It's game, set and match to the Duchess: Kate beats Kim in the Centre Court fashion face-off

When it came to the main match on Centre Court, it had nothing to do with the tennis.
Even on the day that Andy Murray won through to the semi-finals, this was the battle of the Wimbledon Wardrobes: Kim v Kate.
But faced with the fashion fire power of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kim Sears had little chance.
While Kate – always impeccably turned out whatever the occasion –  wore a £1,100 Alexander McQueen nautical dress, Kim kept it casual in black skinny jeans, a grey vest and denim shirt.

They both look ace: Kate, 30, left, and Andy Murray's 24-year-old girlfriend Kim, right, showed off very different courtside styles

All made up: Kate went for her usual natural glow with heavy eyebrows and eyeliner, while Kim Sears wore next to no make up at Wimbledon

With their long, glossy manes, athletic figures and careful combination of designer and high street it’s not surprising that comparisons have been drawn between the two women.

 

But yesterday, it was clear who had won in the style stakes. Game, set and match to the Duchess.
The 30-year-old earned some thrift points into the bargain, by wearing the dress she had debuted on the same day last year in Canada.
And the Twenties style with cable knit was a subtle nod to Wimbledon kit of yesteryear.

Kate Vs Kim: How the styles of the leading ladies compare

So close: Kate and Kim, displaying similarly long, glossy manes, at a particularly tense moment of the match

Winning smiles: Murray's success brings a grin from Kate, while Kim's joy for her boyfriend is less restrained

Job done: A win for Britain's No.1 makes Kate happy, as Kim removes her sunglasses and pumps her fist in delight

Her favourite £500 navy Prada shoes and Jaeger clutch completed the ensemble. She likes the blue bag so much the fashion house has even named it ‘Kate’ in her honour.
Meanwhile Kim, 24, departed from her usual flirty frocks to dress down completely.
Her only nod to her boyfriend’s estimated £15million fortune was her £795 Mulberry Bayswater bag, £115 French Sole pumps and an expensive watch.

Last week she wore a dazzling £1,750 Tag Heuer diamond set watch, but yesterday it was a Rolex Explorer II worth £5,530. A gift from Andy perhaps, or one from her boyfriend’s collection.

Relaxed: A pretty Kim looked relaxed and cheerful as she took her seat

Natural: Murray's girl goes for the girl next door look

Shady lady: Polarised aviator shades are bang on trend

It was the only bit of ‘bling’ in an otherwise pedestrian performance.
Kate was accompanied in the royal box by her husband the Duke of Cambridge, who looked to be picking up a few tips from his tennis-playing wife.
They chatted and joked to All England Club chairman Philip Brook and his wife Gill, as they watched a masterclass from Roger Federer.
First up on Centre, the Swiss defeated Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny to set up a semi-final showdown with defending champion Novak Djokovic tomorrow.
Then it was Murray’s turn. Spain’s David Ferrer is a tough competitor – a former chain-smoking brickie who retrained to become one of the fittest men on tour. Not for nothing is he called the ‘Little Beast’.

Nautical: The simple knitted sailor design is perfect for the unpredictable British weather

Glamorous: Kate wore a full face of make-up with dark eyebrows and eyeliner framing her face

And so Kim, Kate, William and the whole Centre Court crowd oo-ed and ahh-ed when he took the first set from Murray and the Scot looked as if he was on his way to exiting stage left.

But Murray is made of sterner stuff.
He turned the match round to win 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 in 3 hours and 52 mins, and he will play his 4th Wimbledon semi-final tomorrow when he faces France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Kate and William couldn’t stay to watch Murray win – they left at 6.30pm in the decisive fourth set to travel to Scotland.
Today William will be formally installed as a Royal Knight of the Thistle by the Queen in Edinburgh.
After his match Murray said: ‘Very tough, long match. Lot of tight moments, three tie-breaks.
‘I just played a little bit better at the end of the sets. David’s a great player, he’s ranked number 5 in the world and sometimes doesn’t get enough respect for that.’
Asked about playing in front of the Duke and Duchess, Murray said: ‘I was aware of it. We got told before we went on the court.
‘It’s always going to make a difference when you have royalty in there. For me, also playing in front of someone like Agassi as well and Steffi Graf. Rod Laver was there, too. You know, it was an unbelievable privilege to play in front of those people.’
With Murray mania beginning to build, Ladbrokes has now cut to 4/1 its odds of the Scot winning the championship.
The betting firm’s Jessica Bridge said: ‘As far as his fans are concerned Murray’s already booked his place in the final.’