Andy Murray had the whole of Britain rooting for him this afternoon, as he went to make his second semi final at the all england tennis club. Wimbledon is symbolic to the world of tennis and winning the grand slam event at SW19, has become sacred amongst a privileged few.
Murray went in to the encounter today with a 2-2 record at grand slams against an impressionable Nadal, and of course taking this seasons form into consideration, Murray stormed to victory in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, in Januuary. On the day, Murray lost to an impressive Federer as one would expect, Rodger Federer being arguably the best place ever to grace the game of tennis.
Federer has many record in his sights, but remains the only player to take all four grand slams: Australia, France, Wimbledon and the US Open. The biggest challenge it must be said that Federer faces is to smash the impressive and dominant record set by the legend, Pete Sampras. Federer and Sampras both proudly hold six Wimbledon titles each, but Federer at 28 now continues to enforce his dominance on the worldwide stage, as he tries to reflect his dominance on the worldwide game. Federer, lost amiacbly this year at Wimbledon to Tomas Berdych, a Czech republic internationalist who has been there, or there abouts for the last few seasons.
I looked at the stats going into this game between Murray and Nadal, and looked at the particular records Murray faced against Nadal, Djokovic and Berdych and looking at the statistics, I was confident of what I expected to be a Murray v Djokovic final. In the end, I was completely wrong and it will be Nadal who takes on Berdych at SW19 on Sunday – but who will take the title?
Sundays' final will be the first grand slam final for a largely inexperienced Berdych. I mean don't get me wrong he has performed consistently throughout the last few years but has never made it this far, unlike the other semi-finalists, so for Tomas Berdych to make an impression on Sunday, it is going to take one hell of a performance.
Nadal never got the chance to defend his title last year, after storming to Wimbledon victory in 2008, but this season he has had his change, and although at some points in the tournament he may not have seemed like the Nadal we know and love, he has come through with conviction and confidence and certainly merits his place in Sundays final, versus Berdych,
I am a Murray fan and I have huge faith and belief in him. Up until today Murray may have only dropped one set, and for me that just reflects the fact that amongst the best players in the world, Andy Murray fully deserves his place as the world number 4. Above him is Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, all players who have found form on the grand slam stage, but also all players Andy Murray can beat on the day, and we have seen Murray make two grand slam finals in the US Open in 2008 and Austrlia 2010 – of course he lost both finals, to the eventual Federer.
I have huge faith in Andy Murray and the way he continues to play, and I also have no doubt that he will continue to woe us with his forearm smashes, and backhand wonders – Andy Murray will be a grand slam championship, its not a case of will he do it, but when will he do it?
Murray bows out of Wimbledon this season, the same as last as a broken semi-finalist. I think on the face of things, Murray may have had a better chance against Roddick in the semi in 2009 but he showed heart and conviction today, and was unlucky not to take advantage of a set point in the second set. I am sure though that Andy Murray will heed any advice given to him today, and the loss will be taken on as experience and I am confident that as Andy Murray emerges for the beginning of the hard-court season, we can see success at Cincinnati and crucially, at the US open.
Good luck Andy Murray, we have the faith and you have the ability and it is only a matter of time, until that saltire flies high and proud as you do our nation proud, we continue to be proud of you and wish you all the best at the next big event, your best, the US Open :)
