Murray: Tsonga will be tough

Andy Murray has rebuffed talk he is glad to avoid Rafael Nadal, and said his Wimbledon semi-final opponent Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be very tough.

Murray, the world number four, was on course for a semi-final showdown with Nadal until the Spaniard was beaten by unseeded Czech Lukas Rosol in the second round at the All England Club.

The Scot has won just five of his 18 career meetings against Nadal, and only two of their seven clashes in Grand Slam play.

Speaking after his 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory over David Ferrer on Wednesday in the quarter-finals, Murray denied he had been relieved when Rosol defeated Nadal.

"Just because I lost to him a few times doesn't mean I never want to play against him," Murray said.

"I don't mind playing Rafa. I've played against him in slams before and it's obviously a challenge. He's played some very good tennis when we've played each other here."

Murray will next play Frenchman Tsonga, who he beat in the 2010 quarter-finals, and, despite holding a 5-1 edge in career meetings with the 27-year-old, he predicts a stern examination.

"Jo's a tough opponent, he's served very well this tournament so far. It's a very different match to playing Rafa, but he's one of the best grass court players in the world for sure," he said.

Murray said it took him a while to realise the importance of Wimbledon, and what the tournament means to the British public.

"When I first played here, I didn't understand what it was like and it still took a few years for me before I understood how important this tournament was to me, to tennis and this country as well," Murray said.

"I didn't necessarily appreciate that the first time I play here because you're just a kid."

Ferrer, meanwhile, paid tribute to his conqueror, and believes Murray has a chance to go on and win his first Grand Slam title, despite the fact world number one Novak Djokovic and number three Roger Federer will contest the other semi.

"Andy, in important moments he played really good. He played more aggressive than me, and he was better, no?" Ferrer said.

"I think Roger and Novak, they're unbelievable players. I don't know who is the favourite to win tomorrow, the semi-final. It's going to be very close match.

"I don't know (whether Murray will win Wimbledon) You have to ask to him. I don't know. Of course, Andy Murray, he has chance to win Wimbledon. He's unbelievable player. He deserves to win one Grand Slam."