Andy Murray has to play David Ferrer tomorrow in the Semi-Finals of Australian Open 2011. Andy Murray has defeated Ferrer both the times they have played on hard courts and Ferrer has defeated Murray all the three times they have played on clay since 2006. The latest encounter was Barclays ATP WTF in London where Murray defeated Ferrer 6-2, 6-2. David Ferrer defeated Rafael Nadal with ease in the quarter-finals. But when he faces Andy Murray in the Semi-Finals, it will be another day and a different opponent. Andy Murray has to put at least 60% of first serves in. His ace count, of course, is going to be higher. Both Murray and Ferrer are among the best returners in the game, but Ferrer does not serve bombs. He prefers to put a larger percentage of first serves in to overcome the deficiency in speed. Andy Murray has a distinct advantage in this aspect. Both move very well though Murray has better anticipation and makes a move in the right direction earlier than others. Andy Murray has innovativeness when not under duress whereas Ferrer plays a set game. This benefits Murray since he will know where the ball is going to come on most occasions and with his better anticipation, will be in right place to execute his shots. In the previous round, Murray dropped a set to Dolgopolov since the latter plays an unorthodox game. On the other hand, someone who plays a percentage game, causes lesser problems to Murray. Murray has variety in his shots. But sometimes, he chooses to play drop shot at the wrong time. David Ferrer generally remains on the baseline and moves well laterally. He can be surprised with the drop shot, but with good speed and shorter frame, Ferrer is also likely to reach these drop shots. If Murray exercise discretion while deploying the drop shot, he can score winner on odd occasions. Ferrer and Murray are both defensive players basically. Both excel in retrieving lost causes, the little difference being that Murray sometimes plays unplayable shots on the run. With Nadal, Ferrer succeeded by opening the vulnerable corner in the ad court, but Murray does not leave any corner uncovered. Nadal allowed Ferrer to dictate the pace of the game, but Murray will not let that happen. He is a past master in absorbing pace and turning it to his advantage. In Nadal, Ferrer met some one who is also a clay courter basically, but Murray plays best on hard courts. Nadal comes to the net behind a difficult approach shot, but Murray can serve and volley if the situation demanded that. David Ferrer is in for a different ball game. What can he do? Well, he has nothing to lose, since he has achieved what was not expected of him. Murray has a lot of expectations on his shoulder. If situation becomes tight for Murray, he tends to slide into a pusher. He becomes over defensive and keeps the ball in play where a simple kill is to be executed. The shots start landing at the service line and serve starts landing beyond. In the match closing positions, only the odd first serve lands in. Murray has been the underdog against Nadal last year, but this time round, Ferrer will be the underdog. That is another pressure Murray can expect.
Andy Murray has a golden chance to reach the Finals to have a try at his maiden Grand Slam title.
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