Sam Querrey sent defending champion Andy Murray crashing out of Wimbledon yesterday, reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final in the 42nd attempt.

One year after knocking out 2015 champion Novak Djokovic in the third round, 29-year-old Querrey, the world number 28, won 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-1.

World number one Murray’s challenge petered out when he began limping off his right leg, his movement severely compromised by a recent hip problem.

Querrey will face Marin Cilic for a place in the final after the 2014 US Open champion defeated Gilles Muller, the conqueror of Rafael Nadal, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5, 5-7, 6-1.

Meanwhile, second seed Novak Djokovic’s run in this year’s championship came to an end after retiring injured during his quarter-final against Tomas Berdych. The former world number one, who would have regained top spot by winning the title, was down 7-6 (7-2) 2-0 when he withdrew with an elbow injury.