Last man standing: Murray the great British hope powers into last 16 at Wimbledon roared on by girlfriend Kim and Centre Court crowd

-Fourth seed Murray powers into fourth round after Centre Court drama
-Thousands came in the early morning to show their support
-By 10am those in the queue were told they would not get in till 5pm
-Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha both suffered defeat


By Daily Mail Reporter


Marching on: Murray salutes the Centre Court crowd after his battling four set win over Croatian Ivan Ljubicic


As the last remaining Briton at Wimbledon and the fourth seed in the men's draw, he is used to having the weight of the nation's expectations on his shoulders.

But Andy Murray produced another gutsy performance tonight to power into the fourth round at SW19, roared on by a Centre Court crowd and his girlfriend Kim Sears.

The Scot was made to battle late into the evening to overcome Croatian Ivan Ljubicic and secure his place in the second week of the tournament.

Digging deep: Murray had to graft hard against the experienced Ljubicic, but eventually overcame the Croat after a fourth set tiebreak

Showboating: Despite the battling performance, Murray still had time to throw in an exhibition shot during his third round match


Rain had meant Murray was made to wait until 7pm to start his third round match.

But he eventually prevailed in a four-set battle over Ljubicic, with girlfriend Miss Sears and his mother Judy providing their usual vocal support from the stands.

Murray found himself in the familiar role of lone Briton in Wimbledon's second week following Laura Robson's brave defeat to Maria Sharapova earlier on Friday.

Despite further rain in the evening, Murray's match was able to go ahead once Centre Court's roof was moved into position.

By the time the 24-year-old had beaten Ljubicic 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-6 (7-4), the rest of the grounds were in pitch black as Centre Court glowed under the lights.

Nailbiting finish: Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears and his mother Judy were among those gripped by his latest Wimbledon victory

That's my boy: Mother Judy celebrates Andy Murray winning another crucial point

Late finish: Murray's match ran well past dark thanks to the retractable, lit roof on Centre Court


Murray will now face Richard Gasquet in the last 16 on Monday after his win over world number 33 Ljubicic.

The fifth day at the All England Club had drawn huge crowds all hoping to see British hopes Laura Robson, Murray and Elena Baltacha.

But so many descended on SW19 today hoping to watch the last three home players in action that fans were told to stop queueing.

By 10am those outside the ground were told they would not get in until 5pm. Shortly afterwards late-comers to the queue were told they had no chance.

The lucky spectators who were up early enough are ushered into Wimbledon this morning

Home support: British fans on Centre Court wait for the chance to watch Andy Murray

It was a squeeze for fans even to watch games on the outside courts - but at least they gained entrance


But unfortunately those hoping to see a British treble were left disappointed as Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha both suffered defeat.

Those losses meant Andy Murray was the only British player left in either singles draw.

It was a squeeze for fans even to watch games on the outside courts - but at least they gained entrance.

Tournament officials said it was the busiest they had seen it all week, while former British number one Tim Henman said it was 'brilliant' the public were so behind the trio.

Five hundred tickets were made available for each of the main courts - Centre, One and Two.

The £68 tickets were quickly snapped up by fans desperate to see world number four Andy Murray return to Centre Court against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic after being relegated from it on Wednesday.

There were 500 tickets available this morning to see Laura Robson, left, take on former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova. Unfortunately the 17-year-old was unable to give the fans a British victory

Robson found herself outgunned by the 2004 champion Maria Sharapova


Punters were also forking out £58 for Court One tickets to experience of bit of history - teenage sensation Laura Robson's first second round Grand Slam match.

But the The 17-year-old, who was first on the court agaisnt former world number one Maria Sharapova, was defeated in straight sets by the 2004 champion.

And those hoping for home victories were also left disappointed by British women's number one Baltacha losing to China's Shuai Peng in the first game on Court 18.

But furious fans voiced their anger at 'Queen of Screams' Sharapova, claiming her excessive grunting was putting Robson off.

Robson found herself outgunned by the 2004 champion Sharapova
The world number six shrieked throughout her straight-sets win over the 17-year-old - with spectators saying the grunting gave her an unfair advantage.

Wimbledon's Murray Mount became Robson Rise as thousands watched the battle on SW19's giant screen.

Unusual headgear was the order of the day for British tennis fans

Play should start under blue skies meaning the Centre Court roof is unlikely to come into play today

Andy Murray will be back on Centre Court today after playing his last match on Court 1, while Serena Williams has accused organiser of bias towards the men after she was relegated to Court 2


A reporter's gruntometer recorded the Russian at 116.9 decibels during the second round contest.

