Andy Murray relishing lone Brit role

The fourth seed will open proceedings on Centre Court at 1pm in front of the Queen, who is visiting the All England Club for the first time in 33 years.

For the first time ever, only one British player made it through to the second round after opening losses for Jamie Baker and six British women.
However, Murray believes the added expectation can help him to rediscover his best form.

"I actually don't mind it," the 23-year-old said. "There's definitely pressure on me to play well. But I think that the few months since Melbourne, it's something I needed to refocus me to make sure that I perform well."

Murray went into Wimbledon on the back of only 11 wins in five months since losing to Roger Federer in the final of the Australian Open.

But he can draw on positive memories from previous SW19 appearances, particularly reaching the semi-finals last year, while he improved throughout his 7-5 6-1 6-2 victory over Jan Hajek in the first round on Tuesday.

He added: "It's obviously a great place to play. I've had good results here the last few years. When you've played well in a place before, it makes you feel more comfortable when you come back. It was a good start. I feel confident."

Murray is looking for his first grand slam title having reached finals at both the US and Australian Opens, and Nieminen expects the world number four to challenge again.

"He has been very close," said the Finn. "It's also a difficult era to win a grand slam but he is still quite young. If he keeps improving for sure he will get more chances. But hopefully not this year in this tournament."

Nieminen, who has lost both previous meetings with Murray, is no stranger to troubling home heroes at Wimbledon having taken the opening two sets off Tim Henman in the first round in 2005 before the former British number one mounted one of his famous comebacks.

He said: "I understand Andy's a big favourite. I'm going to enjoy the situation. I have nothing to lose. I'm just going to go out there and give my best and still believe I can challenge him.

"I like playing on big courts. I was close to beating (Andy) Roddick on the centre court at Roland Garros and I had two sets to love against Henman here.

"Then I played against (Rafael) Nadal in the quarter-finals in 2006. In all the slams I have played in the biggest arenas, so it's nothing new for me."

And Nieminen will certainly not be cowed by the guest of honour.

"Obviously it's a great honour that the Queen is coming," he added. "It's a little extra motivation. That's a very special experience to play in front of the Queen."