Andy Murray's Wimbledon title dreams are shattered
- 00:01:17
- ITN
Andy Murray's Wimbledon title dreams are shattered
Andy Roddick has beaten Andy Murray 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9/7) 7-6 (7/5) to reach the men's final at Wimbledon against Roger Federer. The "Battle of the Andys" hit Centre Court as the British number one looked to book his place in history as the first men's home champion since Fred Perry in 1936. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as the two players walked out on to the court. But the first call of "Come on Andy!" was met with some confusion and a response of "Which one?" Sixth-seeded Roddick, a former world number one and winner of the 2003 US Open, broke Murray in the final game of the first set after firing a 143mph ace in the third game, proving he meant business. It was the fastest serve of the tournament so far and just 3mph short of the all time record, set by Roddick himself in 2004. Murray broke back immediately to level the match 1-1 and held three break points in the first game of the third and set point in the tie-break but could not take advantage. The 26-year-old American dropped to his knees as he won the match in three hours and seven minutes before appearing to mouth "I'm sorry" to the crowd. Roddick said: "He (Murray) had all the pressure on him and I could come out and swing and that probably helped me today. Let's make no mistake, he has been a much better player than I have over the past year, I was just a little bit better today." On Sunday, Roddick will play Swiss maestro Federer who earlier showed sublime form in beating German Tommy Haas 7-6-7-5 6-3. The five-time Wimbledon champion will be playing in his seventh consecutive final. He will also bid to make history by securing a record-breaking 15th Grand Slam. Former British number one Tim Henman said it would take Murray a long time to leave the defeat behind him, but added: "I don't think it will alter his view or certainly my view that he will win here on day." Murray joins Henman and Roger Taylor on the list of British semi-finalists who have not quite made the final. Henman played for a place in the final four times, most recently in 2002 against Australian Lleyton Hewitt. Watching in the royal box were five-times champion Bjorn Borg and former Wimbledon favourite Ilie Nastase, as well as Sir Michael Parkinson and Sir David Frost. Princess Michael of Kent, Lord Freddie Windsor and Viscount Linley were representing the Royal Family.
ITN | July 3, 2009
