A day of highs and lows for British talent at Wimbledon

On a day of highs and lows for British talent at the All England Club one thing at least was predictable: Andy Murray would make us sweat.

But this being only the second round he was bound to come good in the end. As the mercury hit 27C on Centre Court, fans lay soaked by sun and stewing in Pimms on Murray Mound.

They whooped in relief when the dour Scot settled his match with Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic in a fourth set tie break, then promptly got back to sun-bathing. With four Brits in contention today and all eyes looking forward to Heather Watson's third round clash tomorrow, British hopes were spread more evenly than usual.

“I don't think the pressure is an issue for him anymore,” said David Peters, 27, from west London. “Even with other Brits in the draw everyone knows that expectations of him are higher. But unlike Tim Henman before him, he doesn't play up to the crowd and is more determined to win for himself.”

Whether Andy gets pulses racing quite like Tiger Tim used to is a controversial matter on the hill that bears both men's names - depending on who you speak to.

“It's Henamn Hill, not Murray Mound!” someone shouts at their friend.

Today they may be calling it Watson Ridge when the 20-year-old from Guernsey takes on the third seed Agnieszka Radwanska. If she wins she will be the first British woman to make the fourth round of Wimbledon in 27 years.