• What the Deuce

Crack out the Pimm's: A glorious week for British tennis

After becoming the first British player since 1926 to win multiple titles at Queen's Club, Andy Murray admitted that the pressure is now on even more than ever.

With Wimbledon less than a fortnight away, the world No. 4 comes under intense scrutiny every June as tennis fever hits the nation.

However, the Scot was almost overshadowed by another Brit in West London last week, as James Ward's gutsy run came to an end in the semi-finals.

Ward's giantkilling run saw fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka and defending champion Sam Querrey fall by the wayside, as the world No. 216 delighted his home crowd.

Ward's semi-final defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ultimately denied the crowd an all-British final against Murray, but it was a dream week for Ward, who was also handed a wildcard for Wimbledon.

"It's the best week of my career so far," Ward said. "I've been playing futures tournaments and some challengers as well where there are not big crowds."

Ward and Murray may have stolen the show in West London, but up in the Midlands, the ladies were proudly flying the flag.

Just a fortnight after Heather Watson and Elena Baltacha became the first British women in the second round of the French Open in 17 years, the pair turned their attention to their grass court games.

Heather Watson has enjoyed an impressive start to the grass court season © PA Photos

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Naomi Broady upset French hotshot Caroline Garcia, while Watson, who recently broke into the world's top 100 for the first time, claimed two good victories to reach the third round in Birmingham.

And if all that wasn't enough, Elena Baltacha successfully defended her AEGON Challenge title in Nottingham. But before What the Deuce got too excited and heralded a glorious rebirth of British tennis, we were brought crashing back down to earth on Monday, with defeats for Laura Robson and Anne Keothavong.

Murray is used to flying the flag solo during the second week at grand slams, but could it be that British tennis is experiencing a revival?

Murray's performance at Queen's Club last week has got British fans in that dangerous state of optimism that always happens before any major sporting tournament.

Twelve months ago, English football fans were dealt a bitter helping of reality after England's draw against USA in their opening match at last summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Going into the tournament Fabio Capello's side were hailed as genuine contenders for the biggest prize in world football, and now, following a dominant performance in his final warm-up tournament, Murray must be now considered a leading fancy for Wimbledon.

Murray's resurgence could not be happening at a better time, and he had all the tools to deal with the very different games of four-time champion Andy Roddick and Tsonga.

Unfortunately for Murray, it also comes at a time when six-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer appears to be back to his best, Novak Djokovic has lost just one match this year, and Rafael Nadal claimed his sixth French Open crown.

In 2008 Nadal joined the exclusive list of players who went on to win Wimbledon after winning the Queen's crown two weeks earlier. Could Murray join the likes of John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Pete Sampras?

Say it quietly, but maybe, just maybe, this could be Murray's year.

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