Murray’s Victory Down Under Over Federer Sets Up Showdown With Djokovic

Andy Murray defeated Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-2 to advance to the finals of the 2013 Australian Open. It was Murray’s first-ever win over Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, at a Grand Slam event. Awaiting Murray in the finals is Novak Djokovic, a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 winner over the fourth-seeded David Ferrer on Thursday. The Murray-Djokovic Aussie Open final is a rematch of this past September’s U.S. Open, a match taken by Murray, 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. With his U.S. Open win, Murray became the first British man in 76 years to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry won the U.S. Open in 1936.

While Murray came into his semifinal encounter with Federer with a 10-9 career advantage, Murray had never beaten Federer in the three times they had met in majors, at finals at the 2008 U.S. Open, 2010 Australian Open and last year at Wimbledon.

”It’s always tough against him when he plays his best tennis,” Murray said. ”I was obviously very nervous. He plays his best tennis when his back is against the wall.”

Federer, playing in his 10th straight semifinal in Melbourne, came under pressure in the first game and saved one break point with a drive volley forehand at 30/40. Federer continued to miss his first serves in the third game and paid the price, as Murray converted his fifth break point opportunity with a cross-court forehand that Federer could not scramble back. A lapse in concentration saw Murray lose four straight points from 40/0 at 2-1, but he hit five aces and 16 winners in the 45-minute opener.

The crowd was initially evenly split between Federer and Murray supporters, and at times, they were competing to be heard. At one point in the second set, a group of Murray fans wearing white shirts with blue letters spelling his nickname ”Muzza” stood to chant Murray’s name, while a group of Federer supporters with Swiss flags on their cheeks and shirts chanted Federer’s name.

Federer dropped to 252-37 lifetime at major championships, and in beating Bernard Tomic in the third round, recorded his 250th major match win.