Majestic Murray untouchable on centre court

ANDY Murray was left on the brink of history on Saturday night - but come next Sunday he looks set for another chance to re-write the record books.

UNSTOPPABLE: Andy Murray continued his march towards at Wimbledon in some style

His straight sets victory against world number 31 Viktor Troicki was never in doubt - his expansive array of winners flitted from the sublime to the ridiculous.

But when Murray led by two sets to nil and 4-3 in the third, the heavens creaked open in south London, would the Scot and the Serb be the first two to play under the brand-spanking new roof was the only unresolved question.

Alas Murray, clearly in a hurry, wrapped up the third set and his 96-minute victory with a ruthlessness that personified his performance.

The British number one will now meet Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in the last 16 on Monday, but already thoughts have turned to a potential clash with another Swiss ace next Sunday.

And on this evidence, surely only Roger Federer can match Murray's controlled brilliance on centre court.

"Today was nice - I felt a bit awkward at the start because it was different to the first two matches because the clouds came over and there was a bit of wind and rain," said Murray.

"I was very happy to start off well and it's a good way to finish off the week.

"I think I've done just what I need to do in the first week and I'll work hard to make sure I go into the second week strongly.

"I know I've got Wawrinka in the next match and it's going to be tough. My coach always goes to watch the match ahead of mine so he can work our tactics but I don't worry about looking further than that.

"I always watch the highlights when I'm at a major tournament and I'm sure they'll show some of my game. There were some nice shots in there and I played some good games but I'll move on to next week now."

Murray has been described as a flat-track bully - adept at seeing of inferior opponents but not quite good enough against the world's best, namely Federer and Rafael Nadal.

But Murray did not such much bully Troicki as tear him to pieces with four breaks of serve and a full repertoire of mesmeric shots along the way.

Whether it was a perfectly disguised drop-shot or a blistering down-the-line backhand, Murray was untouchable - Troicki's crestfallen expression said it all.

And Nadal is currently nursing his knees in Majorca - only Federer has looked a match for Murray at the half-way stage at the All England Club, and it is surely only the five-time champion standing in between Murray and a long overdue end to 32 years of British hurt at Wimbledon.

Not since Virginia Wade lifted the trophy in 1977 have the centre court faithful had something to shout about and you have to go back to the pre-war days of 1936 for a British male winner - Fred Perry.

Apt then that Murray, who is decked out in clothing adorning the Fred Perry logo, is the great white hope.

And his performance against Troicki was as pristine as his ice-white get-up.

Murray set the tone early on - the biggest surprise being that his first break of serve did not come until his third attempt.

But from the word go Troicki was living a charmed life and once the Scot accelerated through the gears, there was no way back for the Serb.

In the second set, Murray cranked it up a notch further and two more breaks of serve left Troicki broken - at times seemingly on the verge of tears.

Murray's return of serve has always been his strong point but his serving has been flawless thus far, just as it was at Queen's - if he can continue that for one more week he'll take some stopping.

Troicki's first break point did not come until game four of the third set. Murray's reply - a booming ace.

The only thing stopping Murray from an early return to his new £6m Surrey mansion was the rain, but not even that could stop the world number three racing through to the last 16 - again he did so with an ace.

Murray has come through week one of Wimbledon with flying colours. Whether he proves victorious or not next week remains to be seen, but one way or the other, he is sure to raise the roof.  

 * Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON is lead partner of British Tennis and is backing the sport at all levels, from grassroots to world class tennis events. For further information visit www.lta.org.uk