Crown awaits the young pretender as Roger Federer is defeated

Killer blow: Murray delivers the forehand cross-court winner that ended Tsonga’s challenge
Killer blow: Murray delivers the forehand cross-court winner that ended Tsonga’s challenge
GRAHAM HUGHES FOR THE TIMES

Roger Federer was not particularly eager to discuss who might walk off with the Wimbledon cup that had been his to win or lose for seven years before a hugely talented Czech bounced him out of the quarter-finals yesterday. A plaintive voice wanted Federer to make the case for Andy Murray to become his grass-court heir and the great one’s reaction was laced with melancholy, irony and disbelief.

“Rafa’s been playing terrible lately, Söderling is not a threat, Djokovic can’t play tennis any more it seems. Please. Respect the players. Obviously Andy is a fantastic player and he’s got all the chances to win here,” Federer, fixed on six singles crowns after his shock 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 reverse to Tomas Berdych, said. “We all