Murray knocked out in quarters by Dimitrov

Andy Murray's reign as Wimbledon champion ended Wednesday with a straight-set loss in the quarterfinals to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, who is making his breakthrough after years of being touted as the game's next top player.

Two other former champions, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, came from behind to win in four sets and move into the semifinals once again at the All England Club.

In women's play, French Open runner-up Simona Halep and Canada's Eugenie Bouchard advanced to the semifinals in straight sets.

Dimitrov completely outplayed Murray on Centre Court, winning 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.

The 11th-seeded Dimitrov broke Murray five times - including in the final game - to become the first Bulgarian man to advance to the final four of a major. It was his first victory over a top 10 player at a Grand Slam.

''He was the better player start to finish,'' Murray said.

Murray last year became the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years. He came into the quarterfinals riding a 17-match winning streak at the All England Club, had not dropped a set this tournament and was bidding to become the first British player to retain the title since 1936.

''To win any tournament back-to-back, let alone back-to-back on a surface like this which sometimes rests on a few points in a set, it's not always going to go your way,'' Murray said.

With Prince William and his wife Kate watching from the Royal Box, Dimitrov lived up to his promise on the biggest stage in the game.

Dimitrov's win marked a huge step forward for a player nicknamed ''Baby Fed'' because of a style of play - especially the one-handed backhand - resembling that of Federer. The 23-year-old Dimitrov is also well-known for being the boyfriend of Maria Sharapova.

Dimitrov served 10 aces and had 32 winners and 18 unforced errors. Murray served as many double faults (5) as aces and had more unforced errors (37) than winners (24).

''Today was a bad day,'' Murray said. ''I made many mistakes. I think I had one backhand winner the entire match which isn't normally what I do, especially on this surface.''

Dimitrov will next face top-seeded Djokovic, who came from two-sets-to-one down to beat 26th-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-1, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2 and reach the Wimbledon semifinals for the fifth consecutive year.

Djokovic, the 2011 champion and 2013 runner-up, extended his perfect record against Cilic to 10-0. He has reached at least the semifinals at 16 of his past 17 Grand Slams.

Djokovic is 3-1 in matches against Dimitrov, who won the Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Queen's Club.

''He hasn't lost a match on grass courts this year,'' Djokovic said. ''He's the player to beat. ''

Federer, chasing a record eighth Wimbledon title, advanced to his 35th Grand Slam semifinal with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4 win over fellow Swiss player and Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka.

Federer was broken for the first time in the tournament and lost a set for the first time in five matches, but lifted his game on his favorite court to run his career record against Wawrinka to 14-2.

Federer, who lost in the second round here last year, is through to the semis for the ninth time at Wimbledon. He's gone on to win the title in all those years except for 2008, when he lost to Nadal in the final.

''I'm just really pleased that I'm back strong this year at Wimbledon,'' Federer said. ''Last year was such a disappointment ... I was very deflated leaving Wimbledon on that note. It's good to be back in the semis and having a chance to go a step or two further.''

It's the ninth year in a row that at least two of the so-called ''Big Four'' in men's tennis - Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray - have made it to the Wimbledon semifinals.

Earlier, Halep and Bouchard won easily to set up a meeting in the women's semifinals. Both players are 15-2 in Grand Slam matches this year.

No. 3 Halep won the last 11 games to beat 2013 finalist Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-4, 6-0.

The 13th-seeded Bouchard defeated No. 9 Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semifinals at a third consecutive Grand Slam.

The other semifinal Thursday is an all-Czech matchup between 2011 champion Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova.

Bills LB Kiko Alonso has torn left knee ligament, out for season

Kiko Alonso's season is over before it even began after the Buffalo Bills starting linebacker was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left knee.

General manager Doug Whaley provided the update in a statement released by the team on Wednesday, a day after Alonso was hurt while working out in Oregon. Whaley said Alonso will require surgery to repair a torn ACL, and ''will likely miss the 2014 season.''

The Bills did not provide any details as to how Alonso was hurt.

The injury is a significant blow to the Bills before they even open training camp in suburban Rochester on July 20.

Alonso was an NFL defensive rookie of the year contender last season after being drafted in the second round out of Oregon. He led Buffalo with 159 tackles, two fumble recoveries and tied for the team lead with four interceptions while barely missing a snap in playing all 16 games.

