Murray Avoids Federer…At Least Until Final
Locker Room
June 24, 2016
Andy Murray has avoided a potential semi-final showdown with Roger Federer at Wimbledon 2016.
Federer will face Novak Djokovic in the other half of the draw, should both men progress to the semi-final stage.
The British hope has Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Richard Gasquet in his half of the draw.
And Murray will be heartened by the fact that he has dealt with all three of those quality players efficiently in recent times.
On the other hand the Scot has only rarely looked comfortable against Federer, who took him apart with a sensational performance in last year’s semi-final.
So Murray will probably be relieved that he doesn’t have to beat both Federer and Djokovic in order to win a second Wimbledon singles title.
And if Novak and the Fed clash in a draining semi, all the better for the world number two.
Many people forget that in 2013, the year Murray won Wimbledon, Djokovic had been exhausted by a semi-final classic against Juan Martin del Potro.
The contest took 4 hours and 44 minutes, leaving Djokovic vulnerable for the final against Murray.
Andy will hope that Federer can still put up substantial resistance over five sets against the best player on the planet right now.
Both Murray and Djokovic, the most likely finalists if all goes according to form, have to face British talent in the opening round at Wimbledon 2016.
Djokovic will face wild card James Ward, while Murray takes on Liam Broady.
Serena Williams will face a wildcard or “lucky loser” in her opening match in the women’s singles.
Meanwhile Britain’s Johanna Konta plays a Puerto Rican called Monica Puig, and Heather Watson takes on Annika Beck, the German star ranked six places above her.
If Watson beats Beck, then Serena should be waiting in the next round. That would mean a repeat of their unforgettable clash at Wimbledon last summer.
Laura Robson faces the toughest task of all, against Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber.
Robson has beaten Kerber before. But that was five years ago and the German is a different proposition these days.
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