Masterful Murray on course for Australian Open title
Roar Guru
By Alan Nicolea, 29 Jan 2010 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
Now seemingly in control of the pressure put on him by the British press, Andy Murray approaches his maiden Australian Open final with a game that could easily lay the platform for future success in the remaining three Grand Slam tournaments this year.
Possessing arguably one of the most intelligent minds on the court, Murray has found himself in control of every match he has played in an Australian Open which has seen the 22 year old play against some tricky opponents.
While Murray was expected to get past his first three opponents in straight sets, his performances against John Isner, Rafael Nadal and Marian Cilic suggest the young Briton will finally break through for his maiden Grand Slam title.
In his wins against Isner and Nadal, Murray consolidated his status as the second best mover on the ATP tour, hitting some tremendous forehand and backhand winners down the line while on the run against two opponents known to hit the ball very heavily.
When Murray finds himself in control of a baseline rally, the 2008 US Open runner up has made a habit of producing some clinical drop shots that either win the point or set up an easy finish.
He used the drop shot to great effect against Isner, knowing full well the American cannot move as fluently in comparison to players such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
In his semi-final victory against Croatian Marian Cilic, Murray was able to shake off a bad start and employ his own game against a player who had already played three five-set matches en route to a final four birth.
Knowing full well Cilic would tire, Murray was able to run the 21 year old ragged around the court, which in turn made the Croatian go for broke late in the match.
The change in mindset from Cilic ultimately cost him the match, as the world No.14 made 54 unforced errors in comparison to Murray’s 29.
With all parts of his game seemingly solid, Murray now faces a huge mental test to see whether or not he can become the first British player in over 20 years to win an Australian Open crown.
Indeed Murray has already experienced the agony of finishing runner up to Federer in the 2008 US Open, losing in straight sets.
One feels Murray is now ready to erase that loss from his memory banks, even if he has to face the greatest player of all time on the historic surface that is Rod Laver Arena.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
The Crowd Says (26) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Other Sports articles
- Victoria Azarenka vs Maria Sharapova: Australian Open women’s final live scores, blog (89)
- The sporting fallacy of the Olympic ‘Games’ (46)
- Sonny Bill needs to start boxing full time (46)
- Djokovic vs Nadal was great, but do we need six-hour finals? (36)
- Sonny Bill looking sharp for his first real test (29)
- Sonny Bill wins title in first round (25)
- Nadal vs Djokovic: The match for the ages (20)
- Real boxing still exists: here’s where to find it
- London’s Olympic Games have a long way to come (10)
- New champ Williams looking to next fight (5)
- Aust and GB aim to convert 4ths to bronze
- Young pitcher signs big deal with Red Sox (7)
- World Cup Darts heartbreak in Hamburg (3)
- Mayweather and Pacquiao have shamed boxing (13)
- Real boxing still exists: here’s where to find it (0)
- London’s Olympic Games have a long way to come (10)
- World Cup Darts heartbreak in Hamburg (3)
- Mayweather and Pacquiao have shamed boxing (13)
- Will Tom Brady’s legacy be affected by one drop? (20)
- Sonny Bill needs to start boxing full time (46)
- Lachlan Murdoch squashing FTA sport for Fox’s benefit (4)
rugbyfuture said | January 29th 2010 @ 1:21am | Report comment
i simply couldn’t stand someone who the english could say is their own winning something like the australian open, sure he’s a scot, but the poms would celebrate it. The english press have been sounding the call of an englishman for so long now, and now its a “british person” which is another word for “we don’t produce enough quality athletes so we’ll let the scottish do it for us and celebrate it afterwards” just like they did for the last olympics and probably many of the athletes of the london olympics.
its against the laws of nature, the british arent allowed to win at a game of sport.
Times said | January 29th 2010 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Britain is certainly all over us right now. Thank God for the rugby.
