Is Andy Murray's No.1 fan Kim Sears following in Kate Middleton's fashion footsteps?

Is Andy Murray's No.1 fan Kim Sears following in Kate Middleton's fashion footsteps?

• Rain stopped Murray's match just before 5pm after the Scot had taken the first set

By Emily Andrews, David Wilkes and Eliza Scarborough

PUBLISHED: 10:54 EST, 2 July 2012 | UPDATED: 07:30 EST, 3 July 2012

The hair is long and glossy. The style is a careful combination of high street and designer. The job â€" well, the job is to support her other half.

Little wonder, then, that comparisons are starting to be drawn between Andy Murray’s girlfriend, Kim Sears, and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Not only has Miss Sears apparently chosen to make a career out of being at her boyfriend’s side, but she seems to be taking fashion tips from the duchess, too.

The natural look: Kim looks radiant watching Andy Murray play today

Part of the family: Just like Kate, Kim is comfortable with the family. She watches the match today with Andy's mother Judy

Simple yet stylish: Kim didn't let the rain at Wimbledon bother her today

A leaf out of Kate's book: Kim Sears takes her seat in a simple blue shift dress

Lucky clover: Kim Sears, girlfriend of Britain's Andy Murray, in her £135 Whistles dress

Keeping dry: Kim Sears in her Burberry mac (left) and showing off her £1,750 watch (right)

Designer style: Murray wore Barricade Bermuda shorts, left, instead of the bespoke pair he wore on Saturday, right

Biggest fan: The 25-year-old's girlfriend Kim Sears watches him play on Court One during the seventh day of the championships

Last Tuesday the 24-year-old chose a £135 clover print dress from Whistles, while two days later she plumped for a £49.99 floral blazer from Kate’s favourite high street label, Zara.

Like Kate, however, she also has a penchant for designer labels, including her dazzling £1,750 Tag Heuer diamond-set watch.

And yesterday, as Murray’s match against Marin Cilic was rained off, Miss Sears kept dry in a £795 Burberry trench coat.

The Scot was one set and a break up when the covers came on. Play is set to resume today at 12pm.

The British No 1 powered through the first set 7-5 as he battled to repeat his Saturday night victory, when he made history with the latest finish the tournament has ever seen.

Fans feared the match against Marcos Baghdatis would have to be concluded today, but the 25-year-old wrapped up the match just after 11pm. 

Red, white and blue: Freezing fans gather on Murray Mound to cheer no their hero

Big smiles: Rain may have interrupted play, but couldn't dampen the spirit of the Scot's fans

Downpour: It was macs and wellies instead of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon today

Murray's win came despite the fact he twice lost points after a ball slipped out of his pockets during the third-round match.

The first time the point was replayed, but on two subsequent occasions Murray was penalised.

Maria Sharapova crashed out of the tournament earlier today when she lost to Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round.

The Russian capitulated 6-4, 6-3 - the same score by which she beat the 15th seed 12 months ago.

As Murray and Cilic made a creaky start this afternoon, onlookers worried the drizzle could disrupt the match at the All England Club.

Vital moment: Kim Sears and Andy's father Will watched nervously as he fought to reach the quarters

Court One has no roof to keep the downpours away, unlike Centre Court, where Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic are playing today.

Indeed, play was halted at 4.50pm, after Murray had won the the cheers of delight from the windswept crowds.

Billy Payne, forecaster at MeteoGroup, said fans could see plenty of delays and interruptions to today’s play.

'We’ve got rain moving in from the west through the day,' he said.

'It’s just got into the London area now and in the next couple of hours there’s outbreaks of rain coming up from the west and south-west.'

Take cover: Spectators shelter under umbrellas as rain delays play between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and Mardy Fish of the US

He said the rain would not be heavy, calling it light and patchy rain could cause some disruption.'

The damp conditions could continue throughout the week, in contrast with last week’s fairly bright weather. Last Thursday, spectators enjoyed soaring temperatures of up to 28C at SW19.

'It’s quite an unsettled week,' said Mr Payne. 'There will be more outbreaks tomorrow and outbreaks which will continue for much of the day.'

