Andy Murray bows to Prince William and Catherine Middleton (Pic: AP)

Andy Murray bows to Prince William and Catherine Middleton (Pic: AP)

Andy Murray bowed to Prince William and Kate Middleton today after reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a straight sets victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Wills and Kate, who got a standing ovation when they took their seats in the Royal Box before the match, helped cheer Andy to victory on Centre Court.

Murray turned in a strong performance, triumphing 7-6 6-3 6-2 in two hours four minutes, earning a standing ovation from the crowd - including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The British No.1 admitted afterwards that he didn't even know the royal couple were going to be at the match.

He said: "It was nice. I didn't know they would be there.

William and Kate join the standing ovation for Andy Murray

The Duke and Duchess enjoy the win

Kate Middleton and Prince William in the Royal Box

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoy the Wimbledon action

Kate applauds Andy Murray after his win

"As I walked off the practice courts a journalist told me. I didn't practice the bow - I didn't know if my source was correct or if they were winding me up.

"I think it's great for tennis any time you can get royalty to come along."

Last year the British number one played in front of the Queen, giving his bow a workout on that occasion too.

William points something out to Kate

A smiling Kate looked to be enjoying her day out

The Duchess chats to a neighbour in the Royal Box

Andy Murray shakes hands with beaten Richard Gasquet

Murray bowed to the Royal Box after his win


Kate is becoming something of a Wimbledon regular.

In 2007 she watched Rafael Nadal play Swede Robin Soderling on Court One and returned 12 months later.

Still plain Catherine Middleton, she was given special treatment by the club, which arranged Centre Court tickets for her and assured her some peace and quiet.

Last week a letter she wrote thanking organisers for their hospitality was unveiled in the Wimbledon museum.

Today, the couple arrived amid tight security.

An increased police presence was visible around the grounds and a Metropolitan Police helicopter patrolled for hours before their arrival.

The pair, who married in April, returned to Centre Court after Murray's match to watch five-time ladies' champion Venus Williams take on Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.

On Court One, Williams's sister and defending champion Serena was knocked out in straight sets by Marion Bartoli, who has reportedly claimed to have an IQ of 175 - putting her in the top 2% of the world's smartest.

Speaking after his five-star royal performance, Murray said he would have shaved if somebody had told him the royal couple were coming.
Appearing relaxed in the post-match press conference, the 24-year-old said he felt no extra pressure playing in front of William and Kate.

The British number one met the pair after his match but felt embarrassed looking so "sweaty and hairy", he said.


 

Kate Middleton dress shows Wimbledon style off the court
Prince William and Kate Middleton cheer on Andy Murray at Wimbledon
Andy Murray storms past Gasquet into Wimbledon quarter-finals