Ian Noble said | January 29th 2010 @ 2:57am | Report comment
RF
What a load of tosh. Andy Murray has had enormous coverage in all the national press, radio and TV both in the build up and during the Aussie Open. Ok he is Scottish but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he is helped in his quest for a major by the LTA which is based in London. However, more importantly what impact has he had on tennis profile in the UK. If he wins or not his impact on kids being interested in the sport is enormous and better funding, coaching and organisation hopefully will bring more Andy Murrays to the fore in the UK. ON the girls front, Laura Robson and Heather Watson are having the same effect on the girls game.
Oh by the way, only Chris Hoy from Scotland won gold medals in the Olympics for GB and NI out of how many, I can’t recall but I am sure you can recall as it was more than OZ!!
Colin N said | January 29th 2010 @ 3:59am | Report comment
“Ok he is Scottish but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he is helped in his quest for a major by the LTA which is based in London”
I don’t know about that, most of Murray’s development came when he moved to Barcelona. Laura Robson is the only one to have come though the system who has the potential to be a top player, that the LTA can claim as ‘their own,’ if you like.
Ora said | January 29th 2010 @ 4:58am | Report comment
Andy Murray is hot right now and he is going to have to dig much deeper to win the final. It would be awesome to see him do it however Federer or Tsonga stand in his way
As for the GBR debate I find it amusing how now that he is somebody and doing so well he’s British and he’s from the UK.
A few years ago he was just another kid from Scotland…… funny that
Colin N said | January 29th 2010 @ 5:14am | Report comment
“A few years ago he was just another kid from Scotland…… funny that”
Not really, he’s always been referred to as British………………..because he is………………..funny that.
Ora said | January 29th 2010 @ 5:23am | Report comment
So why do you Brits insist on having seprate teams in rugby and soccer, why do your own countryman Ian in this thread here refers to him as a Scot !
Come on Colin I see you only pull me up gee, suprising not!!!
Wavell Wakefield said | January 29th 2010 @ 5:26am | Report comment
Stop trolling and do some research into the history of the UK. What is Murray’s nationality listed as? Does Scotland compete at the Olympics? Surprising… not!!!
Ora said | January 29th 2010 @ 5:37am | Report comment
How the hell is it trolling you pillock?
Iasn himself calls him a Scott Wavell but as usual you and your buddies only have a problem with me.
Get a bloody grip sunshine you truly are pathetic
Wavell Wakefield said | January 29th 2010 @ 5:45am | Report comment
This isn’t trolling?
‘As for the GBR debate I find it amusing how now that he is somebody and doing so well he’s British and he’s from the UK.
A few years ago he was just another kid from Scotland…… funny that’
You think that is adult and worthwhile debate? I don’t. I find it bizarre that you see fit to comment on something that you clearly have no knowledge of. You allegedly are from NZ and not England or Scotland (although it is peculiar that you are currently posting given the time difference – no other NZ Roarers do), don’t regularly contribute to tennis threads, and yet despite this seem to think that you have an understanding of the UK sporting context. Frankly, I very much doubt that you’re in a position to parallel the responses of English/GB tennis fans to Murray now and Murray at the beginning of his career. Why comment other than to make a cynical and churlish reference to UK culture.
Ora said | January 29th 2010 @ 5:44am | Report comment
Also my research tells me that Scotlaand and Wales aren’t even recognised as legal countries yet by entering them as Wales and Scotland in Rugby World Cups, Soccer World Cups Commonwealth games people such as yourself would like us to believe they actually are. It seems great Britain is only Britain when it suits yourselfs. The reason why Scotland, Wales and Engl;and are not individuals at the Olympic games Wavell is becaause the IOC does not recognize them as seperate entities. But then of course you should already know that as you seem to think you know everything.
Also maybe you might want to tell 64 million English, Welshman and Scots to stop reffering to themselves as seperate nationalities because in all reality Wavell your all British are you not!
