AO SF, Match Summary: Andy Murray d Roger Federer 6'4, 6'7(5), 6'3, 6'7(2), 6'2

[Sallydaisy]

This was a corker of a match and lived up to everyone's expections - with the possible exception of Ivan Lendl who had probably instructed Andy to win in 3.
;)

It was dramatic, it was tough and it took skill, determination and attacking tennis for Murray to finally bury Federer in a 5-set Grand Slam match. There were highs and not so highs but very few really low points and both men played tennis with their own unique panache.

No Murraycoasters today - even when Andy looked in trouble after losing the 4th set.

Andy was out of the blocks fast and he dominatedthe first set from the off. He brought his attacking game to the court, gave Federer few break chances, hit accurately off both wings and served at 80% first serves in. He broke Federer to go ahead in the 3rd game (had chances in the first) and stayed ahead serving out the first set 6'4.

During the 2nd both men held their serve and it was clear that Federer was finally finding some confidence. He saved his best tennis to thwart Murray in the tie-break winning it 7'6(5).

That resurgence prompted concern from the Murray watchers wondering if Andy could pick himself up from losing the set. Into the 3rd and Murray was back on the attack and, serving first, went 3-2 up. He then broke Federer to lead 4-2. Holds apiece and Murray wasted no time serving out the 3rd set 6'3.

2-1 to Murray and just one more set needed for his place in the Final.
Federer, however, hadn't finished and capitalised on some sloppy Murray errors to break in the 5th game and move ahead 4-1. Not for long - Murray came back and served for the 4th set, and the match, at 6-5 but he faltered, Federer broke back and it went into a tie-break. Once again Federer produced some of his best tennis to win it 7'6(2).

2-2 and a true test of Murray's mettle to try and take the match in the 5th set. Federer must have thought he'd paved the way for win but Murray regrouped and raced to a 3-0 lead in the 5th set. Writing on the wall for Roger and he couldn't get past the Murray defence and the British players lead extended to 5-2 as Federer stepped up to serve to stay in the match. Andy produced some fine tennis and a stunning BHDTL set up match points. Federer hit a forehand long and that error (one of very many in this match) sent Andy through to the Final.

This was a very different Murray to the guy who'd played the first 5 rounds.
He played superb, confident, tennis against the former World #1 and despite the blips didn't get down on himself or let some poor umpiring or interesting Swiss swearing distract him from the job in hand.

http://images.enstarz.com/data/images/full/8522/andy-murray.jpg?w=565

THE FINAL
He's into the Australian Open Final for the 3rd year on the trot where once again he'll face Novak Djokovic. The Serb is looking to complete a hat-trick of wins in Oz; the Brit is hoping to write history by winning back to back Grand Slam Finals after a maiden win (never ever achieved so far in the open era).

It'll be battle royal on Sunday.
:skippy:






21
Aces
5


64%
1st serves
61%


0
Double faults
2


62
Winners
43


47
Errors
60


75%
1st serve win %
73%


63%
2nd serve win %
42%


39%
Receiving pts won
29%


6/16
Break points
2/6








Jonathan Overend BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park "Murray will take so much encouragement and belief from the win. Don't forget Djokovic was in stunning form in his semi-final. What would he have been thinking watching Federer and Murray go out in five? It means Murray's last two five set Grand Slam matches have seen him beat Djokovic, at the US Open, and Federer."

[Sallydaisy]

FEDERER: POST-MATCH TRANSCRIPT

Q. Did you feel it pull away from you in the first couple games of the fifth set? Was that the turning point?
ROGER FEDERER: In a three and a half hour match, I don't know if it's the beginning of the fifth that was key, you know.
I think overall he probably created more chances than I did. I had difficulties finding you know, getting into his service games time and time again like I, you know, usually do against him.
I think he started off serving well, and then, I mean, fifth set, obviously he did well. I think he played a bit more aggressive because he did create more opportunities over and over again.
I think he was able to dig out of the first game I think it was a 30 All game and then break me the other way around, which was obviously not the start I was hoping for because I was feeling good, obviously, after winning the fourth.

