Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage from day 11 at the 126th Wimbledon Championships.
It is men's semi-finals day and also Andy Murray's day of destiny as he looks to become the first British male to reach an SW19 final in 75 years.
However, the Scot must first overcome fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who has been in impressive form on his way to the last four.
That match will follow today's Centre Court opener between world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic and six-time winner Roger Federer.
Play is scheduled to begin at 1pm.
19.10Murray changed British tennis history today, but he'll already be looking ahead to Sunday rather than dwelling on a record broken. British fingernails will once again be chewed thin, but please join Sports Mole for live text coverage of Murray vs. Federer on Sunday. It is sure to be dramatic if nothing else. That's it from me for today!
19.04As mercurial as Federer was earlier, Murray was very impressive in conquering Tsonga. His first two sets, particularly on serve, were near-perfect and when Tsonga rallied later in the match, he largely had the answers to both his power game and delicate net play. Well played that man!
18.53Murray smashes a forehand across Tsonga and the ball is called wide by the line judge, but the Centre Court crowd don't hear it. They scream in excitement, Murray drops his racquet and leans on his knees, assuming he has wrapped up victory. Only then does he realise the ball has been called out and asks for the challenge. Hawk-eye shows the ball clipped the line and ends 74 years of British hurt at Wimbledon.
18.49GAME, SET AND MATCH: Murray 6-3 6-4 3-6 7-5 Tsonga HE'S DONE IT, HE'S IN THE FINAL! Murray completes a four-set victory and in dramatic style too...
18.48MATCH POINT! Tsonga, who has come to the net so often and so well all match, hits his volley into the net and the Scot now has two match points. C'mon Murray lad!!
18.46Again, Murray is one game away from Sunday's showpiece. Tsonga serving to stay in this match...
18.44Frustration is evident on the face of Tsonga after he throws away a break chance and gifts Murray a hold with two unforced errors.
18.40Putting to the back of his mind the pressure, and a poor line-call from the chair umpire, Tsonga produces a solid service game to level at 5-5 in the latter stages of this fourth set.
18.37In a role-reversal of the previous game, Murray strings together four successive points to survive a break scare and move to within one game of an historic Wimbledon final.
18.34A missed opportunity for the Frenchman as he twice hits long when presented with break points.
18.30Superb from Tsonga as he reels off five consecutive points to hold after being 15-40 down.
18.29On both oh them, Murray ends up on the floor. A slip on the baseline prevents him reaching Tsonga's drop shot before Murray tries and fails to replicate his opponent's dive from earlier in proceedings. Having been lobbed, the Frenchman turns 180 degrees before unleashing a beast of a forehand, which gets the better of the stretching Scot.
18.28The fifth seed produces a big ace to reduce the deficit but then miscues a volley into the net to allow Murray two break points...
18.27Hello, hello. The Centre Court crowd are stirring as Murray moves into a 30-love lead on the Frenchman's serve. This could be the break opportunity he needs...
18.24As much as the spectators are enjoying Tsonga's tennis, they are fully behind Murray and loudly applaud the Scot's hold in the seventh game of this fourth set.
18.21We are level at three games apiece in this fourth set as Tsonga produces more crowd-pleasing tennis to hold.
18.19Oh the crowd liked that one. Tsonga pulls out the dive to return a volley at the net after Murray had looked to have won the point following a succession of baseline strokes.
18.17Break! Two superb, but differing points from Tsonga earn him an immediate break back. Firstly, he shows great touch at the net to steal a long rally, before following that up with a vicious forehand which Murray could only return into the net. Back on serve in the fourth. Murray 6-3 6-4 3-6 3-2 Tsonga.
18.15A big serve at a big time for the Briton as he fires an ace down the middle to take the score to deuce.
18.14Tsonga produces a shot to rival any of Murray's winners as he sends a dipping backhand across a net-approaching Murray. Break point to the Frenchman...
18.11Break! Murray has reverted back to his brilliant first-set ways and records what could be a decisive break thanks to some very stubborn defence on the baseline.
18.10Superb combination of forehands from Murray, firstly to return a passing shot from the Frenchman and secondly to fire a winner wide of the fifth seed.
18.09Break opportunity her for Murray as Tsonga double faults to go love-30 behind on his own serve.
18.06That game was more reminiscent of the opening two sets, with Tsonga throwing away points and Murray securing a 2-1 lead with a superb cross-court winner on the move.