Yvonne Nicholas, from Gloucestershire, said: 'I find it very irritating and it must be quite off-putting.'

Dave Gittings, 56, from London, said: 'I think it is ridiculous. It is just not necessary.

Meanwhile, Wimbledon organisers have managed to anger a number of top players over apparent inconsistencies in their approach to scheduling.

While Robson on Maria Sharapova on Court One, Caroline Wozniacki - the women's number one seed - will play her third round match in the relative wilderness of Court 2.

It will add fuel to the argument that there is bias in favour of home players.

Unusual headgear was the order of the day for British tennis fans
Play should start under blue skies meaning the Centre Court roof is unlikely to come into play today

Andy Murray will be back on Centre Court today after playing his last match on Court 1, while Serena Williams has accused organiser of bias towards the men after she was relegated to Court 2

The decision comes the day after Serena Williams lashed out at tournament chiefs for relegating her and sister Venus to outside courts - claiming that it was the women's game that was the target of snub.

And it seems the organisers really can't win. While home fans were angered at the decision for Andy Murray's second round game to be played on Court One, others expressed anger that it was only the second time Murray has not been given a Centre Court spot since making his debut five years ago.

The All England Club like to give each top name a match away from Centre Court to avoid accusations of favouritism.

Their regulations state they aim for 'efficient and imaginative scheduling'.

Magic view: Rupert Grint enjoys the action today on Centre Court

Laura Robson tries her hand at planking in a photo she posted on her Twitter page

Meanwhile, Serena, the defending women's champion, was sent out to Court 2 for her second-round clash with Romania's Simona Halep, which she won 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. So was Williams' sister Venus, the five-time singles champion, for her opening match on Monday.

Asked if she viewed it as an insult that players such as Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic were not treated in the same way, Serena said: 'Yeah, they're never moved across.

'Venus and I have won more Wimbledons than a lot of players, even just in doubles. I don't make it a big issue - but I think at some point I should.'

Serena, who together with Venus has won 18 titles at the All England Club, added: 'But they are not going to change what they do.

'They seem to like to put us on Court 2 for whatever reason. Maybe one day we'll figure it out. I don't know.'

Serena also sarcastically pointed out that there were other disadvantages to being on Court 2 - the furthest from the players' area.

'I never have too much time to warm up,' complained the seventh seed, back playing after a year out.

'I look at the walk over there as a kind of warm-up. I say, "OK, this gets my legs moving".'

The All England Club insisted there was no agenda against the sisters, saying: 'Scheduling is a complex business and cannot be looked at in the light of just one or two matches.

'The referees team have to ensure a balanced and fair order of play from many interests, including the spectators. What a great chance it was for the 4,000 people on Court No 2 to see our ladies champion.'

Stacey Allaster, the chairman and chief executive of the WTA Tour, said in a statement: ‘Serena Williams is a four-time Wimbledon singles champion, the defending champion of Wimbledon, and a 13-time grand slam singles champion. I share her disappointment.’

And while organisers will be pleased that the rain stayed away for the day, the best weather of the fortnight is set to come on Sunday - when there is no play.

The middle of the Sunday, traditionally a rest day is only used if rain has severely disrupted the matches. And despite frequent downpours this week the schedule is unlikely to have been delayed enough to warrant the extra day being used.


British number one Elena Baltacha narrowly lost to Peng Shuai of China

THESE CHAIRS ARE ACE: THE FURNITURE MADE FROM USED TENNIS BALLS

It's a handy use for all those old balls.

Artist Hugh Hayden, 27, has designed a set of furniture made out of nothing but recycled tennis balls.

The self-described 'FUNature' includes handcrafted chairs, poufs and coffee tables.

Each item takes over 18 hours of painstaking labour to complete - depending on its size - and sells for around £1,500 each.

A hole is meticulously drilled into each of the 550 indoor tennis balls needed to make a single, normal sized chair - before they are strung together with a polyester cord and glued into place.

Hugh, from Dallas, Texas, said: 'There was a tennis club near to where I live now in Brooklyn who had a shed full of old tennis balls that were deemed too flat to play with.

'I went there thinking I could bring them back on the Subway - but I ended up getting taxi from there, filling it with balls and bringing them all back to my apartment. It has just escalated from there.'

