Friday 5 July 2013

Andy Murray beats Poland's Jerzy Janowicz in four sets at Wimbledon semi final

He's RAISED the roof! Murray wins Wimbledon semi-final despite rival causing a 20-minute break in play as Andy hit his stride... by demanding court cover was used because it was too DARK to play

British number one beat Poland's Jerzy Janowicz in four sets
Murray, 26, lost the first set 7-6 but won the second set 6-4
Murray went a break down in the third set but came back to take it 6-4
Play stopped was while roof was put on after Pole complained about light
Murray said decision was 'not fair' and that complaints were 'mad'
But he came back to take the fourth set 6-3
Murray will play number one seed Djokovic in Sunday's final

By ROSIE TAYLOR, JOHN HUTCHINSON and STEVE ROBSON

PUBLISHED: 14:56, 5 July 2013 | UPDATED: 23:05, 5 July 2013

Andy Murray has won his semi-final clash against Poland's Jerzy Janowicz in a controversial match which saw play stopped for the roof to be put on.

Murray, 26, held both hands aloft as he looked to the skies after being cheered to glory by a lively crowd at Centre Court.

In a tense match, the Scot lost the first set after it went to a tie-break, but rallied in the second set to take it 6-4. Despite going a break down in the third, Murray was inspired by a passionate crowd to come back and win the set 6-4.

After play was paused for around 20 minutes for the roof to be put on, Murray returned with a bang to take the fourth set 6-3.

But the semi-final match was marred by frustration from both players after Janowicz complained about the light and demanded the roof was put on - to the apparent frustration of Murray who branded the decision 'ridiculous' and unfair.

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Victory: Andy Murray celebrates defeating Poland's Jerzy Janowicz in the Wimbledon semi-final

Gracious: Janowicz and Murray shake hands despite both getting frustrated earlier in the match about the roof

Knocked out: The 22-year-old Pole was defeated by Murray in four sets

Under the roof: Murray faced Jerzy Janowic under cover after the Pole controversially complained about the light during the third set

Debate: Murray asked the referee why the roof was being put on while it was still light

Frustration: Murray reportedly said that the decision to close the roof and interrupt play was 'not fair'

Comeback: Murray had just won the third set when play was stopped for the roof to be put on

Pause: Play was stopped so that the roof could be put onto Centre Court

Celebration: Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears leaps to her feet as he wins the match

The victory means he will now bid to become the first British player to lift the men's trophy since Fred Perry in 1936, when he faces number one seed Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.

The Serbian won his final place after a record-breaking five set win over Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro.

IN his semi-final clash, Murray, 26, unleashed an angry tirade after referee Andrew Jarrett appeared to agree to his 22-year-old opponent's request to close the roof at 8.40pm - just after Murray had won the third set to go two sets to one up.

'It's ridiculous, it's not even dark,' Murray said. 'This is an outdoor tournament, I don't understand these rules - there's no rules.'

He added: 'This is not fair. The whole reason we are stopping is because of him.'

Fans appeared to share his views and a groan echoed round the Wimbledon grounds as play stopped.

Commentator Sue Barker branded the decision 'unbelievable'. 'I do have immense sympathy with Andy,' she added. 'I feel very, very sorry for Andy.'

British women's number two Heather Watson expressed her frustration on Twitter. 'Very poor!! Awful decision about the roof,' she wrote.

Earlier Murray had also complained that Janowicz had been talking during a point.

The Scot received a standing ovation as he left the court following the match.

Speaking afterwards, he said he was 'delighted' with the victory.

Murray's mother Judy and girlfriend Kim Sears smiled broadly as he ousted Janowicz while cheers erupted on a packed Murray Mount.

Janowicz, 22, the first Polish man in history to reach the semi-finals of a grand slam, is known for his outbursts on court and Murray had predicted the semi-final bout would be a 'very tough match'.

Wince: Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears looked on as he conceded a point

Emotional: Kim went from despair to exhilaration as Murray clawed his way back from a set down

Yes! Murray's girlfriend was jubilant as he won a point against the Pole

Family: Murray's mother Judy and brother Jamie were there to cheer the 26-year-old on

Earlier the British number one arrived at the All England Club's main lawn to a roar of support from the crowd.

Actor Jude Law was among a host of famous faces who took their seats in the Royal Box to watch the action.

The Alfie star was joined by the Duke of York, boxer Amir Khan, veteran broadcaster Sir David Frost and Anna Wintour, the editor of American Vogue.

Meanwhile Pippa Middleton put in a second appearance at the All England Club with her boyfriend Nico Jackson.

The Duchess of Cambridge's sister, 29, who watched from the Royal Box on Monday with her brother James, took a seat in the crowd this afternoon to watch Murray win his place in the final.

Away from Centre Court, thousands of fans clambered on to Murray Mount to watch the match on a big screen.

Semi-final: Murray and Janowicz appeared fairly evenly matched in the first set

Tough match: Andy Murray serves against Jerzy Janowicz of Poland in the semi-final match

Jerzy Janowicz of Poland reacts after winning a point against Andy Murray

Battle: Andy Murray (left) serves against Jerzy Janowicz (right) of Poland, who won the first set 7-6

Knocked out: The 22-year-old Pole was defeated by Murray in four sets

Action: Murray went a break down in the third set but came back to win the match

Watching: Kim Sears looked on as her boyfriend battled for a place in the Wimbledon final

Support: Janowicz's glamorous girlfriend Marta Damochowska was looking relaxed as she strolled around Wimbledon earlier

Girlfriends: Kim Sears (left) walks to Centre Court ahead of the semi-final while Janowicz's glamorous girlfriend Marta Damochowska (right) was looking relaxed as she strolled around Wimbledon earlier

Support: James Corden cracks a joke with Andy Murray's mother Judy ahead of his big game

Many took up positions hours before the clash after sprinting to find a spot on the steep bank as they arrived at the grounds.

