Britons hope for miracle as Murray mania mounts
Source: Agencies |
July 8, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ANDY Murray has messed up a lot of people's weekend plans.
Murray's surprise victory in the Wimbledon semifinals, after losing at the same stage three years running, has left British royalty, politicians and celebrities - and millions of ordinary folk - scrambling for a spot to watch today's showdown between the Scot and Roger Federer.
By powering past France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to become the first British man to reach the final in 74 years, Murray took Britain's collective mind off the dreary weather and dismal economy and gave the country a new hero - at least for now.
"Finally!" was the one-word front page headline in Saturday's Daily Mirror. The Sun opted for the slightly longer: "Andy Finally."
The joy was tempered by surprise that Murray had really pulled it off - and a sense that it would be tempting fate to expect him to beat Federer and become the first British Wimbledon men's champion since Fred Perry in 1936. Bunny Austin made the final two years later, but lost. Virginia Wade won the women's title in 1977.
It's not that the country's not happy. It's just surprised that one of the oldest traditions in sport - a Brit-free final at Britain's premier tennis tournament - is at an end.
"A nation unites in disbelief," said the front-page story in The Times newspaper, "for the impossible has taken place before our eyes."
The Daily Mail asked what many were thinking: "Now can he finish the job?"
Murray insisted that he can.
"It will be one of the biggest matches of my life," Murray said after Friday's semifinal. "It's a great challenge. One where I'm probably not expected to win the match, but one that, you know, if I play well, I'm capable of winning."
The taciturn Murray has always evoked mixed feelings in his homeland - the joke runs that he is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses.
Can he do it? Murray has beaten Federer in eight of their 15 matches, though never in a grand slam final. Bookmaker Ladbrokes made Federer - aiming for his seventh Wimbledon title to tie Pete Sampras' haul - the 1/2 favorite, offering 13/8 odds on a Murray victory.
Whatever happens today, Murray Mount, the fans' gathering place at Wimbledon, has finally lived up to its name. Many still think of it by its old identity, Henman Hill, after another British hopeful who never quite made the grade.
Not now.
Murray's surprise victory in the Wimbledon semifinals, after losing at the same stage three years running, has left British royalty, politicians and celebrities - and millions of ordinary folk - scrambling for a spot to watch today's showdown between the Scot and Roger Federer.
By powering past France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to become the first British man to reach the final in 74 years, Murray took Britain's collective mind off the dreary weather and dismal economy and gave the country a new hero - at least for now.
"Finally!" was the one-word front page headline in Saturday's Daily Mirror. The Sun opted for the slightly longer: "Andy Finally."
The joy was tempered by surprise that Murray had really pulled it off - and a sense that it would be tempting fate to expect him to beat Federer and become the first British Wimbledon men's champion since Fred Perry in 1936. Bunny Austin made the final two years later, but lost. Virginia Wade won the women's title in 1977.
It's not that the country's not happy. It's just surprised that one of the oldest traditions in sport - a Brit-free final at Britain's premier tennis tournament - is at an end.
"A nation unites in disbelief," said the front-page story in The Times newspaper, "for the impossible has taken place before our eyes."
The Daily Mail asked what many were thinking: "Now can he finish the job?"
Murray insisted that he can.
"It will be one of the biggest matches of my life," Murray said after Friday's semifinal. "It's a great challenge. One where I'm probably not expected to win the match, but one that, you know, if I play well, I'm capable of winning."
The taciturn Murray has always evoked mixed feelings in his homeland - the joke runs that he is British when he wins and Scottish when he loses.
Can he do it? Murray has beaten Federer in eight of their 15 matches, though never in a grand slam final. Bookmaker Ladbrokes made Federer - aiming for his seventh Wimbledon title to tie Pete Sampras' haul - the 1/2 favorite, offering 13/8 odds on a Murray victory.
Whatever happens today, Murray Mount, the fans' gathering place at Wimbledon, has finally lived up to its name. Many still think of it by its old identity, Henman Hill, after another British hopeful who never quite made the grade.
Not now.
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