An action-filled day 10 saw Australia's chances of Wimbledon glory slashed before the match even started, as the semi-final lineups are now complete.
Men’s Results:
Novak Djokovic [2] d. Alex de Minaur [9]
(walkover)
Lorenzo Musetti [25] d. Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
When Alex de Minaur faced expected questions from the media about a potential injury concern, he calmly downplayed it - not wishing to concern fans and people concerned.
Often perceived as a closed book at times, deep down de Minaur understood the severity of the injury as soon as he pulled up gingerly on match point in the previous round against Arthur Fils.
The 25-year-old confirmed the news Australians were dreading - forced to withdraw from his first Wimbledon quarter-final against Novak Djokovic.
“I am devastated to pull out due to a hip injury,” de Minaur said in his press conference.
“ It’s no secret that this would have been the biggest match of my career but it’s a unique injury.
“I woke up this morning wanting to feel some sort of miracle, but there was a high risk of making the injury worse if I stepped on court.
“One stretch, one slide could take this from a three to six weeks’ injury to four months out. It’s just too much to risk.”
Over a fortnight out from the Olympics in Paris, de Minaur is pitted in a race against time to be fit to represent his country at the prestigious event.
Regardless, he will officially move to a career-high ranking of No.6 in the world on Monday.
In the match that did take place, Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti made up for the lack of tennis with a seesawing five-set classic, as the latter arguably produced the best match of his career to cause the upset.
Better suited to the clay, not many would have tipped Musetti to reach the final four on grass, especially after finding himself down a set and a break.
The 25th seed deployed his slice backhand to great effect, able to push Fritz on the backfoot who was coming off a gruelling five-set encounter with Alexander Zverev.
It is another reminder of the impressive depth of Italian tennis shining through, becoming the fourth man from his nation to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. Novak Djokovic awaits.
"I don't think I've realised yet what I have done," Musetti said post-match. "I was talking with my team about how to play on the big stage. It was the first time I've had the opportunity to walk out on this amazing stadium and it's been an honour for me."
Women’s Results:
Elena Rybakina [4] d. Elina Svitolina [21]
6-3, 6-2
Barbora Krejčíková [31] d. Jelena Ostapenko [13] 6-4, 7-6(4)
If someone had predicted Barbora Krejčíková to achieve a Wimbledon semi-final birth a few months ago, they are a bonified tennis expert.
Aside from reaching the last eight of Melbourne Park this year, the Czech has suffered a horrid run of form with a win-loss record of 3-8 - six of which were first round exits.
But the talent and craft were always there, and she seems to finally be piecing it together once again demonstrated through an impressive victory against the hard-hitting Jelena Ostapenko,
It snaps a three-match losing streak against the former French Open champion, who produced a mature display in the second set tiebreak to shift the momentum on her terms and grind out a superb straight sets triumph.
2022 champion Elena Rybakina is one step closer to etching her name on the trophy for a second time, pulling apart two-time semi-finalist Elina Svitolina in straights.
There were no substantial scares for the fourth seed, conceding two break point chances and dominating on serve with 85 percent first serves won - not offering her experienced opponent a sniff.
The Kazakh star will now lock in battle with Krejčíková for a spot in the final.
Jordan Thompson/Max Purcell Semi-Final Bound:
Aussie doubles pairing Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell are through to the semi-finals after a gripping 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3 win over Argentina duo Andrés Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez.
The 15th seeds will face No.1 pairing Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos tonight in the semi-finals.
Elsewhere in the mixed doubles, Australian top seeds Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez suffered a disappointing defeat in the second round, faltering in a match with small margin for error in a 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(9) defeat.
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