Afternoon:
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Clan Murray were today poised for a historic victory as they joined thousands of tennis fans hoping to see Andy Murray become the first British man in 72 years to go through to the Wimbledon men's final.
Aside from his mother Judy and girlfriend Kim Sears, a host of family members have arrived in SW19 for Murray's crucial match against world No 1 Rafael Nadal — where tickets were going for as much as £4,000.
His brother Jamie told the Standard: “There are so many of us down here now, I've lost count. He has a lot of support.”
Murray's friend David Beckham was also expected to join the Centre Court crowd.
Record sums are already being spent on tickets for Sunday's final, in the belief the British No 1 could go through. Ticket website viagogo warned that prices could reach up to £25,000.
At Wimbledon, there were no tickets left for Centre Court by early morning but fans still camped overnight desperate to get their hands on a ground pass, allowing them to watch from Murray Mount.
Bookies William Hill estimated an industry-wide turnover of £10 million on the semi-final, with pre-match odds of Murray 5-4 to win and Nadal 4-7.
Among the Murray throng who travelled from Dunblane, was father Willie and grandparents Shirley and Roy Erskine. They were joined by the 23-year-old's aunt and uncle, Tracey and Niall Erskine.
Murray, seeded fourth, revealed how he would rely on his family's support to get through the game. “I've got my parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle and girlfriend here with me, so I'm not as uptight or nervous,” he said.
If the Scot succeeds in his battle against Nadal, he will hope to become the first British winner of the tournament since Fred Perry picked up the last of his three titles in 1936.
Even if he makes it to Sunday's final, he will do what three generations of British tennis players have failed to achieve. Since Henry “Bunny” Austin won his semi in 1938, three other players, as well as Murray last year, have fallen at the last hurdle.
Reader views (30)
Kirsty - ever heard of the Barnett formula?? It means Scotland gets considerably more in UK taxes per capita than any other country. Consider before bleating on about North Sea oil, which contributes nowhere near as much as you claim.
- HB, Essex, 05/07/2010 11:25
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There were over 30 English men and women shouting for the scot to loose where I work. Good riddens to the vile jock and now please take your fans back to that rainy, hilly dump you call a country.
- stephend, London, England, 03/07/2010 10:27
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this reminds me of the song "were all off with alees armeee" I am still laughing at that now Murray, fabulous , deluded jocks ha ha
- Peter Woods, Torre Chianca, 03/07/2010 06:50
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"take note Rogan, Irving"
Generally, I try to ignore pettiness.
- Rogan, Irving, 03/07/2010 00:38
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In his first TV interview, at a time when the English Football Team were playing in a vital match, Murray was asked which team he was supporting. He replied, "any team other than England". With that comment, in the eyes of decent English people he should stand condemned. I loathe and detest the little, surly creep and rejoice in the fact that he lost, indeed I will support anyone he plays rather than him. He makes a big issue of being Scottish, even on the court he wears a Scottish wrist band, plain for all to see as he flaunts his origins.
Let's not excuse the Sots their anti Englishness, there is nothing funny in it and they mean it.
- M. Clift, Worcester, 02/07/2010 20:52
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Oh Kirsty. You poor deluded little thing, you. You think the Scots invented the "anyone but" thing? We've been using it for years to express our hatred for another of your compatriots and his football club. ABU. This has now gradually transformed into ABC (Chelsea). Something else to add to the "things the Scots claim to have invented but didn't really" list.
Anyway, how did yer man get on?
- East, London, 02/07/2010 19:02
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Given his comments about the English supporting him, (take note Rogan, Irving) I am
ecstatic about the result...
- Richard, Surrey, 02/07/2010 19:00
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Bazza - your clutching at straws mate. seriously. Im not upset at anything - I'm over the moon. jumping for joy - i couldnt give a monkey. COME ON MURRAY. SCOTS DONT CARE IF ENGLISH SUPPORT MURRAY - we couldnt give two hoots who you support. you are a sad lot - imitating the scots with ABM - how sad?????? get over it!!!!!
- Kirsty, UK, 02/07/2010 17:19
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ABM. The sooner this sweaty goes home, the better.
- Dom, London, 02/07/2010 17:06
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I have gone right off Beckham ABM
- Peter Woods, Torre Chianca, 02/07/2010 16:23
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Kirsty:
"we are perfectly at liberty to support who we want"
And so are we, what you crying for? Funny how it's different when it's against you!
Anyway where were we, oh yes, ABM hehe.
- Bazza, Landan, 02/07/2010 15:16
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alex, alex come on mate?
