Wimbledon 2010: Andy Murray knows he faces challenges despite making the semi finals and finding himself just six sets from glory.
The Brit, who is world No 4, takes on Rafa Nadal on Centre Court tomorrow after his four-set win over 10th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga yesterday.
However, not only must Murray beat world No.1 Nadal, who hasn’t lost at Wimbledon since Federer beat him in 2007, he also needs to end a nine-match losing run for British players in the men’s semis.
Murray was defeated by Roddick in the semi finals 12 months ago and he knows he’ll have his work cut out taking on Nadal.
“You’ve got to serve well and play really, really well,” he said. “He will be favourite with his results here the last few years. He didn’t get a chance to defend his title last year, but he’s played three finals in a row. Psychologically, I need to believe I can win.”
Federer’s shock crash from the men’s singles yesterday has done nothing to make Murray feel more cocky, despite the bookies placing him 11-5 to become the first British male since Fred Parry in 1936 to win Wimbledon. He said:
“I’m playing Nadal next, not the bookies. He’s No.1 in the world and I’m the underdog. “That’s why Federer being out means nothing to me. How can I say if that improves my chances of winning the men’s singles or not if I don’t know what’s going to happen against Rafa on Friday?”
The pressure is immense.
“It has been a huge, huge wait to win a title. It is still going on now,” said Murray. “The crowd would love to see a Brit win Wimbledon – it is a joke with players and people in tennis how long it has been since a British man won Wimbledon.”
Get more information here:
wimbledon.org
andymurray.com
twitter.com/andy_murray
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