WIMBLEDON, England -- The buzz around Centre Court gradually increased as Andy Murray inched closer and closer to ending one of the longest waits in British sports. As a tennis crowd so used to disappointments finally saw reason to believe, the classic shouts of "Come on Andy" that have rung out at Wimbledon hundreds of times over the last seven years started coming with the added encouragement: "You can do it." And, in his fourth attempt in four years, Murray finally could. Murray became the first British man since 1938 to reach the Wimbledon final by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 Friday, living up to the hype and expectations at home that seemed to get bigger and bigger with every year. "I think subconsciously at the end of the match it was obviously very emotional," Murray said. "Havent really been like that before in a semifinal match, so obviously it meant something to me and it was very, very important. There is obviously a lot of pressure and stress around this time of year." And that pressure isnt gone just yet. It wont be until Murray can become the first British man to actually win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936. That would mean beating Roger Federer in Sundays final, a task that might prove harder than Fridays victory. Federer, of course, is a six-time Wimbledon champion who knows better than anyone in the game how to win on Centre Court. He beat defending champion and top-ranked Novak Djokovic to reach a record-tying eighth Wimbledon final. Murray has lost to Federer twice before in Grand Slam finals, at the 2008 U.S. Open and the 2010 Australian Open -- never winning a set. "Its a great challenge, one where Im probably not expected to win the match, but one that, if I play well, Im capable of winning," Murray said. "If you look at his record here over the past 10 years or so, its been incredible. So the pressure that I would be feeling if it was against somebody else I guess it would be different. But there will be less on me on Sunday, because of who he is." Bunny Austin was the last home player to reach the Wimbledon final in 1938. Murrays victory over Tsonga ended a streak of 11 straight losses for British players since then in the semifinals at the All England Club. Murray had lost at that stage in the last three years, seemingly destined to regularly come up short just like some of his predecessors. Tim Henman lost four semifinals from 1998-2002 and Roger Taylor lost three from 1967-73. Mike Sangster in 1961 was the first Briton to even make the semifinals since Austin, but he lost as well. For good measure, both Murray and the Centre Court crowd had to wait a few extra moments for the 74-year drought to end. On match point, Murray sent a forehand return past Tsonga that landed on the sideline, setting off a raucous cheer from the crowd as Murray bent down clutching his racket and letting out a shout. But it turned out the ball had been called out, forcing Murray to challenge. With both players waiting at the net, and the Frenchman laughing as he spoke to Murray, the Hawk-Eye reply system finally confirmed Murrays victory, setting off another loud cheer and a standing ovation from the crowd. Murray gave Tsonga a hug, then dropped his racket and walked to the centre of the court to receive the ovation, both fingers pointed skyward in his signature gesture. On Henman Hill -- where the crowds used to gather to watch Henmans many near-misses but now flock to watch Murray -- thousands of fans let out an equally big cheer, celebrating a moment that many had doubted would ever come. "Murray did so well to finish that off in four (sets), because I dont think anyone could have coped with a fifth set," Henman said on the BBC, where he works as a commentator. "Hes got sort of one monkey off the nations back with the first finalist in 74 years, but I think a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. It seems like it could be destiny." Federer may have a thing or two to say about that, but for now at least, Britain has reason to celebrate. Even Prime Minister David Cameron weighed in, calling Murrays victory "great news." "Ill be watching the final on Sunday and like the rest of the country, will be getting right behind Andy Murray," Cameron said in a statement. "I wish him the best of luck." Tsonga did, too. The Frenchman, who is also immensely popular with the Wimbledon crowd, said Murray deserved the place in the final, and that he hoped the Briton will be able to play relaxed against Federer. "For me, there is no more pressure (on Murray)," Tsonga said. "Hes in the final. He did the job, I think. Now everything is a bonus, is positive for him. Now Im sure he will play only for him and not for all these people." Murray, though, said he will need the crowd support again on Sunday to have a chance to beat Federer -- who is usually the fan favourite in every match he plays at Wimbledon. "Theres obviously going to be nerves and pressure there for sure," Murray said, "but I need to try and stay focused." Wholesale Jerseys . Jacques Villeneuve, the Quebec-born car-racing champion, is upset at a protest movement that has gone on for months and is now promising to turn up at Formula One Grand Prix events in Montreal all weekend. Cheap Jerseys From China Online . 