By Niall Clarke
- Roger Federer puts on a superb performance to defeat Andy Murray
- The Swiss came through in straight sets 7-5, 7-5, 6-4.
- Federer will play Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.
LONDON, UK- Roger Federer put on a superb display of tennis to end Andy Murray’s hopes of a second Wimbledon title.
The seven time champion only needed three sets to defeat the British number one 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 and book his place in Sunday’s final.
The 33 year old did not face a single break point after the first game of the match as Murray struggled to cope with the all court approach of his opponent. Murray was broken at the back end of each set on his way to defeat.
The Swiss maestro hit 56 winners and only 11 unforced errors compared to Murray’s 35 winners and 17 unforced errors. Federer also hit 20 aces on his way to victory.
Murray will now turn his attention to the Davis Cup tie against France next week which will take place on the lawns of Queens Club. Federer will now look ahead to Sunday’s title where he will bid for an 8th Wimbledon and 18th Grand slam title. His opponent is Novak Djokovic, who beat the world number two in the final last year.
Murray did not do much wrong but Federer was just too good on the day. The Brit acknowledged his opponent’s brilliance post-match.
“He served fantastic, apart from the first game where I had the chance there,” said Murray (Source: BBC SPORT).
“I didn’t really have any opportunities. That puts pressure on you. The pressure builds throughout the set that way.
“I obviously got broken right at the end all of the sets but didn’t actually play a bad match. I played pretty well.”
Federer will contest his tenth Wimbledon final on Saturday, and with a performance like today’s the world number two could surpass Pete Sampras as the record holder of the most Wimbledon titles.
Federer said (Source: BBC SPORT). “It’s been tough. Andy’s been playing well this season. There’s so much expectation riding on it, you just have to focus for one more game, and then one more game. You think the break will come.
“I expected four or five sets. I played so well on the biggest occasion today.
“My serve was good again, against one of the best returners. I kept the pressure up and was able to mix it up. It worked out well.”
Murray applied some early pressure by forcing a break point in the opening game. Federer had only been broken on one previous occasion in the tournament, and keen to keep that record he snuffed out the break point. He would not face another all match as the Swiss would serve around 80% the whole match.
Murray held serve too all the way to 5-5 where Federer would up the ante. The Brit managed to save one set point with a passing shot, but Federer converted the second to take it 7-5.
The third seed was put under more pressure in the second set, but Federer missed a backhand on break point. Murray clawed it to 5-4 where he would be put under even more pressure. Serving to stay in the set, the Scotsman came from 0-40 and saved a total of five break points in a 14 minute thriller. Unfazed by the wasted opportunities, Federer went about his business and held to love before finally taking the set 7-5 with an easy put away volley.
The British crowd rallied behind their man as he attempted to do the seemingly impossible and beat the 17 time grand slam champion from two sets down. Federer did not let up and remained unbreakable, leaving Murray to serve to stay in the match. The Swiss forced match point at 30-40, and after a Murray forehand went wide, Federer found himself in another Wimbledon final.
Federer vs Djokovic will take place on Sunday at 14:00 BST. You can follow the match via our live-scoring service: Live Scores
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