After playing in the middle last season, Alonso was moving to the outside linebacker spot as part of the Bills' shift to a 4-3 defensive scheme under new coordinator Jim Schwartz. The position switch was also sparked in part by the Bills' signing of run-stopping specialist Brandon Spikes, who is better suited to play in the middle.

Alonso had hip surgery this offseason, which limited him in participating in spring practices. But he was expected to be ready for the start of camp.

''We feel badly for Kiko, because he has worked very hard this offseason in preparation for the upcoming season,'' Whaley said. ''But we look forward to his return with his style of play that made him one of the league's outstanding rookies in 2013.''

The Bills do have some depth behind Alonso.

Manny Lawson, an eight-year NFL veteran, has experience playing the position. The Bills also selected linebacker Preston Brown in the third round of the draft in April.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - JULY 2ND

1902 - John J McGraw becomes manager of NY Giants (stays for 30 years).

1905 - Jean-Rene Lacoste, France, US Open (1926)/alligator shirt designer is born.

1921 - Jack Dempsey KOs George S Carpentier in 4 for heavyweight boxing title

first million dollar gate ($1.7m) boxing match (Dempsey KOs Carpentier).

1935 - Great Britain boxing team beat US team in 1st international Golden Gloves.

1937 - Richard Petty, auto race driver (Daytona 500-1979,81) is born.

1949 - "Red Barber's Clubhouse" sports show premieres on CBS (later NBC) TV.

1963 - Juan Marichal (Giants) beats Warren Spahn (Braves), 1-0

in 16 innings on a HR by Willie Mays.

1964 - Glenn "Fireball" Roberts, biggest NASCAR money winner, dies in crash.

1964 - Jose Canseco, Havana Cuba, outfielder
(Oak A's, Red Sox, 1988 AL MVP) is born.

1969 - Michael DiBiase, wrestler (b. 1923) dies.
1970 - NY Yankees Horace Clarke breaks up a
no-hitter in the 9th for 3rd time in 28 days.

1973 - Swede Savage, dies of injuries at Indianapolis 500.

1979 - Sam Hornish, Jr., American race car driver is born.

1984 - Johnny Weir, American figure skater is born.

1986 - After 14 wins, Roger Clemens suffer his 1st loss of year.

1993 - NY Met Anthony Young loses a record 25th straight game (goes to 27).

1994 - Andres Escobar, Colombia world cup soccer star, shot for losing to US.

Kyrie Irving, Cavs agree to extension

Dogged by rumors that he was wanted out of Cleveland, franchise cornerstone Kyrie Irving and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert tweeted early Tuesday that they have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension.

The deal will be worth approximately $90 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.

Irving had one year remaining on his contract. The agreement, which will go into effect next season and will run through the 2019-20 season, was announced by Gilbert on his Twitter feed.

The contract cannot be signed until July 10.

Gilbert, Cavs general manager David Griffin, new coach David Blatt and other team officials traveled to Irving's home in New Jersey and presented him with the offer just as free agency began at 12:01 a.m. ET Tuesday to put a bow on their offseason priority.

Irving has made two straight All-Star Games, was named MVP of last year's festival in New Orleans and has positioned himself as the new-age point guard, a ball-dominant, score-first attacker.

But Irving also has been prone to injury, has had a difficult time getting on the same page with his backcourt mate Dion Waiters and has been criticized at times for a style of play that was perceived as selfish.

Irving, who will play for his third coach in four seasons, has yet to play in a playoff game in his first three years and grew irritated toward the end of last season by the constant speculation about his future in Cleveland.

The move was also a smart financial decision for Irving. Had he declined the massive extension, Irving still would have had to play two more seasons before being eligible for unrestricted free agency. He could have become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2015. But any other team could have offered him only a four-year deal, not the five years that the Cavaliers gave him, and Gilbert would have had the right to match any offer Irving received.

Getting Irving's commitment is also symbolic; the Cavs signed former star LeBron James to only a three-year contract extension in 2006, and it set the stage for his departure from the team in 2010. Gilbert had vowed not to let that happen again with a star player.

Irving had a bit of a rocky season in 2013-14. Irving, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, averaged 20.8 points and 6.1 assists in a career-high 71 games for the Cavs last season, and even though he made the All-Star team, his shooting stats dipped and the team underachieved. Irving did not develop a strong relationship with former coach Mike Brown, who was fired in May.

It left questions as to how committed Irving was to a long-term future in Cleveland.

That is no longer an issue, as Irving's quick decision gives a major vote of confidence to the team's new leadership.

