After the astonishing defeat of Rafael Nadal by the unheard
of yet outstanding Lucas Rosol, the draw has opened up massively for Brit Andy
Murray. This a real chance for Murray to win Wimbledon, a feat which has eluded
a male British tennis player for over 70 years.
Murray’s first challenge is Croat Marin Cilic, who is
unbeaten on grass this year, albeit winning Queen’s by default after David
Nalbandian’s rush of blood. Murray boasts a good record against Cilic, winning
5 of their 6 previous encounters as well as their only match on grass before
this fourth round match up.
After winning the first set (7-5) and going a break up,
Murray looks in good shape to reach the quarter final, where he will face David
Ferrer or the dangerous Juan Martin Del Potro. Both of whom will pose Murray a
serious threat to his Wimbledon aspirations. Ferrer recently beat Murray at Roland
Garros but Murray will fancy his chances on grass where Ferrer is less
comfortable. Del Potro is only player to win a major other than the top three
in the last 29 majors and so certainly has the game to disrupt Murray with a
massive serve and booming groundstrokes to boot.
Also in Murray’s half of the draw is Frenchman Jo-Wilfried
Tsonga who will be a stern test, especially considering Tsonga was a beaten semi-finalist
at Wimbledon last year after an impressive win over Federer in five sets, Tsonga
also holds a grass court victory over Rafael Nadal and is more than competent
on the surface. Murray will take solace in the fact that he beat Tsonga in the
final of Queen’s last year but he must be wary of Tsonga’s talents. Tsonga will
have to overcome American Mardy Fish if he is to progress and the Frenchman is
a set down before rain stopped play for the day.
Awaiting Murray in the final were he to make it will surely
be world number 1 Novak Djokovic or all-time leading Grand Slam winner Roger
Federer. However with Federer looking less than impressive in his win over
Julian Benneteau, it would be a brave man to bet against the Serbian juggernaut
from reaching his second successive Wimbledon final.
Whether Murray can overturn the Serb to win his maiden Grand
Slam title is yet to be seen, but with a nation longing for a Grand Slam winner
since Fred Perry Murray must first battle the pressure on his shoulders from
the weight of a nation and overcome the tough challenges in place before he can
contest a first Wimbledon final.
