Come on Andy: Epic Centre Court battle underway as Murray bids to become first British Wimbledon men's singles champion in 76 years

-Murray takes first set 6-4
-25-year-old Scottish ace is taking on six-times champion Roger Federer in front of a packed Centre Court
-20 million tuning in to watch the final on television with the All England Club full to capacity
-Duchess of Cambridge, her sister Pippa Middleton, Prime Minister David Cameron and David and Victoria Beckham among celebrities attending the match


By Daily Mail Reporter



Title battle: Switzerland's Roger Federer and Britain's Andy Murray in action on Wimbledon's centre court today

Andy Murray's epic match against six-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer today has got off to a blistering start with the 25-year-old Scot taking a tense first set six games to four.

Federer rallied to break Murray's serve in the third game but after a tense period of play Murray fought back breaking Federer's serve for a second time.

The atmosphere on Centre Court was electric with the crowd - which included the Duchess of Cambridge, her sister Pippa Middleton and the Beckhams - cheering every point.


Andy Murray blasts a forehand back at six-times champion Roger Federer during the tense first set

Standing in the way: Six-times champion Roger Federer is a notoriously tough nut to crack

Murray is bidding to become the first Briton to win the Wimbledon men's singles title in 76 years.

The pair arrived on a packed Centre Court to rapturous applause with around 20 million people watching the final on television.

Hundreds of fans queued for hours in the rain just for the chance to watch the match from 'Murray Mound' inside the grounds.

Good luck wishes have been pouring in for Murray, who is being watched by the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister Pippa Middleton, Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Steve Redgrave and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

And as usual Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears, 24, is cheering him on from the sidelines.

The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing a £275 Joseph Vanessa dress which she previously wore when she visited Canada with her husband.

She has teamed the dress with a £480 Joseph jacket. She previously wore the Nessie tweed jacket to the Epsom Derby.

Federer has won 16 grand slam titles in a glittering career and has beaten Murray in all six of their final matches. However Murray has won eight of their 15 professional encounters.

And it won't just be the pride of Britain that Murray will be taking home, if he secures victory it could put him on a path of earning a very handsome £100m through global sponsorship deals, experts have predicted.

Speaking earlier today a determined Murray claimed the Centre Court battle will mean nothing unless he takes the title.

He said: 'Knowing I am through to the final of Wimbledon fills me with so many emotions, but all of that will count for nothing unless I come away with the title,' he writes in his blog on the BBC Sport website.

'The only thing I can afford to focus on is my game and Roger Federer. He is a player I've beaten in the past, and I can do it again.

'The one thing I can guarantee is that I'll fight my absolute heart out.'

In his honest and open account, Murray continued: 'Federer is arguably the best player of all time. There are a few guys who have a decent claim, but I'd say Roger and Pete Sampras.

'Although it's my first Wimbledon final, I was in this position at the 2008 US Open and the Australian Open in 2010 and 2011.

'I know how it's going to feel and although there will be nerves, I know how to deal with them and use it as a positive.'

He said of those finals, losing to Novak Djokovic in Melbourne last year was the most painful, and one of the factors motivating Murray to lift the trophy this time round.

'Since I left for Spain 10 years ago and decided I wanted to become a professional tennis player, these are the moments I've spent every day working towards,' Murray wrote.

'I moved away from my family at the age of 15, lived and trained in another country. I had to do that to get where I am today, challenging for the sport's biggest prizes.

'It hasn't been an easy journey and after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-finals on Friday I was quite emotional.'

The Archbishop of York also took to Twitter to wish Murray luck and published a prayer for the tennis player on his website.

Dr John Sentamu wrote on Twitter: 'I've also written a prayer for Andy Murray ahead of today's Wimbledon final. Come on Andy! You can do it!'

The Archbishop wrote the prayer on his blog. Under the title 'A Prayer for Andy Murray', he wrote: 'Loving God we are so filled with hope by the Wimbledon final today! Guide Andy Murray in the choices that come to him with every ball. Make us all the best that we can be, by your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ, to the glory of God our Father. Amen.'