Hugh, who produced his first tennis ball chair in 2009, has since sold over 50 of the chairs in his HEX Tennis Collection.

And they have not only proved a hit with tennis fans but big-hitting players too - with Andy Roddick buying one made from balls he used at the 2009 US Open for £1,900.

The 27-year-old designer added: 'Tennis balls are hard to work with because they are quite heavy and difficult to manipulate.

'But they are naturally resilient, which allows them to form to the unique contours of the user's body.

'And they have proved popular with tennis fans because they have a relevance to them.

'I have done special commissions for both Chris Evert and Andy Roddick.

'The Roddick chair was constructed out of balls he played with at the 2009 US Open. That was then auctioned off for his foundation, which aims to teach children a healthy lifestyle through tennis.'




source:dailymail

Has O.J. Simpson confessed murder to Oprah? Huge TV interview planned in which convict 'will admit he killed Nicole in self-defence as she pulled a kn

By Paul Bentley


Revealing all? Oprah is said to be lining up an historic interview with Simpson


O.J Simpson has confessed to Oprah Winfrey that he murdered his former wife, it has been reported.

The talk show host made headlines recently saying that one of her regrets was never having got the shamed former sportsman to confess to the killing.

And it appears her wish may well have come true with reports Simpson has already told one of her producers in an interview from jail that he knifed ex-wife Nicole in self-defence - a confession he will now repeat to the talk show queen during a spectacular televised sit down interview.


The chat, which would be held in prison, would be a huge coup for Oprah, whose network, OWN, has suffered a massive hit in ratings recently.

Simpson is currently serving a nine-year sentence at Nevada’s Lovelock Correctional Centre, after he was convicted of robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas in October 2008 after a botched heist to retrieve his memorabilia he said was stolen by dealers.

He was famously acquitted in October 1995 of the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman despite huge amounts of evidence against him.

According to the National Enquirer, the interview is set to be filmed after Simpson confessed he killed the pair in self-defence to a producer from inside prison.

'Oprah has been in touch with O.J. for the past year,' a source told the magazine.

She contacted him in prison to explore the possibility that he might give her an interview.

'He has always been a big fan of hers, but for a long time he was reluctant to say he did the crime or give the details of how it happened.'

According to the insider, Simpson recently decided to go through with the confession after he was contacted again by one of Oprah's producers.

'He told the producer: "Tell Oprah that yes, I did it. I killed Nicole, but it was in self-defence. She pulled a knife on me and I had to defend myself",' the insider was quoted as saying.

He reportedly then went on to give a full account of what happened on the night of the murders on June 12 1994.

Confession? O.J. Simpson and his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, when they were a couple in 1993

Murdered: Ronald Goldman was an American waiter and an aspiring model


The former couple had got into an argument after Nicole was said to have snubber Simpson when he interrupted a meal she was having at a restaurant with their children.

'O.J. said he went home and kept getting angrier and angrier and worked himself into an absolute rage,' the source told the Enquirer.

Simpson allegedly told the producer he 'didn't like the way she treated me in front of the kids at the restaurant. I didn't like that she was routinely having guys have sex with her at her condo with the kids there.

'I went over there to give her a piece of my mind,' he was quoted as saying.

When he arrived and no one answered at the house, he started pounding the door and shouting, according to the report.

The door allegedly then swung open and Nicole was standing there with a kitchen knife in her hand.

'O.J. told the producer, "she was yelling go away! Go away! And waving the knife around at me. At one point she was lunging at me with the knife and I was just trying to talk to her. Nicole stepped out of the apartment - slashing the knife in the air.

'"I was in such a rage that something just snapped. I couldn't take her constant taunting of me with other men or her using drugs and drinking while my kids were living with her. I went beserk.

'"Before I knew what I was doing I took the knife away from Nicole and started slashing at her. I cut her over and over again until she was lifeless. I was shocked at my own anger - I had killed the woman I had loved for so long.."'

Evidence: A glove that was found at Simpson's home - originally said to have been the pair to another which was bloodied from the violent murders


Weapon: A German-made 15-inch knife similar to one originally said to have been sold to Simpson five weeks before the murders


He allegedly went on to tell the producer he also knifed Ron Goldman in self-defence as he tried to attack Simpson when he turned up at the home soon after and spotted Nicole's body on the floor.

The shamed former sportsman was acquitted on October 3, 1995 of stabbing to death his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman after perhaps the most famous trial in modern history.