SECURITY FOR SERENA! QUEEN OF MEAN MOBBED BY FANS ON COURT NO. 2

As the so-called Queen of Mean, she strikes fear into her opponents.

But even Serena Williams needed a little protection yesterday as she was mobbed by autograph hunters.

Security guards had to escort the four times Wimbledon champion back to the players' locker room after she won on Court No 2.

With typical bravado, Miss Williams told reporters: 'I wasn't scared. Nobody going to knock me over for real. I'd like to see that happen. You guys know how I can get.'

But she also took a swipe at schedulers who put her on No 2 rather than the prestigious Centre Court.

No 2 Court is at the far end of the SW19 complex, a five-minute walk from the players' locker underneath Centre Court.

Asked if she thought someone else could get injured if they were mobbed in a similar way, Miss Williams said: 'Yeah, maybe that's why I got on Court 2, because they knew I could back myself up.'

Cilic beat the clock himself with a five-set win over Sam Querrey which went to 17-15 in the decider.

The Croatian is on an eight-match winning streak on grass after benefiting from David Nalbandian’s moment of madness in the Aegon Championships final at Queen’s Club.

Cilic also ousted Murray in the fourth round of the US Open in 2009, but Murray got his own back the following year when he beat him to reach his first Australian Open final.

Speaking after the game on Saturday night, Murray said he had the problem with his shorts about five times.

Rained off: Murray leaves court after play is suspended because of the continuing rain

Could be waiting a while: One spectator waits out in the rain in the hopes the game will be resumed

Standing by: Groundstaff take cover under umbrellas as rain delays disrupt day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships

'It felt like it was always about to happen as well,' he said. 'I’m blaming the shorts, it wasn’t my fault.'

The issue was down to an error in the handmade pockets of the bespoke shorts, sponsor adidas said.

He wore a pair of adidas Barricade Bermuda shorts today, but said would also need to learn from the things he did not do so well on Saturday.

'If I play like I did the first couple of sets against Baghdatis, winning the tournament is going to be tough,' he wrote on his BBC blog.

SHOCK EXIT FOR SHARAPOVA AS AN UNDERDOG TAKES REVENGE

World number one and top seed Maria Sharapova suffered a shock defeat yesterday when she was beaten by Sabine Lisicki.

The former Wimbledon champion was stunned when the 22-year-old German, the tournament's 15th seed, defeated her in straight sets.

Miss Lisicki lost to Miss Sharapova, 25, in last year's semi-final but yesterday comprehensively beat her 6-4, 6-3 on a cold Court No. 1.

Her appearance in the semi-final last year was an historic one, as she was only the second female player ever to reach the stage after entering the tournament as a wildcard. Following yesterday's match, Miss Sharapova said: 'She did many things better than I did and you have to hand it to her.

She played very well. I could have done things differently but not on this particular day.'

Miss Lisicki could not hide her delight at her win, describing it as 'unbelievable'.

She added: 'She is a fighter but I am a fighter too. I fought to the last point. The last game was tough but I fought it out. I'm getting better with each match. This is my favourite tournament. I love it here.'

'I need to learn from the things I didn’t do so well and what turned it around for me.'

Adding #Roll on Monday#, he also paid tribute to support from the crowd, including his mother, Judy Murray, Great Britain’s Fed Cup captain.

She admitted that today’s match would be a challenge, telling BBC Breakfast: 'I think it’s dangerous to look too far ahead and I’m sure no-one, especially Andy, is looking beyond this match.

'Cilic is 6ft 5in, 6ft 6in - it’s a bit of a big ask. He serves big and he likes to play on grass.

'It will be a tough task for Andy today and he’ll have to be at his best.'

Asked if her son would win, she replied with a smile: 'Who knows?'

Scottish style: The British No 1 powers through the first set against the Croatian in standard pair of adidas shorts

Tough draw: Marin Cilic made a shaky start as he faced the roars of Murray's vocal supporters

Shock exit: Russian Maria Sharapova crashed out in the fourth round to Sabine Lisicki of Germany

Today saw the return of Rufus the Hawk to Wimbledon. The American Harris Hawk, who patrols the All England Club, was found after being stolen on Thursday night.

His owner, Imogen Davis, 25, said: 'We are ecstatic and so, so overwhelmed with all the lovely messages and help we have received.'

