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Internet scramble for chance to see Murray on Centre Court
Jack Lefley and Shekhar Bhatia02.07.08
Fans of Andy Murray are poised for a mad internet scramble for Centre Court tickets, amid fears that today's quarter-final showdown with Rafael Nadal could be disrupted by heavy rain.
With downpours predicted, Murray may not be able to complete his match with Nadal tonight. It may not even start at all, as it is scheduled after champion Roger Federer has met Mario Ancic.
That would be likely to spark a rush for tickets for tomorrow's Centre Court. Although the second Thursday of Wimbledon fortnight is traditionally the preserve of the ladies' semi-finals, it could well see Murray playing beforehand.
Tonight at 8pm, 500 tickets for tomorrow will go on sale on the internet at www.ticketmaster.co.uk, costing £75 each.
Around 1,500 people camped last night to try to get some of the 500 tickets available for today's Centre Court play. Those who were unsuccessful were heading straight for Murray Mount, where they could watch the 21-year-old Scot's progress on a huge screen.
The ranks of his supporters have swelled after an epic five-set victory over Richard Gasquet in the last round on Monday.
Students Matthew Drake, Laura Holland and Christopher Gibbons, all 17, were well up in the queue and had a good chance of securing tickets for Centre Court.
Christopher, from Tooting, said: "Nadal has the skill but Murray has the heart and after what he did the other day, anything is possible. That was an amazing victory and I really believe he can go all the way now."
Matthew, from Cheam, said: "The way Murray whipped up the crowd the other day was more like a football match.
"Nadal is a great player with a better record but you've got to believe that Murray can do it." Laura, from Epsom, said: "We'll all be behind him and doing everything we can to get him through. Come on Andy."
Sisters Lucy and Clare Wates from Hammersmith were resigned to having to watch the match on the big screen inside the ground rather than in Centre Court.
University student Lucy, 19, said: "There are so many people queuing to see him we've got no chance. The atmosphere on the hill will be incredible."
After a sunny first eight days at the championship, the covers were on at 1pm when play was due to start.
The Met Office described the forecast as "dreadful" - not just for today as a band of rain moves in, but over the weekend, threatening to disrupt the finals.
