NOTEBOOK: Murray odds for Wimbledon title cut to 2/1

Jul 1, 2010, 11:23 GMT

London - Andy Murray's odds on winning Wimbledon have narrowed to 2/1 after the Scot advanced into the semi-finals over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

With the last British men's title won by Fred Perry in 1936, the three-quarters-of-a-century trophy draught may have a chance of ending at the weekend.

The quarter-final loss of Roger Federer can only help Murray's cause, but the Scot will have to maintain his nerves of steel to deal with rising home pressure.

He next faces second seeded world number one Rafael Nadal and Ladbrokes of London suggest that Murray is enjoying huge home punting support.

'The Murray versus Rafa match will be massive,' said a spokesman for the house. 'The World Cup is playing second fiddle to Murraymania right now and the country hasn't stopped backing Andy for glory all week.

'We were beginning to panic before the quarters but now we're really over-heating. If Murray goes on to win Wimbledon it'll be the greatest ever day for tennis punters - and undoubtedly one of our worst.'

Bookmakers expect in excess of 7.5 million dollars to be wagered on the key semi-final struggle between the Spaniard and the Scot. Nadal stands 6/5 to lift a second title and owns the position of title favourite after the quarter-final loss of six-time champion Roger Federer to Tomas Berdych.

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NOTEBOOK: Federer absence makes no difference to focussed Murray =

London (dpa) - Andy Murray is not bothered by either the presence of absence of Roger Federer as the Scot makes his way towards a semi-final Wimbledon clash with Rafael Nadal.

'I don't know if it's improved my chance or not. You never know what's going to happen on any given day in this sport,' he said after the Swiss six-time winner crashed out in the quarter-finals to Czech Tomas Berdych.

'If Berdych plays his best tennis, he can beat the best guys. He's won against Rafa a few times; he's obviously beaten Roger a couple of times now; and I obviously lost to him at the French Open a few weeks ago - and that doesn't look like such a terrible result anymore.'

With Federer winning the Australian Open at Murray's expense five months ago, the Scot might be expected to see that back of his rival. But that's not really the case.

'I don't care whether he's in and out of the tournament, it doesn't affect me unless I win the next round. I'm playing the number one player in the world in the next round, so it would be a bit silly for me to look past him in any way.'