Heartbreak for Braveheart

Andrew Murray's brave bid for Wimbledon glory ended in heartbreak.

The Scottish teenager took a two-set lead against Argentinian 18th seed David Nalbandian but was ground down by the superior strength and experience of his opponent in a marathon five-set match lasting three hours 13 minutes.

Exhausted Murray, 18 - who was plagued with cramp for the latter stages of the match - was defeated 6-1 in the final set of his epic Centre Court debut by Nalbandian, 23, a former Wimbledon finalist, whose nickname is The Beast.

A disconsolate Murray, ranked 312th in the world, walked off to a standing ovation.

Later, he admitted he ran out of steam, saying: "My legs are really knackered. I couldn't move towards the end."

Amazing debut

Murray, who had never played a competitive five-set match before, added: "A lot of people thought I was going to lose easily but I know I can compete with these guys."

Tim Henman was among the first to congratulate Murray. He said: "I now appreciate how it is much worse watching rather than playing. I am right behind him all the way and congratulate him on his performance."

And Jimmy Connors, who won Wimbledon in 1974 and 1982, said: "He has just got to work on a few other things, get better conditioning, and the sky is the limit."

The gloomy skies over Wimbledon did not reflect the scintillating spectacle Murray served up to the crowd and millions of fans watching the third round match on TV.

Murray's divorced parents, former Scottish women's tennis champion Judy and ex-husband William, watched the game sitting three seats apart.

Afterwards, Mrs Murray said: "The fitness was not there to take him through the fifth set."

Andrew's father said: "He surprised a lot of people and I'm extremely proud of him."

Star struck

Such is the buzz about the young Scot that he attracted a galaxy of stars to the stands. Former James Bond star Sir Sean Connery watched the game from the Royal Box.

Olympic heroes there to give their support included rowers Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell, boxer Audley Harrison and ice-skater Jayne Torvill. Sir Cliff Richard was there too.

To the ecstatic cheers of his parbackhandents, brother Jamie and a new army of adoring fans, Murray dished up a series of powerful serves, cheeky drop shots, accurate passes and slices. The crowd - many sporting the Scottish flag painted on their faces - cheered every point won by Murray, triumphantly chanting his name. Revelling in his new-found fame, Murray responded by punching the air and roaring 'Yes' with each point he claimed.

Murray Mount

After Tim Henman's exit from the tournament, the fans' area outside the court - known as Henman Hill - -was dubbed Murray Mount and dotted with Scottish flags.

But the heroics of the first two sets seemed to take their toll on Murray as he faltered in the third set, allowing Nalbandian to race ahead and take it 6-0. But then

Murray collapsed with cramp and spent several minutes doing stretching exercises. After losing the fourth set 6-4, he had more treatment in the fifth and the pain clearly affected his game.

Murray's emergence comes against a backdrop of tragedy. He was a pupil at Dunblane Primary School on the day nine years ago when gunman Thomas Hamilton massacred 16 children and their teacher. Then aged nine, Murray survived by taking refuge in the headmaster's office.

Murray first came to prominence in September when he became first Briton to win the junior US Open.