1ST BRITISH TO JOIN WIMBLEDON FIN AFTER 74

Murray makes history! Andy becomes first British man in Wimbledon final for 74 years after four set victory over Tsonga to set up final showdown with Federer

So, that is Bunny Austin put to bed after 74 years, now for the small matter of emulating Fred Perry by beating perhaps the finest player Wimbledon has ever seen.

It falls to Andy Murray — like 1936 champion Perry, something of an outsider from beyond British  tennis’s natural heartlands — to win his first Grand Slam title against Roger Federer, a man who has won 16 of them.

At 6.45pm on Friday night the 25-year-old Scot sealed his place in his first Wimbledon final by hitting a  forehand return that flashed across Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and kissed the far line. Hawk-Eye was needed to confirm that he had nicked the break of serve that carried him to a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory in two hours and 47 minutes.

Wait for it: Tsonga is all smiles with Murray before the Scot¿s win is confirmed

Relief: Andy Murray points to the sky after winning the match

Battle: The fourth set was an epic tussle

The Scot, who had just snapped a losing streak of 11 consecutive semi-final losses at the All England Club by home challengers to become the first British finalist since Austin in 1938, could scarcely control his emotions. With tears in his eyes, he embraced the smiling Tsonga, whose comeback had threatened to wreck his dreams.

Instead it turned into probably the best day of Murray’s life, but potentially it can be topped tomorrow when he could evoke shades of 1966 and all that. The longest running post-War failure of British sport in any major pursuit can be ended, and the £10,000 they were asking for tickets on Thursday might look better value.

Applause: Murray laps up the adulation of the fans

Tough luck: Murray and Jo-Wilfried Songa in conversation after the match

Ever since Murray came on the scene he has been an irritant to Federer, over whom he holds an 8-7 record. But their meetings in the last 18 months have been so sparse — just one, in Dubai this year, when the Swiss prevailed — that the past is irrelevant, especially in a match of such magnitude.

Federer looked imperious, albeit against a below-par Novak Djokovic, yesterday. Does Murray have much of a chance in what is, for the first time in six Grand Slams, a final battle not involving the world’s top two ranked players?

Most definitely he does, as he is skilled at frustrating the player who once chided him for waiting for his opponent to make mistakes.

The British player will need to show the same fortitude he displayed against Tsonga and David Ferrer in the previous round. From now until 2pm on Sunday it will be wondered aloud whether or not this is somehow mapped out in the stars.

Crucial: Andy Murray celebrates winning a vital game

Good start: Murray got off to a fine opening

ROGER FEDERER v ANDY MURRAY

7       Head-to-head       8

30               Age               25

Birthplace

Basel, Switzerland     Dunblane, Scotland

6'1"          Height             6'3"

187lbs (85 kg)   Weight    185lbs (84 kg)

1998      Turned Pro      2005 

39/6    This year Won/Lost    26/9

 846/192   Career Won/Lost    349/116

74       Career Titles       22

£46m   Career Prize Money   £13.3m

More prosaically, Murray will have to keep winning two thirds of his  second-serve points and make threequarter of his returns —  factors which helped prevent Tsonga overrunning him in the third and fourth sets.

The colour was draining from the faces of those on Centre Court in the fourth as a tiebreak beckoned and the Frenchman ran around his forehand to deliver ferocious punches, the tennis equivalent of a boxer — Muhammad Ali springs to mind in this case — pummelling his man on the ropes.

Murray needed every ounce of fibre to hold him off before waiting for that agonising 12th game when he could pounce on the kind of mistakes that Tsonga is always likely to throw in.

By then the 5-1 career head-to-head advantage Murray had going into the match was long forgotten after clear reminders in the first two sets.

New balls please: Tsonga was hit in a delicate area by a Murray shot

Rally: Murray and Tsonga in action

History: Tsonga beat this year's finalist Roger Federer in a thriller last time around

Tumble: Murray reacts to a fall during the match

World Cup 2022 matches should be played at night to avoid Qatar heat, says FIFA 

FIFA should consider playing World Cup matches late at night at Qatar 2022 in order to avoid the extreme heat, says FIFA British vice-president Jim Boyce.

‘We should look at anything that will improve spectator and player comfort,’ said Boyce.

The organisation has come in for criticism for awarding the World Cup to Qatar despite the various problems which will come with it.

Suggestion: FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce (left) with Michel Platini

QPR persuade Park to make shock £5m move to Loftus Road from Manchester United

Queens Park Rangers have made a £5million bid for Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung. 

Manager Mark Hughes is an admirer of the 31-year-old South Korean and has been encouraged to make a move by club owner Tony Fernandes who also sees the marketing potential of signing a player from the Far East.

Park has always been a player Sir Alex Ferguson turned to for key fixtures but over the past 18 months he has played more of a bit part role at Old Trafford. 

On the move: Park Ji-sung (left) in action for South Korea on Thursda

Come and join us, Robin! Toure urges Van Persie to help Man City win Champions League

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure believes former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie would boost their chances of winning the Champions League if he opted for a move to the Etihad Stadium.

City had been linked with the Holland international even before he announced on Wednesday he would not be extending his contract, which has a year to run, with the Gunners.

Having played with him at Arsenal, Toure is well aware of what Van Persie can offer a side and would welcome him at City.

Join the team: Toure (fourth left) has urged Van Persie to move north and play for City

 

'Robin is a top player. I've played with him, I know him and he's a great man,' the centre-back told the Manchester Evening News.