By Mike McIntyre
A physically and mentally fit Rafael Nadal advanced to his fourth Wimbledon final with a 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-4 victory over Andy
Murray on Friday. Forced to withdraw from his favorite Grand Slam a year ago
due to injuries to his knees, Nadal turned in one of his finest performances at
the All England Club as he defeated the fourth seeded Murray.
"For sure, that makes
(it) more special," Nadal said, "because I worked a lot to be back,
playing my best tennis. I did, so that's very important. Personal satisfaction,
no?"
In the first Set Rafa broke Murray's
serve at 4-4 and then served out the set with ease. Murray was playing great and his serve was
particularly effective but he seemed to take his foot off the gas for a couple
of lazy points that allowed Nadal to capitalize as he so often does.
Murray had
a set point in the second set tie break while serving six points to five but
could not get his first serve in. He then served up a soft second serve that
let Nadal get control of the point and even things up. The Spaniard benefitted
from a timely net-cord at 6-6 when Murray
appeared poised to put away a volley. Instead the ball hopped-up over his
racquet giving Nadal a set-point of his own that he would not squander. Murray served as well as
I’ve seen anyone in recent memory during the second set yet still came up
empty.
Just when everyone thought Nadal had Murray by the throat it was the Scot who
would break serve in the opening game at love. The crowd-favorite could not
maintain the lead however and Nadal broke back to tie it up at 4-4. A Murray forehand into the
net at 4-5, 30-30 gave Nadal the only match point he would require. Murray blew an easy
overhead by sailing it long and Nadal dropped to the ground on his back to
celebrate the victory. His celebration made it look as if he had just won Wimbledon and with an opponent like Tomas Berdych on
Sunday the odds of Nadal taking his second crown here appears quite likely.
As for Murray,
his disappointment was clear and understandable. His attempt to be the first British
man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936
will have to wait another year.
"I obviously want to
win for myself. I want to win for the guys I work with. I want to win for, you
know, the U.K.,"
said Murray, who also lost in the semi-finals last year and appeared on the
verge of tears at his news conference. "A little bit more disappointing
than other Grand Slams, because this one is, you know, the biggest one of the
year for me."
With Nadal taking steps to solidify his world number one
position the British crowd showed great class by giving Nadal a
deserving standing ovation. It was a fitting moment for a former Wimbledon
champion who a year ago was forced to watch the final Sunday on his sofa back
home in Spain.
this is not his second wimbledon final, its his fourth.
Thanks for pointing out the oversight.