• Wimbledon, Day Seven

Murray draws on Haye's bout

Andy Murray is ready for a fight against Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals © Getty Images

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Andy Murray says he will draw on inspiration from fellow Briton David Haye as he enters the final rounds of this year's Wimbledon Championships.

Murray hopes to make it a double celebration this weekend, as the Wimbledon final and Haye's heavyweight title bout culminate in what could be momentous few days in British sport. The Scot cruised past Richard Gasquet 7-6 6-3 6-2 in their fourth round match on Monday, and will now take on Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals.

"I'll certainly make sure I send David Haye a message before he fights Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night. I last spoke to him a few days ago and keep in regular contact, I find it really helpful for my game," Murray told the BBC.

"Tennis is certainly a lot more gentlemanly than boxing, but in any individual sport the psychology plays a big part, especially right at the top level. You need to make sure you're strong in the mind.

"In tennis, the guys are mostly very sporting and get on well, but when you're out there you need to put that to one side. I think you need to treat your opponent like they're your worst enemy on the court.

"I know John McEnroe thinks we need a little more animosity between the top players and it's probably true."

Having played, and won, against Lopez four times previously, Murray is certainly prepared to go toe-to-toe with the Spaniard in the next stage of his ongoing quest to end Britain's 75-year wait for a men's Wimbledon champion.

"I need to be right on top of my game and my mind," he explained.

"The mental side of the game is something that I've consciously tried to improve, and it also comes a little easier as you get older. The most important thing is to stay calm when you're in the crunch time of a match and being really tested physically and mentally.

"I know I'll get pushed very hard before the end of this tournament, but it's a challenge that I'm looking forward to."

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