Andy Murray: days of drama and triumph in London SW19

Murray returns a ball to Stan Wawrinka on his way to a fourth-round win in 2009

Here are five of Murray’s best victories at SW19.

2013, final

beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4

The match that saw Murray end Fred Perry’s 77-year reign as the last British man to win a Wimbledon singles title will always be the one that defines him above all others. Murray was the better player throughout but was never able to shake off Djokovic. The match reached a nerve-shredding climax as the Scot served for victory at 5-4 in the third set. At 40-0, the title was almost his, but Djokovic saved the three match points and then forced Murray to save a trio of break points before finally glory was his.

2009, fourth round

beat Stan Wawrinka 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3

It was fitting that the first full match played under the Centre Court roof was a Murray epic. The indoor conditions and evening crowd combined to create a cauldron of noise as Murray fought off his hard-hitting Swiss opponent. Wawrinka was not a grand slam contender in those days but his danger to the big names was well known. Murray needed all his fighting qualities to clinch victory, finally doing so at 10:39pm.

2008, third round

beat Richard Gasquet 5-7 3-6 7-6 6-2 6-4

Until Murray’s final victory over Djokovic, this was his most memorable Wimbledon match. The Scot was outplayed by his former junior rival Gasquet for most of the first three sets and looked poised for a meek defeat when Gasquet served for the match at 5-3 in the third. But Murray forged his reputation for comebacks in this match, hitting top form when he most needed it. After one memorable backhand winner on the run, he ended up standing virtually in the crowd roaring in celebration. At the end he flexed his biceps, showing he was now one of the strong men of the tour.

2006, third round

beat Andy Roddick 7-6 6-4 6-4

Roddick was the third seed and a two-time finalist at Wimbledon but he was outplayed by the then 19-year-old Briton in a superb display. Murray was under the cosh in the first set and had to save two set points but, once he had won the tie-break, he did not look back. Murray showed his superb returning ability to blunt the power of the American’s serve and bewildered Roddick with a great variety of shots. At the time, he called it the best win of his career.

2005, second round

beat Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-4 6-4

Less than a year after winning the US Open junior title, Murray announced himself to the wider British public by upsetting 14th seed Stepanek in front of a stunned crowd on Court One. British tennis fans had long learned to temper their expectations but it was clear the skinny, fiery Scot with the wild hair was different. Murray nearly caused a huge shock in his next match as well when he went into a two-set lead against the former finalist David Nalbandian before his body let him down.