Murray getting closer to win
- Saturday, February 6, 2010, 12:32
- Australian Open
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Andy Murray received another tennis lesson from Roger Federer in the Australian Open final but there seemed little doubt the pupil would one day become a master.The 22-year-old Briton had several chances to seize the initiative at Melbourne Park but Federer’s experience eventually told and the world number one sealed his 16th Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-4 7-6(11) victory.
Murray was in his second Grand Slam final. He lost in three sets to Federer at the same stage of the 2008 US Open but is now undoubtedly playing the best tennis of his life and the signs are he is only going to get better.
His court craft and impressive speed have been complemented by better stamina and a growing maturity and awareness he can compete on the same level as the world’s best.
“Tonight’s match was a lot closer than the one at Flushing Meadows,” Murray said. “I had a chance at the beginning of the match and I had chances … at the end of the match.
“It’s just the second set that didn’t go my way. Not that any of them went my way. But obviously I felt like I had opportunities in the rest of them.
“I’m getting closer. My results in the Grand Slams would show that. (I’ve) just got to keep working hard.”
Murray sparkled throughout the Australian Open, so much so that Federer and world number two Rafael Nadal predicted he would win one of the top four tournaments one day and end what is now a 74-year wait for a British male Grand Slam winner.
After three relatively easy matches, the Scot faced a tough fourth-round tie against big-serving American John Isner who was fresh off winning the Auckland Open.
Isner is ranked 28th in the world and likely to crack the top-20 this year but Murray humbled the 2.06-metre American, moving him around court with seemingly contemptuous ease.
Murray’s most telling performance was his quarter-final against Nadal. The Spaniard held a 7-2 career record against the Scot, is a six-times Grand Slam champion and was defending the title he won here last year.
Nadal took an early lead but Murray, exuding self belief, fought back and was dominating when the Spaniard’s troublesome knee forced him to cry ‘no mas’ and he retired with his opponent leading 6-3 7-6(2) 3-0.
Murray, who had not dropped a set in the tournament, trailed in his semi-final against Croat Marin Cilic but again that new-found belief manifested itself.
Previously, Murray’s biggest weakness had been his ability to have one bad day at the office in a tournament and not be able to find a way to get out of it.
Against Cilic he battled through the rough patch and set up his second Grand Slam final with a four-set victory.
Against Federer, however, he could not quite get over the last hurdle.
“I worked really, really hard to try to do it and give myself the opportunity … so far it’s not been good enough,” said Murray.
“I think I’m getting closer and I’m playing better. I’m not going to be too disappointed. I’ve got a pretty good life. I’ve got a long career ahead of me and I’m going to have more opportunities … to win them.”
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