Andy Murray has surged into his 10th consecutive Wimbledon quarter-final to raise hopes of an historic home double.
Britain’s top-seeded titleholder joined legends Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors in the grand slam record books with his 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-4 fourth-round win over Frenchman Benoit Paire.
The quartet are the only players in the 49-year open era to reach 10 straight quarter-finals at the same major, with Federer achieving the feat at the Australian Open and Lendl and Connors in New York.
With Sydney-born Johanna Konta also advancing to the last eight, Britain has representatives in the men’s and women’s quarter-finals at the All England Club for the first time since Roger Taylor and Virginia Wade both made it this far 44 years ago.
Britain hasn’t provided the two singles champions since Fred Perry and Dorothy Round Little reigned in 1934.
“It’s great. A lot of people in Britain who like tennis won’t enjoy watching me play,” a typically dry Murray said after setting up a last-eight clash with American Sam Querrey, who outlasted South African Kevin Anderson 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-7 (11-13) 6-3 in a fluctuating five-setter.
While grand slam quarter-finals have become commonplace for the two-time champion and men’s world No.1, Konta was jubilant after becoming Britain’s first woman to do so at the All England Club since Jo Durie in 1984.
“It’s very exciting. It’s another step forward to being involved in the event for the full two weeks,” the 26-year-old said after 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 win over Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia.
“It is a massive compliment to me. It’s a great achievement.”
Born at Royal North Shore Hospital, Konta represented Australia in juniors before moving to Spain at age 13.
The world No.7 said the reasons for her defection to Britain were “a little more complicated than one answer”.
“One actually just being geographically: how far away Australia was,” Konta said.
“My parents and I wanted to be closer to Europe. That’s why we went to Spain, to be able to be more in the heart of tennis more than anything.
“So, yeah, that was our main move.”
