Andy Murray not feeling the pressure as 'nation's last hope'
Thursday 7 July 2016 12:39, UK
Andy Murray laughed off suggestions that he is Britain's last hope of lifting the nation's political and sporting gloom this summer.
Murray battled into the Wimbledon semi-finals was rollercoaster 7-6 (12-10) 6-1 3-6 4-6 6-1 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday evening.
His victory came as Wales were losing to Portugal in the Euro 2016 semi-finals in Lyon. Their exit followed England's humiliating defeat from the competition at the hands of Iceland.
Britain as a whole remains in post-Brexit turmoil and the value of the pound has plummeted.
One journalist - with tongue in cheek - asked Murray: "How does it feel to be the nation's last hope?"
Murray replied: "It's not that bad, is it? Is it that bad?! There's a lot more hopes left than me. I just try my best at this event to make all the people that watch happy.
"Hopefully I can win a couple more, and that's it."
The world No 2 looked set for another comfortable outing on Centre Court when he took the first two sets of their quarter-final but Tsonga fought back to level only for Murray to prevail.
Murray has made a habit of fighting back from two sets down but this time it was Tsonga threatening to do the improbable.
Yet Murray has only ever lost once having won the first two sets and, after telling his box he was not going to lose this one, he delivered superbly to set up a last-four clash with Tomas Berdych.
"I was definitely tested a lot today," said Murray. "This was a really hard, hard match to come through.
"I think it can give you a bit of confidence. It can help to go through games and stages in matches that are challenging. If you're in that position in the next couple of matches, you know you've been there.
"So I'm hoping it helps me the next couple of rounds."
The crunch moments arrived at the start of the fifth set.
Tsonga had played superbly to win four games in a row to finish the fourth, hitting his serve with power and accuracy, thumping his forehand and finding unexpected winners off his supposedly weaker backhand wing.
Murray's frustration was evident as he screamed at himself and his box - despite the supposedly calming presence of Ivan Lendl.
He saved a break point in the opening game as Tsonga threatened again and then mouthed at his box: "No way I'm going to lose this match."
It quickly became clear he would keep that promise, reeling off five games in a row and then clinching victory with his 14th ace.
Murray's record in five-set matches is terrific, and the Scot said: "I just want to win. That's it.
"It was frustrating, for sure. He came up with some great shots. I just really wanted to win. The best way to do that is to fight for every point, give your best effort. I did that today."
Check out our daily live blog from the All England Club on skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportstennis.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
