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10/18/08 5:05 AM | Ricky Dimon
Roger Federer will meet Andy Murray on Saturday in what will be a rematch of last month's U.S. Open final. This time a spot in the Masters Series Madrid title match is at stake.
Andy Murray gets his chance for revenge on Saturday in the Madrid semifinals.
An upset of Roger Federer would not completely erase Murray's loss to the world No. 2 at this year's U.S. Open, as a Grand Slam title is not on the line, but it would still be a massive win. Not only would it put Murray in another Masters Series final, but it would also really solidify him as the clear-cut No. 4 player in tennis (if he hasn't established that title already).
Murray certainly has the game and the confidence to pull off an upset. It's hard to argue that Murray is not the hottest player on tour right now outside of Federer and Rafael Nadal. In addition to finishing runner-up in Flushing Meadows, where he stunned Nadal in the semifinals, the 21-year-old Scot won the Masters Series Cincinnati earlier in the summer. This year he also won two titles leading up to the Australian Open, reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, and made it to the semifinals of the Masters Series Canada. So far in Madrid, Murray has taken out Simone Bolelli, Marin Cilic, and in-form Gael Monfils all in straight sets.
Now he gets the last man to have defeated him, Roger Federer. The Swiss is still having a down year by his other-worldly standards, but he has heated up just in time to salvage the season before what would have been a bitter end. Federer won doubles gold at the Beijing Olympics with Stanislas Wawrinka and used that momentum to help him win a fifth consecutive U.S. Open. He appears to be even more on fire now than he was in New York. Federer crushed Radek Stepanek in the Madrid second round, eased past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third, then dispatched a streaking Juan Martin Del Potro in two routine sets.
Despite his recent loss to Federer, Murray still has a solid 2-2 career record against his opponent. He ousted Federer two years ago in Cincinnati and again earlier this year in Dubai. Federer's other victory came back in 2005 at the Thailand Open. So both men have every reason to be confident coming into this tie-breaking showdown. The Federer forehand has been in rare form this week--and that's saying a lot--so Murray needs to use his awesome two-handed backhand to get into as many backhand-to-backhand rallies as possible. Look for Murray to make it much closer than their U.S. Open affair, and he might even take a set, but Federer has looked too good this week to expect a semifinal surprise.
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well its very believable considering how good Murray has become, but surprising, yes, considering how good Fed had looked
RickyDimon , 10/18/08 4:58 PM
well, murray has definitely improved his game a lot..i kinda laughed when the commentators during the simon-murray match said that federer had some very kind words to spare for murray which words where in stark contrast from what fed has to say about him in dubai..now im even more doubtful of gulbis' chances against him in st petersburg this week..they'll meet in the second round..
gulbisfreak , 10/20/08 4:16 AM
Murray might pull out. If he doesn't, Troicki will give him serious problems in the first round. I imagine Murray's head and heart won't be entirely into it in St. Pete.
But I agree, he will smoke Gulbis if they meet, because if he gets past Troicki, then it clearly means that he is not going to bag this week.
RickyDimon , 10/20/08 4:26 AM
You see, nobody's untouchable, even Mr. Federer, feel sorry about Nadal cause we all get used to enjoy his brilliant games, congratulation to Madrid hero, Simon, he really deserved it, wish him all the best in the future, regards from Novak's fan.
gordana , 10/20/08 9:13 AM
young guys are fast emerging ready to take the spotlight like murray. His rise to the top level of tennis is very impressive. But it's a long way for them to catch up with Rafa and Roger. The two might change places but more likely from #3 down to #10, we will always have a juggling of places and surprise new comers like Del Potro and Simon.
agf25agf , 10/21/08 1:34 PM
Yes - it;s been a fabulous last half of 2008 with the emergence of Simon, Del Potro and Gulbis. And now Murray is making his mark. Hopefully, this bodes well for an exciting 2009.
tenisbebe , 10/23/08 6:11 AM
Did you know that... Lleyton Hewitt won an ATP-title in Adelaide 1998, ranked as number 550 in the world.
homos, Jan 8, 2009 1:20 PM
homos, Jan 8, 2009 12:22 PM
homos, Jan 8, 2009 12:18 PM
jean, Jan 8, 2009 11:07 AM
gordana, Jan 8, 2009 9:51 AM
sisterofnight12, Jan 8, 2009 1:49 PM
homos, Jan 8, 2009 1:25 PM
RocketQueen, Jan 7, 2009 3:06 AM
Andy Murray
Roger Federer
ATP Masters Series Madrid
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federer lost!!can't believe it..
gulbisfreak , 10/18/08 4:35 PM