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Murray was in commanding form once again as he swept into the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 7-6, 6-1 win over Russian 20th seed Mikhail Youzhny on Monday.
The world No 2 has yet to drop a set in his first four matches and looked more at ease than ever in the All England Club spotlight as he prepares for a last eight clash with Spain’s Fernando Verdasco on Wednesday.
With Laura Robson eliminated from the women’s draw on Monday, Murray is now the sole remaining focus of the British sporting public and he knows that means endless speculation about his chances of becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936.
“There’s always pressure coming into this event and it builds with each match,” Murray said.
“But I’ve dealt with it well over my career. I’ve played well at Wimbledon. It’s been consistently my best slam over the course of my career.
“So that’s partly down to the surface and partly down to enjoying playing in front of a home crowd and being able to kind of block everything else out.
“I work extremely hard to give myself the best chance to do well here.
“I just think the nature of how the tournament’s gone, there was a few days there where it was just strange. I think everyone was a bit on edge, a little bit uptight because of what was happening with the injuries, withdrawals, upsets and stuff.
“I felt a little bit more relaxed over the weekend and even calmer before the match today.”
Murray admitted he effectively lives in a bubble during the tournament.
“I don’t read everything that’s getting said and I’m not out and about on the street speaking to people about the tournament,” he said.
“I’m with the guys that I work with. I talk to them about each match individually. We don’t get ahead of ourselves because you can’t afford to do that.
“There’s a lot of tough opponents left in the draw. Verdasco’s playing very well this week as well.
“He’s extremely dangerous when he’s on his game.
“I haven’t played a left hander the whole year, which I think is pretty amazing six months into the year. I’ll try and get a lefty in to serve at me tomorrow.”
Murray was forced to miss the French Open with a lower back injury and was seen grabbing at the same area at times during the win over Youzhny. — AFP.
Online Reporter