King Roger Fights Off Murray Challenge
Roger Federer has overcome a strong challenge from Andy Murray to win his fourth Australian Open tennis title. He won the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11). The Australian Open title takes Federer to 16 grand slam singles titles, the most in men’s tennis.
After the match Federer admitted he is playing his best tennis for some time. After watching him over the past two weeks I would have to agree. He looked a little off his game early in the quarter-final match against Nikolay Davydenko, but apart from that he was at the top of his game.
Federer got off to an ideal start breaking early for a 2-0 lead. Murray then came back to make it 2-2 and had further break points soon after. Some well time aces fought off that challenge. A pin-point accurate backhand winner on a break point saw Federer take a 5-3 lead and from there he served it out.
In the first set Federer was serving at 65% to Murray at a lowly 45%. Federer hit 12 winners but had 13 unforced errors. Murray had 11 unforced errors to 5 winners.
The second set saw Federer step it up. He produced 7 break point opportunities but was only able to convert on one. One was enough as Murray did not see one break point on the Federer serve in the second set. Federer got the crucial break in the third game of the set and thanks to many spectacular winners kept the pressure on Murray despite his improved play.
The stats for the second set saw Federer serve at 68% to 59%, winners were 16 for Federer and 7 for Murray and Federer had 11 unforced errors to 7.
In the third set it looked as though Murray was going to at least take the match to a fourth set. He was serving with a better rythym and fired down 8 aces. He also got 60% of first serves in. With some great attacking tennis Murray was able to break Federer to take a 4-2 lead. This went out to 5-2 before Federer mounted a comeback.
Federer got a crucial break as Murray failed to serve out the third set and the players found themselves in a tie-break. The crowd was thrilled by some great shotmaking as the players battled it out. Murray had four set points come and go before in the end it was Federer who could throw up his arms in triumph.
During the presentation Andy Murray had to fight back the tears as he spoke to the crowd, in the end he had to cut his speech short as he was overcome by emotion.
Before ending his speech Murray said, “I’d like to congratulate Roger, his achievements in tennis are incredible. To keep doing it year after year is pretty special. He was much better than me tonight so well done to him for that.”
Federer responded: “Andy, well done for your incredible tournament. You’re too good a player not to win a Grand Slam so don’t worry about it.
Unfortunately for British tennis fans the wait continues to have a men’s grand slam champion. Fred Perry was the last British man to win grand slam singles title when he won the 1936 US Open.
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