Tsonga hoping to silence Wimbledon crowd

But the flamboyant Frenchman accepts Murray is an opponent he has found difficult in the past, and he knows he will be battling the Centre Court crowd as well as an opponent who senses his big chance.

The Frenchman came through a tight battle with Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber on Court One yesterday, showing his best form in the fourth set to survive 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-2.

He lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic at the last-four stage 12 months ago, while Murray fell to Nadal, whose second-round defeat this year opened up the draw for both players.

“Andy’s one of the players I don’t like to play because he returns really well and he can play some really good passing shots,” said Tsonga.

“He’s really quick and it’s going to be tough for me.”

“But I beat him once (at the 2008 Australian Open). And last time we played together on grass, I had a match point and it was really close. That was last year in the final in Queen’s.

“I will have a chance. At 100 per cent I have maybe less than him, but I will have some chances and I will try to take them.”

Big-hearted Tsonga is a popular performer wherever he appears, and the 27-year-old’s victory dance is usually lapped up by crowds. It would not be a welcome sight tomorrow for British tennis followers, and Tsonga knows they will be siding with the fourth seed.

“That’s all right,” he said. “Sometimes I play against players who have lots of support and I win.

“I remember at the US Open last year I played against Mardy Fish in a tight match. It was not easy, but I won it.

“For me it’s of course an advantage to play at home. But it’s still tennis, and you never know what happens on court.”