Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray – Semi-final Preview: Wimbledon Championships 2011
For the second year in succession, World number 1 and top seed Rafael Nadal of Spain will face home favourite Andy Murray, ranked 4th in the world, in the semi-finals of Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club
in London on Friday.
The Spaniard overcame American number 1 Mardy Fish, seeded tenth at the event, in four sets 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. While, Murray outclassed unseeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach
the last four.
Murray and Nadal will be meeting for the sixteenth time. Nadal leads the Brit 11-4 in the FedEx head-to-head series. The Spaniard has been victorious in the last three meetings between these two.
In their last meeting, Nadal defeated the British in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the French Open this year. Murray earned his latest win over Nadal when he defeated the Spaniard in straight sets 6-3, 6-4
in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in 2010. The Brit prevailed over Nadal in four sets 6-2, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the US Open in 2008, claiming his maiden win over the Spaniard. Nadal beat Murray in five thrilling sets 6-7(3), 6-4, 4-6,
6-3, 6-1 when the pair met for the first time in the round of 16 of the Australian Open in 2007.
This will be the third match-up between the Spaniard and Murray at the SW19. Last year, Nadal destroyed British hopes of a local champion as he thrashed Murray in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-4 in the semi-finals of Wimbledon Championships.
In 2008, Nadal knocked out Murray again in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Nadal will be aiming to enter his fifth final at the Wimbledon Championships. The Mallorca resident is looking to claim the Wimbledon crown for the third time. After losing to him in two consecutive finals, the Spaniard defeated
Swiss Maestro Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 in the title match to claim his maiden title at the SW19 in 2008. The defending champion thrashed Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in straight sets 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the final last year.
The ten time grand slam champion said, anticipating the encounter against Murray, "The match will be very difficult for me. I think he's playing at very, very high level. He's having a very successful season, in my opinion. So
he's with big confidence... it will be a big challenge for me, and I'm going to try my best."
Despite Murray’s good form, Nadal is favourite to reach the final due to his positive past record against the Brit and vast experience at this stage of the championships. The Spaniard is expected to prevail in four sets.
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