Muguruza staking claims

Because of the incompetence of organisers the first match decided on women's quarter final day was that between Novak Djokovic and Adrian Mannarino.

Djokovic was happy to wrap this up in straight sets and prepare himself for a quarter final with Tomas Berdych, whose Wimbledon this year has been most impressive.

Mannarino played a pretty good match against the second seed, especially being down a set and a break. He forced Djokovic to a second set tie break, losing it seven points to five.

A single break of serve in set three was sufficient to seal proceedings but Novak knew that he had been tested somewhat.

The head to head record against Berdych is 25 from 27 for Djokovic including the last 12.  The third meeting was the Wimbledon semi final in 2010 which Berdych won so he can use that as some hope.

Garbine Muguruza (14) continued her terrific tennis, ending Sveta Kuznetsova's Wimbledon hopes in two clinical sets. Power mixed with grace has seen the Spanish star emerge as a favourite, particularly since she has been a finalist before (2015).

In another high class battle, Kuznetsova (7) hit 21 winners and only committed 12 unforced errors, yet was unable to break the reliable Muguruza serve, and the timing of the single breaks of the Russian serve early in each set was impeccable.

Muguruza will play Slovakian surprise packet, 87th ranked Magdalena Rybarikova, who accounted for an erratic Coco Vandeweghe in their quarter final.

Rybarikova was ranked as low as the 400s earlier this year, having had to undergo surgery on her knee and wrist, and missing the second half of 2016.

Her record on grass is good, however, and by taking out Karolina Pliskova and now Vandeweghe, she is proving that in spades.

Never having been beyond the third round in a Grand Slam event before, a semi final is fantastic for Magdalena.

The Brits are really into Wimbledon 2017 with Murray in the quarters and now Konta (Aussie born) into the semis.

Another three setter was required and Johanna ultimately overcame Simona Halep in style, with a superb serving exhibition by both players.

The first two sets were split by tie breaks with only two breaks of serve included.

The decider was again close, but in the sixth game Konta attacked the Halep backhand and drew a couple of errors, helping create the critical break of serve for 4-2.

This was enough and Johanna Konta has raised Brit hopes for a first home win since Virginia Wade 40 years ago.

To even reach the final, Konta must defeat five time champ Venus Williams, who knocked off another youngster almost half her age, Jelena Ostapenko.

Venus is looking dangerous, her serve damaging.  In the last four and knowing how to win this thing must make her a big hurdle for Konta. A great semi final is guaranteed.

Mens quarter finals are next on the agenda and the match of the four in my opinion has to be Federer v Raonic.  Raonic defeated the Swiss master here in the semis last year so revenge is on Roger's mind no doubt.