Much like last year’s Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer once again faces an opponent with a game that has often gotten the better of the world No.1.
Tonight, Federer will bid for his 16th Grand Slam title and fourth Australian Open when he meets Andy Murray for the second time in a final.
Indeed the Swiss maestro was all over Murray in their only previous Grand Slam match-up, winning the 2008 US Open in straight sets.
Since that loss however, Murray’s star has only gone north in a period were the British player has established himself as one of only two players who have constantly been on the winning end against the world No.1.
After his comprehensive defeat at Flushing Meadows in 2008, Murray went on a four match winning streak against Federer, beating him at the Madrid Masters, Shanghai Masters Cup, Doha and Indian Wells.
Murray’s great run against Federer eventually ended in August last year, when the 28 year old was finally able to defeat the Briton in the final of the Cincinnati Masters in straight sets.
Despite the positive 6-4 record Murray has against Federer, their last meeting at the ATP World Tour finals in London should have the fifteen time Grand Slam champion feeling more confident heading into the Australian Open final.
After a terrific start from the world No.4, Murray failed to combat the rise in form from Federer, and thus imploded in the next two sets, losing 3-6 6-3 6-1.
Murray’s performance in the deciding set in particular raises considerable concerns about his ability to play his best when it really matters.
The US Open finalist only served 40 percent of first serves to literally hand over the match to Federer, who himself demonstrated his supreme ability to perform at his peak when placed under pressure.
The good news for Murray though is that he has gone a long way to ensuring such lapses of poor form will not be repeated.
His Australian Open campaign so far has been full of resolve, particularly in Murray’s performances against John Isner, Rafael Nadal and Marian Cilic.
Against Isner, Murray found himself down a set point in the first set while trying to force a tiebreaker.
Rather than wilt under the pressure, Murray’s game rose to a new level, winning the first set in the tiebreaker and going on to win in straight sets.
Murray’s victory against Nadal in the quarter-finals was also a testament to his new found mental strength.
The 22-year-old was placed under enormous pressure from Nadal, having his serve broken early in the first set before breaking back and winning the tiebreaker.
Murray then had to play some enthralling Tennis against the world No.2 to attain a marathon second set which lasted 76 minutes.
From there, Murray found himself in supreme control against the Spaniard, who was forced to retire due to knee problems.
In his semi-final against Cilic, Murray was able to overcome a poor start by playing some terrific Tennis in the second set which laid the platform for victory.
The highlight came when he converted a break point on Cilic’s serve by running down a lob to drive a winner past the lunging Croatian.
From then on, Murray never looked back as he seized control to set up his second Grand Slam final meeting against Federer.
The key to Murray’s chances against the Swiss maestro will rest solely on his ability to negotiate the many tough obstacles that Federer will present come the final.
Much like Nadal showed last year, if Murray can stand firm in the midst of a Federer onslaught, then he has every chance of going one better after falling meekly at the US Open two years ago.
Although Federer will once again go in as favourite, one feels Murray will have his fair share of opportunities to perhaps win a maiden Australian Open title and end a painful 74 year Grand Slam drought for British tennis.
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