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From Monday until mid-week there are five series - four in the American League and one in the National - with great head-to-head playoff implications.TORONTO -- From the rookie who earned a double-double in his NBA debut, to the teams hardscrabble new point guard, to a jam-packed crowd at Air Canada Centre, the Raptors season-opener had all the makings of a positive vibe not felt by Toronto sports fans in quite a while. It had everything, that is, except a victory. David West scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday as the Indiana Pacers edged Toronto 90-88, spoiling what had been a thrilling opener for the revamped Raptors. Kyle Lowry scored 21 points, while Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 10 rebounds in his NBA debut for the new-look Raptors in a game that should leave fans feeling optimistic about the season ahead. Optimism summed up Toronto coach Dwane Caseys feelings after the game. "Im proud of our team, I thought we showed more grit and spunk than we showed all last year," Casey said. "Yes it hurts but there are so many positives Im looking at against one of the top teams in the NBA." Five Raptors scored in double figures as Andrea Bargnani added 16, Jose Calderon finished with 15, and DeMar DeRozan, who earlier in day agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension worth US$38 million, finished with 10. "It was a fun game overall, just being out there, the first time in a while, just get a feel for playing a game especially against a top-notch team in the Indiana Pacers," DeRozan said. "It would have been that much better if we had won." The Raptors played with three new starters in Valanciunas, Lowry and Landry Fields. Valanciunas endeared himself to fans immediately, and had recorded his first double-double in just 17 minutes on the floor. "I did double-double?" Valanciunas said, eyebrows raised in surprise. "Im not looking how I play, its important whether our team wins or not. Today the team lose, so it was not enough, double-double. "Maybe I need to have triple-double, and then team is going to win." The 20-year-old Lithuanian looked completely unfazed by the fact he was matched up against an NBA all-star in Roy Hibbert. He blocked a shot in the games opening minute, grabbed an offensive rebound for a layup less than two minutes later, and scraped and clawed under the basket all night. His rim-hanging dunk in the third quarter brought the crowd to its feet. Lowry, meanwhile, came exactly as advertised -- hustle and hard work, dripping sweat all game long, jawing at officials, and grinning like a kid at the coaching staff when he drained a three-pointer. "Hes a hound," DeRozan said of his new starting point guard. "He can pick up the scoring, he can pick up the defence, whatever we may need." The Raptors led by as much as 11 points in the third quarter before taking a 71-63 lead into the fourth of nailbiting see-saw battle that featured 16 lead changes. Calderon -- leading the Raptors second unit that was virtually Torontos starting unit last season -- came up big in the fourth quarter, draining a pair of three-pointers less than two minutes apart, bringing the sold-out crowd of 19,800 to its feet.dddddddddddd His second with six minutes to play gave the Raptors a 10-point lead. But some major defensive lapses left a wide-open West to drain shot after shot in the final few minutes. His basket with 1:20 left pulled the visitors to within 88-87. The Raptors, on the other hand, didnt score a field goal in the final 4:31. After a George Hill free throw evened the score, Indiana was given possession of the ball after a video review and Hill drained a runner that sealed the Pacers victory with 2.1 seconds left. Bargnani missed on a last-second shot. "Davis (West) put us on his shoulders tonight in the fourth quarter, on both ends of the court, and just carried us," said Pacers coach Frank Vogel. "This victory is squarely on his shoulders." Hibbert and Paul George finished with 14 points apiece for the Pacers. Despite the fact Indiana was missing Danny Granger, whos out indefinitely with a knee injury, the Pacers were considered a stiff test for Toronto. Indiana has been picked by some basketball experts to finish second in the East this season behind the Miami Heat. The Raptors shot just 36 per cent on the night however, while the Pacers were good on 47 per cent of their shots from the floor. The feeling in the darkened pre-game arena was electric, with fans waving purple glow sticks as a gospel choir sang. Images of Raptors in action were flashed across the floor. The largest cheer went up for Calderon. "The fans were amazing, I want to say thank you to them, they did a great job," Valanciunas said. DeRozan took centre court prior to tipoff and thanked fans for their support on a big night for the 23-year-old swingman. "Were definitely going to work hard on the court and in the community," DeRozan said. "Enjoy the game." How long the positive vibe lasts remains to be seen. The Raptors face a gruelling early-season schedule, with 15 of 22 games coming on the road. "Our growth may not show until after the first 22 games," Casey, whose team went 10-23 on the road last season, said prior to the game. "But its the NBA, nobodys feeling sorry for you, the schedule is what it is." Bargnani scored 11 points in a first quarter that saw the lead change hands eight times. The Pacers led 27-25 after one. The teams closely paced each other through the second, with Indiana taking a five-point lead with just under two minutes to play. The Raptors scored the final five points of the half and the teams went into the dressing room knotted at 48-48. The Raptors used a 12-2 run capped by a DeRozan jumper to take a 64-53 lead midway through the third. The Pacers battled back to cut Torontos advantage to 71-63 with a quarter left to play. NOTES: The Raptors are in Brooklyn to face the Nets on Saturday and back at ACC to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. ... The Raptors went 6-1 in the pre-season, including 5-0 at home. ... Joe Carter, hero of the Toronto Blue Jays 1993 World Series win, was at the game, along with the band The Sheepdogs. ... It was the seventh time Toronto has played on Halloween. ' ' '