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     Mahesh_fan Junior Artist Username: Mahesh_fan Post Number: 786 Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 204.186.12.26 Rating: N/A |
Two years ago at the Tennis Masters Cup, Andy Murray and Roger Federer produced one of the most memorable matches ever played on the Qizhong Stadium court. Today the pair clash again with the title of the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters at stake and spectators should brace themselves for another classic. Both men have played themselves into scintillating form this week, both have yet to drop a set. Murray was first to register a final place as he brought an end to Juan Monaco’s unexpected success with an emphatic 6-4, 6-1 win and then Federer savored sweet revenge against Novak Djokovic after last month’s US Open final defeat at the semi-final stage with his classy 7-5, 6-4 triumph. Federer, restored to the world no.2 ranking on the strength of yesterday’s win, will provide Murray with by far the toughest task of the week and will go into the match doubly determined after losing to the Scot in their most recent meeting in the final of the Masters Series event at Toronto nine weeks ago. But Murray has a 7-5 lead in their head to head series that now dates back five years and said: “I do really enjoy playing Roger. The court surface here is very similar to the one at Toronto where I beat him in the final. I feel like I move well out there.” While the Canadian final is the most recent between the pair, January’s Australian Open remains the most pertinent in their series and Murray concurs that Federer’s experience in the situation was the determinant factor. “You obviously need to try to keep the ball away from Roger's forehand but I think I learned from the experience of losing to him in Australia and that showed when I played him in Toronto,” he said. “I played a lot more aggressive, didn't give him many chances to really dictate the points, especially on my serve. That's something that I need to do against both him and Rafa (Nadal) in the future if I want to beat them.” Murray was not only forceful against Monaco, he also had luck on his side. Late in the first set a string in his racket broke early in a rally but he kept himself in contention by hoisting a succession of three lobs with the importance on sheer survival rather than placement. The last possessed the greatest trajectory and caused the unfortunate Argentine to back right in the corner of the court and contort his spine to such an excruciating angle he thudded the ball into the net. From that moment on it seemed as though his spirit was broken. Djokovic was looking to extend an unbeaten run since losing the US Open final to Nadal but he came up short after 10 straight wins that have secured Serbia a place in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final and won last week’s title in Beijing. He looked rather lackluster and a little physically spent against Federer. Four squandered break point opportunities in only the fourth game proved costly and from then on superior mobility and the physical freshness gained from a month away from competition seemed to benefit Federer’s two trump cards. Murray will base a lot of his pre-match thinking on that Tennis Masters Cup meeting with Federer. “That was a great win for me,” said the Scot casting his mind back to the 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 victory. “Roger's record in the Masters Cup was pretty incredible and it was my first time in Shanghai. I think it ran over three hours for a three set match, which doesn't happen too often so it was one of my best ever wins.” Federer can recall two Masters Cup titles on the court but knows challenges get harder for him with each year that passes and the 29 year-old said: “Against the best players you have to stay aggressive. Novak stays on the offensive when he defends, whereas Andy has much more feel and plays with his slice. He finds a way into the point. “But the rough game plan needs to be the same. I need to take it to the opponent and play well because these guys don't give you easy victories anymore.” |
