2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals: Match Review – Roger Federer versus Andy Murray
The clash of Swiss Roger Federer and Brit Andy Murray was probably billed as the most anticipated matchup. The two titans met at O2 on Tuesday as Group B singles action continued. As awaited as this matchup was, it left Murray’s
fans disappointed as the Brit was brushed aside by the in-form Swiss.
Meeting for the fourth time this season, Federer lagged behind in their season head-to-head score having lost to Murray in their previous two encounters. Although Federer had won against Murray at the Australian Open, he had not
been so lucky when it came to the Masters. Once in Toronto and then as recent as Shanghai, Murray triumphed over the Swiss denying him the title on both these occasions. Having returned to form in the last two months, the Swiss was quick to level the season
head-to-head score defeating Murray in a two-setter that lasted seventy-six minutes. The match score was 6-2, 6-4.
Talking about the match Federer commented, "Andy has beaten me the last few times so I'm surprised how clean the score was today, but I don't think Andy played his best match, that is for sure. He got off to a bad start with
his serve and never really found it. That's what happens in best-of-three set matches. They are over in a hurry and you don't know what happened. I'm surprised it went so well, almost a bit shocked to be honest. But obviously I'm happy I'm playing so well.”
Both professionals had enjoyed straight set wins in their opening matches of the event. Federer had triumphed with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Spaniard David Ferrer whereas Murray had dismissed Swede Robin Soderling with a match score
of 6-2, 6-4. Although both players came in strong, Murray left the crowd and fans much disappointed when his game lacked the usual lustre. His game, as termed by critics and reviewers afterwards, was “limp”. Although he enjoyed the home court advantage, something
he makes most of always, he just failed to wow the audience today giving his most abysmal performance yet. Expecting an exciting three-setter from the two titans, it came much to everyone’s dismay when Murray only managed to win six games against the Swiss.
Failing to hit the ball past the net at occasions and with very limp returns, Murray’s first set performance was downright horrific. With 15 unforced errors and a first serve percentage of 32%, Murray found himself in much trouble.
Although he won the opener, he lost the next three games giving a 3-1 lead to Federer. Even though he tried to catch up, he was unable to even level the score with Federer, who at all times maintained a one set or two set lead over the Brit. Federer won the
first set 6-4. Entering the second set the Swiss was ruthless with the Brit as he sent him running all over the court. Denying him four straight games in the second set, Federer led with 4-0. Though the Brit fought back in the fifth game, Federer wrapped up
the set in a matter of minutes winning it 6-2.
While talking to the press afterwards, Murray admitted that he was not in his best form. He said, "I did the two most important things in tennis very poorly today, which is serve and return. Against someone as good as Roger,
you can't do them badly. You're not going to win the match and that's why the score line was like it was. But it happens sometimes against him and against the best players if you're not quite on your game. I just have to try to pick myself up for the next
match and put myself in the semis."
Defeating Ferrer and Murray, Federer moves into the pole position for the semi-final with a 2-0 mark in the event. Murray on the other hand is down to 1-1 and needs to defeat Ferrer in their Thursday matchup if he is to have any
hopes of moving into the semis.
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