World number four Andy Murray is on course to win his first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open 2012 Tennis Championships after beating Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals. However, he will have to face a familiar foe in the person of defending champion Novak Djokovic in the final after the latter defeated fourth-seeded David Ferrer in the other semifinal.
“Mentally, it’s tiring, playing in those conditions for so long,” Murray said of the windy conditions during his semifinal match.
“Physically, in some ways it can be easier, but from one of the ends you can’t control the points. You can’t hit through a wind that’s as strong as that, so you have to do a lot of the running from one of the sides. So you need to make sure that when you’re on the good end that you’re sort of dictating. Physically, it was not the most tiring match I have played, but it was hard for other reasons,” he added.
Despite having won the London Olympics gold medal, Murray enters the US Open tournament not being the heavy favorite. This was due to his dismal performances at the Rogers Cup and Cincinnati Masters but as the fourth-ranked player in the world said, he’s been doing his best.
“Obviously, at the beginning of this tournament, as well, I haven’t actually played great tennis so far. So some of the matches just found a way to get through them. And to be in the final and get the chance to play for a Grand Slam is great. The year, obviously, is not over yet, but [the final] is probably the last big match I will play this year. Looking forward to it,” he added.
Murray still handles pressure from his home country and he’s bidding to become the first male British player to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry in 1936. His record at the US Open is nothing to look down at, having reached the final and a slew of semifinal finishes at the Flushing Meadows.
Murray has a 6-8 record against Djokovic but they’ve split their past four meetings this year and that’s not something to overlook too.
Watch 2012 US Open Djokovic vs Murray Men’s Singles Final Live Online Video Stream
