Andy Murray is ready to deliver against Fed express

Published on Friday 29 January 2010 21:57

IT IS the most important match of Andy Murray's career so far, a game where he must not only triumph over the greatest exponent of his sport, but fulfil the expectations of a nation.

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Although the first serve of the Australian Open final will not be made until tomorrow morning, the young Scot has already been challenged with a succession of acute volleys.

His opponent Roger Federer yesterday warned Murray not to expect an "easy" time, especially amid the pressures involved in vying for his first Grand Slam title.

Yet the Swiss, with 15 such trophies to his name, went further, articulating the painful 74-year drought since a British man won a major singles title.

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"I know Andy would like to win this first title in British tennis in what is it, 150,000 years?" the world number one said after his straight-set semi-final defeat of France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"The poor guy, who has to go through those moments over and over again ... "

He added: "I don't feel the pressure's really on me having to do it again, because I did it before. I think he really needs it more than I do, so the pressure's bigger on him. We'll see how he's going to handle it. It's not going to be easy for him, that's for sure." It was a barb designed by Federer to exacerbate psychological flaws from which he believes his opponent to suffer, perhaps dating from his victory at the US Open in 2008 when Murray admitted suffering from nerves.

But the 22-year-old from Dunblane is a different player from two years ago – fitter, stronger and more focused, thanks to a gruelling schedule of training before Christmas in Florida.

While mindful of the task ahead, he is ready to make amends.

Recalling that disappointing day at Flushing Meadows, Murray said yesterday: "I was obviously nervous in that first final as everyone is going to be. It will be my job to make sure that I play against the opponent and not let that get in the way of my performance.

"There's obviously going to be a lot of pressure out there and nerves. But I think I'm old enough now and experienced enough now to be able to deal with it well. Hopefully, I'll play better. I'm sure I will."

In the run-up to the match at the Rod Laver Arena, Murray – who said he wants to win for his training team and his parents – is enjoying the opportunity to build his energy levels, having conquered Marin Cilic on Thursday. The British number one trained on the practice courts for around 90 minutes yesterday, and will stretch his muscles for around 45 minutes today.

Otherwise, he will stay in the Melbourne apartment he is sharing with his coach, Miles Maclagan, perhaps watching a box-set of the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, of which the two men are fans.

It will be a low-key preparation for what might be an era-defining victory.

Some 10,000 miles away, the anticipation is building.

Craig Levein, manager of the Scotland football team, said that a Murray victory would bring a feelgood factor to Scottish sport.

"Any Scottish person who does well on an international stage is somebody who's lauded by everybody in Scotland," he said.

In Murray's hometown of Dunblane, preparations will today step up a gear. A flurry of banners and signs already adorn pubs and shops, reading "Go Andy Go" and "Good Luck Andy". Even the Murray family business is cheering on its own, with the window of optometrists RS Erskine & Co awash with photos, rackets, balls and memorabilia.

The Dunblane Centre is expecting a crowd come the start of the match at 8:30am tomorrow.

So too the Dunblane Hotel, which will be opening at an hour when most people are usually preparing for church, or asleep.

Landlord Tom McLean said he had secured a special licence to usher in punters, who have been promised bacon rolls.

The 62-year-old said: "We are hoping the champagne will be flowing by lunchtime."

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