Murray battles through five set marathon

When Andy Murray and Stanislav Wawrinka began their match at tea-time today, I hoped it would be a quick three setter and I could catch the end of the England U21's final against Germany. Not only did I miss the entire U21's game but the Ten O'Clock news has started forty minutes late having had to wait for Murray to finish off his Swiss opponent. It was all possible because of the new roof on Centre Court and the ability to floodlight the game.

It wasn't the best quality five setter you'll see but you don't get many harder fought over just short of four hours. The match swung back and forth as both players refused to capitulate. Murray could have played better but he couldn't have dug deeper than he had to this evening. His first service was a little wayward and he faced an opponent whose backhand was as assured as his own. It made for long rallies and some superb points in amongst the unforced errors and occasional double-faults.

The other remarkable thing was that the lighting was brilliant. You didn't see it coming on, you couldn't actually see any lights and it just looked like bright daylight throughout the game - no shadows. Murray will get a rest but you have to wonder what this evening has taken out of him. Juan-Carlos Ferrero lies in wait in the quarter's and our Andy will need to rested and ready to up the ante if my bet on him is to make the semi's.