Wimbledon: Andy Murray's Wimbledon dream is over after a straight-sets defeat to Rafael Nadal. The British number one, who staged a thrilling comeback to beat Richard Gasquet and reach the quarter-finals, went down 6-3 6-2 6-4 on Centre Court.
Nadal remains on course for a potential repeat of last year's magnificent final against five-time champion Roger Federer, with a first Wimbledon crown firmly in his sights after a crushing victory over the world number one in last month's French Open final.
The Spaniard was simply too good for Murray as he continued the impressive form he has shown throughout the tournament.
Murray never threatened to break - winning only nine points on his opponent's serve - while he was constantly struggling to hold his own serve.
Nadal forced Murray to recover from 15-40 down in his second service game as he enjoyed a strong start to their last-eight match.
And when the Spaniard moved 15-40 ahead on the Murray serve once again in the eighth game, he was able to clinch the crucial first break.
Nadal comfortably served out the set to establish a 1-0 lead.
Murray was then broken again in the third game of the second set when he served a double-fault at 0-40.
A further break consolidated Nadal's position of strength and he went on to wrap up the set 6-2.
Murray battled again to hold serve in the early stages of the third set, but Nadal - who had won the previous six sets between the two men going into this match - broke again for a 4-3 lead.
Despite fighting back from a similar position against Gasquet, there was no way back for Murray as world number two Nadal comfortably served out the match.