Rafael Nadal’s nightmare on Centre Court was looking like Andy Murray’s dream Wimbledon scenario on Friday as the All England Club came to terms with one of the biggest shocks in its 126-year history. World number two Nadal, the champion in 2008 and 2010, and 11 times a Grand Slam title winner, was knocked out of Wimbledon by world number 100 Lukas Rosol, 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a Thursday night sensation. While the great Spaniard retreated to Mallorca to lick his wounds, Murray was suddenly enjoying a clear sight of a first Wimbledon final having seen his long-time nemesis knocked out. For the last two years, Nadal had proved a bridge too far for the world number four, winning semi-finals in 2010 and 2011. Nadal had also won their quarter-final meeting in 2008. But with Nadal out of the equation, the 25-year-old Briton can start planning realistically to become the first British finalist since Bunny Austin in 1938, even of becoming the country’s first champion since Fred Perry in 1936. Next up for Murray is Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis who beat the Scot at the All England Club in 2006. After that, he could face big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic before the likes of Andy Roddick, the three-time runner-up, who beat him in the 2009 semi-finals, seventh seed David Ferrer and ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro present themselves as potential last eight opponents. Murray reached the third round by cutting Croat giant Ivo Karlovic down to size, and he believes that surviving such a barrage of big serving will work in his favour as the tournament heads for a second week. “You need to show good patience, mental strength. I think I did a good job of that,” said Murray.
Opportunity knocks for Murray after Nadal exit