Royal duty: Kate Middleton and sister Pippa cheer on Andy Murray from the Royal Box


Tense: Andy Murray 's girlfriend Kim Sears watches the opening set from Centre Court


Victoria Beckham, dressed in one of her own creations, puts her arm on husband David's shoulder as the pressure is building up during the Wimbledon final between Murray and Roger Federer


Mother knows best: David Cameron brought his mother Mary Cameron along to view the game from the Royal Box at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club


Nick Clegg his wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez arrive in the Royal Box before the men's singles final match at Centre Court


Britain's top politicians scramble to find their seats: David Cameron and his mother Mary in the front row and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, centre, and London Mayor Boris Johnson block the way for Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam

Rooting for Murray: Olympic rowing multi-gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave watches the match from the Royal Box

Before the match began, Prime Minister David Cameron said singles tennis players are under huge pressure, but he believes Murray can handle it.

'I think he knows about pressure and he's had some incredibly pressured games,' he said. 'And the thing about singles tennis is that there's no-one else out there. It's just you.

'And the pressure on the individual single person is immense. In doubles you share it, in Government you have a Cabinet, you have a team. But he's going to be all alone out there in Centre Court.

'But he knows, I hope he knows, he's got the whole nation behind him and we're going to be roaring him on.'

Murray's semi-final defeat of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was watched by pop princess Kylie Minogue, who sat in the Royal Box with boyfriend Andres Velencoso.

They were joined by Sir David Frost, as well as cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic.

In his clash with Ferrer, the 25-year-old was also watched by tennis couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, television sports presenter Des Lynam, veteran broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson and England football manager Roy Hodgson.


Tennis fans shelter under umbrellas as they wait to see if they'll be lucky enough to secure tickets.


Braving the rain: Tennis fans gather on 'Murray Mount'. Around 20million people are expected to tune in to watch the final on television with the All England Club expected to be full to capacity


All smiles: Demand for tickets soared over the weekend, and bookmakers William Hill have given Murray odds of 13/8 to lift the title, and 7/2 to win the first set then the match

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source:dailymail

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Serena Williams brings colour to Wimbledon women's final in her trusty purple pants

•After two weeks of gruelling and enthralling action 126 competitors have been sent packing and just two women are left standing
•Four-time champion Serena Williams insists she will not be taking Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska lightly in today's Wimbledon women's final
•Radwanska has surprised many by reaching her first Grand Slam final
•Williams wins first set 6-1 in 36 min and Radwanska wins the 2nd set 7-5•S WILLIAMS 6-1, 5-7 A RADWANSKA


By Jill Reilly


After two weeks of gruelling and enthralling action 126 competitors have been sent packing and just two women are left standing.

Four-times U.S. champion Serena Williams dominated the first set against Agnieszka Radwanska, although the Polish player won the second set as she began to gain confidence and fight back.

Despite being seeded three places higher than Williams at No 3 Radwanska has surprised many by emerging through the top half of the draw to reach her first Grand Slam final.


Trusted purple pants: Serena Williams serves to Agnieszka Radwanska during the women's final match for the Wimbledon Championships


Show of strength: Agnieszka Radwanska plays a shot to Williams - despite being seeded three places higher than Williams at No 3 - she has surprised many by emerging through the top half of the draw to reach her first Grand Slam final


Battle: Play was suspended when it began to rain, but the two players emerged on the court again quickly

Nerves: Despite being an overwhelming favourite for the title, sixth seed Williams said: 'I have to go out there and win. Agnieszka has had a better year than I have. She's been way more consistent than me'

But before the Serena Williams insisted that she would not be taking Radwanska lightly in today's Wimbledon women's final.

Williams is the player every other fears at Wimbledon and there have looked to be few flaws in her game during impressive quarter-final and semi-final victories over Petra Kvitova, the winner last year, and Victoria Azarenka, who will be number one in the world if Radwanska loses.

Maria Sharapova, currently top of the rankings, cannot stay there.


Appreciative audience: Comedian Michael McIntyre, back left, and Miranda Hart, watch the tense match unfold


Checking the weather: Vogue editor Anna Wintour made an appearance on Centre Court for the women's final match


Hollywood watches: Actors Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen look on from the Royal Box on Centre Court

Support: Oracene Williams (centre), the mother of Serena Williams sits on Centre Court under an umbrella

Adding to the likelihood of a Williams victory is the fact Radwanska has been ill.

Radwanska had a respiratory illness affecting her nose and throat, which forced her to cancel a planned press conference and stay away from the practice courts.

