Murray knows that the daunting semi-final spectre of Nadal looms large

Last updated at 11:01 AM on 26th June 2011

Twelve months ago, Andy Murray walked on to the Centre Court just one match away from the Wimbledon final, just one match away from being remembered for all time.

Yet after two hours, 21 minutes of finely balanced tennis, Murray made a sorrowful departure after Rafael Nadal scored a mere six more points to lay the foundations for his second Wimbledon championship.

Six points. Or one-and-a-half games.On such slender margins does the fate of fairytales hang.

Murray's mint: Andy Murray celebrates his third-round victory

Of course, Murray's mind will be cleansed of such memories when he meets Richard Gasquet, not under a closed roof as had been his custom for two of his three matches last week, but under a scorching sun threatening to test his stamina and resolve in 100-degree heat.

In all probability, the nerves of a nation will be sorely examined as well, for Murray cannot avoid the weight of history that is hung round his neck like a noose during this fortnight.

On the night shift on Friday, when Centre Court became an indoor arena, Murray's sturdy performance, decorated with a flash of showmanship as he stole a point with his audacious through-the-legs, hot dog shot, the 24-year-old from Dunblane offered the country a reason once more to have faith in his abilities to deliver the first Wimbledon men's title since Fred Perry 75 years ago.

'I need to believe I am going to go the whole way,' said Murray. 'But you just cannot afford to get ahead of yourself.'

Showmanship: Murray plays the audacious winner that thrilled his fans on Centre Court

Three years ago, Gasquet held a two-set lead over Murray, who was then a callow youth with an attitude problem. Tomorrow, the Frenchman will be confronted with a man deservedly ranked No 4 in the world.

'I am not going to underestimate Gasquet at all,' said Murray. 'I will make sure I am ready.'

If he is true to his word, Murray will return to play a quarter-final on Wednesday, with Feliciano Lopez, victor over three-time finalist Andy Roddick, his likely opponent.

In those matches, Murray will provoke moments of anxiety and cause pulse-rates to be unhealthily raised, but there is a sense of purpose about the man that does not look like being denied.

Groundhog day: Rafael Nadal commiserates with Andy Murray after last year's semi final

At least until Friday; until he faces the prospect of meeting Nadal once again if the two men, as expected, fulfil their seeding.

So for Murray, will it be groundhog day? Or will it be his day of redemption?

Besides Wimbledon, Nadal holds the US Open and French Open titles, as well as being the undisputed world No 1.

He is relaxed and, at his rented home not far from the Centre Court, he acts as chef each evening. The menu never differs. He prepares and cooks his signature dish of pasta, mushrooms, prawns, crab meat and onions for his father, Sebastian, his Uncle Toni, who is his trusted coach, and Rafa Maymo, his physiotherapist. All of them eat the same each night without complaint.

Nadal's uncomplicated existence indicates that the mechanisms needed for him to defend the title he holds most dear are in place. Which is patently unhelpful to Murray's mission.

'The British public shouldn't put pressure on Andy,' said Nadal, who eased into the fourth round with a straightsets win over Gilles Muller yesterday. 'He is going to win loads one day.'

Those sentiments were expressed by the Spaniard on the last occasion he beat Britain's finest tennis player in more than seven decades, at the 02 Arena seven months ago.

Anguished: Andy Murray during the Australian Open final

Nadal was not indulging in mind games. He is genuinely respectful of Murray's game, even if Roger Federer, chasing a 17th Grand Slam title, and Novak Djokovic, the most impressive player in the world this year, with the Australian Open and six other titles banked during six months when he has been defeated just once, seem to represent a greater threat to his crown.

Murray's mind, so disturbed after losing in the final of the Australian Open at the end of January that led to him sacking his fourth coach, Alex Corretja in the spring, has never been better attuned to the onerous work in hand.

His oafish tantrums, where he bellows curdled insults at his entourage, seem to be as old news as yesterday's papers.

Against Ivan Ljubicic, with the roof closed and the hour late, Murray was at work in conditions for a perfect storm. Yet he was the model of decorum.

In control: Andy Murray stayed calm against Ivan Ljubicic

'Even when I did lose points, I didn't get too annoyed,' he said. 'I was still pumped up for the next point. My body language was good. That's what I need to maintain. How I feel on court about myself makes a big difference.'

His journey to the semi-finals of the French Open - where he lost to Nadal - and his triumph on the grass at Queen's, has cleared his head.

'After Australia, it was hard to get myself up again,' he said.

'A few months ago, I felt like I was doing nothing, getting nowhere. Now I like being here like this,' he said.

'Looking back, after bad results in Indian Wells and Miami after the Australian Open, I was doubting myself and thinking what I needed to change. Communication broke down between the guys.

'Yet after I sat down and had a think to myself, before speaking to the guys quite a lot, I decided there was nothing wrong. I just need to get better and mentally become stronger. Since I have done that, the results have got way better. You need to try to enjoy yourself.'

Last time out: Andy Murray (right) and Richard Gasquet after their game at Wimbledon in 2008

Gasquet, who shares the same coach as Ljubicic, Riccardo Piatti, said: 'Before, he played a little slow, now he's playing very fast. Murray is powerful, has a big serve, a big forehand. He's also clever - and can win a Grand Slam soon.'

If all unfolds to plan, he will become reacquainted with Nadal on Centre Court on Friday. And then a nation will hold its breath, hoping Murray can win the handful of points on which history can turn.