Australian Open 2012: Murray Versus Nishikori - Preview

Andy Murray will meet Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, the 25^th. Nishikori is in his first quarter-finals of any Grand Slam event. Murray was the finalist in the last two editions of the Australian Open and is aspiring to go one better this time.

The key to Murray’s wins is his serve and determination. He is serving very well, much above the usual percentage. His first serves were 68% against Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 60% against Michael Llodra, and 65% against Mikhail Kukushin. Murray hit 48 winners and committed 11 unforced errors against Michael Llodra in the 28 games played; 41 winners and 19 unforced errors against Roger-Vasselin; and 17 winners and 15 unforced errors in the short match against Kukushin. The last result can be discounted since Kukushin was visibly struggling with hip injury and Murray was playing aggressive shots freely.

Murray played his usual stock game against Kukushin. The strategy was to keep the ball in the court, deep and controlled. There were less balls going to the centre of the court. The strategy succeeded, as it does many a time against those who do not hit the ball as hard. Only consistent hitters like Novak Djokovic or tacticians like Roger Federer are able to disturb Murray’s rhythm. Nishikori is not one of them. His strengths lie elsewhere.

Murray and Nishikori have met only once, but more importantly that was just three months ago in the Shanghai Open. Murray defeated Nishikori in the semi-final on his way to the title. In that match, Nishikori could not get a single break point on Murray’s serve. He was bageled in the second set to lose in straight sets. It will give an immense psychological edge to Murray. At the same time, Nishikori will have a known game to play against and rectify the mistakes committed previously.

Nishikori may exhibit patience and invite Murray to go for winners. Murray is known to play cat and mouse games. He is able to do it well since, like Federer, he plays with mind. The variety in his game is as much stroke wise as tactics wise. He changes the speed, depth and spin of the ball. He alternates between defence and counter-attack. Nishikori also adopts similar tactics. We may see long rallies from the baseline.

With both Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga out of way, Murray appears well set on his passage to the Semi-Finals.