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June 19, 2013, 1:18 pm -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- World No.2 Andy Murray will look to end Britain's long 77-year wait for a Wimbledon winner when he enters the 2013 tournament at The All England Club (24th June to 7th July) on the back of a promising comeback win at the Queen's Club. Murray sat out the French Open at Roland Garros this spring with a back injury, but last weekend came from behind to beat Marin Cilic of Croatia in three sets to claim his third Aegon Championships title at the Queen's Club - the traditional grass court warm up tournament ahead of Wimbledon.
Last year Murray became the first British man to make it to the Wimbledon final since Bunny Austin in 1938 but lost to Switzerland's Roger Federer in four sets, triggering emotional scenes as he addressed the crowd on picking up the runners-up plate. Tears turned to jubilation one month later, however, when Murray buried his demons to beat Federer to the London 2012 Olympic gold medal on Centre Court. The 26-year-old then ousted Novak Djokovic in the US Open to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam since Fred Perry in 1936.
With Murray entering the 127th edition of the Wimbledon Championships as the man to beat, the big-hitting Scot will hope to become the first Briton since Perry to take the title in SW19. Standing in his way once again will be Swiss maestro Federer, who this year will target the record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title that would set him above American great Pete Sampras in the annals of the sport. Visitors coming to London to enjoy the tennis during Wimbledon fortnight can book their accommodation on LondonTown.com, where there's a wide range of Hotels in London to suit all budgets and tastes.
Murray will also face stiff opposition from Serbian sensation Djokovic, to whom he lost the Australian Open final in January in four sets, and the Spanish supremo Rafael Nadal, who completed his own magical comeback from injury with victory in last month's French Open at Roland Garros. The all-important Men's Singles final takes place on Centre Court on Sunday 7th July.
As usual, Murray will carry the weight of expectation of the host nation - but he will not be the only British talent looking to make a splash.Britain's hopes for a women winner at Wimbledon will be spearheaded by youngster Laura Robson, who won an Olympic silver medal in the doubles alongside Murray at London 2012 last summer. Robson blasted onto the scene when winning the Wimbledon Girls' title back in 2008as an unseeded 14 year old. Now 19, Robson has not gone beyond the second round in the Women's Singles event - and will keep her fingers crossed for a decent run in 2013.
The USA's Serena Williams is the women's defending champion and this year will target a sixth Wimbledon title - still somewhat short of Martina Navratilova's record nine titles. The Women's Singles final takes place on Saturday 6th July. Last year's surprise Men's Doubles winner Jonathan Marray will return with a new partner - fellow Briton Colin Fleming - after his Danish partner from last year's victorious wildcard run, Frederik Nielsen, decided to focus on his Singles career.
The 2013 Wimbledon Championships gets under way on Monday 24th June. For more information on all of London's major sporting events in 2013 please visit LondonTown.com's comprehensive London 2013: The Sporting Year article.
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