Q. You spoke earlier in the week about the good manners that exist between the players. There definitely seemed to be a bit of feeling between the two of you after 6 5 in the fourth. Can you talk about that. Was there an exchange between you?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, it wasn't a big deal anyway. We just looked at each other one time. That's okay, I think, in a three and a half hour match. We were just checking each other out for bit.
No, I mean, that wasn't a big deal for me. I hope not for him.

Q. Does it feel like one that got away or one that you were always chasing?
ROGER FEDERER: Obviously I was down in the score basically from the start. Definitely it was more of a chase, you know. I was able to level it a couple of times.
Yeah, I don't know. Look, I think it was a tough match. I think I had my chances a little bit. Obviously you're going to go through a five setter with some regrets, you know.
But overall, like I mentioned, I think Andy was a bit better than I was tonight. I had to find my range a little bit early on, and then, you know, adjust my game style as well, the way I was playing.
So he did a good job, you know, of getting me there. But, you know, I was hoping to do a bit better, but overall obviously I'm pretty pleased with the tournament. I played good tennis. I'm moving well and was fit in the ten sets I played, the last two matches.
I'm upbeat about the tournament, but obviously it's disappointing, you know, going out in five. You know, it's not the first time it's happened here.


Q. Where does this leave you? Every generation goes to new levels. You have Andy and Novak at 25 hitting the ball harder. Where does this leave you now?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, nothing has changed. I've played these guys, what, 60 times, the three guys around me in the rankings. So we know each other really well. We play each other very close very often. Keep on trading wins and losses.
Novak has done probably the best job getting more wins than losses. That's why he's ranked where he is. I, you know, enjoy the matches with Rafa, Novak, and also Andy again tonight. It's nice playing five sets against him. It was tough tennis. I enjoy that.
So I go from here with a good feeling for the year. I didn't play a tournament leading in, so now obviously I know where my level is at. Also knowing I have even more time to work on my game, work on my fitness this year. It's something I'm excited about.

Q. Where do you think Andy's placed now in terms of Sunday night?
ROGER FEDERER: Obviously Novak goes in as the favorite, I would think, even though Andy beat him at the US Open.
But, I mean, maybe a day extra is going to make a difference. But it's not back to back. He has a day. He's had an easy run until the semis, until tonight. Maybe it's something that Andy needed going into the finals.
But obviously Novak is the double defending champion here. I think so at least. He's done really well again this tournament, digging himself out of the hole against Stan, coming and playing good tennis against Berdych and Ferrer.
So obviously a tough match again, and give a slight edge to Novak just because of the last couple of days.

Q. Do you think Andy has learned to deal with the setbacks when they come his way?
ROGER FEDERER: Maybe, you know. I think he's always played me pretty well over the years. He's obviously got a winning record against me. I mean, the matchup's maybe a good one for him, I'm not sure. I don't mind playing against him.
But it's normal that with time and with age you learn, you become more experienced, become physically, you know, better.
Then obviously he's put himself in that situation time and time again, you know. So obviously with the win I think at the Olympics and the US Open, maybe there's just a little bit more belief or he's a bit more calm overall.
You want to be excited, but you don't want to go overly crazy, you know, each and every point. So it seems like he has more peace when he plays out there, and in the process he has better results, I guess.

Q. Would you say tonight was your level being a little bit down or was it Andy's level being further up compared to other matches you played with him?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, it depends which ones you looked at. The one at the Olympic Games, this one was better. If you look at the ones I've beaten him, this one was lower. It really depends what you compare it against.
Like I mentioned, I think it was an open match for both players. We both played pretty good. I think we both at times could have played a little bit better.
Obviously it was a game of chess out there at times as well. You do neutralize each other a lot on these courts as well when you do hit it deep and hard. It's hard to take a deep cut at the ball. So I thought it was a good match.

Q. How much did the match against Tsonga take out of you? How were you feeling coming in?
ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, a little bit, you know. But it's not an excuse for me tonight to say that I lost because of that.
But obviously I wish I could have come in like Andy, as well. Then again, you know, he beat me fair and square tonight. No regrets from me.

[Sallydaisy]

It was a thriller of a match ...

... more to follow - just putting in the post match pressers!

[Sallydaisy]

ANDY'S PRESSER TRANSCRIPT - PART 1

Q. How pleased were you to get off to a good start in the fifth?
ANDY MURRAY: Obviously I was happy. It was a tough match. A lot of ups and downs. So it was good to come back after the way I lost the fourth set.


