Murray-Mania Taking UK

Andy Murray is preparing to fight to become the first British man in a Wimbledon final for 74 years.

The 25-year-old takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his fourth SW19 semi-final in a row.

The British number one is favourite to win the match against fifth seed Tsonga, whom he has beaten five times in six matches.

This is Murray's seventh Wimbledon and he remains the nation's best hope of a British champion for the first time in 76 years, since Fred Perry lifted the trophy.

Murray mania has swept the nation, with bookmakers offering the best odds yet for the Scot to win the grand slam, and online ticket marketplace Viagogo saying tickets for the semi-final were..
changing hands for up to £4,500, with the average selling for £3,500.

Viagogo said at one point tickets for Sunday's final were being offered for up to £15,000 each, although prices fluctuate constantly.

It said there was a 20% increase in searches on the site for finals tickets after Murray booked himself a place in the semi-finals, and predicted that prices could get as high as £45,000.

If Murray beats Tsonga he will become the first British man to reach a Wimbledon final since Bunny Austin 74 years ago. William Hill has put the Scot at 4/9 to beat Tsonga to make it into the final. But they also put him at 10/11 to finish the tournament as runner-up.

Spokesman Rupert Adams said: "There can be no doubt that the public and punters are getting behind Murray to win Wimbledon this year and hopefully victory on Sunday will open the floodgates for major victories."

Murray has now equalled Tim Henman's tally of four semi-finals and, with Rafael Nadal - who has knocked him out of the semis in the past two years - out of the contest, he stands a great