WIMBLEDON: Andy Murray ready to seize the moment in men's singles final against Milos Raonic

Andy Murray knows he has a great opportunity to win a second Wimbledon title when he faces Milos Raonic for the trophy on Sunday.
Andy Murray celebrates beating Tomas BerdychAndy Murray celebrates beating Tomas Berdych
Andy Murray celebrates beating Tomas Berdych

The world number two cruised into the final with a 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych.

It will be Murray’s third Wimbledon final and 11th at a grand slam but the first time he has not had to beat either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer.

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The tournament appeared to be set for a repeat of the 2012 final between Murray and Federer, only for Raonic to stun the seven-time Wimbledon winner over five sets.

Murray already knew that, should he reach the final, he would be the highest seed for the first time, and the clear favourite.

The 29-year-old said: “It’s obviously an opportunity. I put myself in a position to try and win the event again. It’s against someone new that I’m playing against in the final.

“But Milos is a very tough opponent. He’s played very well on the grass this year and has earned his right to the final by beating one of the best, if not the best player, ever at this event. So he deserves to be there.

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“Obviously it’s the first time I’ll play a slam final against someone that isn’t Roger or Novak. So that’s different.

“But you never know how anyone’s going to deal with the pressures of a slam final. So I just have to go out there and concentrate on my side, do what I can to prepare well for it and see what happens.”

No British player has ever reached 11 grand slam finals before, with Murray surpassing the record he jointly held with Fred Perry.

He will now look to stage a repeat of the 2013 final when, a year after tearfully losing to Federer, Murray defeated Djokovic to end Perry’s 77-year reign as the last home men’s singles champion.

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Murray said: “It would mean a lot, obviously. These tournaments are why I’m still playing and why I’m training hard and trying to win these events. That’s what really motivates me. They’re very hard competitions to win. I’ve been in the latter stages a number of times, won some, obviously lost some tough ones, as well.”