Rain holds up Murray charge

Andy Murray will attempt to complete a fourth-round win over Marin Cilic on Tuesday after rain forced play at Wimbledon to be abandoned.

The British number one had taken a firm hold on the match, leading 7-5 3-1, when the intermittent drizzle became much more persistent, and he and Cilic left Court One just before 5pm.

Organisers remained hopeful there would be further play but the weather did not relent, while rumours that Murray's match would be moved to Centre Court to be finished under the roof proved unfounded. Play was called off for the day at 7.45pm and Murray left the grounds minutes later.

By that time Murray knew he and Cilic would be first on Court One on Tuesday, when the weather forecast looks a little more promising, with the start of play brought forward by one hour to midday.

The forecast made it doubtful the match would even be able to start but they were out on Court One just after 3.30pm and began soon afterwards despite light drizzle.

Murray had been below his best in his late-night tussle with Marcos Baghdatis on Saturday and made the worst possible start against Cilic when he was broken in the first game.

Although he recovered quickly, he remained frustrated by his performance but held on and at 6-5 came another chance for the British fourth seed. A stunning forehand return brought up three set points, and he took the first when Cilic hit a forehand wide, the Scot letting out a cry of "Yes!".

Murray is attempting to reach the final at Wimbledon for the first time, and early losses for Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick mean whoever makes it from the bottom half of the draw will do so for the first time at the All England Club.

Heading into his match with Cilic, the Scot said: "I'm sure Rafa has a lot of fans that wouldn't have been too happy about it. But it's just part of sport.

"They haven't happened that much over the last few years in slams, but they will start happening more. I don't think consistency from the top players can continue that much."