18.03Undoubtedly, the Frenchman's serve is now coming down with a bit of extra heat. He powers his way into a 40-love lead and then when Murray fights back to 40-30, he clinches the game with a strong forehand winner.
17.59With Tsonga now in the ascendancy and striking the ball well, Murray is forced to battle hard to hold the opening game of the fourth set.
17.54SET! Murray 6-3 6-4 3-6 Tsonga On getting back to his feet, Tsonga needs just two more points to reduce the deficit back to one-set. Those headline writers will have to hold fire for a while yet, this one isn't over.
17.53The Centre Court crowd warmly greet Tsonga back to his feet. The process takes several installments, with the photographers in the background snapping away. Caption at the ready- "new balls please".
17.51Ouch. Murray's attempted passing shot at the net strikes Tsonga in a delicate area and leaves the Frenchman rolling on the floor.
17.48Murray holds to take the score to 5-3. This is an integral game in this match...
17.44Again there are half signs of a break for Murray but Tsonga secures a hold to thirty with a superb half-volley pick up from a well-struck return from the Scot.
17.41Murray outfoxes Tsonga with a surprise cross-court forehand, that the Frenchman can only deflect into the boardings behind him. Murray 6-3 6-4 2-4 Tsonga
17.37Wow, what a time to send down a monster serve like that. Tsonga follows up an ace with a superb backhand winner, and another ace to claim a very important hold.
17.36Really lazy work at the net from Tsonga allows Murray an easy passing shot and now a second break point.
17.34Thank you kindly Matt! We are level again at deuce as Tsonga survives his first break point thanks to a fortunate bounce which flies off the frame of Murray's racquet.
17.32Right, that's my short stint over! Back over to the grand Joe Fish for the rest of the action.
17.32Again it's wonderful serving from Tsonga as he comes to the net to level it at 15-15 - before moving ahead as Murray fires long.
17.30Murray staves off the break point to hold serve. However, he remains 3-1 behind in the third set.
17.30Big moment in this match as Tsonga hits the net at 30-40 - we sit at deuce on the Murray serve.
17.28The pair exchange points as Murray hits the net before smashing an overhead winner past Tsonga. 15-30.
17.26Tsonga has just begun to find his forehand in this third set - and Murray just cannot deal with it. The Frenchman leads 0-15.
17.24And there's the hold for Tsonga as he moves 3-0 ahead in the third. Suddenly the Frenchman has just found a bit of form.
17.22Again it's brilliant defence from Murray as he levels it at 40-40 on the Tsonga serve. Much more of an even encounter now.
17.20Tsonga breaks! Brilliant from the Frenchman as he thumps a forehand past Murray to lead 2-0 in the third set. Suddenly we have a match on our hands.
17.20The Scot then fires long to hand Tsonga three chances to break...
17.20It's poor from Murray as he double faults before hitting the net from close range. 0-30.
17.18Tsonga is up-and-running in the third set as he secures the opening game. However, Murray continues to impress with his return.
17.16Tsonga will serve first in the third set. How does he respond?
17.15What an incredible set of tennis from Murray. He just looks the stronger and the more focused of the two players. Meanwhile, Tsonga has called the physio onto court to receive treatment for a back injury.
17.14SET! Tsonga fires long as Murray takes the second set 6-4 to open up a two-sets-to-nil lead.
17.12However, it's fantastic from Tsonga as he comes to the net to release a volley past Murray. 30-15.
17.12Murray continues his domination on serve as he moves 30-0 ahead. He is just two points away from a two-set lead.
17.10And it's enough to hold. However, Murray will now serve for the second set.
17.10Again it's a wonderful return from Murray as he levels it at deuce on the Tsonga serve. However, a powerful serve sends the Frenchman advantage ahead.
17.08There just hasn't been any of the usual pace and power from Tsonga this afternoon. Have the nerves got to him? It certainly looks that way. 30-30 on the Frenchman's serve.
17.06Make that four as Murray holds to leave 5-2. He has lost just one point on his serve in this set - just incredible. How does Tsonga respond?
17.04However, three powerful serves from Murray hand him a 40-0 advantage. How well has the Scot served thus far today?!
17.02Such flattery! Thanks Joe. Right let's get straight into the action. Tsonga has just held his own serve to move 4-3 behind Murray in the second set.
17.01I'm a little superstitious, and with Murray doing so well, I'm reluctant to change anything. However, I'm in need of refreshments, so I'm going to temporarily pass you over to my talented colleague Matt Law, who will guide you through the next half-an-hour or so. If it all goes pear shaped, blame him! Matt...
