Blake stands in Murray’s way

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:33

Murray, bidding to become the first British winner of the tournament since Bunny Austin in 1938, disposed of Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-2 6-4 in his centre court semi-final.

Murray, who has not dropped a set in the entire competition and is now favourite to win his first grass title on home soil, refused to get carried away, saying; “It’s so easy based on a few matches to get ahead of yourself. That’s a problem I think that a lot of people have in this country – expecting huge things and thinking that it’s just going to happen.”

He added: “I need to go out there and make it happen. Any Grand Slams are going to be incredibly tough.

“There’s no part of me that’s thinking about winning the Wimbledon title. I’m sure if I get close to doing it, it might cross my mind, but a very, very long way away from doing that just now.

“It’s all a hype thing and if you get caught up in it, then it becomes an issue.

“I’m thinking about the match, I’m not thinking about the Wimbledon final. When I get to Wimbledon I won’t be thinking about the second week, I’ll be thinking about the first match.

“The build-up is tough because you get asked so many questions that it would be easy to start thinking ahead and letting the pressure and expectations get to you.

“But if you just stay focused on what your job is, once the tournament starts, that’s not a problem for me, because I expect a lot of myself. I put pressure on myself to play well, but only on each match, not to win the tournament just yet.”

Blake made it into the final by default after his opponent Andy Roddick, looking to win a fifth AEGON title, twisted his ankle and was forced to retire with the scores level at 4-4 in the opening set.

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