Murray fights back to defeat valiant Verdasco in five set nail-biter

British tennis fans witnessed a nail-biting Wimbledon quarter-final match between their hero Andy Murray and the impressive Fernando Verdasco on Centre Court on Wednesday 3 July.

Murray lost the first two sets but fought back brilliantly against the Spaniard to take the match 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 7-5, and set up a semi-final encounter against the Polish number 24 seed, Jerzy Janowicz on Friday.

In contrast to Murray's epic battle, the man he could meet in the final continued to ease through the rounds. Novak Djokovic, the men's number one seed, has not lost a set in the tournament and had few alarms in beating Tomas Berdych in straight sets 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-3.

Djokovic will meet the Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro who beat Spain's David Ferrer, the number four seed, 6-2 6-4 7-6 (7-5) in his quarter-final. Del Potro slipped and fell in the first game of the match, aggravating a knee already heavily strapped. Close to pulling out, the number eight seed managed to continue and find his finest big-serving game that Ferrer was unable to live with.

Janowicz defeated his fellow Pole Lukasz Kubot 7-5 6-4 6-4 on Number One Court. Murray's 22-year-old semi-final opponent is regarded as one of the most talented young players on the circuit. Tall with a fast serve, he will offer another dangerous challenge to Murray's hopes of reaching his second successive Wimbledon final.

The women's semi-finals on Thursday (4 July) offers two fascinating matches. The Serbian Agnieszka Radwanska is the highest remaining seed (four) but will face the in-form Sabine Lisicki, fast becoming the new favourite of Wimbledon crowds and many people's tip for the title having defeated the odds-on favourite Serena Williams on route to the semi-finals.

In the other semi, France's number 15 seed Marion Bartoli meets the Belgian 20th seed Kirsten Flipkens. Bartoli is a former Wimbledon finalist, while Flipkens plays her first Grand Slam semi-final only a year on from a world ranking that excluded her from even qualifying for Wimbledon.

It is one of the most open women's events for years. The two winners will meet in Saturday's final.

Women's Semi-Finals - Thursday 4 July

Lisicki (GER) (23) v Radwanska (POL) (4)

Bartoli (FRA) (15) v Flipkens (BEL) (20)

Men's Semi-Finals - Friday 5 July

Djokovic (SER) (1) v Del Potro (ARG) (8)

Janowicz (POL) (24) v Murray (GB) (2)