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Monday, July 1, 2013

Go Andy! Magnificent Murray wins his fourth Wimbledon match but it's heartbreak for Laura Robson as she crashes out of tournament


  • .Andy Murray beats number 20 seed Mikhail Youzhny on Centre Court in men's last-16 encounter
  • .He took the first set 6-4 in hard-fought, tempestuous battle with his ageing Russian rival
  • .Blistering second set went to nail-biting tie break with Murray scrapping to 7-5 victory, followed by a third set rout
  • .Robson, 19, loses in straight sets to hard-hitting Estonian Kaia Kanepi in fourth-round clash on Court One
  • .Teenager left close to tears after failing to become first British woman to quarter-finals since Jo Durie in 1984
  • .Was in line to face defending champion Serena Williams, but world number one also crashed out in shock defeat
  • .Hundreds of supporters started queuing for today's Centre Court tickets on Friday evening

Andy Murray, Great Britain's only remaining hope in Wimbledon, has beaten Russia's Mikhail Youzhny this afternoon after narrowly winning a bruising first two sets, followed by a dominating performance in the third.
The first two-thirds of the match were hard-fought and scintillating encounters between two well-matched and determined players.
Murray has still not dropped a set at this Wimbledon after taking the opener against the Russian 20th seed in the fourth round, following up with a second set that went to a nail-biting tie break with Murray finally scrapping to a 7-5 victory. Murray then wrapped up the match by beating a clearly-struggling Youzhny 6-1.
Youzhny had lost both of his previous matches against Murray but has a proven grass-court pedigree of which the second seed was right to be wary of.
The Russian was a quarter-finalist here last year and reached the final of the warm-up tournament in Halle, losing narrowly to Roger Federer.
Andy Murray of Britain celebrates after defeating Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in their men's singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships today
Andy Murray of Britain celebrates after defeating Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in their men's singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships today
Clench: Murray celebrates as he secures the second set 7-5 in a tense game
Great Britain's Andy Murray in action against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny
Down and out: Andy Murray in action (left) in his last-16 tie against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny. Right, clenching his fist as he secures the second set 7-5 in a tense game
Russia's Mikhail Youzhny has proved a worthy opponent for Murray but still lost in straight sets
Russia's Mikhail Youzhny has proved a worthy opponent for Murray but still lost in straight sets
Dominant: Murray continued his perfect record of not having a dropped a set this Wimbledon, although the Russian made him fight hard for the second
Dominant: Murray continued his perfect record of not having a dropped a set this Wimbledon, although the Russian made him fight hard for the second
Murray had looked supreme in the early stages against Tommy Robredo on Friday but this was a different match, Youzhny keeping the ball very low.
The Scot survived a long first service game and then broke the Russian for 2-1 when Youzhny guided a backhand just wide.
Youzhny had the trainer out briefly at the first sit-down but his problem appeared to be no more than a blister.
The Russian was not showing anything to cause Murray real concern, and the home favourite had the chance to break for 5-2 but missed with a backhand.
Murray was certainly not playing as well as he had against Robredo, and he smacked his racket on the ground in frustration when he netted a backhand in the ninth game.
But it was still good enough to take the first set, Murray clinching it 6-4 when Youzhny dumped a tame forehand wide.
All hopes now rest on Murray's shoulders after his female compatriot Laura Robson was sent crashing out of her fourth-round match at Wimbledon.
Down, and out: Laura Robson of Britain slips during her women's singles tennis match against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia
Down, and out: Laura Robson of Britain slips during her women's singles tennis match against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia
Eyeing up the record books: Robson was bidding to become the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals since Jo Durie in 1984
Eyeing up the record books: Robson was bidding to become the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals since Jo Durie in 1984
Laura Robson of Great Britain plays a forehand during her Ladies' Singles fourth round match against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia
Laura Robson of Great Britain walks out on Court One for her fourth-round match against Kaia Kanepi
Weight of a nation on her shoulders: Laura Robson walks onto Court One (left) to rapturous applause and plays a forehand (right) during her fourth-round match
Flexing his muscles: Andy Murray stretches during a practice session ahead of his fourth-round tie against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny on Centre Court today
Flexing his muscles: Andy Murray stretches during a practice session ahead of his fourth-round tie against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny on Centre Court today
Murray is second favourite to take the title behind world number one Novak Djokovic
Great Britain's Andy Murray stretches during a practice session during day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon
Eyes on the prize: Andy Murray is second favourite to lift the men's trophy after world number one Novak Djokovic
Warming up: Great Britain's Andy Murray with his coach Ivan Lendl in a practice session during day seven of the Wimbledon Championships
Warming up: Great Britain's Andy Murray with his coach Ivan Lendl in a practice session during day seven of the Wimbledon Championships
Robson, 19, was bidding to become the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals since Jo Durie in 1984.
But she was left close to tears after her valiant run was ended by hard-hitting Estonian Kaia Kanepi, 28, in straight sets on Court One.
A win today may have pitted her against defending champion Serena Williams, but the world number one also headed for the exit after a shock defeat to 23rd seed Sabine Lisicki.
The five-time Wimbledon victor looked a shadow of her self as she went down 6-2 1-6 6-4, putting an end to her incredible 34-match winning streak.
Robson never lost the backing of the crowd, however, and received a resounding cheer as she left the court after going down fighting 6-7 (6-8), 5-7.

