THE First Minister acclaimed Andy Murray's gritty performance in his first Wimbledon final saying he "did Scotland proud".

Alex Salmond and the Prime Minister joined the 15,000 fans in Centre Court who cheered the Scot as he faced Roger Federer, arguably the greatest player ever to pick up a tennis racquet, in the Wimbledon final.

The Saltire was already flying over Downing Street alongside the Union flag as hopes remained riding high in Whitehall for a "British victory" on the manicured lawn of SW19.

As the match got under way, it was not clear who was gripping their seat the hardest, the PM or the First Minister. Nor was it obvious who was shouting the loudest when Murray let rip a backhand down the line.

Mr Salmond said: "Andy played an outstanding match and did Scotland proud."

The First Minister, whose joy in Murray's promising start to the match turned to increasingly pained expressions as the Swiss star started to take control, added: "The second set was crucial when he had the chance to break serve, but the ball didn't fall for him at the vital moment.

"If he had gone two sets to love up it would have been a different result.

"However, Roger Federer is a great champion and a deserved winner. For Andy there is not just next year, but as he said himself he is getting ever closer to that Grand Slam breakthrough."

Mr Cameron, who had the afternoon off, was desperately hoping he would be able to congratulate Murray, the daring Brit, rather than commiserate with Murray, the plucky Scot.

The Prime Minister was engrossed, putting his hand to his mouth in shock in one moment and throwing his head back in frustration as Federer took control of the match.

Both leaders had been quick to show their support for Dunblane ace Murray and within minutes of his semi-final victory they were sending congratulations. But the slickness of the SNP operation meant their message was heard moments before London's best wishes were received.

Of course, metaphorically speaking, Messrs Cameron and Salmond have begun their own game of constitutional tennis.

After the SNP's landslide victory at Holyrood last year, it seemed the Nationalist leader had started the match well, leaving his opponent on the back foot. However, earlier this year the Tory premier upped his game and flushed out his opponent on the referendum timing.

After the campaign launches and with today's poll looking good for the No camp, it might be that Mr Cameron has clinched the first set. But there is a long way to go and who would bet that the PM/FM encounter will not go all the way to five sets.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister, had seen Murray's gripping four sets semi-final victory over Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and was tweeting her excitement as Murray dominated the opening exchanges against Federer. "What a start," she said.

And after Murray's emotional speech to the Centre Court crowd, she added: "Is there a dry eye in Scotland right now? I think not. Let's give him a big twitter hug!!!"

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont congratulated Murray, saying: "What a fantastic, nail-biting, heart-in-mouth game of tennis.

"Being the first British player in the men's final in most people's living memory is achievement in itself. One thing is for sure – we haven't seen the last of Andy Murray."