16.59Eleven straight points on serve for Murray as he establishes a two-game lead in this second set, having taken the first 6-4.
16.57Break! And it is a chance taken, or more accurately gifted to him by the fifth seed, who sends a forehand well wide to allow Murray a set and a break advantage.
16.55Murray forces Tsonga to deuce with a fantastic cross-court return which cramps the Frenchman at the net. A possible break chance here...
16.52Two aces and two un-returnable serves, Murray makes light work of his service game to level the second at two game apiece.
16.50Yet again, Tsonga survives a difficult service game. Murray is showing why he is considered one of the best returners in the game, but has not been able to break the Frenchman thus far in the second.
16.45The players exchange games at the start of this second set as Murray holds in more convincing fashion.
16.41An awkward back and forth service game for the fifth seed, but he eventually holds after powering his way through some valiant Murray defence.
16.36SET! Murray 6-3 Tsonga As his head hit the pillow last night (if he managed to get any sleep that is), Murray would have dreamt of a start similar to this. He's been strong on serve, and recorded a break against an opponent also known for a powerful service game. Above all else though, he's won the first set, and that will be a real nerve-settler for probably the most watched man in Britain right now.
16.32Serving to stay in the first set, Tsonga resists some powerful Murray stroke-play to hold firm and force the fourth seed to serve for the opener.
16.28Exclamations of excitement from the crowd and groans of approval from the commentary box greet another delightful Murray winner. Tsonga's powerful backhand down the line appears to have ended the point but the Scot replies with a magnificent cross-court forehand to secure another hold.
16.24More impressive service play, this time from Tsonga, who fires down two aces on his way to holding and keeping in touch at 4-2.
16.21Important hold from Murray, which he secures to deuce with a big ace.
16.20Excellent from Murray, who goes on the offence in order to save both break points. Tsonga, possibly frustrated by his missed opportunity, has a little moan about the moist playing surface. It's only a bit of rain lad - we get it here all summer!
16.19Two break points Tsonga. This time it is Murray who approaches the net wildly and Tsonga hits a strong backhand across the Scot, who can only return into the net.
16.16Tsonga shows some more control in his serve and volley approach and is rewarded with the fourth game.
16.14Brilliant again from Murray, who sends another low, forehand passing shot beyond the reach of the stretching Frenchman.
16.13Murray consolidates his break with a comfortable hold against the fifth seed, who is eager to come to the net but has enjoyed little success doing so thus far.
16.10Break! Tsonga cannot return a backhand down the line from Murray, who gains immediate control with an early break. Dream start for the home favourite.
16.08And it gets even better as he scoops low to flick a superb forehand passing effort past an onrushing Tsonga. Federer-esque stroke-play, if I may say so.
16.06Good sign for all Murray fans as the Scot strikes a superb cross-court passing shot on his way to pressurising the Tsonga serve at 30-30.
16.03Murray starts confidently and storms into a 40-love lead. Even when Tsonga pulls it back to 40-30, the British number one remains composed and finishes the Frenchman off to get on the board at the first attempt.
16.00Murray has won the coin toss and will get us underway. In very military style, we will begin at sixteen-hundred hours precisely. Game on. C'mon Murray!
15.58The start has been slightly delayed by the removal of the roof, which is moving at snail-like pace - quite the opposite of how Tsonga will jet around the court today.
15.56Murray and Tsonga have begun their warm-up. The Centre Court crowd are hushed with a combination of anticipation and nerves.
15.49With the rain having subsided for now, Murray and Tsonga will start their match without the use of the Centre Court roof. How long it will stay that way though is another story, considering this rather damp British summer we are 'enjoying'.
15.47Of course, firstly he'll have to overcome either Andy Murray or Jo Wilfried Tsonga, who will begin their semi-final on Centre Court in around ten minutes.
15.44There are plenty more milestones for Federer to reach on Sunday, should he win of course. He can equal Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon titles, become the first man since Rod Laver to win a Grand Slam at the age of 30 and also regain his world number one ranking. It could be quite a day for the Swiss!
15.40In the process of winning, Federer breaks Becker's record for the most Wimbledon finals with eight. The German was previously joint holder with seven, along with Pete Sampras.
15.38BBC Sport pundit and former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker: "I think Roger shocked Djokovic with the way that he kept going for his shots and attacking his serve. I don't know how well they get on, you hear rumours that they are not the best of friends, and I think that win means a lot to him."
