Murray aiming for last four spot

Super Scot will be aggressive

Published:

ACE: Murray celebrates his dramatic win over Thomas Gasquet.

IT’S A WINNER: Great Britain’s Andy Murray returns a backhand to France's Richard Gasquet during his 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7/3)

I'VE BLOWN IT: Gasquet realises his chance is gone.

ANDY Murray insists he can ride the wave of euphoria all the way to Wimbledon glory after winning the match of his life.

The British No.1 faces Rafael Nadal tomorrow for a place in the semi-finals after dispatching Frenchman Richard Gasquet in five sets in the fourth round with one of the great sporting comebacks.

Murray fought back from two sets down with Gasquet serving for the match in the third set to win 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 6-4.

And while the Scot lost to Nadal in five tight sets at last year’s Australian Open, he believes this time he has what it takes to get past the four-time French Open winner.

He said: “I learned I could play at his level for probably four-and-a-half sets.

“I like to think I’m playing a bit better. It’s going to be a completely different match to a year and a half ago.

“It’s really important to serve well, be aggressive and not let him dictate the rallies. He’s the favourite for the match but I think I can win.”

Murray’s first concern was to recover from the punishing action against Gasquet and he was due to practice for no more than 45 minutes at Wimbledon today with his main aim “to get lots of sleep”.

Murray said: “It’s not so much the tiredness, more the soreness.”

But the 21-year-old Scot wants the Centre Court crowd to get behind him just as raucously as they did to turn the match around from two sets down against Gasquet.

Murray added: “It’s an awesome feeling. It’s the best support I’ve ever had in a match in my life. When it happens, you have to really enjoy it. I think it’s very important to try and use the energy of the crowd to get on top of your opponent.

“It’s my job to make sure I give them something to shout about.

“I’ll play third on Centre tomorrow and I’m sure the atmosphere will be like that again.”

And he had a special mention for fitness coaches Jez Green and Matt Little, who have transformed his physique since joining him at the end of last year.

Murray showed off his right bicep at the end of the match to pay tribute to the extra muscle he has piled on in a gruelling training regime since November.

He said: “I would have loved to have won a bit quicker but I’ve worked hard enough to be able to last these sorts of matches every other day.”

CAN ANDY MURRAY TRIUMPH AT WIMBLEDON? EMAIL ee.sport@ajl.co.uk