Wimbledon 2012: Murray Versus Tsonga - Preview

Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga clash in the semi-finals on Friday, the 6^th July on the centre court of Wimbledon. The last time they played each other at Wimbledon was in the quarterfinals of the 2010 edition which Murray won in four sets. Overall they have played six times with Tsonga defeating Murray in the first round of the Australian Open, 2010, the year he reached the finals of a Grand Slam major for the first time. Murray has been victorious on all other occasions.

Murray has come out from the quarter of death in this Wimbledon by playing his trade mark gritty tennis, cautious to the core but willing to take chances after jabbing for a while. The four sets that went for almost four hours in the quarterfinals are the tell tale signs of the mental struggle Murray would have undergone where he wanted to win, but only after ensuring that he did not lose. Position is not going to get any different in the next match that follows, with the finishing line in sight.

Tsonga is a different player than Ferrer. If you want to see tenacity, watch matches of Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer or Murray. If you want to see flamboyance, see the matches of Roger Federer or Tsonga. There is a subtle difference between Federer and Tsonga. Federer employs tennis mind in his game plan, whereas Tsonga plays from the heart. When he gets to winning, he goes on winning and when he gets to losing, he goes on losing. This could as well be one of the consequences of not having a coach. Many a time, it has looked as if Tsonga does not have Plan B in his kit. Murray’s position is different. He has many plans, but sometimes does not decide correctly which plan to employ. If one did not have a variety of shots, mind body co-ordination is easier. But if one has many weapons in the repertoire, which one to use and when, could become a difficult decision. It is seen clearly in a match where the player suddenly plays a drop shot on a break point when he should have rather played a safer shot. It was visible in the match between Murray and Ferrer. Tsonga too is a fast mover like Ferrer though with lesser anticipation. He can reach the drop shot unless it is well disguised, though he does not play the return that well.

Murray served below 60% in the first three sets against Ferrer and that was one of the reasons for his struggle in the beginning. Tsonga has edge over him in the serve department. He will get quite a few free points in spite of Murray being an excellent returner. Murray too will get a few free points since Tsonga is not that good a returner. Murray has a consistent backhand which can take care of Tsonga’s usual inside out forehand. Tsonga scored many points from the single fisted backhand of Phillip Kohlschriber, which will not happen with Murray.

Ferrer had defeated Murray five times in ten matches before the quarterfinals but against Tsonga, it is Murray who has won five times in six matches. This shows that Murray’s game matches up better with Tsonga. The reasons are not difficult to comprehend. Tsonga does not have that good a defence. He prospers against attackers, but can falter against those who slug it out from the baseline without many errors. Murray is basically a defensive player who changes into attack mode only after constructing gaps.  Sometimes, a passive approach may turn out to be the winning strategy, especially against players who commit numerous unforced errors in long drawn rallies. Murray appears to be stronger in basics. However, his basics sometimes falter when he feels the pressure. He might start slowly, and a point will come when his mind will relax and he will start playing freely. When will that point of time come, cannot be predicted. If Murray has to win, it should come sooner than later.

Tsonga is a type of player who is conscious of the crowd support. He is not like Federer, Novak Djokovic or Nadal who can shut their mind to the mob music. He performs better with cheers and not as well with jeers. If he is predisposed to losing focus, it can come any time in the pressure cooker type of atmosphere that is likely to prevail on the centre court.

Tsonga might be forced into high risk play where probability of failure is greater. If that happens, Murray might live another day to let his fans light a candle one more time.