Tennis | - Part 3

Andy Murray reaches US Open Final

September 9, 2012 - 10:54 | Tennis

Andy Murray booked his place in the US Open final with a hard-fought 5-7 6-2 6-1 7-6 (9-7) victory over Tomas Berdych at Flushing Meadows.

Tomas Berdych took the first set.

In testing windy conditions, the Scot came back from a set down to earn a two sets to one lead, and after the fourth set entered the tie-break he overcame a 5-2 deficit to secure his fifth Grand Slam final place.

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Commenting on his victory, Murray admitted the difficult weather conditions made playing to a high standard extremely difficult.

“It was brutal,” said the 25-year-old. “The ball was moving, stopping, there were chairs flying.

“They were some of the hardest conditions I’ve ever played in and I come from Scotland, so that’s saying something.”

Murray will also have the benefit of a rest day as Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer will resume their semi-final on Sunday after it was suspended due to severe weather conditions with the Spaniard 5-2 up in the first set.

It was brutal

Andy Murray

Speaking on who he may meet in the final on Monday, the British number one said both players would offer a very difficult test.

Novak and David are very tough opponents. Anything can happen in these conditions but I’ll give it everything I have,” he said.

Murray is rated as 6/5 to write himself into the history books, with Djokovic 4/5 and Ferrer 12/1.

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Andy Murray happy with Slam record

September 5, 2012 - 22:27 | Tennis

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Andy Murray is aiming to build on a record of eight consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, as he prepares to take on Marin Cilic at the US Open.

Andy Murray happy with Slam record Marin Cilic lies in wait for Andy Murray in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

Murray holds a 6-1 winning record over the Croatian, with his lone defeat coming at Flushing Meadows in 2009, when Cilic won in straight sets in a last-16 encounter.

I have played my best tennis in the slams and I hope it can continue.

Andy Murray

However, Murray has improved since that loss and has now reached the last eight of each of the last eight Grand Slams, without yet being able to go on and claim the first major title of his career.

“I’ve played well in the slams and most of the big events over the last couple of years,” Murray said. “That’s what I want to be doing at this stage of my career.

“I’m glad my consistency has been better in them. I have played my best tennis in the slams and I hope it can continue.

“But it’s not an easy thing to do to make eight straight quarter-finals. I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing in slams, for sure.”

Murray is 1/10 to beat Cilic and is 5/2 to do so in four sets, with the Croatian 14/1 to upset the Scot in five sets.

Lying in wait for Murray in the semi-finals if he sees off Cilic will be the winner of the clash between top seed Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych.

Federer is 1/7 to move one step closer to a sixth US Open title, while Berdych is 9/2 to repeat the upset he sprang in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2010.

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Federer sets new record

July 16, 2012 - 20:28 | Tennis

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Federer sets new record

Roger Federer has spoken of his pride after setting a new record of 287 weeks as the world number one.

Federer returned to the top of the rankings for the first time in over two years following his win in the Wimbledon final, equalling the record of 286 weeks set by Pete Sampras.

I’m proud and honoured to beat Pete’s record as he was my childhood hero.

Roger Federer

“I’m proud and honoured to beat Pete’s record as he was my childhood hero and I’ve always looked up to him,” said the Swiss.

“It is an amazing feeling to have regained the number one ranking.”

Federer has now won 17 Grand Slams, including seven at Wimbledon, and will go into the Olympics as the world’s highest-ranked player, with Novak Djokovic 75 points behind him.

He is 11/4 to take the gold medal in London, with Djokovic at 13/8 and beaten Wimbledon finalist Andy Murray at 9/2.

“I’m so happy I’m at the age I am right now, because I had such a great run and I know there’s still more possible,” said the 30-year-old, who first reached the top spot at the age of 22.

“To enjoy it right now, it’s very different than when I was 20 or 25. I’m at a much more stable place in my life. I wouldn’t want anything to change. So this is very, very special right now.”

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Murray happy with underdog tag

July 7, 2012 - 15:00 | Tennis

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Andy Murray believes few people expect him to topple six-time champion Roger Federer in Sunday’s Wimbledon final.

Andy Murray and Roger Federer set for showdown

The British number one became the first man since 1938 to reach the showpiece event with a four-set victory over France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday.

Federer was in ominous form in his semi-final on Centre Court earlier in the day, outclassing world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Murray is competing in his first-ever Wimbledon final, while the experienced Swiss is preparing for his eighth. Federer will match Pete Sampras’ open-era record of seven titles with a win on Sunday.

The pair have met in two major finals, at the 2008 US Open and 2010 Australian Open, with Federer winning both in straight sets.

Murray believes that, along with Federer’s record at Wimbledon, puts the pressure on the 16-time Grand Slam champion.