Pointing her finger at the miserable British summer weather, Radwanska said: 'I have been playing a lot of matches here in the rain and cold wind, and I haven't been well for a few days.'

But, despite being an overwhelming favourite for the title, sixth seed Williams said before the match: 'I have to go out there and win.

'Agnieszka has had a better year than I have. She's been way more consistent than me.

'She's done really well, so she's ranked higher than me. She deserves to be.


Delay: Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland walk off the court as rain delays play


Speedy: Court attendants run to cover Centre Court during a rain break


Testing times: Four-times champion Serena Williams Agnieszka Radwanska walk out on the court before their match

Anticipation: Despite being seeded three places higher than Williams at No 3 Radwanska has surprised many by emerging through the top half of the draw to reach her first Grand Slam final

'I have to go out there and fight for this. This is by no means going to be easy.

Never, ever do I underestimate any opponent. She's out there to try to do her best.

'I really like Aga. She's a great girl.'

Radwanska is the first Polish player for 75 years to have reached a Wimbledon singles final.

Jadwiga Jedrzejowska was the last, in 1937, when she lost to Britain's Dorothy Round.


Training: Andy Murray warms up today with the help of fitness coach Jez Green on the practice court. Yesterday he was victorious against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


Determined: Andy Murray trains before his men's final tennis match on Sunday against Roger Federer of Switzerland


Anticipation: Warren Symonds poses with a Scottish flag at the makeshift campsite for fans queuing for a space on to watch the men's final tomorrow at Wimbledon


Dedicated fans: The makeshift campsite for fans queuing for a space on what has been nicknamed 'Murray Mount'

Making history: By powering past France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Murray became the first British man to reach the final in 74 years and these fans are queuing to see the historic match

Krakow-based Radwanska said: 'The most important thing is that I'm feeling good on the court and playing some good tennis, despite not being able to talk much away from the court.

'I will do whatever it takes to make sure I'm ready to play the best I can.'

Williams fired a women's Wimbledon record of 24 aces past Azarenka in their semi-final.

The 30-year-old puts her proficiency down to experience.

'The older I get, the better I serve, and the more I like to hit aces,' Williams said.

'But in my whole career I've hit a lot of aces throughout tournaments.

'I don't know how it got better. I really don't know. It's not like I go home and I work on baskets and baskets of serves. Maybe it's a natural shot for me.'

Meanwhile Murray's surprise victory in the Wimbledon semifinals, after losing at the same stage three years running, has left British royalty, politicians and celebrities scrambling for a spot to watch Sunday's showdown between the Scot and Roger Federer.

By powering past France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to become the first British man to reach the final in 74 years, Murray took Britain's collective mind off the dreary weather and dismal economy and gave the country a new hero - at least for now.

The joy was tempered by surprise that Murray had really pulled it off - and a sense that it would be tempting fate to expect him to beat Federer and become the first British Wimbledon men's champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

Bunny Austin made the final two years later, but lost. Virginia Wade won the women's title in 1977.


source:dailymail

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Roy's Boys thunder to victory against Sweden.... but force England fans to sweat after players wobble and rainstorm delays Euro 2012 clash

By Tom Gardner, Chris Parsons and Christian Gysin


Danny Welbeck, the scorer of England's winning goal, celebrates with fellow-goalscorer Andy Carroll after the goal which put the Three Lions on course for a priceless Euro 2012 win

England were tonight on the verge of qualifying for the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 after beating Sweden on a day when torrential rain played havoc with the tournament.

On a dramatic day of football where their crunch encounter was delayed by 15 minutes due to a thunder storm, Roy Hodgson's men came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 and claim a valuable win in front of 12 million who tuned in across Britain and 5,000 fans who made the trip to Kiev.

The Three Lions had their game in Kiev put back by 15 minutes following a torrential storm which delayed the other group game between France and Ukraine in Donetsk.

The memorable victory means that a draw against co-hosts Ukraine will guarantee England a passage into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals - where they could meet reigning world and European champions Spain.


