Murray Targets Burning Ambition

Murray Targets Burning Ambition

Britain's top tennis star Andy Murray will continue his bid to reclaim the Wimbledon crown today as the All England Club prepares to welcome a royal visitor to SW19.

The 28-year-old Scot will move away from his regular spot on Centre Court to take on Dutchman Robin Hasse on Court One.

Their second-round match comes after thousands of people were evacuated from Wimbledon last night when a fire broke out at Centre Court.

Around 3,000 people were told to leave the All England Club grounds in south-west London following a small blaze in an electrical plant room. A Wimbledon spokesman said an electrical fault might have caused the fire, which happened around an hour after the close of play.

The fire broke out next to the Wingfield Restaurant at about 9pm, on the day the tournament recorded its highest temperature - when the mercury hit 35.7C (96.2F). Three fire engines and 18 firefighters attended the scene and brought the blaze under control after just over an hour.

The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the championships today, joining thousands of British tennis fans desperately hoping for a Murray win in his bid for a second Wimbledon title.

Weather forecasters have warned that thunderstorms could bring disruption to today's matches.

MeteoGroup said sunny spells and showers were predicted, with a risk of thunderstorms and temperatures reaching around 25C (77F). A ball boy collapsed yesterday amid sweltering conditions as Britain recorded the hottest July day on record.

St John Ambulance said it treated 170 people for mostly heat-related conditions, including five who were taken to hospital.

Former Wimbledon champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will play their second round matches on Centre Court today, while Britons James Ward and Aljaz Bedene are also in action.

They hope to join Britain's top woman tennis star Heather Watson in the third round after she set up a match with 20-time grand slam champion Serena Williams.

After her win, Watson, 23, branded internet trolls as "cowards'" for levelling death threats against her in the past.

The British women's number one, who picks up £77,000 as the first Briton into the third round, said the abuse online had become a "usual occurrence" and she was often targeted by gamblers who had lost money on her matches.

The All England Club has announced matches on its outside courts will start later tomorrow to observe the national minute's silence in tribute to the victims of the Tunisia terror attack.

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