Murray trails Nadal in career matchups 2-5; however Murray has won their last two meetings. Murray defeated Nadal in the US Open semifinals in four sets last September before winning again last month in the Rotterdam final 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

After elevating his game to another level last summer and reaching the US Open final, many picked Murray to win January's Australian Open. However Nadal emerged as the Melbourne champion while Murray would lose in a five set round of sixteen match to Fernando Verdasco of Spain.

The 21 year old Murray's allcourt game, improved fitness and aggressive serve and baseline game could match up nicely with the 22 year old Nadal's game. However if Nadal's gameplan of working over the righthander's backhand with his extreme topspinned crosscourt lefthanded forehand is effective, a victory for Murray may prove very difficult.

Murray holds a 20-1 ATP Tour record this year which includes ATP Tour titles in Rotterdam and Doha. Murray's win Saturday versus Federer, seeded second, was his sixth in eight career meetings.

"I think he’s more focused all the time, he’s more regular," Nadal said of Murray. "Before, he has one good match and later he plays one set well and two sets not at the same level."

"Right now he’s playing all the time very solid and very regular. You look at his results the last seven, eight months, he’s not losing to anyone. He only loses against the best, and not a lot of times."

Murray, thought by many to be one of England's best tennis players ever, posted his best Wimbledon finish last year by reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Nadal in straight sets.

In the women's championship final, also to be played Sunday, the 4th seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia takes on the 5th seeded and defending champion Ana Ivanovic of Serbia.

Share: Facebook Digg