NEW YORK - That upward-pointing arrow defining Andy Murray’s career flattened out dramatically yesterday. The British star, who had ascended to a No.2 ranking, was ousted from the U.S. Open by No.16 Marin Cilic, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 - a lopsided result as surprising for its score as the player he lost to. Cilic overcame two set points in the first set, then pounded Murray in the last two to make his first career Grand Slam quarterfinal. Murray, who lost to Roger Federer in the final at Flushing Meadows last year, will finish 2009 without making a major final.

men’s semifinals WIMBLEDON, England The current edition of Wimbledon is the 23rd Grand Slam tournament since Andy Roddick won his lone major championship at the 2003 U.S. Open. He badly wants to win a second. It’s why he changed coaches this season. Slimmed down. Put in as much work as ever in practice, striving to improve his returns, his backhands, his volleys.

Andy Roddick (above) defeated 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt in a five-set quarterfinal epic. WIMBLEDON, England—Roger Federer neutralized Ivo Karlovic’s huge serves yesterday to reach the Wimbledon semifinals and move a step closer to a record 15th Grand Slam championship. Two-time finalist Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Tommy Haas completed the final four.

Andy Murray, 22, exults after dispatching Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets. The match was the first played entirely indoors in Wimbledon history. WIMBLEDON, England - They played into the night on Centre Court, later than anyone ever had in Wimbledon’s long history, and they played indoors, the first match contested entirely under the new roof.