15.36The Swiss was particularly impressive on serve and out-classed Djokovic on the ground strokes. The Serbian, usually so resilient and stubborn in defence, was unusually sloppy from the back-court - making 24 unforced errors in total.
15.34A stunning performance from the six-time champion, who took advantage of an under-par Djokovic to record a well-deserved win.
15.28GAME, SET AND MATCH: Federer 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3 Djokovic can only return a blistering Federer serve into the net as the Swiss records a great victory to move into Sunday's final.
15.27He may be on the verge of exiting Wimbledon, bu Djokovic can still afford a wry smile as his drop shot clips the net and lands just on Federer's side of the court. The Serbian holds an apologetic hand up, but he may be moving that hand across the net very soon as Federer moves ever closer. 30-30.
15.23He's just two points away now as Djokovic strikes long to take this game to deuce. However, the Serbian produces an ace to take the game and force Federer to serve for the match.
15.19Federer is closing in. He holds to love to move to within a game of his eighth Wimbledon final. He's never lost a semi-final at SW19 and it would take something extraordinary to change that now.
15.17Djokovic wins the third deuce to stay in touching distance. Federer serving with new balls...
15.16Federer ensures that we remain at deuce as Djokovic can only hit long after the Swiss's superb backhand out wide.
15.13Point proven. Federer storms into a 40-love lead on the Djokovic serve but the Serbian produces some big serves and an excellent backhand winner to force the six-time champion to deuce. He'll go out fighting, if he does indeed go out.
15.11Federer 6-3 3-6 6-4 4-1 Djokovic Don't write off Djokovic just yet, he's as resilient as they come and he won't hand over his final berth easily.
15.09Closing in on this match, Federer shows little signs of nerves as he holds to love to move 4-1 ahead.
15.07Federer forces Djokovic to deuce courtesy of a superb cross-court forehand, which he secured courtesy of a successful challenge. However, the Serbian prevents Federer gaining a double break with some stubborn defence.
15.02A very important hold from Roger. Djokovic briefly threatens to break back at 30-30 but, as he so often does, Federer produces two big first serves to consolidate his advantage in this match.
15.00Break! Huge moment in this match as Federer breaks. A pair of unforced errors from Djokovic gifts the Swiss three break points. He saves the first with a rocket of a forehand but, in trying to replicate that, he sends his second strike wide as Federer moves a break ahead.
14.57And he begins with a hold to thirty as he looks to advance to an eighth Wimbledon final.
14.55Federer returns to court after a comfort break and will begin this third set on serve...
14.52Nobody in the game is better at coming from behind than Novak Djokovic. He's a master in endurance and at winning in five sets - it's a huge reason why he is ranked as the world's number one player. Even so, this would arguably go down as his greatest victory should he win from here.
14.50SET! Federer 6-3 3-6 6-4 Djokovic Federer makes no such mistake with his overhead, set up by a succession of fine backhands, and moves two-sets-to-one ahead.
14.48Wow. Two set points for Federer after Djokovic misjudges a simple overhead and somehow puts it long.
14.47Superb from Federer as he hits winners on both the backhand and forehand side to move 30-love ahead on the Djokovic serve.
14.44Federer manages to hold despite making three unforced errors. Djokovic serving to stay in this third set...
14.41Federer 6-3 3-6 4-4 Djokovic The Serbian holds to level the third set.
14.37A less dramatic, but equally important hold from Federer as he moves 4-3 ahead in the third. This is a key juncture in this match, especially for the six-time champion, who is currently playing close to his best tennis and would be bitterly disappointed to go two-sets-to-one down.
14.35Superb defence from Djokovic as he survives two break points to hold in what what was undoubtedly the best game of the match so far.
14.32Outstanding! Dare I say like London buses? Another long rally is concluded with a trademark one-handed backhand down the line from Federer which is greeted with rapturous applause by the Centre Court crowd. Another break point for the Swiss maestro here...
14.29Incredible! Finally a rally worthy of the 'classic' title that had been attributed to this match. Djokovic gifts Federer a break point courtesy of a double fault, but Djokovic comes out on top in a 30+ stroke exchange, during which Federer threatened several times to break. He may yet have an opportunity though as we go back and forth at deuce.
14.22Federer comes out on top in a game of fine margins. Two Djokovic backhands strike the top of the net and a forehand goes inches long as Federer moves 3-2 ahead.
14.20Genius he may be, but Federer can't prevent Djokovic from holding to fifteen. The Serbian is improving with every point.
