Tensions build ahead of Murray v Roddick Wimbledon clash

Published on Friday 3 July 2009 14:59

Tension was building today as Andy Murray prepared for a semi-final showdown against American Andy Roddick.

The 22-year-old will battle to become the first British man to reach a Wimbledon final since 1938.

Fans poured through the turnstiles this morning to secure a place on Murray Mound in front of the big screen.

Murray prepared yesterday with his usual routine, practising with his coaching team before recovering with an ice bath, physio session and massage.

He lunched on pasta, chicken, vegetables and a fruit smoothie to keep his energy levels high and there was time for some competition later on with several games of table football – which he won.

Murray also revealed he has been watching clips of boxing and cage fighting on YouTube to prepare for his gladiatorial encounter.

He will have to be on top form to overcome his opponent.

Andy Murray coverage on scotsman.com

Live text: Andy Murray v Andy Roddick

Visit our Andy Murray mini-site

Single-minded Murray eyes final

Roddick's big weapon will pose problem, says McEnroe

Andy Murray 'Dream final' tickets could be costliest ever

Send your messages of support to Andy in our Forum

Roddick, known as A-Rod, recorded the fastest serve yet at the Wimbledon championships – 146mph in 2004.

Murray meanwhile is one of the best returners in the game.

And the "Battle of the Andys" could be a case of punch and counter-punch.

Murray has a 6-2 winning record against his opponent.

While he is considered the up-and-coming star, Roddick, at the age of 26, is a veteran.

He was a Wimbledon runner-up in 2004 and 2005 and is bidding to reach his third final.

The former world number one won the US Open in 2003. Murray was runner up there last year.

If Murray wins a place in the final he will be the first British man to make it since Henry "Bunny" Austin 71 years ago.

Roger Taylor made the semis twice while Tim Henman played for a place in the final four times, most recently in 2002 against Australian Lleyton Hewitt.

But neither of them made it to the final.

At 6ft 3in Murray is an inch taller than his rival.

And he has another advantage. The world number three eased through his quarter final against Juan Carlos Ferrero in three straight sets.

Roddick, now ranked world number six, had to battle it out against Hewitt in a five set epic.

He says he is in better shape than he was in his early 20s and he is by no means an old man.

But Murray, known as one of the fittest men on the tour, will be hoping he has more running in his legs.

The forecast today predicts the threat of showers, although by the time Murray plays it should be drier and brighter.

If it does rain Murray believes he has the bonus of having already played under Centre Court's new roof.

Both men are keen users of the micro-blogging site Twitter.

And Murray wins in that department with 58,000 "followers" compared to Roddick's 46,000.

In the other semi-final, Roger Federer was set to face German 24th seed Tommy Haas.

Tennis fans are dreaming of a Murray v Federer final on Sunday.

If he wins the final he will become the first British man to take the title since Fred Perry in 1936.

And Federer is looking to make history of his own with a record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title.