Andy Murray goes into his high tension Wimbledon semi-final against Roger Federer on Friday hoping to use the memory of his thrilling London 2012 Olympics gold medal match against the same opponent as inspiration.

"I hope I get good support on Friday," says Murray. "Roger's extremely popular so it might not be as partisan a crowd or atmosphere as some of the matches I play here. But I'll still get a boost from the crowd, I'm sure."

Murray will draw on his London Olympics gold medal win over Federer as part of the build-up to what is certain to be a high tension semi-final. Murray will not need reminding that he lost to Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final.

Murray said: "I haven't watched the whole of those matches in 2012 but I've watched bits over the past few weeks. I played well in the 2012 Wimbledon final. I played well in both and I'll look back at them."

Murray also has to deal with the memory of a less than impressive performance against Federer at the O2 Arena last November when he won one game.

He asked of himself: "Where am I going wrong against the top guys and what is it I need to do to get back to that level competing with them?"

Federer says of his year so far: "I feel as if I have played a very solid year,especially on grass.But this is crunch time when you want to show if your game is really up to par."

One player who must feel he is up to par is the Frenchman Richard Gasquet. This writer remembers when he was a teenager many years ago and being sent by the Sunday Times to Bournemouth to see how Gasquet was coming along.

The mission showed a young player developing well. Now see where he is. And Djokovic is waiting for him.

Thursday's women's semi-finals are highlighted by the renewal of rivalries between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova - the latter won one game when they met last at Wimbledon in the Olympic final.

Williams has won their personal rivalry with 16 wins in a row, a streak which could well be extended.