Wimbledon 2010: Rafael Nadal vs Andy Murray Preview

Rafael Nadal vs Andy Murray

After the early exit of 6 time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, the British fans are ecstatic. Not only because their lone hope Andy Murray has made it to the semis, but because the only man to defeat him in Grand slam finals is knocked out of the tournament. After Roger’s loss to Berdych in quarter finals, this is the best chance for Murray to win the coveted Wimbledon, but he must pass through the acid test of world no 1 Rafael Nadal to get through to the finals.

Many feel that the semifinal encounter between the British No 1 and the World No 1 is virtually a final and that the winner of the Nadal-Murray semi will be favourite to win the Wimbledon.

Andy Murray is perhaps in the best form of his lifetime. Murray on his way to semifinals, has dropped just a single set in the match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Brit is performing well under intense pressure and he was down a set and at set point to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday but Murray survived. Now, the stage is set for Murray to end a home drought for British fans and become the first Briton in open era to win this title. With his current form, he looks to be the clear favourite to reach the finals.

Road to semifinals: Andy MurrayWimbledon 1st Round – Jan Hazek 7-5 6-1 6-2Wimbledon 2nd Round- Jarrko Nieminen 6-3 6-4 6-2Wimbledon 3rd Round- Gilles Simon (26) 6-1 6-4 6-4Wimbledon 4th Round- Sam Querrey (18) 7-5 6-3 6-4Wimbledon Quarterfinal- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (10) 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-2

On the other hand, Rafael Nadal has struggled throughout the tournament. He has played two five setters and has dropped 5 sets on his way to semis. The knee which forced him out of last years Wimbledon is still troubling him and he had to call his physio 4 times in his 2nd round match against Robin Haase. But now, with his victory against giant killer Robin Soderling he is looking good and life will not be easy for Andy Murray when he steps into the centre court. Since 2006, Rafael Nadal: the world no 1, has lost just 2 matches here, both the defeats coming against Roger Federer in the finals.

So, if the Spaniard remains 100% fit, it will be a mammoth task for Murray to defeat Nadal here.

Road to semifinals:Rafael Nadal1st Round- Kei Nishikori- 6-2 6-4 6-42nd Round- Robin Haase- 5-7 6-2 3-6 6-0 6-33rd Round- Phillip Petzschner (33) 6-4 4-6 6-7 6-2 6-34th Round- P H Matheiu 6-4 6-2 6-2Quarterfinal- Robin Soderling (6) 3-6 6-3 7-6 6-1

Head to Head:Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have faced each other 10 times, Rafa leading 7-3. But in Grand Slams, they are even at 2-2.

2010

Australian OpenAustralia

Hard

Q

Murray, Andy6-3, 7-6(2), 3-0 RET

2009	ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte CarloMonaco	Clay	S	Nadal, Rafael6-2, 7-6(4)
2009	ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian WellsCA, U.S.A.	Hard	F	Nadal, Rafael6-1, 6-2
2009	RotterdamThe Netherlands	Hard	F	Murray, Andy6-3, 4-6, 6-0

2008	US OpenNY, U.S.A.	Hard	S	Murray, Andy6-2, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4
2008	ATP Masters Series CanadaCanada	Hard	S	Nadal, Rafael7-6(2), 6-3
2008	WimbledonGreat Britain	Grass	Q	Nadal, Rafael6-3, 6-2, 6-4
2008	ATP Masters Series HamburgGermany	Clay	R16	Nadal, Rafael6-3, 6-2
2007	ATP Masters Series MadridSpain	Hard	R16	Nadal, Rafael7-6(5), 6-4
2007	Australian OpenAustralia	Hard	R16	Nadal, Rafael6-7(3), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-

The last two times they met in grand slams semifinals, Murray defeated Rafa on both occassions only to lose to Federer in finals. But this time around, there is no Federer, so Murray will be fancying his chances.

Author’s Prediction:

As always, its hard to ignore Rafa, but with the current form Murray is in, I am going with Andy Murray to win this clash

Andy Murray def Rafael Nadal in 4 sets.