Andy Murray heads into the second week of Wimbledon with a meeting against the big-serving South African Kevin Anderson on Monday insisting he thrives on ‘pressure’ as he looks to defend his title.
Third seed Murray, who is priced at 3.80 to win Wimbledon, will take on the 6ft 8in Anderson in the last 16 on Centre Court as he looks to continue his perfect record of claiming victories without losing a set at this year’s tournament.
The Brit now boasts an impressive record of 16 matches unbeaten at the All England Club, a run that stretches back to London 2012.
After ending Britain’s 77-year wait for a male champion last year, the 27-year-old insists he is relishing the ‘pressure’ that goes with being the defending champion.
“I enjoy pressure,” Murray said. “I like feeling nervous. I’m not scared of that feeling. I felt like I played my best tennis when I’ve been under pressure.”
Murray has met with Anderson twice previously with honours even after a convincing victory for the Scot at the 2010 Australian Open before he lost heavily in Montreal the following year.
Anderson has been struggling with a back problem of late and required treatment during his win over Fabio Fognini on Friday.
Anderson said: “I think I was a little nervous going out, my first time being in this position at Wimbledon, and I just got a little stiff and it affected the serve warming up.
“The more nervous I got, the worse the back felt. Fortunately it settled down. It wasn’t a factor.”
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