Murray’s record at Wimbledon:

2005: (world ranking 312, wild card)
– R1 vs George Bastl (qualifier) 6-4 6-2 6-2
– R2 vs Radek Stepanek (14th seed) 6-4 6-4 6-4
– R3 vs David Nalbandian (n°18) 7-6 6-1 0-6 4-6 1-6

2006: (world ranking 44)
– R1 vs Nicolas Massu (n°31) 6-1 6-4 6-4
– R2 vs Julien Benneteau 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-1
– R3 vs Andy Roddick (n°3) 7-6 6-4 6-4
– R4 vs Marcos Baghdatis (n°18) 3-6 4-6 6-7

2007: missed due to wrist injury

2008: (world ranking 11)
– R1 Fabrice Santoro 6-3 6-4 7-6
– R2 Xavier Malisse (WC) 6-4 6-2 6-2
– R3 Tommy Haas 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-2
– R4 Richard Gasquet (n°8) 5-7 3-6 7-6 6-2 6-4
– QF Rafael Nadal (n°2) 3-6 2-6 4-6

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Murray’s chances were greatly enhanced by the withdrawal of defending champion and world number one Rafael Nadal. That left Murray as the top ranked player in his half of the draw.

First round: Andy Murray vs Robert Kendrick (76)
Head to head: Murray 3-0

On Tuesday 23th June, at 5.09 pm, Andy Murray opened his 2009 campaign against Robert Kendrick. All British hopes rely on Murray, who could be the first Brit to win the Championships since Fred Perry in 1936.
His first round opponent, Robert Kendrick, is a journeyman player, ranked 76 and whose ATP singles record is 15-28.
He has only won 3 Grand Slam matches during his career, but the last time he played on Centre Court, in 2006, he lead Rafael Nadal by 2 sets to 0, before falling in 5 sets.
And the match was indeed more difficult than expected, as Murray lost the second set tie-break. It was an entertaining match with big server Kendrick coming to the net as often as possible. But Murray remained solid and focused and won in 4 sets: 7-5 6-7 6-3 6-4.

About his next opponent, Ernests Gulbis: “I’ve got a very tough opponent. Gulbis has caused some upsets in the past and is a huge hitter of the ball. I’m going to need to be on my game to beat him.”

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Murray’s tweet: letter from the Queen

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Second round: Andy Murray vs Ernests Gulbis (74)
Head to head: 2-0

It only took 1hour and 28 minutes for Andy Murray to destroy the talented but lackluster Latvian, who was a surprise quarter finalist at Roland Garros in 2008. The Scot looked like a boss from first point of the match and played a near perfect match, hitting 36 winners for only 5 unforced errors.

Murray: “I thought I played well. It was much better than the first match. There weren’t that many moments in the match when I was under a lot of pressure. There wasn’t that much nerves and huge points”.

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Murray’s tweet: snack game

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Third round: Andy Murray vs Viktor Troicki (30)
Head to head: 2-0

Andy’s third round opponent is big hitter Viktor Troicki who is …allergic to grass: “I’m allergic to grass courts, not just at Wimbledon but at other tournaments as well, there’s something in the air that bothers me.”
Apparently he is allergic to Murray’s game too: the last time they met at Miami, Murray destroyed him 6-1 6-0. He played again a near perfect match and advanced to fourth round with an easy 6-2 6-3 6-4 win.
Interesting stat fact for Murray: everytime he beat Troicki in a tournament, he won it.

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Fourth round: Andy Murray vs Stanislas Wawrinka (18)
Head to head: 4-3

It was an epic battle for Murray and an historic day for Wimbledon: the day that night play came to Wimbledon. Murray’s fourth round match was played under the new roof (at last!) after a rain shower. Nearly 13 million Brits tuned in to watch Andy Murray’s five set thriller against Stanislas Wawrinka. And thousand of fans were glued in front of the big screen on Henman Hill.
Wawrinka is a talented but inconsistent former top 10, whose best performances were a win against Roger Federer in Monte Carlo, and an Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008 with the same Federer. No one expected the 18th seed to play at such a high level.
In fact, Murray had to play at an incredible level just to survive in the match. He finally prevailed 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3 after three hours and 56minutes.
And all Andy had to say, was he was not happy with the roof.

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Murray’s tweet: pizza anyone?

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Quarter final: Andy Murray vs Juan Carlos Ferrero (WC)
Head to head: 1-0

The last wild card to reach the Wimbledon quarter finals was Goran Ivanisevic in 2001, who won the title after an epic 5 five sets thriller against Pat Rafter. But the 2003 French Open champion is not of the same caliber on grass as the big server from Split, and Andy Murray stormed into the Wimbledon semi final for the first time of his career after a victory over Ferrero.

Murray: “A semi-final is something I’ve not experienced here before but at the US Open last year I played a semi-final against the number one in the world (Rafael Nadal). I’m going to have a tough match but I feel like I can win if I play well.”

