Federer Out

Long time King of Centre Court Roger Federer is on his way home after losing in dramatic fashion to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-4 6-4. There was no hint of what was to come when the Swiss star eased his way to a comfortable looking two set lead. When the Frenchman broke early in the third it looked like nothing more than adding respectability to the scoreline. But the Queen’s finalist had suddenly found self-belief and saw out that set and repeated the trick twice more without ever looking like losing his powerful serve.

It was the first time that Federer has ever lost a Grand Slam match having led by two sets. At one point on Wednesday, Tsonga was made a 500/1 shot for the title by VictorChandler. He is now 6/1 with the same firm and a best price of 15/2 with Boylesports.

The other quarter-finals ultimately went to form with Andy Murray cruising past Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-4 6-4. The Brit is 9/2 with Boylesports to claim his first major championship but in the way, yet again,  stands reigning champion Rafa Nadal. The Spaniard was forced to work hard against American Mardy Fish, but prevailed after four tough sets. The world number one is a best price of 11/8 with Betfred.

He could yet face the man who threatens his status as the top ranked player - Novak Djokovic. The Serb was given a scare by 18-year-old Australian sensation Bernard Tomic who led the third set by a break after levelling at 1-1. In the end the Australian Open champion was relieved to progress to the semi-finals 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5. Djokovic is now 9/4 to win Wimbledon with Coral; he faces Tsonga on Friday.

Before that it’s the turn of the ladies, with Maria Sharapova now red-hot favourite with the bookies to claim a second Silver Salver. The Russian’s best title odds are 5/4 with William Hill, while Thursday’s semi-final opponent Sabine Lisicki is 6/1 with Boylesports. In the other match, eighth seed Petra Kvitova is backed by the same firm at 7/2 to go all the way. This despite facing number four seed Victoria Azarenka, who is longer at 4/1 for the big prize.