Jamie keeps mixed doubles title hopes alive

Published on Tuesday 1 July 2008 10:28

JAMIE MURRAY kept up the defence of his mixed doubles title at Wimbledon after a hard-fought, three-set victory yesterday.

The 22-year-old Scot – partnered by American Leizel Huber – snatched a 6-2, 2-6, 9-7 victory over Russians Dmitry Tursunov and Nadia Petrova to reach the third round.

But not everything went to plan for Murray – who won last year's mixed title with Serbia's Jelena Jankovic – as he crashed out of the men's doubles in straight sets.

Murray and partner Max Mirnyi slipped to a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 defeat to second seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic.

"At least I'm not completely out of Wimbledon," said Murray. "The men's doubles earlier in the day was a disappointment but I'm really pleased to get through in the mixed. I had to do a quick change around in between the matches and, because I was disappointed about the men's match, I really wanted to do well in the mixed.

"I don't think we expect to win the title this year but there is no reason why we can't.

"Myself and Leizel have been playing quite well recently and it seems when we lose, it is only to people who are good enough to win the tournament.

"We know that we are one of the better teams out there, especially on grass."