Tsonga in the tsemis

Another day, another shock and, while we refused to make any predictions yesterday, the words "there is no way Tsonga will beat Federer" we definitely uttered at some point in the AM.

Wrong again Mr Womble. In all honesty, we didn't see that coming, but we'll take solace in the fact that neither did anybody else. One moment, the media hacks are scribbling furiously about another Fed masterclass, the next they're rewriting their introduction along the lines of, "Is this the end of an era?"

We didn't think Tsonga had it in him, that sort of game. In the past we've only seen his power and what has seemed like lucky positioning, complemented by a huge reach. We stand corrected. The guy displayed a level of athleticism and, if lacking in deadly accuracy, then enough unpredictable creativity to challenge the biggest of names. Make no mistake that if Tsonga can do that to Federer, he'll be a tough prospect for Djokovic - especially as he is getting better with every game.

There was no such drama where our Andy Murray was concerned. Another straight sets victory to make this run to the semis uncharacteristically tranquil. Showcourt tension has been notable in its absence and we think we know what has pushed the Scot into an extra dimension...

Yes, it's his baseball cap. He's hasn't dropped a set while wearing the hat so far, so long may the sun shine on Centre Court. We noticed that after yesterday's victory, Murray flipped it round, USA style before going to sign autographs on his way off court. Was this to stop any eagle-eyed punters from grabbing the peak and swiping it from his head? After all, most of his other sweaty accessories are launched into the crowd, so why not the cap? He must know it's a good luck charm.

Murray was the only man not to drop a set in the quarters as Mardy Fish fought to snatch just the one from Rafa Nadal. The USA's No.1 couldn't capitalise on Rafa's supposed injury concerns and the Spaniard did enough to prove that he'll be no pushoever in the semi-final.

Tsonga and Tomic both holding their own

Marion Bartoli, our hot tip for the Ladies' title crashed out yesterday, mere hours after we'd pinpointed her as the 'one to watch'. Needless to say, we'll not be making any predictions today.

As we speak, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is making a fist of things against Roger Federer, he is a break up in the third set as he looks to level having comeback from two sets down. 

Djokovic and his young opponent Tomic, on the other hand, are trading blows on Court No.1 in a see-saw match that is impossible to call. The Serb is two sets to one up, but the Aussie is refusing to let him pull away.

Remember, the winners of these two games play each other in the first semi, leaving Rafa Nadal or Mardy Fish to fight for the chance to play Murray or Lopez.

Semi-finals in sight

Much in the same way that rain gets in the way of tennis, work gets in the way of blogging - but thanks to the invention of evenings and the Centre Court roof, we can now get on with both.

Sharapova earlier followed Sabine Lisicki into the next round to form the first semi-final. And now Azarenka and Paszek have decamped to Centre Court to decide who will face Petra Kvitova, who beat Pironkova to reach the second semi.

Quarter-finalists - a closer look

Maria Sharapova

Unbelievably, the Russian is still only 24, despite having turned pro in April 2001. Maria flew to her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2004, aged 17, but hasn't gone on to rack up the number of trophies expected, adding only the US Open (2006) and the Australian Open (2008) to her SW19 success, maybe thanks largely to the dominance of the Williams sisters. 

Dominika Cibulkova

Turned pro in 2005 but yet to win a title. Reached two tour finals in 2008, losing one to Maria Sharapova. The 22-year old has beaten world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki twice this year, at Brisbane in January and, of course, yesterday en route to the Wibledon quarter-final.

Marion Bartoli

La Francais has been knocking on the door of success all year having reached three semi-finals, as well as the final at Indian Wells in March. MArion already has 6 WTA tour titles, and 6 ITF titles to her name but, at 26, she is yet to snare a Grand Slam.

Sabine Lisicki

One of only two unseeded ladies left in the competition, German-born Lisicki is a wildcard entry at this year's Wimbledon but made a huge statement of intent by knocking out the French Open champ and No.3 seed Li Na in the 2nd round. Sabine hasn't dropped a set since.

Looking back at a remarkable Monday

Yesterday was remarkable. Not only did organisers manage to churn through all 16 matches, plus some doubles to boot, but some big names fell in battle.

Both Williams sisters in one day. Unheard of, literally. Until yesterday. Throw the Ladies' world No.1 into the 'notable exits' pot and we've got ourselves a wide open championship from here on in.

As in the Mens' draw, there are still two unseeded ladies left with Sabine Lisicki impressing on her way to the quarters.

Azarenka is the highest ranked Lady left in, but the world No.5 gazumped as favourite by former champ Sharapova, whose hard-hitting gruntfest has propelled her to this stage for the first time in five years.

Then there's Marion Bartoli, who is our dark horse for the title, she made the final in 2007 and reached the semis at Roland Garros earlier this month.

However, the spotlight is now on la Francais following her dismantling of reigning champ Serena Williams yesterday.

Next up we'll have a look at all the competitors before they get started...

Straight sets and straightforward

Murray progresses. And in much simpler fashion than we were led to expect. Gasquet hadn't dropped a set, remember. Now he's lost three and he's heading back down the EuroTunnel. 

We suggested he go for a straight-sets victory just moments before they started and he duly obliged - the only explanation being that the Scot reads The Wimble Womble in the dressing room.

Joking aside, that was impressive. Gasquet is a good, solid tennis player and he was made to look pretty average. Murray showed none of his temper, and he didn't waver when he got his nose in front, he stuck to his game and finished it off early enough to prepare properly for Wednesday.

The first set pointed at a close affair as both players battled stubbornly, following serve until the tiebreak, during which Murray stepped up his game. Power and pinpoint accuracy ruled the second set as the British No.1 pushed on and Gasquet was a spent force in the third. 

If you thought the expectation on Murray's shoulders was a weighty cross to bear then think again, as it will grow immeasurably between now and his quarter-final game. If today's showing is anything to go by, however, then Andy Murray version 2.0 might just be equipped to deal with the fuss. 

It looks like Murray will avoid an awkward match-up against his mum Judy's fancy man Feliciano Lopez, as the Spaniard has just battled through a third-set tiebreaksave his skin against Lukazs Kubot.

Murray v Gasquet

There are only four men in the Last 16 who haven't dropped a set so far; Nadal and Federer unsurprisingly are two of them, alongside Tomas Berdych, who was last year's runner-up, but who is the fourth?

You guessed it, it's Richard Gasquet. He's been getting better and better and winning with more conviction as the rounds go by and, although Andy Murray has trumpted his ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against the Frenchman, you can't help but notice a little complacency.

The five-set Wimbledon epic with Gasquet in 2008 was Murray's rise to the big time, he was cheering in between points and really working the crowd, he was a young man with the world on his side and seemingly in his element and on the crest of a wave. 

Three years on and the pressure of not having won a slam is proving a heavy burden. We all know he has the game, but he's not yet shown the confidence to play his own game against the big three.

Murray has said that he doesn't mind if he goes behind, as he knows he can come back - it's a very dangerous tactic. We know he's trying to alleviate some of the pressure, but it's risky business showing your opponent that you're willing to go behind.

 If Murray knows he can win three sets in a row against Gasquet, then he should be looking to win them at the start of the match and not the end - if not for his own good, then at least for ours. Cue the roller coaster.