Danny cool: Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck's composed backheel finish gave England the lead with 15 minutes to go


Back level: Theo Walcott got England back on terms in an incident-packed second half to make the score 2-2


Flat pack four: Sweden's defence can only stand and watch as Andy Carroll towers above them to head England into a 23rd minute 1-0 lead


Celebration time: The Liverpool striker, the most expensive British footballer of all time, wheels away after givign England the lead

Leading the line: Andy Carroll, who was playing his first competitive match for England, slides on his knees after his powerful header put Roy Hodgson's men 1-0 in front

In a game which see-sawed one way and then another Roy Hodgson’s men were seemingly in control of the game at half time having taken a 23rd minute lead through an Andy Carroll header.

But Sweden struck back with two goals from defender Olof Mellberg to lead 2-1 with only half an hour remaining to leave a TV audience of more than 12 million at home - and thousands of England fans in the Ukraine - praying for a miracle.

Salvation came in the shape of Arsenal’s Theo Walcott who fired home in the 64th minute - just three minutes after coming on as a second half substitute.


Loud and proud: The travelling army of England fans may have been outnumbered by their Swedish counterparts, but were still in fine voice in Kiev


Happy and glorious: The England fans in the Olympic Stadium, Kiev, were in fine voice throughout


England 'till they die: Fans did their best to show their true colours and support for the Three Lions in Ukraine during the game


Hands held high: A female fan got into the spirit of things in the Walkabout, Birmingham, by displaying her national pride on her t-shirt, while chaotic scenes greeted England's third goal in Coach and Horses, in Ashbourne, Derbyshire


Fans in Newcastle also needed no second invitation to join in the celebrations once England opened the scoring

Rock and roll star: Noel Gallagher was one of the famous faces who also made the journey to support England, along with a flag of his beloved Manchester City

Walcott then turned provider in the 78th minute with a cross which was back heeled into the net by Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck to make it 3-2 for England in front of 5,000 ecstatic travelling fans

The result means that England can afford to draw with Ukraine in Donetsk next Tuesday - and still secure a place in the quarter finals of the tournament.

It was the first time England have beaten Sweden in a competitive fixture and last night fans praised the grit of the team after going behind.

England fan David Steele, 35, from Folkestone, Kent, praised manager Roy Hodgson as he left the Olympic stadium and said:‘The manager got the substitutions right and now we have great chance to move on.


Rollercoaster of emotions: England manager Roy Hodgson was put through the wringer by his team, but they eventually pulled through to claim a valuable win, which the boss greeted with an understated fist pump (right)


Level pegging: England had their lead snatched back when Olof Mellberg headed Sweden's equaliser

On the back foot: The rollercoaster game continued when Mellberg again rose highest to give Sweden the lead

'It was a nail biting night though. Especially after we went behind with only thirty minutes left.’

Earlier on, the 5pm fixture today between France and Ukraine - the two other teams in England's group - had to be called to a halt after just four minutes as sheets of unrelenting rain and loud claps of thunder and lightning hit the Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine.

With parts of the pitch underwater and the players forced to leave the field barely five minutes into the game, there were initial fears the game would be postponed altogether and rearranged for the following day at the same time.

But within an hour the hazardous weather had thankfully relented in Donetsk, allowing officials to get the game underway again at 6pm BST.


The moment the heavens opened: Ukrainian fans prepare to look for cover from the wet conditions as their game against France was suspended just after 5pm today


Downpour: France midfielder Samir Nasri competes for ball in truly dire conditions against Ukrainian defender Vyacheslav Shevchuk, seconds before officials suspended the game


Marching orders: Although players were told to leave the Donbass Arena pitch, an inspection by officials and easing of the rain allowed the game to get going again at 6pm BST


Rain stops play: A Ukranian fan is defiant in the face of the weather onslaught, as officials looked to get the match going again


Lighting up the sky: Forks of lightning illuminate the Donetsk sky above the Donbass Arena, as fans could initially do nothing but sit away from the rain waiting for the game to get underway again


Calm after the storm: The match was restarted at around 6pm BST when the weather subsided, although the early evening conditions left this spectacular cloud over the Donbass Arena.

Cruise control: The French adapted best to the inclement weather conditions once the game got going again, taking the lead through Jeremy Menez

The unprecedented conditions started a dramatic day at the tournament, as millions of fans meanwhile cheered England on to victory over Sweden.

Expectations had run high ahead of the tie - despite England never beating their Scandinavian opposition in a competitive match.