14.16"You're a genius Roger, genius", exclaims a man from the crowd after the Swiss secures a hold courtesy of two marvelous forehand winners. Well said.
14.14Djokovic saves a break point before producing two big serves on his way to holding to deuce.
14.12Again a missed opportunity from Federer as he misses a forehand wide on break point.
14.11Wasteful from Federer as he sends a backhand sliced return long on Djokovic's second serve with the score at 15-30.
14.08Just as Djokovic responded well to losing the opener, Federer has done so after being defeated in the second. A comfortable hold, secured with a powerful overhead sees him draw first blood in the third.
14.06Federer to serve to begin this third set...
14.05In terms of the standard of tennis so far, it hasn't exactly been the classic that it was hyped to be. However, this match is brilliantly poised at a set each and there is still time for this to develop into one for the ages. I initially tipped Djokovic in four, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this one go all the way.
14.03SET! Federer 6-3 3-6 Djokovic Djokovic finishes the second set off with an ace as he holds to love to level the match.
13.59After starting it slowly, Federer is making Djokovic work for this second set now. Another impressive service game forces the defending champion to serve for the set.
13.55The world number one is now just one game away from levelling this match at a set apiece after securing another service game with a superb cross-court forehand, which was shown to graze the line after a challenge from the Serbian.
13.53Despite being a break down, Federer still looks strong on serve and wastes little time in pulling a game back.
13.49Djokovic is firmly in control of this second set and extends his advantage to three games with a comfortable hold.
13.47Important hold to deuce from Federer as he keeps in touch in this second set. Federer 6-3 1-3 Djokovic
13.44Break! Apologies for our ten minute absence there. Djokovic has proved just why he is the world number one by responding strongly with a break at the first attempt in the second set. He has also held convincingly twice to move 3-0 ahead. Hopefully our technical issues are behind us now...
13.37An excellent start from Federer, who at times looked at his elegant best and particularly imperious on serve. A well-deserved first-set win.
13.35SET! Federer 6-3 Djokovic We've had a few technical problems in the last 10 minutes, but while we were away the players exchanged games on serve as Federer wrapped up the opening set.
13.26Break! Federer takes his first half chance at a break, partially helped on his way by a pair of unforced errors from Djokovic.
13.25First sign of a break opportunity as Djokovic can only hit a cross-court forehand wide following a backhand down the line from Federer. 30-30.
13.21Impressive serving from Federer as he fires down two aces on his way to moving 3-2 ahead.
13.19As expected, it is proving very hard to separate these two in the early stages. Djokovic holds to level at two games apiece in the first.
13.16Remember, each player gets three unsuccessful challenges per set, with a further being added in the event of a tie-break. So, Djokovic has lost one of his early in this opening set.
13.15We have our first challenge of the match, and it favours the Swiss on his way to a second hold.
13.13An equally impressive start from Djokovic as he wins his opening service game without dropping a point.
13.10The six-time champion begins with a comfortable hold to fifteen. Confident start.
13.08My prediction, for what it's worth, is Novak to win in four sets. Will I be correct? Well we are about to find out as Federer prepares to fire down his first serve. Game on.
13.04The traditional five minute knock up is in progress, with the Centre Court crowd taking their seats.
13.02The players have emerged, with Federer choosing to serve first after winning the coin toss.
13.00Anticipation for this match was made even greater following both men's superb quarter-final displays. Federer thrashed Mikhail Youzhny 6-1 6-2 6-2, while Djokovic was also a straight-set victor over Florian Mayer.
12.58The umpire has made his way on to Centre Court, with the players to follow shortly.
12.54An interesting fact for you here - No pair have played more Grand Slam matches against each other than these two, but this is their first meeting at Wimbledon and in-fact, there first clash ever on grass.
12.51This first contest on Centre Court is being tipped to be an all-time classic. Djokovic has dominated men's tennis over the past 12 months, but he is up against Wimbledon's favourite son, on his preferred surface. Tough call.
12.48Yesterday it was Agnieszka Radwanska and Serena Williams who secured their last-four berths with victories over Angelique Kerber and Victoria Azarenka respectively, who will follow them to an SW19 final today?
12.45Surprise, surprise. The weather forecasters got it right. In-fact, that is a surprise. The UK is supposed to have a month's rain over the next two days and a significant amount of that appears to be focusing on SW19. Do not fear though, that brilliant Centre Court roof will ensure that both men's semi-finals will be completed today.
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
