Murray lights up Wimbledon on triumphant return

Wednesday, 26 June 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Since welcoming home a British male grand slam champion is as rare as a sighting of Halley’s Comet, it was little wonder Andy Murray got a standing ovation just for walking on to Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Monday. The man who ended 76 years of British hurt by lifting the U.S. Open trophy last September did not disappoint on his homecoming as he began his bid to win the most famous prize in tennis with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 win over German Benjamin Becker. The second seed’s emphatic win on the opening day again raised hopes that Murray will finally pick up the baton from Fred Perry, the last home-grown men’s singles champion, at the spiritual home of lawn tennis with his 1936 success.

Just when it seemed Murray might end up joining a long list of brave British souls who promised much but faded away with the finishing line in sight, he proved that losing four grand slam finals would not end up being his legacy. He collected his first gilded prize on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, albeit an Olympic gold medal, last August before embarking on his triumphant run at Flushing Meadows. That run of results means expectations for a Murray triumph at Wimbledon this year are sky high and following Monday’s outing, fans were in a hurry to join the snaking queue outside the All England Club to secure a ticket for his second round match on Wednesday.