Marray ends 52-year wait – and celebrates with tea

As droughts go this one had lasted only the 52 years. Jonny Marray yesterday became the first Briton to make the men's double final since 1960 after he and his Danish partner, Freddie Nielsen, stunned the defending champions Mike and Bob Bryan.

Marray, playing his 12th Wimbledon thanks to a wild-card entry, had never gone beyond the third round but earned the biggest scalp of his career 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 out on Court 12.

The switch to the outside court, and no Hawkeye, angered the Americans, who contested a number of calls throughout the match. The Bryans were seeking a record 12th Grand Slam title but instead it is Marray, a 31-year-old journeyman based in Sheffield, who has made a little bit of history. The last Britons in the final were Bobby Wilson and Mike Davies while the last British success came in 1936, the same year Fred Perry won his last singles title.

Marray, ranked 74 in the world in doubles and Nielsen, ranked 111 and who had not won a match at a Grand Slam before Wimbledon, are playing only their fourth tournament together. Marray, described as the last serve-and-volleyer left in tennis by his partner, spent his £75 winner's gift voucher on a tea set. "He likes tea," said Nielsen.