Combined with a forthcoming four-year deal with No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins, it also arms the Cavs with a selling point as they attempt to be aggressive in free agency.

The Cavs are seeking a meeting with James but also have interests elsewhere, including re-signing their own free agent, Spencer Hawes.

Belgium holds on to beat US 2-1 in extra time

For a full 90 minutes, Belgium's almost relentless attack added up to nothing in the face of Tim Howard.

Only in extra time was the superb United States goalkeeper finally beaten.

Kevin De Bruyne turned Howard's heroic night into defeat on Tuesday when he scored an extra-time goal and then set up Romelu Lukaku for another to give Belgium a 2-1 victory over the Americans. Their reward is a quarterfinal match against Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates on Saturday in Brasilia.

''For my heart, please don't give me too many games like this,'' Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said. ''He (Howard) was in a state of grace.''

Belgium's unyielding attacks for the full 90 minutes of regulation time only highlighted the great performance of the 35-year-old Howard, but the goalkeeper's teammates finally wilted in the evening heat once extra time came.

''They were all on their limit,'' United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. ''(Howard) had an absolutely amazing match.''

Three minutes into the extra period, Lukaku found space on the right and passed into the center. At first, the ball was poked out before De Bruyne gained possession. Belgium's creative genius still had the energy for a sharp turn and his low shot finally missed the yellow foot of Howard and settled inside the post.

Realizing he had finally been beaten, Howard fell back on the grass almost in slow-motion, arms and legs outstretched and eyes staring up into the darkness over the Arena Fonte Nova. The best man of the match turned out to be on the losing side.

''The levee is going to break at some point,'' said Howard, who plays for Everton in the Premier League.

In the 105th minute, Belgium looked like it had put the game away. De Bruyne launched Lukaku into open space on the left and the Everton striker beat his club teammate with a drive to the near post.

It wasn't over on a sticky, anxiety-ridden night, however. The Americans got late hope when Julian Green pulled one back in the 107th minute with a perfect volley on the turn that Thibaut Courtois could only touch before he saw it fly into his net.

Suddenly, Klinsmann started wildly shouting with flailing arms ''Come on, come on,'' and there was a new team on the field.

Now, it was the Belgium's turn to be caught flat-footed.

With six minutes to go, the Americans almost got the equalizer. A free kick move set Clint Dempsey free in the center with only Courtois to beat. But the Belgium keeper proved he is one of the world's best by spreading his giant body to smother the shot.

''The second extra time was a total turnaround. Suddenly, they had all the energy,'' De Bruyne said.

With waves of chants of ''USA, USA'' echoing around the 48,000-seat stadium, the reinvigorated Americans kept searching for a late goal right up until the final whistle.

It never came.

''It was a game that just went to the extreme,'' Klinsmann said. ''We just needed a little bit more luck.''

Belgium had been criticized for its low scoring rate at the World Cup but it was not for want of trying on Tuesday. The team had 27 shots on Howard, compared to nine for the United States.

Amazingly, in the most lopsided knockout game so far, victory came preciously close for the Americans with seconds to go in regulation time when a goalmouth scramble brought the ball to Chris Wondolowski, who skied the ball over from the six-meter line.

It only served to set up a thrilling extra time.

''Now,'' Wilmots said, ''Belgium can celebrate.''

Nadal, Sharapova lose; Serena leaves with illness

Rafael Nadal ran out of comebacks at Wimbledon, losing to a brash, big-serving, between-the-legs-hitting 19-year-old kid who might just be a future star.

Maria Sharapova, somehow, seemed on the verge of a turnaround despite a flurry of unforced errors, saving six match points before finally succumbing on the seventh with - what else? - a missed shot.

And in the most striking sight of a memorable day of departures by past Wimbledon champions, Serena Williams couldn't get the ball over the net in a doubles match with her sister Venus, stopping after three games because of what was called a viral illness.

All in all, Tuesday was chock-full of significant events, and the most noteworthy winner had to be 144th-ranked Nick Kyrgios of Australia, who used 37 aces and a have-no-fear approach to beat Nadal 7-6 (5), 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3 for a quarterfinal berth.

''I was in a bit of a zone out there,'' said Kyrgios, the lowest-ranked player to beat the No. 1 man at any Grand Slam tournament in 22 years.

''You've got to believe you can win the match from the very start, and I definitely thought that,'' the 6-foot-4 (1.93-meter) Kyrgios said. ''I'm playing some unbelievable tennis on the grass.''

That's for sure.

