Watson looking to continue her run (From Braintree and Witham Times)
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Watson looking to continue her run
4:12am Friday 29th June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013
Andy Murray defeated Ivo Karlovic to make the third round at Wimbledon
Britain's newest tennis hero Heather Watson will be aiming to add to high hopes of a homegrown Wimbledon champion, after Andy Murray was handed a bonus when rival Rafael Nadal crashed out on Thursday night.
Nadal, whom Murray might have faced in the semi-finals, was dumped out of the grand slam by unsung Czech Lukas Rosol.
The two-time champion has knocked 25-year-old Murray out of the tournament in the semis for the past two years.
The Scot booked a place in the third round with a win over Ivo Karlovic to give Britain two players in the third round of Wimbledon for the first time in a decade.
After his win, Murray waved his fingers at the sky - the same gesture he made after his first round victory, but again refused to explain what it means.
He joined women's hopeful Watson after his victory - Britain has not had more than one player in the third round since 2002.
Watson, who became the first British woman to reach Wimbledon's third round in a decade on Wednesday, after becoming the first British woman to win a match on centre court since 1985 on the grand slam's opening day, takes on Agnieszka Radwanska on centre court today.
Bookies have slashed Murray's odds of making the final in the wake of Nadal's shock exit. William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: "Murray has a great chance of making the final after Nadal was beaten and he has been slashed from 10/1 to 11/2 to lift the big one."
Nadal said he was "very, very disappointed" about his loss, but was philosophical about his Wimbledon exit. "You play against an inspired opponent and I am out. That's all. Is not a tragedy. Is only a tennis match."
Watson, who faces a fight for the next round on Friday, previously revealed she had been eating eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast all week. The 20-year-old, from Guernsey, said she had been having trouble sleeping all week, but said she would "love to just keep winning" for the British public.
