American Sam Querrey stunned defending champion Andy Murray to reach the semi-finals ©Getty Images

American Sam Querrey continued his trend of knocking out defending Wimbledon champions as he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final with a shock five-set victory over Sir Andy Murray.

Querrey, who ended Novak Djokovic's title defence last year, took advantage of Sir Andy's injury problems to clinch a 3-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 triumph on Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

Three-time winner Djokovic also exited the tournament as he retired hurt when trailing 7-6, 2-0 to 2010 finalist Tomáš Berdych of the Czech Republic.

There were no such troubles for Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who swept aside last year's runner-up Milos Raonic of Canada 6-4, 6-2, 7-6.

Federer, the pre-tournament favourite who has lifted the Wimbledon title on seven occasions, was in supreme form once again as he put in another impressive display. 

The 35-year-old will play Berdych in the semi-finals.

Querrey, the world number 28, also became the first American man to progress to the semi-finals of one of tennis' four major tournaments since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

The big-serving American, seeded 24th, will face Marin Čilić on Friday (July 14) after the Croatian overcame Rafael Nadal's conqueror Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 3-6, 7-6, 7-5, 5-7, 6-1.

Seventh seed Cilic will now compete in his first Wimbledon semi-final having reached his fourth consecutive quarter-final.

Querrey, competing in his 42nd Grand Slam, lost the first set but recovered to claim the second after breaking the Briton's serve twice in a row.

Sam Querrey will face Croatian Marin Cilic in the semi-finals ©Getty Images
Sam Querrey will face Croatian Marin Cilic in the semi-finals ©Getty Images

The Olympic gold medallist was then broken again in the last game of the third but managed to win the tie-break to move to within one set of a place in the final.

It was at this point where the two-time Wimbledon champion's sore hip began to take its toll and Querrey exploited the weakness with an array of impressive groundstrokes.

The American stepped up a gear in the fourth and fifth sets, winning 12 of the last 14 games to wrap up arguably the greatest victory of his career.

"I didn't start my best but I kept with it, kept swinging away, then really found a groove in the fourth and fifth sets and then everything started falling my way," said Querrey.

"It feels great - this is a dream come true, to be in the semi-finals and to have it at Wimbledon makes it feel more special."