Murray, fight is the key

The stage for another Murray v Djokovic classic seemed set when Andy secured a two sets to one lead over Pole Jerzy Janowicz. But what happened soon after the striking of the final ball of the third set could have hindered the home favourite’s progress to a second successive Wimbledon final.

The time was 8:40pm, and the sky above Centre Court at Wimbledon was lit with its last ferocious display, before succumbing to the darkness of the night. A clear orange mist surrounded the sun and the finely mown courts of Wimbledon were glistening. As Murray approached his chair, he went about his normal duties of rehydrating himself and wiping the cold sweat off his face and arms that the set before had produced.

Murray had been broken at 2-1 in the third set and, with the young Pole holding comfortably soon after to consolidate the break, it was apparent that Murray would have to stage another heroic comeback, almost akin to that of the match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain on Wednesday evening. But Andy fought back strongly, securing a hold to stay within a break of his confident opponent. The Pole’s lead was short-lived, as the 26-year-old Scot broke back with aplomb, followed up with a hold to level the set at 4-4. The next two games would go to the experienced corner and the ‘home boy’ suddenly had control after winning five games on the trot.

Andy had a few moments to contemplate that lead until the umpire acted upon the Pole's constant complaints about bad light. The roof would be raised over Centre Court, and Murray’s momentum was somewhat broken as he argued with the referee for a few moments before heading off court.

The wait for resumption of play was tense for both the crowd and fans watching from home. The roof had been arguably what hindered Murray’s maiden win last year in the 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 defeat to Roger Federer. Thirty minutes later, the two players stepped onto Centre Court for the second time that night and, after a five-minute warm-up, the match was continued. In the very first game of the fourth set, the young Pole was under pressure, having to save break points which, had Murray taken them, could have signalled the end of the match. It was not to be, though, as the Pole fired down some well-timed serves that saved them effortlessly.

The five-game winning run for Andy was over. That did not tame his efforts, though, as he held with ease and would go on to break the Pole's deadly serve with ease. The score was now 2-1 to Andy, and he had to keep his nose in front to secure his place in the final. It proved none too difficult, as the next four games would go with serve and he advanced to 5-3. The Pole’s efforts were futile and the match was firmly Murray’s. He would take the match on his most prized weapon, his return of serve, and set up a repeat of this year’s Australian Open final with World No. 1 Djokovic - this time in his own backyard.

The final on Sunday will undoubtedly be a titanic tussle that will either make history or secure a second title in three years. Andy will be determined, but the Serb will keen to break British hearts once again.

What will be the main ingredients to the Murray success come Sunday afternoon? There is of course the psychological edge Murray has over the foreigner. The home crowd will help him to an extent, as Andy has a habit of feeding off the crowd at important moments, particularly in the semi finals and against Verdasco. Then there's his determination and past success - for example, last year’s Olympic victory over the Serb and the routine dismantling of Federer, with the loss of only seven games.

If Murray comes out all guns blazing and showing a positive, but fierce attitude towards both the match and the opponent, he has more than a shot at lifting the trophy he has so desired over the years. But Djokovic is not the best player on the planet for nothing. He has shown great resilience and fight these Championships, after choking away a 5-2 lead in the third set against German Tommy Haas, only to then win in a straightforward tiebreak. He then saved a set point in the first set tiebreak against the hungry Czech Tomas Berdych, who had beaten him here before in the semi-final in 2010, to give him his ticket to his first and only Slam final, where he lost Rafael Nadal in three sets. He then recovered a 3-0 double-break deficit in the second set before seeing out a comfortable win.

Then came the marathon encounter with injured Argentinian Juan-Martin Del Potro, in which the number eight seed won the second and fourth sets and saved two match points in the fourth set tiebreak. Djokovic would outlast the Argentinian in five excruciating sets of tennis.

Andy’s family may also prove to be a vital component to the 77-year codebreaker for a first British man to win the Wimbledon crown since Fred Perry in 1936. His girlfriend, daughter of Ana Ivanovic’s coach, Nigel Sears, his mother, a martyr in his life, and his father, William, will all be there to support him. It is unknown if his brother and sometime doubles partner Jamie will be attending, but whoever is present in Murray’s box will be sure to make their voices heard over the rowdy crowd. His tragedy-struck hometown of Dunblane in Scotland will also be watching on in amazement, wondering what the US Open champion will bring to the party.

Whatever happens, Andy Murray will feel right at home.

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