LONDON (AP) — Andy Murray’s reign as Wimbledon champion ended Wednesday with a straightset loss in the quarterfinals to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, who is making his breakthrough after years of being touted as the game’s next top player.
Two other former champions, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, came from behind to win and move into the semifinals once again at the All England Club. Bigserving Canadian Milos Raonic also made the final four, beating the Australian teenager who ousted Rafael Nadal.
In women’s play, French Open runner-up Simona Halep and Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard advanced to the semifinals in straight sets.
Dimitrov completely outplayed Murray on Centre Court, winning 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6- 2 to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
The 11th-seeded Dimitrov broke Murray five times — including in the final game — to become the first Bulgarian man to advance to the final four of a major. It was his first victory over a top 10 player at a Grand Slam.
Murray last year became the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years. He came into the quarterfinals riding a 17-match winning streak at the All England Club, had not dropped a set this tournament and was bidding to become the first British player to retain the title since 1936.
Dimitrov will next face top-seeded Djokovic, who came from two-sets-to-one down to beat 26th-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-1, 3- 6, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2 and reach the Wimbledon semifinals for the fifth consecutive year
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