Andy Murray got through a sensational third-round match against Fabio Fognini to book his place in the last 16 at Wimbledon, while Rafael Nadal based on a flying begin to take out Karen Khachanov.
The combine are on course for a semi-final meeting in SW19 and will now confront Benoit Paire and Gilles Muller separately, however it was not such a decent day for one more of the top seeds in their half of the draw.
Ninth seed Kei Nishikori saw his crusade finished by Roberto Bautista Agut in the greatest stun of the day, while another match did not have an opportunity to achieve its decision.
So here are the talking points of Wimbledon day 5
1 Murray survives against Fabio Fognini-
The 30 year old Scot has come back in a thrilling encounter against Fabio Fognini by 6-2 4-6 6-1 7-5. The Wimbledon champion looked practically sure to be dragged into a fifth set by Fognini when he trailed 5-2 in the fourth, however he demonstrated his courage to spare five set point and win five straight game to wrap up triumph in 2 hours 39 minutes.
Andy Murray (GBR) v Fabio Fognini (ITA) on Centre Court in the third round of the Gentlemen’s Singles. The Championships 2017 at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 5 Friday 07/07/2017. Credit: AELTC/Joel Marklund
2 Nadal crushed Karen Khachanov in the third round-
The Spaniard outplayed his opponent and sailed into the fourth round by 6-1 6-4 7-6. Nadal has not dropped a set at a great slam since losing the Australian Open last to Roger Federer in January and achieves the last 16 at Wimbledon for just the third time since he last triumphed at the All England Club in 2010.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Karen Khachanov (RUS) on Centre Court in the third round of the Gentlemen’s Singles. The Championships 2017 at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 5 Friday 07/07/2017. Credit: AELTC/Joel Marklund
3 Nishikori was outplayed by Bautista-
The 2014 US Open finalist Nishikori has typically struggled at Wimbledon and has never advanced past the fourth round at the All England Club.
Also, he didn’t make it that far this month, as Bautista Agut struggled past the ninth seed to enroll a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 3 6-3 triumph. It took the Spanish eighteenth seed three hours and 21 minutes to irritate his Japanese rival on No.3 Court.
4 Lights out for Tsonga and Querrey-
The 12th seed Tsonga and 24th seed Querrey will return to the court for a second day after their lengthy third-round match on Friday was suspended due to darkness. Tsonga will serve at 2-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, 5-6 when play resumes on Saturday.