Roger Federer is now the odds on favourite to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon after a day that saw the other two leading contenders – Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – both failing to advance due to injuries.
Federer, chasing a record 8th title, made progress after beating Milos Raonic in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 7-6.
His victory came minutes after the second-seeded Djokovic retired from his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych.
The former world number one, who would have regained top spot by winning Wimbledon, was losing 7-6 (7-2) 2-0 to the Czech when he withdrew with an elbow injury.
Djokovic, 30, also had treatment on a right shoulder injury during his last-16 win over Adrian Mannarino and needed further attention against Berdych.
“I haven’t felt this much pain since I’ve had this injury,” said Djokovic.
“It’s not the shoulder, it’s the elbow that has kept bothering me for over a year and a half.
“I was able, for 30 minutes, to play with some pain that was bearable, but the serve and forehand were shots where I could feel it the most. After that, there was really no sense [in continuing].”
Berdych now advances to the semifinals where he will play Federer who is chasing a first Wimbledon title since 2012.
The top seeded Murray was bothered by a sore hip and went down 3-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 to Sam Querrey.
The 29 year old, who is the first American man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Andy Roddick in 2009, will next face Marin Cilic — a winner over Gilles Muller — in the other semifinal on Friday.