The best was most definitely left until last as the ATP quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2015 unfolded.

That is not to say that we were not privy to good tennis earlier in the day, as Andy Murray delighted the visiting Duke and Duchess of Cornwall with a win, and some quite outstanding tennis against Vasek Pospisil. Roger Federer’s unbroken record of service holds was broken by Gilles Simon, albeit to no avail in a straight-sets sweep into the semifinals. US Open champion Marin Cilic was brushed aside by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets as well.

But all of that paled into comparison with the drama that was to unfold out on Court No. 1. In the second Switzerland/France encounter of the day, it soon looked as though Richard Gasquet would be the chief musketeer in charge as he took the first set from the newly crowned French Open champion.

But Stanislas Wawrinka’s form returned, and he swiftly set about leveling the match and going on to take the third set. It looked as though it would be a clean sweep for the Swiss over the French, but the fourth set was a far more competitive affair, with Gasquet delivering a coup de grace to break Wawrinka for the fourth set right at the end.

The trouble with a rain-disrupted day like today is that the menacing clouds had lingered and the light was fading – fast. Gasquet drew first blood in the final set, breaking for a 5-3 lead, only to be broken straight back as he tried to serve out for the match.

Neither man would flinch. Actually, that is not strictly true. Wawrinka drilled straight into Gasquet at one stage, not looking in the least bit remorseful as he raised a hand in faux-apology.

Maybe that was what was required to spur Gasquet on, as he came out at 10-9 after the change of ends and built up three match points. Wawrinka dug deep to save two of them, but it was not enough.

The Frenchman is into the semifinals in Wimbledon for the first time since 2007, and also the Brits need to fear the French in next week’s Davis Cup tie. They are ready to play on grass.

In the other matches of the day, the crowds on Centre Court were treated to some dazzling displays, both from Murray and Pospisil with their court craft and dinks and droppers, as well as the speed and dexterity of the ground-staff for a couple of rain delays.

Eventually the All England Club had to acquiesce to the weather gods, finally pulling the roof over before Murray edged out Pospisil in straight sets. The Canadian was perhaps unlucky to be pulled up on two time violation warnings, both of which eventually cost him his serve and ultimately the match.

Simon had a flurry of French resistance to end Federer’s run of service holds, but it was a minor blip in a day that was business as usual for the Swiss.

In fact the match of least note was Djokovic, who now will probably relish the chance to play Gasquet and will hope the Frenchman’s quarterfinal exertions will have left him fatigued.

The men’s semifinals will take place on Friday.