After the bodies were found in a pool of blood on her driveway in Los Angeles driveway, Simpson, who has until now maintained he did not commit the murders, began a bizarre slowspeed car chase with police.


Almost 100million people are thought to have watched the events live on television as the sports star held a gun to his head while being driven by a friend.

He was allegedly headed for the Mexican border with $5,000 dollars and his passport when he was tracked by authorities.

Eventually, 27 police cars trailed him until he surrendered on his mansion's driveway an hour and a half later.

Despite huge amounts of evidence against Simpson, including bloodstains in his car, a glove holding DNA from the three, a sock engrained with traces of his victims' blood on his bedroom carpet and tapes of a terrified Nicole begging police for help as Simpson hit her - he was acquitted of the murders.

If the confession is made to Oprah on television, Simpson will not, however, suffer legal consequences.

Under the law of double jeopardy, a second trial is forbidden following an acquittal.


source:dailymail

Tears of 'back from the dead, Serena': Williams breaks down after opening victory at Wimbledon

By EMILY ANDREWS and PAUL HARRIS

Overcome: Serena Williams showed her emotions today after he first round victory by burying her head in a towel before openly crying as she left Centre Court


It's not the image that most people would associate with the so-called Queen of Mean.

Serena Williams – one of the toughest players on the tennis circuit – won her first-round match, sat on her chair … and then dissolved into tears.

Such a display might have been expected from a novice winning her first match at Wimbledon – rather than the defending champion who has won the title four times.



All too much: Miss Williams was upset because she has been out of the game for year following a severe foot injury and suffering from blood clots on her lungs


But as the 29-year-old explained later, emotion overwhelmed her because yesterday was a day she feared she would never see after a year in which her life – let alone her sporting career – almost came to an end.

The American has been absent from tennis for 49 weeks after suffering serious foot injuries in an accident, then life-threatening blood clots on her lungs. ‘It definitely hit me at the end of the match,’ she said. ‘I’m not a crier, so I don’t know.

‘It definitely was so emotional for me because throughout the last 12 months, I’ve been through a lot of things that’s not normal. So it’s just been a long, arduous road. To stand up still is pretty awesome.


Watching on: The large crowd sees Serena rifle down another serve during the match


‘So this was probably the most emotional I’ve gotten after a match, after a win.’ By the standards of some of her previous outfits, Miss Williams was dressed relatively soberly in a white tennis dress with navy piping, matched by a classic cable-knit cardigan – although her hot pants were black.

She added: ‘It wasn’t about winning the match. It was about being out there. Everyone that has had some troubles, whether it be health, whether it be something else, to realise that you can do it. But it just really goes to show if you don’t give up, you still have a chance.’


Hand raised in victory: Serena forces a smile seconds after confirming her win and before the emotion got too much


Within days of claiming her 13th Grand Slam title at the All England Club last summer, Miss Williams’s feet were cut by glass as she left a restaurant in Munich, wearing sandals.

Then in March she had trouble breathing and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism.


She revealed: ‘I was on my death bed at one point – quite literally. It got to the stage where it felt like I could hardly breathe. Some days I didn’t get out of bed at all. I just laid on a couch thinking, why has this happened to me?

‘At first people said it would be fine, it would be all right but it turned out to be a lot more serious. If it had been left two days later it could have been career-ending – or even worse. They told me I had several blood clots in both lungs. A lot of people die from that.’


In action: Serena Williams plays a forehand during her two sets to one victory over French player Aravane Rezai



Knocked out: Aravane Rezai reaches for a shot during the defeat to Williams on Wimbledon's Centre Court


Floored Serena Williams makes winning lob



source: dailymail

A comfortable victory: Tennis player who had breast reduction to ease back pain enjoys win in first round at Wimbledon

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Simona Halep, who had breast reduction surgery to help her game, comfortably won her first round match against Bojana Jovanovski


At the age of 17, Simona Halep decided that nothing would stand in the way of her ambition to make it to the top in tennis. And that included her generous curves.

She underwent extensive breast reduction surgery to take her from a 34DD to a more modest 34C and as a result rocketed up 450 places in the world rankings.

Two years on, she breezed through her first-round match yesterday and said she was looking forward to a ‘successful Wimbledon’.


Before and after: In 2008 at the French Open girls' singles, left, and today at Wimbledon, right


When she burst on to the scene as a junior champion at the French Open in 2008, Miss Halep’s bountiful chest attracted lots of attention and a growing male fan base.

