WIMBLEDON (Sporting Alert) — Great Britain’s Andy Murray is taking on a very motivated Roger Federer, but he vows to become his country’s first men’s singles champion at Wimbledon for 76 years.
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It will be no easy task, as the experienced Federer knows how to win titles and the six-time champion will start as favourite to clinch another one, especially on his current form.
Nevertheless, Murray is still confident of creating an upset.
He said: “Over the last couple of years his record in the slams has been unbelievable. The matches that he lost here, he was up two sets to love against (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga last year.
“He’s lost some close matches in the slams the last few years, but he had match points against Novak at the US Open two years in a row.
“If you look at the way he played (against Djokovic), you can’t say he’s past it or because he’s 30 he’s playing worse tennis. I just think the players around him have got better.”
Murray booked his place in his first Wimbledon final with a 6-3 6-4 3-6 7-5 triumph over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and the target is now to go all the way in his fourth grand slam final.
Federer, in the meantime defeated favourtite and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic to reached the final, will be hoping to go level with American great, Pete Sampras, at a record of seven Wimbledon titles.
He knows it won’t be easy though and he gave his opponent high praises for his success so far.
The pair met a the Australian Open two-and-a-half years ago with Murray losing the challenge and Federer is reminded.
“It reminds me a bit of Australia because you don’t have the amount of players they have in France or America, so the focus is more on one player, maybe a couple,” he said.
“I think what is so particular about this country is that there’s so much attention on that one player, which is Andy Murray. Let’s be happy that he’s such a great player that he lets that sort of hype last.
“He’s only going to get better as time goes by. That’s what he’s been proving and I think he’s handled it (the pressure) very well.”