Fans clutching umbrellas were frustrated by the weather. Sue Callaghan, who has been coming to Wimbledon for 39 years, said it was typical that the rainr had hit on the day Murray was playing on Court One.

'He can’t go on there today weather-wise,' she said. 'It would be this on the day it’s going to be bad. I’m gutted it’s on Court One.'

The 59-year-old, from Surrey, is camping at SW19 for the whole two weeks of the Grand Slam.
'I can come back other days, but it’s a shame for people who are only coming today.

'I’m still gutted about it, I think they should look after him [Murray] a bit more. Now he could hav e to play tomorrow, the next day and the next.'

Friends Madeleine Baker, Fiona Chittick, and sisters Sheridan and Maggie Lay, from Barnes, south-west London, said the weather was 'depressing'.

Sir Richard Branson, left, and his mother Eve Branson look on from the Royal Box on Centre Court which has a roof to protect it from the rain

Taking shelter: Spectators brave the elements as the rain starts during the third round matches for the Wimbledon Championships

Back on: Grounds staff uncover a court following a rain break for the Wimbledon Championships

Madeleine, 17, said: 'Fiona came last week and the weather was lovely so she recommended we should come.

'It’s my first time at Wimbledon, we just wanted to sit on the hill and watch Murray.

'This weather is quite depressing but we’ll brave it out, we’ve been here since 6am. I still think it’s worth it, as long as we see a bit of tennis.'

Stuart Chalmers, 59, and his wife Isabel, 58, from Fife, travelled to Wimbledon to see the tennis today and tomorrow.

They had tickets for Court Two today but have tickets for Court One tomorrow, and said the rain could play into their hands if Murray’s game is delayed.

'We’re hoping to see Murray so we could end up getting that if he doesn’t get on today,' said Mr Chalmers.

Mrs Chalmers, who said they have been regular Wimbledon-goers for several years, added: 'We’ve generally been quite lucky with the weather.

'One year we got our money b ack because we only got 20 minutes play in one day. This isn’t too bad - after all, we’re Scottish.'

New balls please! Plenty more slip-ups in soggy south London

Murray's shorts were not the only source of amusement for the crowds at a wet Wimbledon, and those watching it on television today.

Fans were gobsmacked when Italy's Francesca Schiavone pretended to eat a tennis ball during her match against Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova.

The former French Open winner was incensed by the umpire's handling of her match on Court No 3 after complaining that the match should have been suspended because of the weather.

Despite overcast conditions, Schiavone had taken advantage of wayward shot-making from the defending champion to claim the first set.

What a shot: Italy's Francesca Schiavone pretends to eat a tennis ball, left, while France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga checks on a line judge who has been hit in the face by a serve from US player Mardy Fish, right

But - at deuce with the Italian 5-6 down on her serve - she made representation to umpire Fiona Edwards to halt the proceedings because of light rain.

Rather than instruct the attendant ground staff to pull the covers over the court the official asked the two players to wait on their chairs.

This clearly irked the tournament's 24th seed but Kvitova shrugged her shoulders during the eight-minute stoppage. Another five minutes were lost to a similar suspension in the third set.

The disruption clearly helped Kvitova who immediately broke and then closed out the third set for the loss of one game, winning 4-6 7-5 6-1.

Meanwhile, France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga showed concern for a line judge who was hit in the face by a particularly forceful serve by his opponent - US player Mardy Fish during his fourth round men's singles match.

• 'Cannibal' attack in China as drunk bus driver leaps on...
• How track and field athletes have been DIVING across the...
• 'My grandma shot me. I'm going to die': 74-year-old breaks...
• 2008 gold medal darling Nastia Liukin FACE PLANTS at...
• 'I'm a eat you': Crazed naked man high on bath salts...
• They get fired for being ill and they HATE it when you order...
• Still at large... but not for long: Australian policemen...
• Adorable pictures to melt even the hardest heart: Tiny...
• Detroit to be hit by flesh and brain-eating zombie...
• The reverse honour killing: Indian teenager poisons her...
• 'We took their fingernails out with pliers and we made them...
• Zara was a brat who 'crossed the line', says her father...

Share this article: