Tonight:
5°c
Andy Murray says he will not buckle under the pressure to stay on course for Britain's first Wimbledon men's title since Fred Perry in 1936 when he faces world No1 Rafael Nadal in tomorrow's semi-final.
Murray, who reached the last four at Wimbledon for the second year in a row by defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets, said: “The crowd would love to see a British player win Wimbledon and it's something that is joked about among the players and people within tennis because it's been so long.
“It's something that you learn to deal with and it doesn't affect the way I play and I don't think about it on the court.
“Winning the Wimbledon title would be incredible and winning a Grand Slam is why you play the game. To win a first one here would make it extra special but I am a long, long way from doing that and I have to beat the world No1 to even have a chance of achieving it.
“I don't think that you can be taught how to deal with the pressure — either you can deal with it or you can't. I have been lucky enough in the last few years not to let it affect me.
“Nadal will definitely be the favourite with his results here over the last few years and winning in 2008. He didn't get a chance to defend the title last year but has played in three finals and is back in the semis again having won the French Open title.
“He is a very tough player on any surface and psychologically, I need to believe that I can win the match. That's the most important thing.”
Defending champion Roger Federer suffered a shock 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 loss to Tomas Berdych, who meets Novak Djokovic in the other semi-final, and the departure of the Swiss should boost Murray's chances of a title success.
It was Federer who beat Murray in the US Open Final in 2008 and again in the Australian Open Final in January. Murray is playing down the significance and prefers to focus on how to deal with Nadal.
Murray, the world No4, added: “I don't know if Federer losing has improved my chances or not.
“Federer being out doesn't affect me unless I win the next round when I am playing the world No1 and it would be silly for me to look past him.
“Against Nadal you need to serve well and play great tennis. You don't want to leave the ball in the middle of the court on his forehand because you will do a lot of running. You have to keep a good length on your shots and play really, really well.
“He is playing great and defeated Robin Soderling, who is producing the best tennis of his career.”
