A match made at Wimbledon
Jamie Murray and Martina Hingis last night revealed the secrets of their dreamteam partnership as the Scot celebrated another doubles triumph – she smiles and he winks.
Murray and the Swiss legend beat England’s Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen of Finland 6-4, 6-4 to claim the mixed title in front of a packed Centre Court crowd which included both his parents. Brother Andy was in the building, Murray revealed, and while he’s usually too nervous to watch, he might have “sneaked a few points”.
Enthusing about how enjoyable teaming up with Hingis had been and hinting there might be more to come from them, Murray said: “It’s easy to play with Martina. I mean, she’s always smiling and happy and stuff.”
Hingis said Murray had previously played with her partner’s sister who wanted to know, after the first try-out, if he’d winked a lot. “I remember I missed a couple of returns and he did try to cheer me up with a little wink,” she added. “That was pretty nice to just relax and loosen up things.
“Today he had to cheer me up a couple of times. I get down and feel frustrated when I can’t return the guy’s serve. You can see the difference [in the final, compared] to the matches we played until now. It’s almost another level … so fluent, really good chemistry.”
Murray, who last won mixed ten years ago and in between has been world No 1 at men’s doubles, was thrilled with his latest achievement. “It took me a long time to get a second one [but] it’s a great achievement. Any time you win a Grand Slam, get your name up on the board again, it’s there forever.”
With his lolloping big stride, Murray was definitely in the mood. The first time serving he followed in with some rasping forehands, finishing the game with an ace. Then on Watson’s serve he leapt at the net to crash home a volley for the break. But Hingis was broken and Murray ran to her to offer a consoling first-bump.
The next time Watson served Murray got his team to 15-40 with good improvisation, spooning the ball over the net, then another demonstration of his quick hands at the net secured another break. This time Hingis held serve, the clinching point being yet more improv from Murray, pirouetting and hitting his shot blind. Murray served for the set, getting to within one point with a thumping overhead volley. The clincher from him was another belter, almost striking Kontinen.
Watson was able to hold her serve in the first game of the second set and a cracking return gave her team breakpoint on Murray’s serve in the sixth. This seemed like the key game. Each member of the quartet would be urged on by name from the stands until 0 Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen finished runners-up. one wag shouted: “Come on, all of you!”
Murray held and then it was back to Watson who was soon two break-points down on her serve. Kontinen saved one but Watson banged a shot into the net, jumping and squealing in her frustration. Hingis served to love safe in the knowledge that Murray would maraud up and down his side of the net, scudding balls into the parched turf. Next game Murray found a devilishly cunning angle on a return and Hingis smiled beatifically.
Could her big pal clinch the title on her serve? Kontinen returned viciously and Watson thumped one down the line to make him work. Hingis hit a peach of a drop shot but Watson replied in kind, and her team had two breakpoints.thecrowdwanted a third set but Murray, serving thunderously, wasn’t having that. Watson found the net and Murray and Hingis hugged for joy.