• Wimbledon

Murray blocking out thoughts of making history

ESPN staff
July 1, 2011
Andy Murray is focused on conquering Rafael Nadal © Getty Images
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Andy Murray insists he is focusing his efforts on winning six sets of tennis, rather than weighing himself down with thoughts of ending Britain's agonising wait for a men's Wimbledon champion.

The Scot carries the hopes of a nation when he meets world No. 1 Rafael Nadal on Centre Court in the semi-finals on Friday - when he will hope to avenge the straight-sets defeat he suffered at the hands of the Spaniard at the same stage last year.

Murray, seeded fourth, is all too aware he is aiming to become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the Wimbledon trophy, with the 24-year-old conscious of the prize on offer.

He said: "It's not as if I haven't thought about what it will be like. I just don't know what it will be like or what the feeling will be or the reaction will be."

Murray's task is an ominous one. Nadal has not lost at SW19 since the 2007 final, while Novak Djokovic, who downed Murray in the Australian Open showpiece and has enjoyed a sensational few months, could be on the other side of the net should he get past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and make Sunday's finale.

"I am so far away from it right now," said Murray. "I am six sets away and I might have to play Rafa followed by Novak, who has lost one match this year and is playing unbelievable. So it is just so far away, it is not worth talking about, I don't think."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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