Konta helps ease home pressure on world No 1

Murray admits he’s happy British fans have someone else to cheer on

Andy Murray is delighted about Johanna Konta’s success at Wimbledon – because it gives British fans who do not like him someone else to cheer.

The world No 1 has home company in the quarter-finals for the first time after he defeated Benoit Paire 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 6-4 and Konta beat Caroline Garcia.

Not for 44 years have a British man and woman made the singles quarter-finals in the same year, and hopes are high that this may not be the end of the story for either player.

Murray will be a heavy favourite against American Sam Querrey while Konta takes on second seed Simona Halep.

“I think it’s great,” said Murray. “It’s not just about this tournament, but over the last 18 months, two years, Jo has done great. It’s important to have various different role models in the sport, players competing for the biggest events.

“I do think it makes a difference to the interest in the sport, because a lot of people who follow tennis in this country won’t enjoy watching me play. It’s true.

“So it’s great if you have someone like Jo or Kyle (Edmund), or whoever it is. People like different game styles, different personalities. It’s great that she’s doing well. Hopefully she keeps going the next few days.”

Murray continued his journey through his wacky Wimbledon draw with an ultimately comfortable win against Paire.

Following on from Alexander Bublik, Dustin Brown and Fabio Fognini, Paire is another of the tour’s more quirky characters, and it was no surprise that Murray looked short of rhythm.

He was twice a break down in the opening set but, after saving two set points, Paire played a dreadful tie-break.

Murray saved four break points at 5-4 before serving out the second set and then secured the crucial break in the ninth game of the third.

Paire hit 50 winners compared to just 25 for Murray and entertained the crowd with several attempts at diving shots but ultimately was far too erratic.

Murray became just the third player in the Open era after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to reach 10 consecutive quarter-finals at a single grand slam.

The Scot felt he took a step up from his performance against Fognini and shrugged off more questions about his troublesome hip.

“Like I said at the beginning of the tournament, I’ll be able to get through seven matches if that’s what I have to do,” he said.

“Obviously I want to try to get to the final. I’ve done a good job so far here. Today was by far the best I hit the ball, the cleanest I hit the ball. I was happy about that.

“The last couple of days, practice has been really good. I didn’t feel great during my last match. I didn’t feel like I played so well, not loads of rhythm in the first two matches. I definitely felt better today. That’s positive moving into the last few days of the tournament.”

Paire tested out Murray’s movement by deploying a lot of drop shots at the start but did not find it wanting.

“I think he has no problem,” said the world No 46.

“Look at him. During the point, you didn’t see any problem. Between the points, we can do what we want, but during the point he can run like a rabbit. For him, is every time like this. So it’s never easy to know if he’s injured.

“I played him last year in Monte Carlo, and it was the same guy against me today. Mostly I think he can win Wimbledon. He has not a lot of confidence, for sure, but he can.”