The Grandstand welcomes a three-team panel to make its picks for Friday night’s showdown between Roger Federer and Andy Murray.
(2) Roger Federer vs. (3) Andy Murray
Ricky: While the head-to-head series is competitive (10-9 in Murray’s favor), this is the only matchup among the Top 4 players in the world (obviously Rafael Nadal–not David Ferrer–included) that more often than not fails to deliver entertainment. In fact, the only decent Federer-Murray match since 2009 came last summer in the Wimbledon final, and even that was far from epic. This, however, has all the makings of a memorable meeting. Both players enjoyed stellar second halves to 2012 and it has been full steam ahead for them in Melbourne. Despite a difficult draw, Federer has dropped only two sets (both to an inspired Jo-Wilfried Tsonga). Murray, with a picture-perfect draw, has been making mincemeat out of his opponents. The Scot has never defeated Federer at a major, but he hasn’t had a chance to do so since career-changing triumphs at the Olympics and U.S. Open. Murray now has the mental strength necessary to come out on top of a five-set thriller. Murray 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.
Rachel (@TheSportBird):Last year was pretty exciting for the Roger-Andy rivalry. Andy finally prevailed, just like Roger always said he would. But it wasn’t an official slam. Even though it was at the All-England Club, it was the Olympics–not Wimbledon. He has to be hungry for the real deal and he’s been dismissing his opponents so far like that’s the truth. However, everyone would argue that Roger has had the tougher draw and he’s been handling it like a real champion. He didn’t drop a set until he met Tsonga in the quarters and that was a real masterpiece of a match. Even though it went five sets, I have no doubts about the Maestro’s recovery. He was running the kid Bernard Tomic around like he was the younger of the two. I have to give the edge in this match to Roger. He’s at the top of his game, and I think Murray’s been lulled into a bit of complacency because of his draw. Federer 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Steen (Tennis East Coast): This is the blockbuster semifinal matchup I for one have been anticipating with gusto; arguably the two most in-form players in Melbourne. Murray and Federer will reprise their rivalry, in which Fed had a 3-2 edge over Murray in 2012. Federer had cruised through his first four matches against relatively olid opponents before facing a legitimate challenge from Tsonga. Up until the Tsonga match, Federer had also been completely dominant on serve and still held confidently in that one. As for Murray, he has faced a much weaker slate with the likes of a fatigued Gilles Simon and Jeremy Chardy, but he is playing well and hasn’t dropped a set in any of his five matches. I don’t see any real weaknesses as long as his first-serve percentage stays up and of course he keeps his head on straight. The Scot has not yet played this year at night under the lights on Rod Laver, but I don’t really worry about that simply because Murray has plenty of AO night experience and plenty of Laver experience as a two-time finalist and a semifinalist last year. He shouldn’t have any issues adjusting. Any way you slice it this match should be grand and though Federer has looked quite dominant, I’m gonna have to go Murray here, because I think Tsonga at least showed that Fed does have some weaknesses and they can be exploited. Murray 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3.
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I’m going with Federer in 4, maybe 5. It’s going to be very tough for both, Murray has his chances obviously, but as a Roger’s fan, i think his draw had been difficult comparing to Murray’s, and besides that, Roger has done them very well. Not perfect at all, but just enough to win easy, except against Tsonga.