Playing in only his fifth major tournament - he got into the field thanks to a wild-card invitation - Kyrgios (pronounced KEER-ee-os) is the first man to reach the quarterfinals in his Wimbledon debut in 10 years. He's also the first teenager to defeat the top-ranked man at a Slam since Nadal was 19 when he beat Roger Federer at the 2005 French Open.

''We keep saying, 'Who's the next guy?' And I think we may have found him,'' seven-time major champion John McEnroe said on the BBC broadcast.

Nadal dropped the first set in each of his previous three matches before coming back to win. When he took the second set Tuesday, though, Kyrgios stayed steady.

''Kyrgios is young; he has nothing to lose,'' said Nadal's uncle and coach, Toni ''It's like when Boris Becker won here. He was 17 and had a very good serve. He could beat everyone because of his serve. It's the same with Kyrgios. He plays aggressively and without any doubts.''

For Nadal, who won Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, it was yet another early exit at the grass-court tournament against a much-lower-ranked opponent. In 2012, he lost in the second round against No. 100 Lukas Rosol. Last year, he was beaten in the first round by No. 135 Steve Darcis. Neither of those players is considered an up-and-coming contender like Kyrgios is, but the common thread among the trio was going for broke.

''The thing is, (on) this surface, when you have an opponent that decides to serve and to hit every ball very strong, you are in trouble,'' Nadal said.

Kyrgios, who saved nine match points while beating 13th-seeded Richard Gasquet in the second round, showed zero hint of nerves. Indeed, he soaked up all the attention and adoration offered by the Centre Court crowd, particularly after an audacious trick shot: Facing the net at the baseline, he whipped his racket around his back and casually flicked a shot that sailed between his legs and over the net for a winner.

He joked about reading that his mother said she didn't think he could beat Nadal.

''It actually made me a bit angry,'' Kyrgios said, then noted: ''I'll just text her a smiley face.''

On Wednesday, he faces No. 8 Milos Raonic of Canada, another man never before this far at Wimbledon. The other men's quarterfinals: seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer against good friend and Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka in an all-Swiss matchup; defending champion Andy Murray against No. 11 Grigor Dimitrov; and 2011 champion Novak Djokovic against No. 26 Marin Cilic.

The women's quarterfinals Wednesday: No. 3 Simona Halep against 2013 runner-up Sabine Lisicki, and No. 9 Angelique Kerber against No. 13 Eugenie Bouchard. The semifinal on the other side of the draw was established Tuesday: 2011 champion Petra Kvitova against No. 23 Lucie Safarova.

Kerber edged Sharapova 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 Tuesday. Sharapova made 49 unforced errors, 38 more than Kerber. Still, the 2004 champion saved one match point at 5-2 in the final set, then five more at 5-4, before pushing a backhand long to end it.

''I felt like I worked too hard within the match to let it go the easy way. So I did everything I could in the end to try to save those,'' Sharapova said. ''I did, but I didn't save the last one.''

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - JULY 1ST

1859 - First intercollegiate baseball game, Amherst beats Williams 66-32.
1893 - SF Bay City Club opens first US bicycle race track, made of wood.

1903 - First Tour de France bicycle race begins.

1910 - Chicago's Comiskey Park opens - St Louis Browns beat White Sox 2-0.

1916 - Honus Wagner, 42, is oldest to hit an inside-the-park HR.
1917 - Robins (Dodgers) play their first Sunday game in Brooklyn.

1920 - Washington Senator Walter Johnson no-hits Boston Red Sox, 1-0.

1941 - Joe DiMaggio on way to 56, ties Willie Keeler's 44 game hit streak.

1941 - Rod Gilbert, Canada, NHL wing (NY Rangers) is born.

1948 - Brooklyn's Roy Campanella debuts as catcher.

1951 - Cleveland Indian Bob Feller, 3rd no-hitter beats Detroit Tigers, 2-1.

1958 - Nancy Lieberman Cline, Brooklyn, NY,

WNBA guard (Phoenix Mercury) (Oly-S-76) is born.

1973 - First US-China basketball game, US collegiates beats Shanghai 96-61.

1987 - NYC radio station WFAN-AM becomes first 24 hour all sports radio.

1990 - NY Yankee Andy Hawkins throws no-hitter in Comiskey Park, losing 4-0.
1996 - NHL Winnipeg Jets officially become the Phoenix Coyotes.
1997 - Nevada Athletic Commission suspends Mike Tyson for biting Evander Holyfield.