Wimbledon 2011 Preview: Semi-Finals Showdown Likely For Rafael Nadal And Andy Murray

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray could meet in the Semi-Finals though their road is not free from landmines.

The first test for Rafael Nadal will come in the third round where he is likely to meet Milos Raonic. Raonic is a rising star and is predicted to reach top ten status in a few seasons. Nadal’s top spin will not hurt his backhand, but his big frame might come in the way of mobility on court. He can cause some trouble but is unlikely to cause an upset. In the fourth round there could be greater challenge in the form of Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro’s game was said to be more suited to surfaces with firm bounce. His capability to adjust to a skidding ball is not the best. But then, the game of tennis is veering round to a point where surfaces matter less and less. Nadal completing a career Grand Slam, Djokovic and Murray doing well on clay are pointers to that fact. Del Potro is not likely to upstage the defending champion. He has not yet found his top form after return from injury. If it happens to be Gilles Simon in the fourth round instead of Del Potro, the result would not change. The challenge is lesser in the quarterfinals whether it is Tomas Berdych or Mardy Fish or Philipp Kohlshreiber or Fernando Verdasco. The main challenge will come in the Semi-Finals where a hungry Andy Murray might await him to avenge all previous mortifications.

Andy Murray will also have his first test in the third round where Marin Cilic could be the likely opponent. But Cilic has not been playing well during last one year and he is unlikely to beat the British crowd in the stands. Richard Gasquet or Stanislas Wawrinka are unlikely to land a fatal blow. Gael Monfils too can not beat the British crowd. He needs a home crowd to bring out the best in him, but that too may not be sufficient. Andy Roddick did not provide any evidence at Aegon championships last week that he has the capability to turn a villain in London. He might find it difficult to get past Thomaz Bellucci, a clay court specialist.  

Murray is a different person and player from his younger version. He has gone through pressures, nerves, defeats, humiliations and can be expected to play his best game. He scores over Nadal in serve, return of serve, court craft, volley, change of pace and general anticipation. Nadal scores over him in ferocity of shots, mental strength, killer instinct, match temperament, first serve percentage and general consistency. Whatever happens, one would perhaps see an aggressive Murray in a match up with Nadal.

Judgement reserved on the match outcome.