Q. What did you say to each other at the changeover after losing the tiebreak?
ANDY MURRAY: Didn't say much after the second set. I made a I mean, it wasn't a terrible volley, but I could have hit a better volley at 5 All in the second set tiebreak, so I was disappointed with that. But I was playing well. After the fourth set, you know, he went and took a toilet break and I had a bit more time to sort of think. You know, I'd put myself in a winning position and just had to think to myself what I'd done to get in that position and make sure I did it at the beginning of the fifth set.


Q. Did you draw on the US Open final in particular?
ANDY MURRAY: No, I wasn't thinking about that. I was just trying to look forward. Yeah, I mean, that match wasn't in my mind tonight.

Q. Do you think you've ever served as well over such a prolonged period as that before?
ANDY MURRAY: I don't know. I don't know. I mean, it's a tough one to judge. I did serve well tonight, that's for sure.
But, you know, whether I've served better or not, I don't know.

Q. Five sets in four hours. Do you feel that wasn't a reflection of the way you dominated the match?
ANDY MURRAY: I wouldn't say I dominated the match; didn't necessarily feel that way. I obviously had more breaks of serve and stuff by the end. Because of that I assume I probably would have won significantly more points. I don't know, though, exactly. But, yeah, I thought I did a good job tonight. I think I did all the things I needed to do. I did them well. Even, like I say, after the second and fourth sets, which were tough to lose, because, you know, I wasn't comfortable, but I was in, you know, good positions in both sets. To lose them was tough. I was just happy with the way I responded after both those sets.


Q. How satisfying is it to have beaten him in a slam for the first time?
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, it's satisfying obviously. You know, I've obviously lost some tough matches against him in slams. So to win one, especially the way that it went tonight, yeah, was obviously nice.
You know, I'm sure both of us will play each other again in slams, so it will help having won once against him.

Q. He said that he always felt he was chasing. Did it feel that way to you, that you were kind of always ahead?
ANDY MURRAY: I think that's the way the score went. That's kind of how it was. I won the first set, and, you know, second set, you know, yeah, I was always up in the score for a majority of the match. Really at no stage was I behind in the score, so that's probably why it felt that way. But he obviously hung in extremely well, you know, to force it into a fifth set. After the way the match had been going, it was great the way he turned around because he played some big points when he was behind. It's what he always does.


Q. How surprised were you by what he shouted when you were at the net at 6 5 in the fourth? You had a funny look on your face at that point.
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I wasn't that surprised. I mean, stuff like that happens daily in tennis matches. You know, in sport, the stuff that some people say on football pitches and in basketball and all sorts of sports. I mean, it was very, very mild in comparison to what happens in other sports. It's just one of those things.

Q. Did it rattle you at all?
ANDY MURRAY: No. I think it didn't rattle me. I think he raised his game, you know, and that's what happens. Sometimes guys need to get, you know, emotion into the match. He definitely raised his level and played in that game I think he hit two balls onto the line and was extremely aggressive after that.


Q. Can you repeat what he said?
ANDY MURRAY: It's not relevant what he said. You know, it doesn't really matter. It's something that happens, like I say, all the time on tennis courts, in sport, all the time. Especially when it's a one on one sort of individual combat. It's not relevant. There's no hard feelings.


Q. Was it a word that we might struggle to get in our newspapers?
ANDY MURRAY: It's not relevant what was said, you know. I'm sure Roger won't talk about it and I have no interest in discussing it either, because, like I say, it happens all the time. People will want to make a big deal of it and it isn't really a big deal.


Q. Your reaction seems to be very low key. You're keeping your calm. Is that because you still got one big step to go?
ANDY MURRAY: Uhm, no, I don't think it's just 'cause of that. It's a long, long match. It's a very late finish. I'm tired. I don't want to be wasting any energy, because I'll need all of it if I want to win against Novak on Sunday.

Q. Between the fourth and fifth sets, do you know you're playing better? Were you sure that if you keep it at that level you could close it out?
ANDY MURRAY: To be honest, I was just trying to think what I'd done to get to that point, and I was just trying to focus on doing it at the beginning of the fifth set.
You know, you never know what's going to happen. The only thing you can do is play the right way, go for your shots when the opportunity's there, and hope that it pays off.
But, yeah, I mean, at any stage he can increase his level and your level can dip, especially in a four hour match. You just need to try and be focused for as much of the match as possible.
The beginning of the fifth set was the part of the match that I was most pleased with.