Yes didn’t think so, I could just about guarantee Murray would say he was Scottish before he said he was British
Wavell Wakefield said | January 29th 2010 @ 5:46am | Report comment
Yes, good work, Ora. A UK conspiracy is at work… as usual. Damn the hides of those callous and cynical Brits!
rugbyfuture said | January 29th 2010 @ 11:19am | Report comment
…they soon will, once the poms allow them to go…
Ora said | January 29th 2010 @ 6:11am | Report comment
And there you go again Wavell trying to change the words of what I said, funny that how you think you are the roars moderator and the only person who knows anything.
Where the hell did I say It was a conspiracy champ?
What I was doing qwas highlighting the actual divide within the UK, don’t for a second try and tell me it’s all love, peace and harmony in the UK when it’s not.
You expect me to believe your “He’s British rubbish” when it’s quite clearly evident most of those from the UK see themselves as either Welsh, Scottish or English first and foremost, Also I see Wavell you still sidestep the fact your own countryman refers to him as Scottish also, oh that’s right it doesn’t fit your self righteous know all argument so you’ll continue to ignore it and try to bully a southern poster. Funny that.
It is also widely known that if the seperate Provinces were able they would compete at the olympics under their own provincial flags(, yes thats right they are provincial flags Wavell because neither England, Scotland or Wales are recognised as seperate nations legally by any world body.) they would.
I find it highly amusing that I can get under your skin so much Wavell and I look forward to your next tyrade of obnoxious tripe
Wavell Wakefield said | January 29th 2010 @ 6:20am | Report comment
‘Where the hell did I say It was a conspiracy champ?’
‘Also my research tells me that Scotlaand and Wales aren’t even recognised as legal countries yet by entering them as Wales and Scotland in Rugby World Cups, Soccer World Cups Commonwealth games people such as yourself would like us to believe they actually are.’
‘Also maybe you might want to tell 64 million English, Welshman and Scots to stop reffering to themselves as seperate nationalities because in all reality Wavell your all British are you not!’
‘As for the GBR debate I find it amusing how now that he is somebody and doing so well he’s British and he’s from the UK.
A few years ago he was just another kid from Scotland…… funny that’
‘You expect me to believe your “He’s British rubbish” when it’s quite clearly evident most of those from the UK see themselves as either Welsh, Scottish or English first and foremost, Also I see Wavell you still sidestep the fact your own countryman refers to him as Scottish also, oh that’s right it doesn’t fit your self righteous know all argument so you’ll continue to ignore it and try to bully a southern poster. Funny that.’
‘I find it highly amusing that I can get under your skin so much Wavell and I look forward to your next tyrade of obnoxious tripe’
‘What I was doing qwas highlighting the actual divide within the UK, don’t for a second try and tell me it’s all love, peace and harmony in the UK when it’s not.’
Thank you so much. The gift that keeps on giving.
Ora said | January 29th 2010 @ 6:29am | Report comment
Wavell your still side stepping the Fact that your own coutryman called Murray a Scot!!!!
Funny that because his one statement blows the rest of your diatribe to pieces.
But oh thats right it doesn’t fit with your bully boy wannabe post so you’ll continue to ignore it.
Come on Wavell there’s plenty more pie for you to bite into it.
you just can’t help yourself, I know your probably seething smashing away at your keyboard. How dare someone have an oppossing view to Wavell, how dare someone highlight the fact Wavells own brethren refer to Murray as a Scot.
The audacity shock horror.
time for a cup of tea and a lie down me thinks don’t you Wavell!
Wavell Wakefield said | January 29th 2010 @ 6:46am | Report comment
Actually I’m choosing not to engage you because you can’t behave in the manner of an adult and neither do you seem to respond to people’s criticisms of your rants nor actually appear to read what anybody says. You’re spiteful, rude, angry and unpleasant. You only write negative things and never contribute positively to any threads. Nobody is ever rude to you, and yet you choose to attempt and bully people with endless streams of incoherent, poorly written trash talk. I think you should try and avoid this website because clearly it upsets you. Time for you to lie down, I think. If you really are a NZ then you should be in bed. You’re certainly not making any friends, that’s for sure.
