Andy Murray makes history by reaching Wimbledon final at fourth attempt

Andy Murray: The Scot is through to the Wimbledon final.SNS Group

Andy Murray will attempt to become the first Scottish-born winner of Wimbledon in 116 years when he takes on Roger Federer on Sunday.

Murray became the first British man to reach the men's singles final in 74 years with a hard-fought victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday.

Murray will now face Roger Federer at Centre Court on Sunday, aiming to become the first British player to win the tournament since Fred Perry in 1936.

And the record books show that no Scot has won the title since Edinburgh-born Harold Mahony beat Wilfred Baddeley 40 years earlier. Mahony, whose family home was in Ireland, lost his crown in the next year's final before going on to win a silver medal in the 1900 Olympics in Paris.

Murray reached the final with a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win over the Frenchman. It was a sweet moment for the 25-year-old from Dunblane after losing the last three semi-finals.

The world number four continued his success against Frenchman Tsonga on Thursday, having previously won five out of six meetings between the pair.

After the match, Murray said his emotions were "tough to explain", saying: "I'm so happy to be through."

"There's a lot of pressure, when you're on the court there's a lot of stress but you have to just try and focus on the next point, not what's happened in the past."

Asked about the pressure on his family, he added: "I'm not really that bothered, it's a lot harder for me that's for sure.

"It's been a great tournament so far, it's obviously unbelievable having them around and hopefully I can go one better on Sunday.

"It will be one of the biggest matches of my life."

Murray started strongly, breaking Tsonga in his opening service game and winning the first two sets comfortably.

But the mercurial Frenchman, who came back from two sets down against Roger Federer in last year's quarter-final, stirred into life in the third set, breaking to love in the third game and serving out to close the gap.

Tsonga seemed to be wilting as Murray broke early in the fourth set for a 3-1 lead, but the Frenchman immediately broke back.

Murray then dropped two break points that would have given him a 5-3 lead before having to save two points against his own serve.

But with the score at 6-5, the Scot turned the screw and forced two match points. A brilliant forehand return on the next point prompted a deafening roar that turned to an anxious silence when the shot was called out.

But the HawkEye technology showed the ball was in and Murray looked up to the sky in relief at the end of an emotionally draining encounter.

Murray will now have to overcome the most successful player in Grand Slam history, Roger Federer, who is bidding for a record seventh Wimbledon title.

The Scot enjoys an 8-7 lead in matches between the pair, but Federer has beaten Murray twice in Grand Slam finals, both times in straight sets.

Federer will also start the match knowing that a win will restore him to the top of the world rankings.

""It's been a great tournament so far and hopefully I can go one better," said Murray after booking his place.

"I have played Roger in finals before and need to learn from them. He's playing great tennis and I'm very excited."

The last British man to reach the Wimbledon final was Bunny Austin in 1938.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Congratulations to Andy on reaching the final, which is a fantastic achievement. He has played brilliantly right through the tournament and given the whole country a lift with his performances.

"The whole of Scotland will be right behind Andy on Sunday, and I'll be there in person to help cheer him on."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It is great news that we have our first home-grown men's finalist at Wimbledon for over 70 years".

More About Wimbledon

Related articles

People who read this story also read