Wimbledon 2013: day nine – in pictures

Andy Murray fans walk round the courts before his quarter-final against Fernando Verdasco Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

John McEnroe takes a break from commentating to take part in an Over-45 men's doubles match with his brother Patrick on Court Three Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Their opponents are that perennial pair of entertainers Mansour Bahrami, here hitting a volley behind his back, and Henri Leconte Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Just five points into his quarter-final against David Ferrer, Juan Martín del Potro slips at the baseline and turns his ankle as well as jamming his already injured left knee ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A time out is called for treatment. This doesn't look good, could this match be over before it's barely begun? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The painkillers he's given seem to have done the trick as the Argentinian is eventually back on his feet ready to deal with what Ferrer can throw at him. Even though he's not that mobile ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

He still has the firepower to break the Spaniard and go on to take the first set 6-2 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Del Potro continues banging out his firepower in the second set, breaking Ferrer before taking the set 6-4 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Ferrer makes more of a game of it in the third set as he takes it to a tie-break but it's Del Potro who is in control of the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Del Potro is down on the floor again but this time it's in celebration after a forehand down the line gives him a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 victory Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

That result seemed impossible when he was lying down on the ground grimacing in pain in the opening game of the first set. An astonishing performance from the Argentinian Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Nemanja Vidic, Vidic, who snubbed a ticket in the Royal Box on Centre Court to come and watch his compatriot Novak Djokovic, takes his seat in the players' box Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A natty spectator in MCC jacket and tie Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Djokovic starts strongly but doesn't manage to break Berdych and the first set goes to a tie-break which the number one seed takes after Berdych makes a mistake Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Winning the first set had a bad effect on Djokovic's nerves as he was surprisingly broken twice to go 3-0 down in the second set. However he soon woke up, though, breaking Berdych twice in quick succession before winning the second set 6-4 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

That seemed to affect the number 7 seed as he double-faulted in the third game to offer Djokovic a break point. Djokovic had nothing to do to go ahead as Berdych double-faulted again and the former champion moved 3-1 up. Djokovic stepped up his game again and breezed through to win the set 6-3 and bring Vidic and the rest of the Court One crowd to their feet Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Former adversaries Roy Hodgson and Sir Alex Ferguson embrace in the Royal Box Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Andy Murray fans in the stands. Hope he's not distracted by their wigs Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The first set is going with serve Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Until the tenth game when Murray double faults to give the set to Verdasco, 6-4 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

In the second set Fernando Verdasco carries on where he left off and wins the second set 6-3. Andy Murray needs to find his mojo otherwise he's heading out of the tournament Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

And it seems he does. He started to play like his old self in the third and wins it 6-1. The number two seed is back in the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

And even more so after the fourth set which Murray takes 6-4. This match goes to a fifth set - it's squeaky-bum time Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Andy Murray dives to win a point and takes the game to draw level, it looks like this game is going to the wire Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The attrition continues with the matches going to serve Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Fernando Verdasco isn't giving up and in the eleventh game of the set, Murray is serving to stay in the tournament. He responds by winning the game to love, putting the pressure back on Verdasco. The Brit then heaps more pressure on the Spaniard by breaking his serve Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears and the Centre Court crowd roar on Murray as he comes out for the final game, he's serving for the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Serving with three match points, Verdasco returns but his backhand lands past the baseline, Murray pumps his fist and the crowd erupts but are the celebrations premature as Verdasco challenges the call ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Hawkeye confirms the ball was out and the two players embrace at the net. It's been a titanic battle but Britain's number one is through to his fifth consecutive Wimbledon semi-final Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Now the celebrations can begin in earnest Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

With a look of relief and joy on his face, Andy Murray throws his sweatbands into the crowd Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

For which there's a bit of a scramble Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Number 24 seed Jerzy Janowicz triumphed in straight sets 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 over compatriot Lukas Kubot, and will face Andy Murray in the semi-final Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian