Henman praise as Murray win ends long wait

After 74 years without a British representative in the Wimbledon men’s singles final, the wait seemed destined to end without the slightest hint of drama.

Two sets up, Andy Murray was cruising down a path last taken by ‘Bunny’ Austin in 1938.

With Rafael Nadal long ensconced back home in Majorca, the somewhat lesser figure of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in prowess if not physical stature, was simply there to be brushed aside.

The least we had expected was a five-set epic; perhaps a handful of injury time-outs, rain delays, code violations, pesky pigeons, silly shout-outs, net cords, flash-guns or even streakers.

After all, this is a nation that does not do straightforward sporting semi-finals.

Ask our hapless penalty takers. Ask Tim Henman. Ask Murray himself. It was written that the agony would continue for generations to come.

Even when Tsonga served out competently to take the third set, it barely threatened to register so much as a minor tremor on the great Richter scale of British sporting near-misses.

Murray went a break up in the fourth, but was broken straight back. Storm clouds began to gather, both literally and metaphorically. There was talk of a possible half-hour delay for the roof to be closed.

Goran Ivanisevic, recipient of weather-assisted good fortune in his 2001 semi-final against Henman, watched on from the Royal Box.

Suddenly, the momentum shifted, and Murray’s one-set challenge seemed as distant as the years that had elapsed since Austin’s triumph.

Both players had break points in an increasingly thrilling fourth set: at times, they both served like Sampras and hurled themselves around the court like Becker.

A stunning shot down the line by Tsonga denied Murray the chance to serve for the match.

Then, on Tsonga’s serve, Murray fashioned two match points.

His cross-court return winner was ruled out, challenged by Murray. He had no doubt the ball was in. It was.

It delayed the Scot’s celebrations, but no one much minded. What’s a few seconds when you’ve waited 74 years to end the agony?

Henman himself led the praise.

The man who lost four Wimbledon semi-finals saluted Murray’s effort.

“It was unbelievable,” he said. “I just hope he’s got enough physical and emotional energy left. It was a draining match.

“Andy will like the match-up with Roger and what an opportunity. He’s got one monkey off his back with the nation’s first finalist in 74 years, so why not kill two birds with one stone?

“If he can get to Federer’s backhand, of course he has a chance, but Federer knows this court better than anyone.

“He has lost to Roger in a grand slam final before, but I just feel that it’s a great win (against Tsonga), he’s been so resilient and he stayed tough. He has to do that on one more occasion.”

A congratulatory message also came from Prime Minister David Cameron.

In a statement, he said: “It is great news that we have our first home-grown men’s finalist at Wimbledon for over 70 years, especially in this exciting Olympics year when the eyes of the world are on the UK.

“I’ll be watching the final on Sunday and like the rest of the country, will be getting right behind Andy Murray – I wish him the best of luck.”

Downing Street also confirmed that the Scottish Saltire will fly alongside the Union flag above No 10 Downing Street tomorrow.

Former Wimbledon winner John McEnroe, covering the match as a broadcaster, added: “I am really happy for Andy. When I played, I was never under the pressure he was under. It was an amazing effort from him.

“You would think the pressure will be on him in the final because of how long it has been since Great Britain had someone win it, but Federer wants to tie with Pete Sampras (on seven titles) and has put pressure on himself. Andy will have to play so well to beat him.”

Murray’s former Davis Cup captain John Lloyd believes it is written in the stars that Murray will lift his maiden grand slam title on Sunday.

“I always thought that grass would be a good surface for him. It’s destiny for him to win it the way that he’s played,” he said. “It was amazing.”

Murray’s former coach Miles Maclagan lauded the Scot’s nerve, telling BBC Radio Five Live: “All the hard physical work was the easy part for Andy (yesterday). It’s the steel backbone that he showed in the tough moments which have left me in awe.”

Maclagan now coaches Marcos Baghdatis, who was Murray’s third-round victim.

There was no doubting who he was siding with yesterday though as he roared Murray on.

“I feel emotionally drained,” Maclagan added. “You could see his relief at the end. It was a big moment for him and he has deserved it.”

Pat Cash, Wimbledon champion in 1987, hopes the whole of Britain will get behind the 25-year-old when he takes on Federer.

“The country will hopefully be right behind him and cheer him along,” the Australian said. “He has played Davis Cup before for his country, but this is an individual event. This is for him and I hope the country enjoys it and gets behind him.”

Richard Krajicek, who won at Wimbledon in 1996, admits the manner of Murray’s win over Tsonga was exhilarating.

“Unbelievable,” the Dutchman said. “I’ve got goosebumps. It’s amazing. It’s so nice to see such a great guy do well. He gets so much criticism and he has now overcome it. There was so much negativity about him and this performance was the only way he could overcome that.”

Ivanisevic beat Henman in the last four on his way to winning Wimbledon as a wild-card entry in 2001. The 40-year-old says Murray must seize his chance.

“It’s great for Andy,” Ivanisevic said. “It’s great for British tennis, for Scottish tennis. It’s been such a long time, but if he doesn’t win the press will hammer him.

“He needs to win somehow. I wish him all the best because he deserves to win a grand slam.”