Wimbledon, Day 9: Andy Murray survives five-set quarterfinal to advance
The story-lines at Wimbledon have slowly dissipated, with names like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Laura Robson all departing before the quarterfinals, but the one ending that the English fans want involves Andy Murray.
They almost lost that one as well on Wednesday as Murray went down two sets to zero against Fernando Verdasco, putting himself in a position that looked almost insurmountable.
But Murray isn't the same guy he once was, a Grand Slam champion and gold medal winner on this same court a year ago and a man that looks destined to make the finals and face what looks like the number one player in the world.
But it was Verdasco that pushed him the distance, forcing Murray to come back from two sets to zero for the seventh time in his career and the second time at Wimbledon.
He pulled it off thanks to a late break in the fifth set, beating Verdasco 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-5.
Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Jerzy Janowicz all advanced to the semifinals in straight sets.
We see plenty of celebrations after big matches, but the single fist pump by Andy Murray after advancing to the semifinals is all you need to know about the pressure of being him at Wimbledon. No yelling, no jumping around, just an exhausted, "Okay, on to the next" look from the man seeking the Grand Slam he wants the most.
“I didn’t want to retire in the quarters for the first time at Wimbledon against Ferrer. And that's the reason for continuing play," Juan Martin del Potro, on his ailing knee that he powered through to take out David Ferrer and advance to the semifinals of Wimbledon
Lucky for this guy they have McDonalds in London as well.
The ladies' semifinals all happen on Thursday at Wimbledon, with Marion Bartoli going out on Centre Court first against Kristen Flipkens and Sabine Lisicki drawing Agnieszka Radwanska in the second match.
Related coverage on Yahoo! Sports:
• An incredible display of sportsmanship at Wimbledon
• Tennis a single-handed game no longer
• Age, game opponent doom Serena Williams at Wimbledon
• Slideshow: Celebrities at Wimbledon