Yes we are a country in our own right - whether you like it our not - we have a seperate legal system, our own parliament, etc etc. You are showing your ignorance and arrogance - what massive transfer of wealth are you bumping on about??? - would that be the 13 Billion to the treasury last year from north sea oil that once saved the british economy from collapse? that funded all thatchers pet projects of deregulation and privatisation ironically? Your are one of the casualties of someone influenced by that right wing media. hahahahah
- Kirsty, UK, 02/07/2010 15:07
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"that we are a country in our own right"
Well, clearly, you're not. If you were, you'd have a seat in the UN, your own borders, passports etc. For the time being you are a remote northern province of the United Kingdom with a population smaller than London, and entirely dependant for your economic survival on massive transfer of wealth from said London.
However, wanting Murray to lose is nothing to do with him being Scottish, it's simply to do with the fact that he is a thoroughly unpleasant arrogant character. Like most of the England football team.
- Alex, Fulham, 02/07/2010 14:47
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Good luck Rafael!!
- Alex, Fulham, 02/07/2010 14:33
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hahahaha - nothing please me more as a Scot than some misguided anti scottish sentiment from the english - you lot are a bunch of BAD LOSERS - its good to see you all feeling sooo miserable, hard-done-by and deluded. Please dont blame the Scots for that - its your right wing media propaganda that set you all up and offer you no consolation once the massive anti-climax kicks in - oh, except of course that you should all start beleiving that its capellos fault!
All the scots are doing when they support ABE is making a statement to that same media that we are perfectly at liberty to support who we want, that we are a country in our own right and that we do not appreciate or want to support a right-wing, bias, ARROGANT media that suffers from a superiority complex. Its only when england come crashing out of the world-cup that they realise that they are not superior after all. hahahahaha. Okay enough said, STEP UP TO THE MARK MURAAY AND LETS HEAR IT FOR THE BOY!!
- Kirsty, UK, 02/07/2010 14:24
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I really hope Murray get's to the final......then get's his stupid, scottish a**e kicked all over the court! Clear off you miserable jock!
- Colin, London, 02/07/2010 14:20
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Lee W London ,
- I'm afraid you, like many others entirely miss the Scottish point when it comes to your national football team.
The Scots don't hate the English, (although there's plenty of friendly rivalry and banter),
-What we do hate are your commentators, who seem to be so focussed on England, that they forget they're addressing a U.K. wide audience also made up of Scots, Welsh and Irish, with our own national identities.
-Remember, it's 'England', not team U.K. as in the Olympics.
There is very much a perception here in Scotland that your commentators sound arrogant, supercilious and condescending towards everyone who isn't English.
If you could gag these commentators you'd probably have the support of most of Scotland.
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 02/07/2010 13:42
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ABM
- Bazza, Landan, 02/07/2010 13:39
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I detest Murray. He looks like a thug, speaks like a thug, and behaves like a thug. Good luck Nadal.
- R.F. York, Yorks, UK, 02/07/2010 13:39
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pathetic this Murray hating....
Nadal and Murray are fantastic athletesm hugely talented and got where they are through very hard work....life on the tennis circuit ain't easy...
who cares which country they are from - they are both real fighters...
- martin_clerkenwell, london, 02/07/2010 13:29
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....i suppose its a day out for the tartan army after not been at the world cup....again.....england made it through but never turned up...........i hope the person looking after the checks this year knows the murray tartan.....and gives him the winners check.
- scony, middlesbrough, 02/07/2010 13:08
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Time to move Wimbledon north of the border where people might appreciate the tennis a bit more. Those toffee nosed strawberry eaters can naff off too
- DC, Ealing, 02/07/2010 13:07
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If he win's there'll be no living them (the Scots).
But you can guarantee with the English luck the little s**te will win. God save us.
ABM
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK, 02/07/2010 13:05
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I don't like Murray - he's just another foul mouthed Scot who is earning a lot of bucks playing a game he likes.
Will I watch? Yes. Will Nadal win - Och aye the noo.
- Chris, Bridgend, 02/07/2010 12:50
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"Murray Mount" I always thought it was referred to has "Henman Hill"!!! not Murray Mount
I'm with you Mark!!!
- Mark, Sidcup, 02/07/2010 12:38
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ABM
+1
Also - people have camped out again in London to get to see Murray lose and they will still have to watch it on a big tv??
- bobby, berks, 02/07/2010 12:30
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I hope everyone remembers how much hatred there was coming from Scotland towards the English over our football squad... I never understood this since we always seem to support Scotland if they are playing an international team on the few occasions they ever qualify for anything or even try.
Anyway time for payback.. Fail Murray, you miserable haggis eater !!!
- Lee W, London, 02/07/2010 12:27
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Are they going to invade Centre Court after, dig up the turf and walk off with the net above their heads? How we laughed when those mischievous scamps did that at Wembley.
I'm showing my solidarity with Carl and Mark
ABM
- East, London, 02/07/2010 12:27
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I reckon about 80% of the English population don't like tennis and about 99% deteste/hate Murray.
I'm with Carl.
- Mark, Gerrymandered African Republic of Southwark, 02/07/2010 12:19
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ABM
- Carl, London, 02/07/2010 12:12
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