DEFENDING CHAMPION WILLIAMS IN SHOCK DEFEAT

Defending champion Serena Williams sent shockwaves through Wimbledon today as she became the latest top player to exit the tournament.
Williams, 31, was bidding for a sixth All England Club title but was beaten in a dramatic clash with 23rd seed Sabine Lisicki.
The German player collapsed on Centre Court in apparent joy as she claimed victory before she broke down in tears.
Lisicki, 28, was overcome with emotion and visibly shaking after leaving the famous Wimbledon lawn.
'I gave it everything I had,' she told the BBC.
'I'm so happy. She played a fantastic match, she is such a tough opponent and it's just an amazing feeling to win this match.
'The crowd was amazing, thank you for this support. It was amazing, I love this court so much, it's such a special place.'
Williams, who appeared frustrated during the tie, waved to the crowd as she left the packed court.
The knock-out follows a string of shock exits last week by top players including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova.
Earlier, she was greeted with a rousing ovation as she stepped onto Court One. But despite constant cheers of 'come on, Laura', she was unable to secure victory.
Robson, who left the court without a wave to her fans, said she did not acknowledge the crowd because she was 'just trying not to cry'.
 
The deflated youngster struggled to contain her emotion as she reflected on the 'overwhelming experience'.
'I'm really, really disappointed,' she said.
'I thought she played a really solid match. She can hit the ball incredibly hard off the ground, so it was tough for me to stay in the rallies. But I had my chances here and there and I just didn't take them.'
The teenager said she placed 'a lot of pressure' on herself and had high hopes of victory in the fourth round.
'Today I went out and I really thought I had a chance of winning,' she said.
'I was feeling confident going into the match. So, yes, it is more disappointing, I think, but just because I put so much pressure on myself.'
Robson, who has had the backing of the crowds on court throughout her Wimbledon campaign, paid tribute to the 'great' support of fans, but added: 'I would have loved it to be even louder.
'It's just been this overwhelming experience,' she said. 'It's been crazy, but in a good way. I'm hoping to do better next year.'
Robson shared the spotlight today with Andy Murray today after booking a place in the last 16 on Friday to become the first British woman to do so since 1998.
Her first appearance in the second week of the championships came after the teenager pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat New Zealander Marina Erakovic last week.
Meanwhile, Murray - who faces the 20th seed, Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, in the second match on Centre Court - is second favourite to lift the men's trophy, after world number one Novak Djokovic.
The Scot finds himself as the only star name left on his side of the men's draw following one of the most astonishing weeks in Wimbledon history which saw a string of top players make unexpectedly early departures from the tournament.
Former champion John McEnroe has said it would be an 'absolute catastrophe' if Murray, did not secure a place in the final.
Judy Murray is expected to take a seat in the Royal Box for her son's fourth-round contest.
'Trying a new sport today. Royal boxing', she wrote on Twitter.
Crashing out: Serena Williams of the U.S. falls after diving for a shot during her shock defeat to number 23 seed Sabine Lisicki
Crashing out: Serena Williams of the U.S. falls after diving for a shot during her shock defeat to number 23 seed Sabine Lisicki
Ecstatic: Sabine Lisicki of Germany reacts after beating the defending champion Serena Williams in the last-16 tie this afternoon
Ecstatic: Sabine Lisicki of Germany reacts after beating the defending champion Serena Williams in the last-16 tie this afternoon
Supporters began to descend on SW19 on Friday evening to secure seats on Centre Court on what has been dubbed 'Magic Monday'.
Brian Knowles, 52, arrived at 6.30pm on Saturday, by which point there were already 509 people ahead of him in the queue.
The All England Club allocates a total of 500 tickets for Centre Court each day.
'I wasn't sure whether I would manage to get tickets to Centre Court,' said Mr Knowles. 
'But I was optimistic that some people ahead of me would want to get a seat on Court One to see Laura Robson play and luckily that's what seems to have happened.'
Army of fans: Security staff walk ahead of spectators as they arrive in their masses at the Wimbledon tennis championships to cheer on Murray
Army of fans: Security staff walk ahead of spectators as they arrive in their masses at the Wimbledon tennis championships to cheer on Murray
