Tennis Final – Iron Nerve Federer Breaks Murray

Andrew Murray won the first set against Roger Federer and looked convincing. But that was simply the beginning and slowly but surely Federer came back into the game.

Sure enough Federer won the second set to go equal but then the weather took a hand. For all the technological expertise of the Wimbledon roof – the authorities seem reluctant to use it. It was not in position as heavy rain started to fall and the players had to run for cover with Federer marginally ahead in the third set.

The break did not do Murray any favours and eventually he lost a 20 minutes game – and his serve.

The poker faced Swiss champion began to look more and more dominating. He showed very little emotion on court in contrast to Murray who was swearing to himself as Federer began to force the errors. At 5 – 3 in the third set Federer was serving for the set. He took it with a merciless ace that left Murray floundering.

Before the match Murray was admitting that in previous finals when he faced Federer he was not ready to win a grand slam. In 2008 he lost in the final of the US open, then again in 2010 in the Australian open, even though, “I felt I was ready but he played better that day.”

One of Federer’s most effective tactics was to drive Murray deeper and deeper into the backhand corner and force him to use his two handed style. It wasn’t good enough, time and time again Federer forced the error and on the point. On his service games Murray did not land enough first serves and was forced into long, pushing rallies.

One of the biggest doubts about Murray is his composure under extreme pressure and he showed worrying signs of a loss of confidence.

On Federer’s side the older man was holding up well – but would his back go again? That was surely Murray’s best chance but the match was sliding away.

Sure enough, the end came quickly and Murray lost in 4 sets as Federer won his 7th Wimbledon.