It was the latest finish ever to a match at the All England Championhsips, nearly an hour longer than the previous recorded encounter.

 

That finished at 9.49pm three years ago and also featured on that occasion Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, who Murray beat tonight in a tense five-set affair.

 

The 22-year-old Scot finally came out on top 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3 in a match that last three hours and 57 minutes to reach the quarter-finals.

 

British tennis fans were on their feet as Murray dropped to his knees on the verge of tears.
 

The new roof had been closed at the London 2012 venue for the first time during play earlier, during the second set of top-ranked Dinara Safina's win over Amelie Mauresmo when there was a brief rain shower on the hottest day of the year so far in Britain, and stayed remained shut for Murray's match.

 

The world number three said: "I was surprised we started under the roof...it was dry outside.

 

"It was very heavy and very humid and I was sweating a lot right from the start.

 

"I felt like I had been in a bath.

 

"It kind of slowed it down a lot, and I struggled to serve because it wasn't coming off the strings."

 

But Murray nevertheless was pleased to have played his own part in history.

 

He said: "It was pretty special.

 

"I thought Stan played a great match.

 

"The standard that he set at the start of the match was very tough to keep up with.
 

"It was great.

 

"Always when you play indoors the atmosphere is great but when you've got 15,000 people supporting you it makes it extra special so thanks a lot."

"I'll have a pretty deep sleep after that one.

 

"It was a great day."