British performance at SW19 the best in six years

Chief Sports Writer

Wednesday 27 June 2012

WIMBLEDON last night witnessed an extraordinary day of British triumph, tears and mystery.

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Hugh MacDonald

Victories by Andy Murray, James Ward, Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha made it the best Wimbledon for British players since 2006. Heather Watson is also through to the second round and Jamie Baker, the 25-year-old Scot, is still in the tournament after his excellent performance against Andy Roddick ensured their match will be continued today after it ended in the rain late last night with the American leading 7-6, 4-2.

Jamie Murray of Scotland and his American partner Eric Butorac also defeated Andre Begemann and Igor Zelenay 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (4) to go through to the second round.The day was further enhanced by the announcement of the British team to play in the Olympics. It is: men's singles: Andy Murray (qualified by ranking); women's singles: Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha, awarded International Tennis Federation wildcards; women's doubles – Laura Robson and Heather Watson, wildcards; men's doubles doubles - Andy Murray/Jamie Murray, Colin Fleming/Ross Hutchins (all qualified by ranking). Mixed doubles pairings are to be decided at the start of the tournament which takes place at Wimbledon from July 28 until August 5.This news produced tears from Baltacha after she was informed of her selection by Judy Murray, the Fed Cup coach, at the end of the Scot's 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Karin Knapp of Italy. "It was very, very emotional at the end, especially with Judy. We just both started crying our eyes out," said Baltacha.Andy Murray's selection for the Olympics was a formality and so was his victory over Nikolay Davydenko. The 25-year-old Scot raced past his Russian opponent 6-1-, 6-1, 6-4 in one hour 35 minutes.He then added an air of mystery to a day of jubilation. The world No.4 pointed his fingers to the heaven in victory but would not reveal what the gesture signified. "It's something for me and the guys I work with," he said. "I don't really want to go into too much detail because I will end up getting asked about it every day." Asked if it was anything to do with heaven or God, Murray replied: "Whether it is or not, I'm not going to tell anyone."It was an impressive display by Murray who went out in the first round at Queen's on grass before losing two exhibition matches at Boodles. The Scot has also faced criticism in the lead-up to the tournament but he showed excellent form by thrashing Davydenko, a former world No.3.Asked if his facile victory silenced the doubters, he said: "I do not think it stops that. The way that you stop getting asked questions or stop having people doubt you is by winning tennis matches. That's what I need to do for the rest of the tournament."Of the British advance into the second round, he said: "'It has been a good tournament so far and let us hope it continues."Murray's next opponent will be Ivo Karlovic or Dudi Sela with the former being the more likely as he was leading by two sets to nil when rain and bad light stopped play late last night.The Scot said: "It's always a tough match against him. It is very hard to get into a rhythm against someone like him." The Croat stands 6ft 10ins and serves at speeds that break the sound barrier. But Murray said he will be practising his returns before tomorrow's second round match. "One of my coaches will stand and serve from inside the service line just so I get used to to the reaction and used to the ball coming in from height." Last night's victory, however, will have strengthened Murray's confidence. "'I struck the ball well," said Murray. 'Once I got ahead of him I wanted to make sure I did not let him back in. He's very, very dangerous. I needed to stay concentrated on my serve and I did it well.

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British performance at SW19 the best in six years

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