Giant-killer Querrey ends Murray’s Wimbledon defence

For the first time in 11 years as a pro, Sam Querrey finds himself in a Grand Slam semifinal.

And he got there after beating the defending champion at Wimbledon – for the second year running.

A year on after shocking two-time reigning champ and then-world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the third round at the All England Club, Querrey overcame No.1 seed Andy Murray on Centre Court 3-6 6-4 6-7(4) 6-1 6-1.

Murray was increasingly hampered by his troublesome hip as the match wore on, struggling with extension and rotation on his serve and playing gingerly off the ground, especially when hitting backhands.

The Brit limped off court to warm applause alongside Querrey, who became the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2009 to reach a major semifinal.

Yet Querrey in the fifth set still had to finish off Murray, who despite his physical woes continued to fight, scrap, drop-shot and unload on shots to end points quickly.

The world No.28 kept his concentration impressively to end the contest in two hours and 42 minutes.

“It’s a really big deal. For me, it’s my first semifinal. To beat Andy, to have it be at Wimbledon, was even a little more special. It was an incredible match. I’m just so happy right now,” Querrey said.

“I kind of noticed (Murray’s physical state) a little bit from the beginning. But I just kind of stayed with my game. I tried to play aggressive and keep swinging after the ball. I didn’t want to alter my game and try to get into those cat-and-mouse points, because that’s where he’s really good. I just kept my foot down and just kept trying to pound the ball.

“I knew I could make the second week. I’m comfortable on the grass. I like playing at Wimbledon. It’s been a dream tournament so far. Hopefully I can keep it going and go one round further.”

In the last four, Querrey will face No.7 seed Marin Cilic, who advanced to his first Wimbledon semifinal after seeing off Nadal-slayer Gilles Muller in five sets on No.1 Court.

In the second set, Murray had led Querrey by a set and a break before dropping serve twice in a row in the eighth and 10th games to let the American back into the contest.

“I think I had chances in the first three sets. I mean, the second set … that obviously turned out to be quite an important part of the match,” Murray said.

“Maybe I could have got the match done in three sets there had I closed out the second after getting the break. Sam served extremely well at the end of the match, loosened up, was going for his shots. Nothing much I could do.

“The whole tournament I’ve been a little bit sore. But I tried my best right to the end. I knew I wasn’t going to do any major damage by playing. So obviously wanted to try, if possible, find a way at the end. Obviously it wasn’t the case.

“The end of the fourth set and fifth set, felt like he hardly missed any first serves. He was acing me pretty much every time. I wasn’t getting enough power on my serve to put him in any bother there. So he was dictating all of the points.”

Cilic takes a step further

Not long after Querrey advanced, Cilic ended Muller’s thrilling run at the Championships with a 3-6 7-6(6) 7-5 5-7 6-1 win.

After reaching the quarterfinals three years running and holding match points against Roger Federer in 2016, Cilic finally got over that hump to reach the last four.

Roland Garros is now the only Grand Slam tournament at which the Croatian has not progressed to the semifinals. His best major result was winning the US Open trophy in 2014.

“I would say winning the US Open has helped me for all these Grand Slams I have played so far, and I believe the rest of my career,” Cilic said.

“Preparation-wise I believe in my own abilities. I believe when coming at these stages of the tournament, I’m going to still be able to play great tennis. I know I have it in me that I can win. That’s extremely important.

“For the other part, I think extremely important part is to be mentally fresh, mentally ready. It’s a matter of a few points here and there that can make a huge difference. I believe these last couple months with being really mentally focused every single match has helped me to get to the point where I’m little bit stronger mentally.

“I believe that can make a huge difference.”