Dunblane expects as Andy Murray reaches Australian Open final

Severin Carrell Andy Murray's triumphant roar at the Australian Open was echoed 10,500 miles away in his home town of Dunblane. For many in the quiet and reserved town near Stirling, the working day stopped, while across Scotland attention quickly shifted to televisions, radios and the internet as he edged towards victory in his semi-final against Marin Cilic. And now preparations are being made for an early start in pubs and clubs for the final on Sunday morning. The Dunblane hotel is sure to be a focal point, and has secured a special licence to open at 8am. Yesterday a cheering crowd steadily built around the hotel bar's screens after opening time as he swept past his Croat opponent. And meanwhile his grandparents Roy and Shirley Erskine watched, anxiously, in their sitting room with the phone off. "My nerves are great now, they really are, but I tell you, during the match they were a bit frayed," Roy Erskine said. After several years watching his 22-year-old grandson surge up the world rankings but never quite clinching a major title, Erskine has learnt to be cautious, partly to avoid increasing the hype and expectation surrounding his grandson. "I will never predict an Andy Murray match. I think perhaps there's a bit of fear: if you suddenly say he's going to win, and he doesn't win, then he doesn't get a good press. I think that's always been an anxiety for me … but we're still awfully proud of him." The Erskines are planning to watch Sunday's final at someone else's house, to avoid the intense media attention Murray's crucial games attract. "We will disappear on Sunday, find somewhere where we can watch on our own," he said. Dunblane will be even quieter than normal on Sunday morning. The Dunblane sports and youth centre is planning to set up a big screen for crowds of fans, while others will gather in homes. And if yesterday is anything to go by the buzz will spread across Scotland. The town's florist, Irene Flaws, was told by colleagues at Glasgow flower market yesterday morning they were "all going home to watch the match". Gordon Brown, meanwhile, urged Murray to victory on BBC 5 Live: "It would be great news. He is a great tennis player and a great guy." The Scottish parliament was invited to applaud his progress by Alex Salmond during first minister's questions. Dunblane's residents have seen their most famous son come close to a Grand Slam victory before. But with Murray now at the peak of his game, the excitement is rising. "A fair few folk will be watching the game – hard-core fans especially will be out in force," said Emma Warren, 20, who was at school with Murray at Dunblane High. Bill Stewart, a volunteer at the sports centre, said "everybody was in great exultation" after his 3-1 victory over Cilic. "Everybody was really fired up and looking forward to the game on Sunday."