P.S. I don’t recall denying that Murray is Scottish, however I do recall pointing out (in my first response) to you that Murray does not play tennis under the banner of Scotland. That pretty much closed the debate then and there.
Times said | January 29th 2010 @ 10:50am | Report comment
It is boring how Australians always try and play this card. Considering how much influence the British had over the IOC in its early days I don’t think they IOC would have prevented the home countries competing individually if they really wanted to.
I suppose you could say they are countries within the union.
Does it really matter though Ora? His nationality is British end of story.
Grandpabhaile said | January 29th 2010 @ 6:43am | Report comment
Ora – the British lads are right on this one.
From Wikipedia entry on Murray:
“In an interview with Gabby Logan for the BBC’s Inside Sport programme, Murray said that he was both Scottish and British and was comfortable and happy with his British identity. He said he saw no conflict between the two and was equally proud of them. He has also pointed out that he is quarter English with some of his family originating from Newcastle, his coach is Scottish and that his then girlfriend, Kim Sears, is English.”
Colin N said | January 29th 2010 @ 7:26am | Report comment
He also lives in England.
But onto the point in hand, Murray is both Scottish and British. Born in Scotland, but REPRESENTS Britain. Also, journalistically, it is considered wrong to repeat words, so when writing an article they will refer to him as British and Scottish, as they did with Henman, when they called him both English and British, which he is.
So I would like to consider this idiotic debate closed.
ohtani's jacket said | January 29th 2010 @ 7:55am | Report comment
Murray’s been fantastic this tournament. He’s matured a lot and has people warming to him.
If he plays Federer again, I can’t see it being straight sets. Federer has looked good so far, but his serve and forehand often go missing these days and I don’t think he’d want to go a set down against Murray. Should be an interesting final if it goes that far since Roger has learnt to use the five sets to his advantage over the past year.
Wavell Wakefield said | January 29th 2010 @ 7:58am | Report comment
There’s always been an air of defeatism that has surrounded British tennis for a long time. I think a lot of people still have nagging doubts about Murray – sort of a hangover of the Henman and Rusedski years. However, I agree that he’s matured.
Perce said | January 29th 2010 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Haven’t you people heard of devolution? Both Wales and particularly Scotland have their own governments again. So does Northern Ireland.
And, quite frankly, the argument that has gone on is rather childish and pays no real compliment to his achievements.
We Australians like to pinch NZ actors, so where’s the issue?
Times said | January 29th 2010 @ 10:52am | Report comment
The powers are limited Perce. They do govern thing like education though.
It is a stupid argument which seems to grip some Australians when they do better than us to our great shame.
Who Needs Melon said | January 29th 2010 @ 11:26am | Report comment
I still can’t quite believe he’s a Scot.
I’ve been to Scotland and I don’t remember seeing a single tennis court anywhere. Couple this with the weather and the fact that there really aren’t that many people up there and it’s just staggering that they can produce a top 100 tennis player, let alone a guy who I think will reach number 1 one of these days.
This goes to a lesser extent for England too. Maybe it’s where I live but here in Oz I’m surrounded by courts. And it’s dead easy to join a comp or a social group for a hit or whatever. When I lived in the England there were only a few courts within miles of me and they were all private clubs where I couldn’t get on the court without shelling out hundreds of pounds for annual membership. That coupled with the weather mean I’m not surprised England have trouble producing tennis talent.
Now… what’s Australias excuse for our recent dearth of talent?
Wavell Wakefield said | January 29th 2010 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
When Hewitt won Wimbledon various articles followed in most GB papers highlighting the sporting nature of Australia, and how tennis courts and swimming pools were everywhere etc, and how, conversely, there was absolutely nothing in GB. The media was right. There is absolutely nothing in GB: no rugby fields, no basketball courts, no hockey pitches, no swimming pools and no tennis courts. Having not really thought about this subject much before, I’m absolutely stunned that GB has experienced any success in any sport… EVER. However, something intriguing caught my eye yesterday on a BBC website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/8483441.stm