When asked how her husband Mikhail might beat Andy Murray on Centre Court on Tuesday, Anastasia Kukushkina giggles and turns to the man from whom she has taken her married name (with the “a” the customary appendage in Russian), and says: “I don’t know. I think he must relax and try to do something good.”
Indeed he must, probably over five sets, and their respective and mutual histories do not suggest that is likely. They are worlds apart in achievement, money and prospects, with Murray, the world No3, many people’s favourite to win his second Wimbledon title, and Kukushkin, ranked at 59, probably grateful to be picking up £29,000 as his first-round cheque.