On his 42nd attempt, Sam Querrey has reached his first Grand Slam semifinal after fighting back against a lacklustre Andy Murray to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-1, at the Wimbledon Championships.
The encounter was one that emulated a roller coaster with ups and downs for both players. Querrey’s nerves got the better of him before Murray fell victim to his own body in what was a match of two halves.
“I didn’t start my best, but I kept with it. Kept swinging away and then I really found a groove in the fourth and fifth set. Everything began falling my way then.” Querrey told the BBC.
World No.28 Querrey is just five months younger than Murray, but the difference in the careers of both men is substantial. He was aiming to progress to the last four for the first time on his 42nd attempt. In contrast, the Brit was playing in his 46 grand slam main draw, bidding to progress to the semifinals for the 21st time in his career.
Playing on the centre court, it was Querrey’s nerves that initially played into Murray’s hands. In the American’s opening service game, an error-stricken performance concluded with a forehand error to move the top seed to 2-0. There was an elevation in Querrey’s game as he settled into the set, but the damage was already done. After just 29 minutes of play, Murray sealed the opening set with the help of another error from his rival.
Bursts of frustration occurred throughout the second set for Murray as Querrey began to regain some rhythm in his game. The first outburst occurred in the seventh game, when he squandered three consecutive break points before finally moving ahead 4-3. His lead was short-lived after a nightmare service game allowed Querrey to level 4-4. The blip proved costly as a dramatic momentum change enabled the 24th seed to snatch the set with a stunning backhand winner.
As questions surrounding Murray’s current health mounted, the clash turn into a battle of the fittest. Querrey was the first to buckle after another substandard service game rewarded the lead back to the world No.1. Still Murray, who was walking gingerly during some points, failed to serve the third set out at 5-4 due to some tentative shot-making. Eventually the Brit prevailed in the tiebreaker, but not in the manner he would have wanted. A mis-hit smash followed by a forehand into the net from the American moved him to a 4-1 lead. It wasn’t the prettiest of displays, but the crucial two-set lead was eventually secured with the help of a serve out wide.
Murray’s investment in the match soon came back to haunt him. Struggling more and more to move around the court and tame a resurgent Querrey, the lead he valiantly fought for was no more after a dramatic change of momentum. The American dictated the points as his rival struggled to generate any intensity, levelling the match at two sets apiece within 23 minutes.
Unlike the start to the match, Querrey refused to fall victim to his nerves as Murray continued to implode. It was only a matter of time before he scored the upset. Edging closer to becoming the first American male grand slam semifinalist since 2009, a forehand dropshot at the net moved Querrey to one game away from victory. He then booked his place in the last four with an ace out wide.
“I’m still a little bit shocked myself.” He said immediately after. “The last point I was so happy to hit the serve. I am just so thrilled right now.”
“This is a dream come true – to be in the semi-finals at #Wimbledon makes it even more special”
– Sam Querrey pic.twitter.com/Yhzv6lYSGM
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) 12 July 2017
The 29-year-old, who defeated Novak Djokovic at the tournament last year, has also created Open Era history with him reaching the last four of a major on his 42 attempt. Breaking Mark Woodforde’s previous benchmark of 38. He is also the lowest ranked player to ever beat Murray at Wimbledon.
Querrey will play either Gilles Muller or Marin Cilic in the semifinals.
“I’m going to enjoy this one a little bit longer and then have an easy day tomorrow. Just do the best I can to get ready for the semis.” He said about his preparation.
An American man hasn’t won the Wimbledon title since Pete Sampras in 2000.
