Abby Brammell

By Mike Dickson

Punch drunk: Andy Murray reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the second successive year after powering past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets


Andy Murray last night pledged that he is ready to end Britain’s long wait for a men’s
Wimbledon champion by making the quantum leap into the final at the expense of Rafael Nadal.

With Roger Federer sensationally ousted yesterday by Czech Tomas Berdych, Murray earned himself a semi-final shot at world No 1 Nadal tomorrow by coming back to defeat France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets.

‘Rafa’s obviously a very tough player on any surface and he plays great here,’ said Murray after his 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory. ‘I know it’s going to be an incredibly difficult match to win, but I believe I can if I play well.

‘Psychologically I need to believe that I can win the match, that’s the most important thing. He’s still favourite and must be playing well, but the odds are completely irrelevant.


Balancing act: Murray is targeting a first Grand Slam - but knows Nadal will be no pushover


‘It’s something that’s joked about by other players and people within tennis about how long it’s been.

‘It would be incredible to win a Grand Slam and to win your first one here, that would make it extra special.

‘But I’m still a long way from doing that, six sets away. I’ve got to beat the No 1 player in the world if I want to have a chance of doing it.’


Balancing act: Murray is targeting a first Grand Slam - but knows Nadal will be no pushover


‘It’s something that’s joked about by other players and people within tennis about how long it’s been.

‘It would be incredible to win a Grand Slam and to win your first one here, that would make it extra special.

‘But I’m still a long way from doing that, six sets away. I’ve got to beat the No 1 player in the world if I want to have a chance of doing it.’


source: dailymail