“I’m probably not expected to win the match, but it is one that, if I play well, I’m capable of winning,” he said. “His record here has been incredible, so the pressure will be less on me because of who he is.”

Murray is 13/8 to win his first Grand Slam title on Sunday, while Federer can be backed at 8/15 to lift the famous trophy for the seventh time.

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Murray reaches Wimbledon final

July 7, 2012 - 10:19 | Tennis

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Murray reaches Wimbledon fin

Andy Murray finally ended his long wait for a Wimbledon final with a dramatic four-set victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, setting up a clash with Roger Federer.

Murray started strongly, breaking Tsonga’s opening service game with some wonderful shots to delight the crowd. The rest of the set went with serve and the Scot served out for the first set, taking it 6-3 in 34 minutes.

It was a very emotional way to end to the match, I’ve just got to keep it together for the final.

Andy Murray

The British number one raced through his service games in the second set with a fabulous serving display, and broke Tsonga, who had seemed to be settling into the match, in the fifth game. Murray continued to pick the Frenchman off and took the set 6-4, with Tsonga looking demoralised.

However, after losing just two points on his serve in the whole of the second set, Tsonga broke Murray’s serve at the start of the third and his game suddenly came alive. He raced into a 3-0 lead before Murray held to get on the board and the crowd were becoming nervous. Murray pushed Tsonga all the way in his next service games but the Frenchman saw off his challenge and took the set 6-3.

The pair continued to slug it out on serve in the fourth set, Murray a lot more animated than he had been in the opening two sets, while Tsonga was moving better across the court. It seemed Murray might be back on track when he broke the Tsonga serve to take a 3-1 lead, but the Frenchman broke straight back to wipe out the advantage.

The momentum swung from player to player until Murray stepped up a gear with Tsonga serving 6-5 down and won with the most dramatic of finishes, reviewing a passing shot which had been called out, Hawkeye confirming what both players already knew.

“It was such a close match,” said an emotional Murray.

“In the last two sets both of us had chances. He came back with unbelievable passing shots, had break points at 4-4 and I had to hang tough and I just did it. It was a very emotional way to end to the match, I’ve just got to keep it together for the final.

“It will be one of the biggest matches of my life. I’ve had experience against Roger in the final of Slams before. I’ll use that to my advantage, learn from my mistakes. It’s obviously going to be a very tough match. He’s playing great.”

Murray is 7/4 to win his first Grand Slam title on Sunday, while Federer can be backed at 1/2 to lift the famous trophy for the seventh time.

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Murray eyeing Wimbledon final

July 5, 2012 - 21:32 | Tennis

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Murray eyeing Wimbledon final

Andy Murray is targeting his first Wimbledon final after setting up a semi-final clash with fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The British number one defeated David Ferrer 6-7 (7/5) 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) in a hugely impressive display on Centre Court on Wednesday and is 2/5 to defeat Tsonga, who can be backed at 2/1.

I’ve been in this position a few times now and want to push on.

Andy Murray

Murray has made it to this stage three times before, losing twice to Rafael Nadal and once to Andy Roddick, and hopes are high he could become the first British man to reach the final since Bunny Austin in 1938.

However, he says he intends to retreat from the media spotlight ahead of Friday’s semi-final as he prepares his game plan against the Frenchman, who defeated Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in four sets in his quarter-final.

“There’s obviously pressure there. I think if you think too much about it, and you read the newspapers and you watch the stuff on TV that’s said about you, I think it would become far too much,” said the Scot, who is 4/1 to win his first Grand Slam title on Sunday.

“But if you shield yourself from it all and just get into your own little bubble, only listen to the people that are around you, then it’s something you can deal with.”

He added: “I’m in a good position, that’s for sure. Whether it’s the best chance or not, I’m not sure. But I’ve been in this position a few times now and want to push on.”

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Cilic aiming to test Murray

July 1, 2012 - 21:28 | Tennis

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Cilic aiming to test Murray

Croatia’s Marin Cilic believes that he can cause an upset and oust home hope Andy Murray in the fourth round at Wimbledon, as long as he makes a fast start.

It will be important for me to try to get off to a good start.

Marin Cilic

Cilic, who reached the second week at SW19 with a marathon five-set win over Sam Querrey, has lost five of his previous six meetings with Murray, but is upbeat about his prospects for Monday’s showdown.

Having been on court for more than five hours against Querrey, Cilic said: “It will be important for me to try to get off to a good start in the match against him.

“If you are feeling a little bit tired and you go behind, it can be tough to come back.

“I have to go into the match with positive thinking – if I do things right, if I do what I’m planning to do in the match – I can go for it.”