Barely an inch of grass was visible by 11am and groups of supporters were urged to move to Court Two where organisers set up another screen this afternoon.

Today's encounter came after Murray found himself at the brink of defeat during his quarter-final bout before he clawed his way back to victory with the clear backing of fans.

Murray later said that support was crucial to his campaign.

A buzzing Centre Court crowd today appeared to have taken his words on board and spurred the player on with bellowing cheers.

His win came after Prime Minister David Cameron, former boxer Lennox Lewis and British women's number one Laura Robson offered their encouragement.

The PM, who has been accused of jinxing players with his messages of encouragement, wrote: 'fingers crossed for @Andy-Murray at #Wimbledon.'

Earlier this week he wished Robson, 19, luck before she bowed out of the grand slam and last year his visits to a string of Olympic events coincided with British hopefuls losing out on medals.

But Murray has said he is not superstitious and that the PM's messages have 'absolutely zero bearing' on the outcome of his matches.

Gasp: Pippa Middleton and her banker boyfriend Nico Jackson seemed on the edge of their seats as Murray battled Janowicz

Tense: Murray lost the first set but came back to win the second set 6-4

Comparing notes: Nico Jackson leaned in to speak to girlfriend Pippa Middleton

Tennis fans: James Corden and his wife Julia Carey arrive at Wimbledon to watch the semi-final action

James Corden and his wife Julia Carey at Wimbledon

Out in the sunshine: Louise Redknapp (right) and James Corden and his wife were dressed for the weather

Celebrity friends: James Corden and his wife Julia were among those cheering Murray on

Up for the fight: Boxing hero Amir Khan was courtside to cheer on Andy Murray later

Spotted: Actor Jude Law was among the celebrities invited to Centre Court for day eleven of Wimbledon

Royal visitors: Prince Andrew (centre) with chairman of the All England Club Philip Brook (right) in the Royal Box on Centre Court

Applause: Princess Michael of Kent and Lady Annabel Goldsmith watch the semi-final between Djokovic and Del Potro

Star attraction: Actor Bradley Cooper and his model girlfriend Suki Waterhouse were at Wimbledon for the day

Cheering on: Tamara Ecclestone and Jay Rutland seemed thrilled to be at Wimbledon

Speaking as he came off court, Murray said: 'I'm obviously delighted with that. Very tough match today, completely different to any of the matches I've played so far.

'He's a very talented player, very unpredictable. He had some huge serves out there and gave me very little rhythm. It was very hard out there today. I'm glad to get it done.'

Murray admitted the first set 'was a hard one to lose' but that he 'managed to turn it around'.

At the end of his third set, just before the roof was closed, the Scot said he had built up great momentum.

He said of the controversial decision to shut the roof: 'It's a tough situation because there's probably about 45 minutes of light left. I like to think this is an outdoor event and you try to play as much outdoors as you can.'

He used the 20-minute break to have a shower and refocus - and added that Janowicz took the time to call a friend.

'He was on his phone,' said Murray. 'He was calling someone. He seemed very, very relaxed - he's in the semis at Wimbledon - but that's the kind of player he is.'

Smash hit: Editor of Vogue Anna Wintour (centre) sits in the royal box on Centre Court

Sharing a joke: Jude Law (far left) and Simon Hammerstein chat to Vogue editor Anna Wintour in the Royal Box

Former number one: Lindsay Davenport sits in the Royal Box ahead of today's matches

VIPs: Celebrities packed the Royal Box for the men's singles semi-finals, including Prince Andrew, Princess Michael of Kent, actor Jude Law, boxer Amir Khan, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and All England Club chairman Philip Brook

Money man: Former Governor of the Bank of England, Sir Mervyn King, was also in the Royal Box

Murray said he was thrilled to make the finals on Sunday.

'It's very different to last year,' he said. 'You know, this year's been a little bit different for me because there's a lot of expectation.

'I was maybe almost expected to get in to the final this year from early on in the tournament. Last year when I got into the semi I was very, very emotional.

'Today I was just delighted to come through and get another chance to play a Wimbledon final.'

He predicted the final would be a 'tough match', adding that Djokovic had played an 'incredible' semi-final today.

After the match, Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter: 'Delighted to see @Andy-Murray in the #Wimbledon final. Can't wait for Sunday.'

Earlier on Centre Court Djokovic and Del Potro set a record for the longest semi-final ever played at Wimbledon - four hours 43 minutes.

Djokovic took the first set 7-5, lost the next 4-6 and won the third on a tiebreak before eighth-seeded Argentine Del Potro saved two match points en route to claiming the fourth set tiebreak.

Neither man had previously dropped a set in this year's tournament and Djokovic prevailed 6-3 in the decider.

The previous semi-final record of four hours, one minute was set in 1989 when Boris Becker beat Ivan Lendl in five sets.

The new mark is six minutes shy of the longest Wimbledon final, Rafa Nadal's four hour, 48 minute victory over Roger Federer in 2008, but remains way adrift of the tournament's longest match.

That was the 11 hour, five minute first-round epic between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut in 2010 which Isner won 70-68 in the fifth set.

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