Murray is defeated by Tsonga in miniature rehearsal

Tsonga won the match two sets to one – but Murray will get a swift chance to avenge that loss, and a chance to win his second Queen’s Club title, with the final rescheduled to start at 12.30pm.

“It has been a very frustrating day for everyone,” said tournament director Chris Kermode.

“We still have a fantastic day to look forward to on Monday and the weather forecast looks promising.”

It will be the third time the tournament, a traditional prelude to Wimbledon, will have been decided on a Monday.

John McEnroe won in 1979 and Boris Becker claimed the second of his four titles in 1987, when he beat Jimmy Connors.

Neither went on to win at the All England Club.

Murray will hope neither that, nor the table-tennis result will prove a bad omen for the days and weeks to come.

Tournament organisers had decided on Saturday to move the final forward to midday from 2pm yesterday in the hope of finding a break in the bad weather.

The covers were removed for a brief period in the middle of the afternoon and the lines painted but the rain soon returned. The players did not make it onto court.

Murray kept himself busy in the changing room discussing with his support staff the best make of British car.

Tsonga played Jenga in the players’ lounge before taking on Murray over the table-tennis table. Play was officially called off for the day at just after 5.30pm.

Tickets will be available on the gate at Queen’s Club today at £10 each.

Ticket-holders from yesterday will receive a full refund and an opportunity to purchase tickets for the semi-finals and final of next year’s tournament.

The AEGON Classic final between Daniela Hantuchova and Sabine Lisicki has been rescheduled to today at 11am following persistent rain in Birmingham yesterday.

The doubles final was played indoors with no spectator access for health and safety reasons and it had been hoped that the singles final – due to take place at 10am – would get under way later.

However, tournament director Patrick Hughesman said: “Obviously we are greatly disappointed that we were not able to finish the finals but hopefully people will take the opportunity to buy some great value tickets for (today’s) final scheduled for 11am.”