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Murray wins under Wimbledon's roof


30.06.09

Andy Murray raised the roof as he fought through to the Wimbledon quarter-finals in an epic five-set battle.

The 22-year-old Scot became the first player to start a match beneath Centre Court's new state-of-the-art canopy when he walked out to face friend and practice partner Stanislas Wawrinka.

In the air conditioned arena, beneath artificial light, and in front of a deafening crowd, Murray won a nail-biting encounter 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3, taking three hours and 57 minutes.

British tennis fans were on their feet as Murray dropped to his knees on the verge of tears.

Looking emotional, the world number three said: "It was pretty special. I thought Stan played a great match. The standard that he set at the start of the match was very tough to keep up with.

He said he did not always take his chances but "stayed tough".

"It was great. Always when you play indoors the atmosphere is great but when you've got 15,000 people supporting you it makes it extra special so thanks a lot."

He said there would be "no dreaming" on Monday night, adding: "I'll have a pretty deep sleep after that one. It was a great day."

The new roof allowed the latest ever championship play, with the match not finishing until 10.38pm.

The previous latest play on Centre Court was a women's doubles game in 1981 featuring Sue Barker which was eventually stopped due to bad light at 9.35pm. And the previous latest ever match since records began five years ago also featured Wawrinka, when he lost to Mario Ancic on Court No1 three years ago, finishing at 9.49pm.

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