Andy Murray knows exactly what it will take to beat Roger Federer in the Australian Open final today and finally fulfil the hopes of a nation. In theory, the solution to ending Britain's 74-year drought in the men's game by beating the man who has won more major titles than any one else is simple.
"I'm going to need to play my best match ever," Murray said yesterday as he prepared for the final. "That's what I plan on doing. If I do, I've got a good chance of winning." While Murray leads Federer 6-4 in career head-to-head matches, none of those victories came in a major tournament. They have played only once in a grand slam, in the final of the 2008 US Open, in which Federer brushed aside Murray in straight sets.
The only two matches Murray has lost in his last nine meetings against top 10 players have been to Federer - but the Briton is confident that he can deny the Swiss his 16th grand slam title. "I've played him a lot of times so I know the way you need to play against him," he said. "They're not going to be too many surprises on the court." Federer is six years older than Murray and has 61 career titles to the Scot's 14. Murray is heading into a grand slam final for only the second time - which makes him the first British man to achieve that distinction in the Open era.
Federer, on the other hand, played in all four finals last year and will be appearing in a record 22nd grand slam championship final. And he says that the pressure will be on Murray. "I know what it takes [to win] and how to do it, which is definitely an advantage," Federer said. "I don't feel like the pressure's really on me having to do it again. I think he really needs it more than I do." Despite the British tennis drought - their last winner of a men's major was Fred Perry, in 1936 - Federer is not going to cut Murray or his supporters any slack.
"I don't want to just give away a match. I will make sure I will make it as hard, as tough as possible for my opponent," he said as he prepared for his fifth Australian Open final. Murray's last match was on Thursday night when he defeated Marin Cilic, and he said his rest leading up to the final will make him fresher than Federer. On top of that, he said he has gained maturity and experience since his last grand slam meeting with Federer at Flushing Meadows in September 2008.
"I just feel physically more mature, mentally more mature," Murray said. "Just a lot more experienced in these sort of situations now." Federer agreed that Murray is a fitter and better player than he was in that 2008 US Open final. "He's consistent. He's one of the best return players we have in the game," Federer said. "He's been able to improve many things in his game that make it harder to beat him."
If Murray is successful today he will move up to No 2 in the world rankings, while even in defeat he would move up from No 5 to No 3. Federer has said it is important for his state of mind to take the first set in a match, but Murray insisted he would not be concerned if he found himself down a set early in the final. "Guys have come back against him in the past," he said. "A lot can change in just a few points. If I play my best, I think I've got a good chance against anyone."
gcaygill@thenational.ae
