Murray: There’s more pressure

 

Originally published on: 29/06/13 00:00

The world No.2 had been drawn in the same half of the draw as both defending champion Federer and Nadal, fresh from his victory at the French Open earlier this month.

However, Nadal’s shock first-round exit to Steve Darcis, followed two days later by Federer’s defeat to Sergiy Stakhovsky has seen Murray’s potential path to the final open up, with his likely quarter-final opponent Jo-Wilfried Tsonga being forced to pull out with a knee injury.

Murray eased through the first week at the All England Club without dropping a set, with comfortable victories over Benjamin Becker, Lu Yen-Hsun and Tommy Robredo.

But he admits there is greater expectation now the highest-ranked player left in his half is his fourth-round opponent, Mikhail Youzhny, the Russian No.20 seed.

“I think there's a lot more pressure on me now with them being out,” Murray admitted. “I don't read the papers, but there are papers in the locker room, so you see some of the headlines and stuff.  It's not that helpful. You need to be professional enough to not let that stuff bother you and just concentrate on each match.”

Murray, who returns to action on Monday after a two-day break, knows the former world No.8, a quarter-finalist at the All England Club last year, will present a tougher challenge than he has faced so far.

"Youzhny, I think I've only played him once on the tour maybe," Murray said. "But he's a very good grass court player. He was in the final in Halle. [He] had a very tight match with Roger there.  Pretty sure he's been in the quarters here.  He's been in the second week numerous times. He likes the courts. He's a very talented guy."

Monday's Order of Play: Centre Court – play begins at 1pm
Serena Williams v Sabine Lisicki
Mikhail Youzhny v Andy Murray
Novak Djokovic v Tommy Haas

No.1 Court – play begins at 1pm
Laura Robson v Kaia Kanepi
Andreas Seppi v Juan Martin Del Potro
Bernard Tomic v Tomas Berdych

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here