SIR Alex Ferguson cheered on his fellow Scot on Centre Court as Andy Murray breezed his way into tomorrow’s Wimbledon final.
The Dunblane-born player became the first British man to reach 11 grand slam finals after beating Czech Tomas Berdych in three straight sets, breaking the record he shared with Fred Perry.
The 29-year-old will now play in his third Wimbledon final, three years after he lifted the trophy.
The Royal Box on Centre Court was packed with celebrities, everyone from singer Katherine Jenkins to actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jude Law.
Law, 43, arrived at Wimbledon with his psychologist girlfriend Phillipa Coan before taking up a seat next to Bank of England governor Mark Carney.
Charles Dance – Game of Thrones’ Tywin Lannister to many people – said he had “every confidence” in Murray. Asked about how the Scot would cope with having the hopes of a nation on him, Dance said: “What pressure, to have to play with that. It’s bad enough playing in this arena at this point, it’s tough, and all that pressure as well.”
Jenkins, 36, arrived with her husband Andrew Levitas and said she was “loving” being a mother to their daughter Aaliyah, who was born in September.
The Welsh star said: “I’m loving it, it is the best thing ever, We’re both thoroughly enjoying being parents and she’s amazing, so it’s been the best thing. We couldn’t be happier with her.”
She said Murray had “everyone behind him”, while BBC journalist Nick Robinson praised the tennis player as “so consistently good”.
As his wife Kim applauded and shouted her encouragement from the players’ box, Murray stormed to victory with a 6-3 6-3 6-3 win. He will now face Milos Raonic, whose win over Wimbledon darling Roger Federer landed him a spot in his first grand slam final.
Murray fan Jeremy Cross, 49, from Leeds, said: “I think his returning was incredible. When Berdych hits those serves he must be thinking they are never going to come back. But Murray made him play the extra shot. His flexibility and speed around the court are phenomenal.”
Asked about his chances against Raonic, Mr Cross said: “He played him at Queen’s and I think Murray had got his number.” Terry Trusler, 64, from Guildford, also backed Murray. She said: “I saw him in the semi-final three years. He was good then but he has definitely improved. He looks sleek, his shots are magnificent and I just think he has got it.”
Praise came from beyond the bounds of SW19 as well, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeting: “Into the Wimbledon final he goes – brilliant Andy Murray!”
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