Jamie Murray enjoys being a crowd pleaser – and he certainly lifted spirits on Wimbledon’s rather downcast Centre Court.
Murray and partner Martina Hingis beat all-British pair Ken Skupski and Jocelyn Rae to underline their top-seed status and reach the semi-finals of the mixed doubles at the All England Club, progressing 6-4, 6-4.
They took to the court just a few minutes after Jo Konta’s semi-final exit from the women’s singles but lifted the mood in a match they clearly enjoyed.
It’s ten years since Murray grinned and, even flirted, his way to mixed doubles success via Jelena Jankovic – and it seems he has the same chemistry with Hingis, who is looking to grow her collection of major titles to 25.
“We’re getting more and more comfortable and we are just having lots of fun out there,” said Murray.
“Perhaps the crowd was a little flat after Jo’s match, so it was good to give them a little lift.
“Our goal is to win. We’re getting closer but tomorrow we’ve another tough match and we’ve got to be ready.
“I’ve trained with Joss a bit and I’ve known Ken since forever. Fortunately for us we won, that’s the nicest thing about it from a personal point of view, but it’s cool there’s still British players playing later in the second week of grand slams.”
Another win for Murray and Hingis and he could come face to face with normal doubles partner Bruno Soares, who he won two Grand Slam titles with last season but exited in the second round at Wimbledon.
Soares and Russian Elena Veins’ were confident winners of their quarter-final and will now face defending champions Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen in the last four.
Outside the wheelchair events, which started on Thursday, Watson and Murray are the only British players left in the senior and junior competitions at Wimbledon.
And Watson is determined to keep enjoying herself.
“We always have fun,” said Watson. “There was even one time when I got a little pumped and Henri told me to calm down because I was getting too serious. I think we play best when we are enjoying it.”
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