis
Defending champion and home hope Andy Murray has fallen at the last eight stage at Wimbledon for the first time since 2008. Now, all eyes are on Eastern European-born trio Novak Djokovic, Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov, as well as Swiss superstar Roger Federer as they battle it out for a place in the final.
Novak Djokovic v Grigor Dimitrov
World number two and top seed Djokovic (odds-on to win this match at 1/4) faces rising star Bulgarian Dimitrov (3/1), who is playing in uncharted Grand Slam territory.
The latter saw off an unusually lacklustre Murray in the quarter-finals in straight sets, and he is priced at 11/1 to somehow beat another modern great 3-0. Djokovic, though, had to come from behind in his battle with Marin Cilic to win 3-2, and he is a 5/1 chance to do so again.
Dimitrov and the Serbian six-time Grand Slam champion have met four times before, with the latter winning three, including the most recent at the French Open in 2013, beating him in straight sets. Djokovic (odds-on Wimbledon favourite at 4/5) is 11/8 to win 3-0 – the most likely scoreline according to Coral – and reach his third SW19 final.
The Serb has talked up his upcoming opponent and recent Queen’s Club champion. “The fact he hasn’t lost a match on grass this season says it all about his quality,” he said.
“He’s definitely the man to beat here now, and winning against Andy in straight sets, many people look at him as a potential Grand Slam winner.”
Dimitrov is now third-favourite to go all the way and win Wimbledon at 13/2.
Roger Federer v Milos Raonic
The other semi-final sees Swiss 17-time Grand Slam champion and joint-record Wimbledon winner (with seven) Federer (odds-on at 1/3 to win this match) taking on eighth seed Raonic (12/5). You can back the former at 9/4 to lift the trophy once more, with the latter being a 7/1 outsider.
Federer, 32, boasts a 4-0 record against his taller opponent, and has beaten him on grass before – back in 2012 in Halle, Germany – although it was a close 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 battle. This match could go all the way again, so take odds of 5/1 for the Swiss to win in five sets.
While they have never played at Wimbledon before, they have duelled at a Grand Slam before, in the 2013 Australian Open, where Federer convincingly beat him 3-0. He is 13/8 to do so again.
Federer, who came through a tough test physically and emotionally with friend and compatriot Stan Wawrinka in four sets, said after his match: “There was a lot on the line and I’m really pleased to have come through. Last year was a major disappointment [after losing in the second round], it was very rough. I’m happy that one year later I’m back in the semis with a chance to go further.”
Yugoslavian-born Canadian Raonic saw off Rafael Nadal’s teenage conqueror Nick Kyrgios in four sets in the quarters, and he can be backed at 13/2 to win 3-1 again.