But she found it was uncomfortable, caused her severe back pain and hampered her movement on court, leaving her ranked 500 in the world.

Following the operation, the Romanian teenager spent several months resting before resuming her career last summer.

She had revealed her decision to fans before going under the knife – and many (presumably male) petitioned her in an attempt to persuade her to reconsider.


Serena Williams was on Centre court as she began her bid for a fifth Wimbledon crown against Aravane Rezai


Serena Williams was overcome with emotion at the end of her match against France's Aravane Rezai, having endured one of the toughest years of her career since she last played in SW19


Diana Ross was there to watch Serena Williams on Centre Court, and found herself surrounded by members of the England cricket team


Celebrating their own victory: Fresh from beating Sri Lanka in the test series, England cricketers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss enjoy a drink with other team members


But she said her mind was made up.

‘My ability to react quickly was worse and my breasts made me uncomfortable.’
Her large chest guaranteed her attention - and won her a few male admirers - but for Romanian tennis hopeful Simona Halep it was a hindrance.

The extra weight on her chest was uncomfortable and caused severe back pain, which affected her performance on the court - so she decided to have breast-reduction surgery.

And the 19-year-old Romanian today continued to reap the rewards of her decision with a comfortable victory against her Serbian opponent, Bojana Jovanovski, 19, winning 6-1 6-2.

Halep was first noticed on her way to becoming junior champion at the French Open in 2008. In a bid to boost her game, she spent much of the following year recovering from the surgery, which took her cup size down from 34DD to a more modest 34C.


Vitalia Diatchenko displays her power on her way to defeat at the hands of 25th seed Daniela Hantuchova


Currently ranked 58 in the world, she is playing in her first Wimbledon.

At the time she explained her decision to fans, saying: 'It’s the weight that troubles me. My ability to react quickly, my breasts make me uncomfortable when I play.

'I don’t like them in my everyday life, either. I would have gone for surgery even if I hadn’t been a sportswoman.'

Another player who was attracting much attention today was Serena Williams as she began her attempt to claim a fifth Wimbledon title - and third in a row - despite barely lifting a racquet in anger in the past year.

And she overcame a second-set blip to beat Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai 6-3 3-6 6-1.

Afterwards she burst into tears oivercome with emotion as she tried to put behind her one of the toughest years of her career

Williams fought through a mid-match slump, re-establishing her authority in the third set with her big serve and powerful groundstrokes.


Tennis fans wait in a queue hoping for better weather45 than disrupted yesterday's play



The sun broke through early in the day, giving the fans something to smile about


She showed why she is still considered a title favourite despite her long layoff after two foot operations and blood clots on her lungs.

After serving her 13th ace to close out the match, Williams buried her face in her towel and sobbed as she sat on her courtside chair. She was still crying as she walked off the court.

Meanwhile, with Andy Murray safely through in the men's draw, all eyes were on the all-British match between Anne Keothavong and Naomi Broady, which British number 3 Keothavong comfortably won 6-2 6-4.

The day started with organisers having to try and clear a heavy backlog of play after rain wiped out hours of tennis on the opening day.

It may only be day two of the tournament but torrential downpours yesterday meant a series of games were suspended and others did not even begin.

But despite the weather, fans were warned about sunstroke today after 85 people were treated at Wimbledon yesterday despite some of the heaviest rain in years.


Anne Keothavong shakes hands with Naomi Broady of after winning their first round all-British affair


American star Andy Roddick was watched by his wife Brooklyn Decker during his first round match


Slovakia's Karol Beck and Argentina's Carlos Berlocq play out their game under blue skies, in stark contrast to the torrential rain of yesterday evening


The bad weather meant the roof was closed for Murray's match, which did not start until 6.30pm yesterday evening



Bags of support: Murray's kitbag with the messages from fans


Supporters entered an online competition to have their messages displayed on Murray's bag


Early on in the game it was hard watching for his mother Judy and girlfriend Kim Sears


At full stretch: Murray lost the first sense but once his game clicked into gear he completed a comfortable victory


Andy Murray acknowledges the Centre Court crowd carrying the bag with messages of support


John Isner poses after finally claiming victory on the third day of his first round match against Nicolas Mahut


Serena vs Rezai at 2011 Wimbledon


2011 Wimbledon Roger Federer Signed Patiently for Fans Before R1 Match


Roddick vs. Beck - Wimbledon 2011 R1 Highlights


source : dailymail