Richard Gasquet (left) won a thrilling dual with Novak Djokovic ©AFP/Getty Images

Richard Gasquet won a thrilling duel with French Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka to set up a Wimbledon men's singles semi-final against world number one Novak Djokovic, while home hope Andy Murray will face seven-time champion Roger Federer.

Gasquet, the 21st-seeded Frenchman, who last reached the semi-finals in 2007, won the first set before his Swiss opponent found his range to win the next two.

But, at 5-4 down in the fourth, Wawrinka produced a first double fault of the match to send the engrossing tie between players boasting two of the best backhands in the sport into a fifth set.

An 83-minute decider then unfolded before Gasquet battled through 11-9 to move one win away from what would be a first Grand Slam final.

"I wanted to win," said the delighted victor.

"But it was tough for me.

"I made some mistakes, he had big confidence after Paris and I had to fight.

"It’s a great feeling as it’s a big match."

Gasquet has only won one out of 13 matches against Djokovic, who beat Croatia's US Open winner Marin Cilic in straight sets today, but is confident about continuing his good form against the Serbian.

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Novak Djokovic proved too strong for Marin Cilic to set up a semi-final with Richard Gasquet ©Getty Images

Crowd favourite Murray meanwhile, who beat Djokovic to win the 2013 title, reached a sixth semi-final in seven years at the All England Club with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win over Canadian rival Vasek Pospisil.

The match, watched by several celebrities, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and former England captain David Beckham, was interrupted by two rain delays, leading to the closure of the Centre Court roof. 

Murray will now face Federer in a repeat of the 2012 final, where the Swiss star won in straight sets.

The second seed swept aside France's Gilles Simon in three sets lasting barely an hour-and-a-half.

Both semi-finals are due take place on Friday (July 10) with tomorrow scheduled to see the two women's last four matches.

American Serena WIlliams will face Russian arch-rival Maria Sharapova, while Spain's Garbine Muguruza will play Poland's Agnieszka Radwańska.



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