SPORTS

Murray stuns Stepanek

By Martyn Herman
June 24, 2005 00:39 IST

Andrew Murray outclassed 14th seed Radek Stepanek at Wimbledon on Thursday, beating the Czech 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round.

The 18-year-old British wildcard is now the last home player standing after four-times semi-finalist Tim Henman's shock defeat by Russia's Dmitry Tursonov.

Wimbledon 2005: Complete coverage

"It is my first Wimbledon and I knew Tim had lost... I wanted to keep the Brits going," he said.

But the celebrations are still on ice.

"I am in the third round. If I get in the second week then maybe I will start to celebrate," the teenager said.

Murray, ranked 312 in the world and taking part in his first grand slam tournament, played fearless tennis as he built a two-set lead in front of a partisan crowd on a sunlit Court One.

Stepanek saved two match points at 5-3 down in the third set but Murray held his nerve when he served for the match despite some stalling tactics by the more experienced Czech.

After benefiting from a lucky net cord at 30-30, he clinched victory when Stepanek looped a forehand wide.

"I was a bit annoyed that at the end he was trying to put me off... he knows I am younger than him but... he shouldn't do that," said Murray, who will next play either former finalist David Nalbandian or Slovakian Karol Kucera.

"I got the better of him so I am glad about that.

"I didn't really expect to win at all... I wasn't feeling well towards the end of the first set but I managed it.

"Hopefully they will put me on Centre Court next -- that would be a dream."

Murray is Britain's remaining hope for a first men's singles champion in 69 years.

The last British man to win the title was Fred Perry in 1936.

Martyn Herman
Source: REUTERS
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