Wimbledon

Top 5 Photos, July 10: FeDal set up semifinal showstopper; MuRena out

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will meet for the first time at Wimbledon since their memorable 2008 final.

By Jordaan SanfordPublished July 10, 2019

The men's quarterfinal round took over the grass courts at the All England Club on Wednesday. These are the Top 5 photos from the day's action.

1. Reigning Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic suffered an early break deficit in the first set against David Goffin. The Serb had some initial difficultly finding his forehand in front of the Centre Court crowd, but soon grabbed hold of the match, deflating the Belgian with relentless pressure to advance, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2. The world No. 1 has lost only one set en route to his ninth Wimbledon semifinal.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns against Belgium's David Goffin during their men's singles quarter-final match on day nine of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 10, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) — © AFP/Getty Images

2. After two wins to start off their mixed double debut, Serena Williams and Andy Murray— —aka 'SerAndy', or, 'MuRena'—were eliminated by No. 1 seeds Nicole Melichar and Bruno Soares in the round of 16, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. All is not lost for Williams, as she will play for a spot in the singles championship on Thursday against Barbora Strycova.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Serena Williams of the United States and Andy Murray of Great Britain in action in their Mixed Doubles third round match against Bruno Soares of Brazil and Nicole Melichar of the United States during Day Nine of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

3. Roberto Bautista Agut is no stranger to the second week of Grand Slam events, but this year he experienced a major breakthrough when he reached his first quarterfinal at the Australian Open. On Wednesday, the Spaniard went a step further by ousting Guido Pella, 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon. Bautista Agut will face Djokovic, a player he's defeated twice this year.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain serves in his Men's Quarter Final match against Guido Pella of Argentina during Day Nine of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

4. Roger Federer fought off Kei Nishikori, who looked capable of beating the 20-time Grand Slam champion in the early goings. After a shaky first set, Federer found his rhythm to prevail over Nishikori, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, and become the first man to win 100 matches at a single major. Federer has now strung together 10 consecutive wins, including a victory in the Halle grass-court final.

5. Unable to serve out the first set at 5-4, Rafael Nadal broke Sam Querrey again for a 6-5 lead, which proved to be his quarterfinal's turning point. After taking his fifth set point opportunity, the Spaniard picked up the pace, energy, and his game to defeat the American, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2, setting up a show-stopping semifinal clash with Federer. The two have not met on grass since the 2008 Wimbledon final, when Nadal prevailed 9-7 in the fifth to capture his first title at the grass-court major.