Murraymania hits the Capital this weekend

IT'S going to be Murray mania in the Capital this weekend as both of the Scottish brothers have made it to the finals of this year's Australian Open.
Andy Murray celebrates after reaching the final of the Australian Open. Picture: APAndy Murray celebrates after reaching the final of the Australian Open. Picture: AP
Andy Murray celebrates after reaching the final of the Australian Open. Picture: AP

Wimbledon star Andy Murray and his older sibling Jamie made history in Melbourne yesterday when they became the first brothers to have ever reached the finals of the singles and men’s doubles draws at a Grand Slam in the sport’s Open era.

Andy fought off stiff competition from Milos Raonic in a gruelling four-hour match which saw him win three sets to two, while his big brother Jamie won the doubles semi-final on Thursday with partner Bruno Soares, lighting his way to final.

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Tennis fans in the Capital have gone crazy over the news, with a city bar breaking traditional opening hours and vowing to welcome tennis fans early on Sunday, to show Andy’s all-important match.

Andrew Cohen, manager of the Three Sisters Pub and Bar in Cowgate, told the News the pub’s doors will be open half-an-hour before the match begins at 8.30am.

He said: “We are all so happy that Andy got through today – it was such a long match. We are going to be serving breakfast for £5 so people can eat and watch the game.

“We are normally really busy when Andy is playing so I don’t really expect Sunday to be any different,”

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He added: “The day he won Wimbledon always sticks in my mind – it’s always a great atmosphere in here. I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”

Despite having a distracting home life off the court this tournament – Andy’s wife, Kim, is heavily pregnant in the UK, and his father-in-law is recovering from illness – the sporting star from Dunblane came through the first five rounds unscathed.

Tennis clubs in the Capital have said they are looking forward to both Jamie and Andy’s matches this weekend.

Elaine Cooper, duty manager at the David Lloyd Tennis Club in Corstorphine, said the club will be opening their doors early on Sunday morning to members – enabling them to watch the match on their large screen.

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She said: “We have a variety of events running for our club members during tournaments such as the Australian Open but it’s great to be able to watch the big matches together.

“Everyone always gets behind a Scottish sporting hero and there is always a different kind of buzz here when Andy is on form.

“It’ll be a great atmosphere.”

Following this week’s events Gordon Reid, also Scottish, will appear in the men’s wheelchair singles final and the men’s doubles wheelchair final with partner Shingo Kunieda.

The 24 year-old, from Glasgow, competed for Great Britain at the Summer Paralympics when tennis made its first appearance at Beijing 2008.

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Andy, Jamie and Gordon all making the finals is a magnificent and historic achievement and they should all be so proud of their efforts. Everyone will be willing them on to victory.”

Comment – P17

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