Murray-mania heats up

The Murray-mania started early, as those who pitched up first thing to secure a spot on the grassy knoll overlooking Court One were treated to highlights of the 22-year-old's marathon Monday night fourth-round match on the big screen.

Many then headed down to the practice courts, showering the world number three with cries of "We love you Andy" as he knocked the ball about with his coach in preparation for the afternoon clash with the world number 70.

Murray, who has received messages of encouragement from Queen Elizabeth, former James Bond actor and fellow Scot Sean Connery and crooner Cliff Richard, was unfazed by the hype surrounding his progress.

"It doesn't make any difference to the way you perform, the hype," he told reporters.

"If you work in the media and spend a lot of time reading the papers, watching everything on the TV...then you get caught up in it. If you ignore it you don't realise it's happening.

"I just stay away from it," he added before casually shrugging off the fact that he had been cheered on by Oscar-winning British actress Kate Winslet on Centre Court on Wednesday.

By the time the much anticipated match began, thousands of people were settled on the grass for the afternoon, sipping glasses of Pimm's as others jostled to find a perch from which to watch Murray continue his quest for the Wimbledon crown.

The hill was given its nickname in fond tribute to Tim Henman -- who many had hoped would end a drought at Wimbledon which has not seen a British men's singles winner since Fred Perry in 1936 -- but some have now begun to call Murray Mound.

Comments such as "we're never going to find a spot" and "I told you it would be packed" could be heard from people trudging past, desperately scanning the crowds for even the smallest gap.

Girls with "I love Murray" written on their faces sheltered under umbrellas as the searing afternoon heat beat down on the hill and people fanned themselves with programmes in an attempt to keep cool.

The crowd, dotted with Union Jack hats and flags, cheered at every point Murray won, erupting into rapturous applause he broke his opponent to take the first set.

"We were standing on our tiptoes," said Natasha Birnie, a 26-year-old teacher from London. "It is a fantastic atmosphere, very exciting."

As Murray won the second set the shouts of "Come on Andy" grew louder and at match point in the third, a Mexican wave rippled through the cheering crowd.

It was not long before he answered their call and as Ferrero hit a forehand long to hand Murray a place in his first Wimbledon semi-final, the crowd exploded.

Jumping up and down, they chanted "Murray, Murray" with huge grins on their faces.

"It is brilliant, you can't beat it," said Debbie Grantham from Canterbury in Kent. "I watched the whole match here, everybody was cheering."