The pre-match tension and excitement in Kiev threatened to boil over before the game however, as groups of England and Sweden fans squared up to each other in the Ukranian city centre's 'Fan Zone'.

While there was not a serious outbreak of violence, fans from both countries sang increasingly provocative songs and became involved in pushing and shoving matches as supporters taunted one another in the Ukrainian capital’s main square.

Lines of fans were separated by police and stewards as they shouted and threw plastic beer glasses at each other.

Earlier in the afternoon there had been a carnival atmosphere as British and Swedish police patrolled the streets together and posed for photographs with fans.

However, as kick-off approached the atmosphere became more tense and charged.


Face-off: An England fan and a Swedish fan square off as bad-tempered exchanges in Kiev threatened to spill over into violence


Ugly scenes: A Sweden fan launches an empty plastic bottle across a crowded road as the two sets of fans continued to antagonise each other


Restrained: A heavy security presence in Ukraine helped minimise trouble in Kiev, with no actual incidents of violence despite the tension and antagonistic behaviour

A travelling England fan swipes the hat of a security worker as officials did their best to restore order in Kiev city centre and keep the two sets of supporters at arms length

In the lead-up to the game, the England team, which has made great efforts to paint themselves as the tournament’s underdogs after years of failure, have ramped up hope of coming away with a win.

England are now at odds of 2/7 with bookmakers to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Rory Jiwani, frm StanJames.com, said: 'The result was exactly what was required but England looked anything but assured, especially in defence.

'Defeat was on the cards until Theo Walcott's introduction and Sweden are clearly one of the poorest teams in the competition.

'The win means Roy Hodgson's men only need a draw against Ukraine to qualify and we make them 2/7 to get out of Group D.'

But the Swedish press have not missed a chance to have a cheeky swipe at the opposition ahead of the Group D match, due for a 7.45pm kick off at Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine.

This morning's edition of the country's biggest selling daily newspaper, Aftonbladet, mocked up front pages of various British newspapers, including the Daily Mail, predicting a crushing victory over England.


Predictions: Sweden's biggest selling newspaper Aftonbladet mocked up front pages of how The Sun and the Daily Mail might cover a predicted England loss

But the mounting tensions do not seem to have daunted an optimistic captain Steven Gerrard.

He told a press conference yesterday: ‘With all due respect, they are not France so I think we can be a bit more bold and get at the Swedes a bit more. I’m really happy with the start we’ve made.

‘We’ve left ourselves a good platform to build on and I am confident we can beat them.’

And the upbeat tone from the team seems to have buoyed spirits among travelling England fans - expected to be outnumber four to one by Sweden's 20,000 supporters - who have made the 1,500 mile journey to Ukraine ahead of tonight's big game.

They prepared for the clash by taking on their counterparts in a singing contest.

Rowdy fans lined up opposite each other in Kiev, Ukraine, to belt out songs and and drink in the pouring rain.

Hundreds of noisy supporters - wearing their countries' colours of red and white, and yellow and blue, were getting in the mood for this evening's key Euro 2012 clash as they enjoyed the fun in the fan zone.

Security personnel struggled to keep both sets of fans apart as the chanting became more vociferous.

But the atmosphere was generally good natured, with the fans choosing to hug each other rather than throw punches after spending all day drinking ahead of the match.

At one point thunder and lightning sent thousands of supporters - who were watching Spain play Ireland on big screens - scurrying for shelter.

But a number of the England fans ignored the horrendous downpour, removed their shirts and sang ‘let's all have a disco’.

Thousands more Three Lions supporters are expected to pour into Kiev today, although they will still be heavily outnumbered by the Swedes.

An estimated 20,000 fans from Scandinavia have travelled to Ukraine, compared to just 5,000 from England.


Support: England fan Jolanta Hillier and Marion Persson from Malmo soak up the pre-match atmosphere in Kiev


Friendly banter: England and Sweden soccer fans go head-to-head in the fan zone in Kiev this afternoon


Ready for the fray: English fans dressed as medieval knights take tot he streets of downtown Kiev as they look forward to this evening's game


International relations: Despite the threat of violence, groups of England and Sweden fans had largely mingled and got on well together this afternoon in Kiev


Game on: This group of fans, who had travelled from Bristol, enjoy a game of football in the main square in Krakow



source: dailymail

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