Cilic will complete a full set of Grand Slam matches against Murray with their meeting at SW19, having lost to the world number four at the 2009 French Open and the 2010 Australian Open.

However, the Croatian’s one win over Murray came at the 2009 US Open, while Cilic took the title on the grass at Queen’s Club in the recent Wimbledon warm-up event.

Murray is 2/9 to see off Cilic on Monday, with the Croatian 10/3 to cause a shock and 9/1 to prevail in a five-set classic.

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Murray defeats Baghdatis

July 1, 2012 - 09:04 | Tennis

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Andy Murray will face Marin Cilic in the fourth round at Wimbledon after clinching a four-set victory over Marcos Baghdatis in the latest ever finish to a match at SW19.

Marin Cilic will face Andy Murray next.

Just after 11pm on Saturday night Murray wrapped up a 7-5 3-6 7-5 6-1 success over Baghdatis, having looked to be in trouble when he trailed 4-2 in the third set against the 2006 Australian Open finalist.

Number four seed Murray is 2/9 to see off Croatian Cilic to reach the quarter-finals and 5/2 to win in four sets again, while the Scot is now 9/2 to win his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon this year.

After his win, Murray was quick to play down the impact of probable semi-final opponent Rafael Nadal’s early exit from the tournament, saying: “As a player you’re conscious of what’s going on in the draw, but the draw didn’t open up for me.

“If I get to the semis it will help but today was very close. I still have difficult matches to go.

“It’s silly for me to think Nadal is out so therefore I am guaranteed a place in the final, but I will keep my head focused on the next match.”

It’s silly for me to think Nadal is out so therefore I am guaranteed a place in the final.

Andy Murray

Meanwhile, Cilic was involved in the second longest match ever at Wimbledon in round three, as he eventually outlasted American Sam Querrey 7-6 6-4 6-7 6-7 17-15 to set up another meeting with Murray, who he will now have met in all four Grand Slams.

“For me it’s a big challenge to play Andy, especially on Centre Court at Wimbledon where he is motivated the most,” Cilic admitted.

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Nadal suffers shock Wimbledon exit

June 29, 2012 - 07:19 | Tennis

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Nadal suffers shock Wimbledon exit

Lukas Rosol caused one of the biggest shocks in recent years at Wimbledon by knocking two-time champion Rafael Nadal out in the second round.

The little-known world number 100 beat Nadal in five sets, holding his nerve superbly at the end of the match to blitz the Spaniard out of the tournament with a brilliant show of power tennis.

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The 26-year-old Czech player, who had never got beyond the first round at SW19 before, led by two sets to one before Nadal hit back to level.

But Rosol responded by taking the decisive final set, eventually prevailing 6-7 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4.

Rosol will play Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round after the German beat Malek Jaziri. Rosol can be backed at 28/1 to win the tournament while Roger Federer is available at 11/4, Novak Djokovic at 10/11 and Andy Murray at 5/1.

Nadal won the first set tie-break 11-9 but Rosol responded by breaking Nadal in the first game and held on to win the set 6-4. He won the third set by the same score only for the 11-time Grand Slam winner to dominate the fourth set, breaking twice to force a decider, which was played under the roof as darkness fell.

Rosol broke Nadal immediately and never seemed in danger of losing the initiative as he held on to complete a stunning success.

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Federer talks up Wimbledon chances

June 24, 2012 - 12:00 | Tennis

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Six-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer believes he has a good chance of reclaiming his SW19 crown from Novak Djokovic this year.

Roger Federer dominated Wimbledon for nearly a decade.

Federer, who is 9/2 to win Wimbledon, hasn’t lifted the famous gold trophy since 2009 and was last year dumped out by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals on the grass.

The Swiss star has since seen his position as king of Wimbledon usurped by Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have shared the last nine grand slams between them in total.

Federer has seen his hopes of a 16th slam this year ended in the semi-finals at both of the majors to date, Nadal getting the better of him in Australia while Djokovic bested him in France.

Despite his love for grass Federer is now past the 30 mark and was recently upset in the final of the Halle tournament in Germany by Tommy Haas.

Although he hasn’t had an ideal build-up to Wimbledon, the world number three remains confident he can win a seventh title on the grass.

“My confidence is very good. I’ve won many tournaments, so many matches the last year or so that I feel perfect in this regard,” Federer said.

“I’m match fit and I’m match tough right now. That’s also key going into a grand slam. The hunger is obviously big. I don’t think I need to elaborate too much on that.

“I’ve explained many times how hungry and motivated I am to be playing, playing at this high level, wanting to win the big tournaments.”

Federer begins his Wimbledon on Monday against Albert Ramos and is 1/150 to reach the second round, with his opponent 28/1 to cause a major upset.