Andy Murray, another British tennis hope - Part I
Shock wins over Federer and shot to fame…
As early as 2006, when the man was barely 20, he’d registered his 1st win over the guy who was then considered to be near invincible. Roger Federer was at the peak of his powers when he was beaten in Cincinnati by this man from Great Britain. Within two years, Federer had lost another match to him and then a few more. Surely no mean feat and it didn’t take long for people to realize that there was more to this man than mere flexing of muscles that Andy Murray was wont to do in those days, some three years ago. Today, the man who was ranked no. 2 in the world some months ago is by far the best British player and quite easily amongst the very best in contemporary tennis.
Playing Style…
Blessed with exceptional defensive abilities, Murray’s game has often hinged upon his gift of retrieving the ball from seemingly impossible positions, a la Rafael Nadal. His two handed back-hand is also amongst the best in the business; it’s a shot that has often tended to negate the Nadal forehand that lands with heavy topspin on a right-hander’s backhand. No wonder then that Murray has enjoyed significant success against the Spaniard with two of his wins coming in important Grand Slam matches, one in the semi-final of the 2008 US Open and then again at the quarter-final of the 2010 Australian Open.
2008 US Open…
The 2008 US Open campaign was the first time where Murray showcased to the world that he could beat the best on the big stage. Till then, Murray was winning his share of matches against the top players albeit on the Masters stage and elsewhere. But in the final Grand Slam of that year, Murray enjoyed a great run which included wins over players such as Jurgen Melzer, Stanislas Warinka and Rafael Nadal. His match against Melzer went the distance and he defeated Nadal in four hard-fought sets.
2010 Australian Open…
His next big success on the Grand Slam stage came at the Australian Open in 2010. Again, he defeated Nadal and then Maran Cilic on the way to reach his 2nd Grand Slam final.
Federer on the way…
But as was the case in the final of 2008 US Open, he ended up facing Federer in the final at Melbourne as well. And like in the previous final, the Swiss prevailed in straight sets over his rival. At the presentation ceremony at Melbourne post his loss, an emotional Murray shed a few tears before saying, “I could cry like Roger, it’s a shame I can’t play like him!”
Rivalry with Federer…
His rivalry with Federer has been a pretty interesting one. He dominated the great man in their initial few meetings having once held a 6-2 head-to-head record over the man with his wins coming at tournaments of the stature of Master Series and even at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup. But not only has Federer won their last three meetings, all convincingly, but importantly beat him in their two Grand Slam matches; the win at US Open coming in their initial days of rivalry.
Rivalry with Nadal…
Murray has scored important wins against Rafael Nadal which includes triumphs at Grand Slams as well. Unlike in the case against Federer, the Briton’s game stacks up well against Nadal, and quite a few of their matches have been absorbing to say the least. Nadal however comfortably holds their career head-to-head meetings; his most recent win coming in the semi-final of Wimbledon 2010 wherein he defeated the rival in straight sets.
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