[Sallydaisy]

PART 2

Q. This will be your first Grand Slam final as a Grand Slam champion. Is that going to make it easier or...
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I have no idea. I'll see obviously how I feel when I get on the court.
I would hope so. The task isn't any easier. I'm obviously playing Novak again on this court. I mean, this has been his best court for sure. So I'm aware of how tough it will be to win the match and what have you.
But, you know, hopefully there's moments in the US Open final where, you know, I could have closed out sets a bit quicker. I think the tiebreak was a good example of how nerves can work in those sort of matches.
It was not the prettiest tennis, so hopefully I'll play a little bit better.


Q. While not thinking of the US Open and the Olympics specifically, do you think they've made you mentally sort of more stronger, battle hardened?
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I said a few weeks ago, I mean, those matches, I mean, have helped obviously mentally. I think going through a lot of the losses that I've had will have helped me, as well.
Yeah, I've been questioned for large parts of my career about physically would I be strong enough, mentally would it be strong enough, do I listen to my coaches, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, whatever it is, can I handle pressure.
I think those years of having all of those questions and then finally to be able to answer them I think, yeah, it was all part of the process. So I hope on Sunday I can play a good match. Obviously having won against Novak before in a slam final will help mentally.

Q. This court is said to be slightly slower and higher bouncing than the US Open one. If so, is it going to make it any easier for him to play against you?
ANDY MURRAY: Judging by our match that we played here last year and the one we played in New York, I don't think there was a huge amount of difference. I think the balls are slower here. Also, because you're playing in the evening, that will slow it down.
But I actually think the court here this year is playing fairly fast. You can get a lot of free points off your serve if you serve well like I did this evening. I mean, the courts aren't that dissimilar, it's just the time of day you play and the balls are a bit different.

Q. I know you're a massive fan of a lot of different sports. Would you enjoy tennis more if tennis had a little bit more of that rough edge to it publicly instead of sort of reserved gentility?
ANDY MURRAY: No. I know you guys would. But, yeah, I mean, I think tennis is doing just fine the way it is.

Q. You said you were feeling tired now. Are you confident you'll be fully recovered for Sunday, especially given the fact that you'd had five straight sets wins before tonight?
ANDY MURRAY: You never know how you're going to feel the next day. It's obviously late just now. Yeah, I'm sure I'll be tired tomorrow and stiff and sore, so I need to make sure I sleep as long as possible tonight, do all of the recovery stuff.
I'll hit very little tomorrow, I would have thought.
Yeah, just try your best to be in the best possible condition for Sunday. You know, realistically you're probably not going to feel perfect because of how the match went tonight, but it's not to say you can't recover well enough to play your best tennis.

Q. Are you doing anything special for Robbie Burns day?
ANDY MURRAY: Will I be doing anything special? No, no.

Q. Does the ball still come off his racquet as well as it did when you first played him?
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, I don't see major, major changes in his game. You know, he still hits the ball obviously extremely clean. He has his racquet strung very loose so the ball comes off his racquet with a lot of spin and it comes off his racquet quick.
You know, when he slices the ball stays very low. He's still serving very, very well. I think the serve's normally the first thing that goes, you know, with guys when they're getting towards the ends of their career. I think he's still serving pretty well.

Q. When did you start refueling with bananas?
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I've always kind of had to eat them just because of what they have in them. It's good for you in long matches. Just still not a fan.


Q. A year ago when you played Novak, have you got closer to him? Do you think he's also improved shots and whatever?
ANDY MURRAY: I think so much of it comes down to how you play on the day, to be honest. You know, I think I started to play better tennis and played my optimum level more in the big matches over the last year or so, which hadn't always been the case.
So I think that's kind of what's changed for me. I mean, two years ago he didn't lose a match for the first six months. It's tough to know whether you can actually improve from that.
But he's still playing well, he's No. 1 in the world. He was in the US Open final, French Open final, Wimbledon semis, and he's in the final here. So he's playing extremely well.