Andy Murray and 2011

Andy Murray does not have a slaying shot. He has an excellent first serve, but his percentage of first serve generally remains around 50-55%. His second serve is very defensive, which is often exploited by the opponents. He has good confidence in volleying and he used it as the offensive strategy against Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open, 2010. He is able to hit winners from the backhand and that sometimes is the more reliable flank in a rally. He is excellent in the return of serve and it is difficult to hit aces against him. He sometimes goes in for drop shot when he should not. His choice of shots in crunch situations is sometimes open to criticism. In anticipation and movement, Murray is as good as Roger Federer. In defence, he is as good as Rafael Nadal. He aced himself out of trouble many a time against Nalbandian at ATP Masters, Paris, as Roger often does. He served and volleyed in the second set to go on the offensive. His change of pace has a surprise element and sometimes the opponent is left stranded. He does not fear either Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. Although he does not have an overpowering weapon by itself, he is now a days utilising his repertoire of shots in an intelligent manner. He must have become immune to the media expectations, having acknowledged the pressure as early as Australian Open this year. But then why he has not won a Grand Slam.

Andy Murray has been in two Grand Slam Finals. But he faced the same player in those two finals - Roger Federer. Both times he lost in straight sets. The first defeat should have given him the required experience what it feels to be in a Grand Slam Final and playing with the higher ranked player. The second defeat reduced him to tears. It took away from him something. It might not have devastated him, but he was deeply hurt.

His match against Rafael Nadal at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, London has been acknowledged as one of the best matches played in 2010. His duels with Rafael Nadal are becoming more and more intense. Both have similar playing style. Their movement on court are equally swift. What Nadal gains with more speed, Andy Murray makes up with greater anticipation. Andy Murray becomes more and more innovative as the rally progresses. It appears that he knows well how to create openings against Nadal and place the ball in gaps. He is more confident when facing Nadal. But it is against Federer that he can not find gaps that often. He is able to force errors, but that has happened more in non - Grand Slam events.

Andy Murray appears to have a better game than Andy Roddick when the latter won his only Grand Slam. His game also perhaps is better than Lleyton Hewitt when he won his Grand Slams. But these wins came before Roger Federer took centre stage and before Roger Federer - Rafael Nadal hegemony engulfed the tennis world. Andy Murray has to gain pace on his shots or at least on the killer shot, whether from backhand or forehand. He will have to take more risk against his nature at present and go for more controlled aggression. He has to think point wise and not game wise so as not to let despondency take over him when down. He is not a choker, but he does not play his two best matches consecutively. He was majestic against Rafael Nadal in Australian Open 2010 but could not do much against Roger Federer in the very next game. He would have learnt his lessons for sure. Australian Open is one tournament where he has done well. He has performed better on hard courts. He is one of the contenders for the Australian Open. It is just one success that will open the gates for him. It looks as if 2011 is going to be the year of reckoning for Murray.