Saying it loud and clear: Two Robson fans pose for a picture ahead of the fourth round women's singles match between Britain's Laura Robson and Estonia's Kaia Kanepi
Saying it loud and clear: Two Robson fans pose for a picture ahead of the fourth round women's singles match between Britain's Laura Robson and Estonia's Kaia Kanepi
Air of anticipation: A supporter of Britain's Andy Murray waits for play to start on day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships
Air of anticipation: A supporter of Britain's Andy Murray waits for play to start on day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships
Blue sky thinking: Tennis fan Chris Fava sports a full-body suit as he waits for the start of play on Centre Court
Blue sky thinking: Tennis fan Chris Fava sports a full-body suit as he waits for the start of play on Centre Court
The NHS worker, from Chester, added: 'I wanted to see Andy Murray, who else?
'I camped in a new tent given to me on Father's Day and it has been fun.'
Student Rebecca Herd, 20, travelled to Wimbledon from Manchester with a friend and became the 719th fan to join the queue at 7am yesterday morning.
'We got tickets to Court One, which is great because it means we will see Laura Robson,' she said.
'When we arrived, we were amazed to see so many people in the queue already and had been hoping we would have been further forward, but queuing was definitely worth it.
Tom Loote, 21, a student from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, who took the 720th ticket, said: 'I am glad we will get to see a British player. Also, everyone is expecting Murray to go through. Hopefully we will see a good match and a few battles.'
Mad for it: Supporters began to descend on SW19 on Friday evening to secure seats on Centre Court on what has been dubbed 'Magic Monday'
Mad for it: Supporters began to descend on SW19 on Friday evening to secure seats on Centre Court on what has been dubbed 'Magic Monday'
Making a day of it: Spectators wait for play to start ahead of Murray and Robson's matches
Making a day of it: Spectators wait for play to start ahead of Murray and Robson's matches
Festival atmosphere: Two women enjoy the fine weather. Hopes were left resting on Andy Murray after Laura Robson went out in her fourth-round match
Festival atmosphere: Two women enjoy the fine weather. Hopes were left resting on Andy Murray after Laura Robson went out in her fourth-round match
Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a trade mission to Kazakhstan, sent his encouragement to Robson.
But he made no mention of Murray, writing on Twitter: 'Sending best wishes to @laurarobson5 1st Brit woman in 4th round £Wimbledon for ages. Won't see match as overseas - but will be given updates.'
Williams, who last week tipped the teenager to make the top five, said: 'People would love to see Laura win this tournament.
'Being (at) home, this would be a great opportunity for her. I think it would be fun.
'So the crowd is going to be completely behind her, as would I.'
She is not alone in rating the player, who currently ranks 38th in the world.
Olympian: Sir Steve Redgrave gestures in the Royal Box ahead of Andy Murray's match on Centre Court
Olympian: Sir Steve Redgrave gestures in the Royal Box ahead of Andy Murray's match on Centre Court
Star: Actor Eddie Redmayne and his publicist Hannah Bagshawe in the Royal Box
Star: Actor Eddie Redmayne and his publicist Hannah Bagshawe in the Royal Box
Robson has seen her fan-base swell dramatically since the Championships opened, drawing support from all realms of public life.
Prime Minister David Cameron and boy band One Direction are among an ever expanding list of supporters and both sent her messages of encouragement on Twitter last week.
According to some estimations, she could surpass the likes of Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill and become the highest-earning British sportswoman in history. A good run at Wimbledon could also double her current earnings.
'She has the potential to be the highest-earning athlete ever that we have produced in Britain because tennis is such a lucrative and global sport,' said Nigel Currie, the director of sports marketing and sponsorship agency, brandRapport.
'If she wins a major she will then go in to the highest-earning bracket in the country for female athletes.'
According to Coral bookmakers, Robson's odds of taking the title are now set at 33-1, down from 200-1 at the start of the tournament.
Away from the British duo, today's action also sees Williams face Sabine Lisicki in the first match on Centre Court and Djokovic take on Tommy Haas at the end of the day.

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