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Murray’s tweet: Beckham

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Semi final: Andy Murray vs Andy Roddick
Head to head: 6-2

Roddick had lost six of eight encounters with Murray, including the last three. But Roddick was in the form of his life: thanks to his work with new coach Larry Stefanki, he had never been in better physical shape. Fitter, faster, his game has changed , and he’s not only a big serve and an explosive forehand anymore. Murray has grown stronger and matured mentally as well. But Murray was once again way too passive, and the risks Roddick took payed off.
Like during his match against Wawrinka, Murray just tried to survive. The full packed Centre Court and Henman Hill never seemed to believe in Murray’s victory, neither did he. Roddick dashed Murray’s hopes with a 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-5 win after an impressive attacking game display.
Britain will have to wait at least another year to see a home winner triumph.

Andy Roddick: “Andy Murray has a great game and he will do great things in the future but today was my time, and I was determined to take my chance.”

Andy Murray: “I thought I played well, the statistics look good, but Andy put in a gret performance and there is no argument with that. I just wish I could have done better.”

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Murray’s tweet: thanks

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Last year Federer broke Sampras’ record of 14 grand Slam singles titles after an epic final against Andy Roddick. By winning this year’s Wimbledon he would equal Sampras’ record of 7 Wimbledon crowns.

Personally, I can’t wait for a 2008 final rematch with Nadal!

Please share your comments!

Centre court:

The grass, the queue and the Henman Hill are parts of what makes Wimbledon such a unique sports events, the greatest tennis tournament.

Grass:

Crowd:

Andy Murray:

‘Murray Mania’ has spread across UK, following Andy Murray’s historic win at The Queen’s Club, but Brits will have to wait at least another year to end its 73 years drought at Wimbledon as a rejuvenated Roddick ended Murray’s run.

Roger Federer:

Roger Federer became the greatest player in Grand Slam history as he beat Andy Roddick in five dramatic sets for a sixth Wimbledon and 15th major title.
The Swiss won 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 to surpass Pete Sampras’s 14 Grand Slam wins and regain the title he lost to Rafael Nadal in 2008.
Note for Nike and Federer: the jacket is RIDICULOUS, the 15 jacket is just too much.

Andy Roddick:

Roddick was on the verge of retirement after being dumped out of Wimbledon by Tipsarevic in 2008, but his wife Brooklyn convinced him to keep trying. And 12 months after, with the help of new coach Larry Stefanki, he reached his third Wimbledon final after wins over Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Murray. Fitter, faster and with a new variety to his game, Roddick gave it all during a dramtic 5 sets final, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Federer broking Sampras record. Andy lost the final but won many fans along the way.

Lleyton Hewitt:

Lleyton Hewitt caused the tournament’s first upset, the 2002 Wimbledon champion crushed 5th seed Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 7-5 7-5. Before overcoming the young Argentinian, his losing streak against top 10 players streched back 15 matches. Having returned to full fitness after a career threatening hip injury, Hewitt has displayed a far more relaxed attitude and increased maturity. Supported by the vocal fanatics, he reached the second week for the sixth consecutive year, and his first Grand Slam quarter final in 3 years. Andy Roddick ended his run after a 5 set thriller which was one of the best matches of the tournament.

Fanatics:

The always vocal and colorful Fanatics boosted Hewitt’s and Stosur/Stubbs Wimbledon campaigns.

Serena Williams:

It was an all-Williams affair in finals again, but this time the younger sister prevailed. She won her third Wimbledon title (and first in 6 years) by beating sister Venus in straight sets 7-6 6-2.

Venus Williams:

Thanks to Warwick, former coach of Marcos Baghdatis and Amélie Mauresmo, who answered our questions.

What do you think about Rafa’s victory in Roland Garros, and do you think he can regain the title in Wimbledon?
Unbelievable!! My hat goes out to Rafa!! It is a privilege to watch him play. Rafa is an excellent role model for all those fortunate enough to witness his genius, inspiring thousands by what he has achieved on European red clay over the past five years.
You can just tell that Rafa is a man in total control of his emotions. Something we can all learn from! Not only is he energized and focused, he is able to stay calm at the same time and play the big points when it matters most.
This takes practice, hours of hard work and he deserves it more than anyone else!! As far as Rafa’s chances on Winning at the All England Club again, it is definitely possible. It all depends on his recovery after a gruelling clay court season!! Another factor will be the weather. If it is dry, this will favour Rafa, as the ball will bounce higher like on clay. However, if it is damp & wet this will make it harder for him to get any rhythm.

After a disappointing clay-court season, Federer reached the final in Halle. Could we have a 2008 final rematch against Nadal?
I hope so!!! Their 2008 Wimbledon final was a classic and I’m sure anyone would agree that watching these two different styles battle it out in the final of any Grand Slam is a dream match to watch. It will depend who’s more focused, or should we say, less focused on the World Cup Soccer in South Africa:)

Ousted by Sela in Queen’s, Roddick only won 3 matches since his title in Miami. Does he still have a chance to win Wimbledon?
Personally, I was surprised with Roddick’s loss to Sela at Queens?? Maybe he was sick or something? Not to take anything away from Sela who is a great fighter. However, when Andy’s serve is on and we all know how much he wants the Wimbledon title, anything is possible!! Again this will depend on the grass and whether there is much sun or more rain and dampness??
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