Andy Murray’s topsy-turvy season came almost – if not quite – full circle yesterday as he faced off once more with that breaker of British hearts, Roger Federer.
The last time the aspiring Scot took on the regal Swiss was at the Australian Open Final in January. Murray’s tear-inducing straight-sets loss was the start of a series of surprising and, at times, abject performances that threatened the 23-year-old dropping out of the big four and with it, out of consideration as a genuine ‘contender’.
Murray and Federer share much in common. The Scot carries the weight of a hungry nation on his shoulders – a nation who are as quick to pounce on him following defeat as they are to idolise him in victory. For Federer, it is the eyes of the entire tennis-playing world that follow him wherever he goes. He was written off in 2008, top of the world again in 2009, handing out a masterclass in January of this year, and then falling in the quarter-finals at the two Slams that followed.
So it was inevitable that last night’s match would have a little added spice. Murray was out for revenge and trying to get his 2010 season back on track. Federer was looking to calm the ‘end is nigh’ whispers that seem to follow any defeat like a cloud of buzzing mosquitoes.
Both men, also, have an eye to the year’s final Grand Slam. The Cincinatti Masters next week is followed, with only a week’s gap, by the US Open in New York. By reaching the final in Toronto, Murray had narrowly avoided dropping to number five in the rankings and an even tougher draw at Flushing Meadows. Federer was back up to world number two following his victory over Novak Djokovic, but was looking to send out a message, not just to his potential Scottish challenger, but to the rest of the men’s tour.
Since they last met, Murray has split with coach Miles Maclagan, stating that he was keen to take more responsibility and to express himself more freely on court. Over the same period Federer has decided he is in need of outside advice – currently trialling the man who guided Pete Sampras to many of his victories, Paul Annacone.
Ultimately it was Murray’s search within himself that appeared the most fruitful. After a stuttering start against Xavier Malisse, the Scot has shown increasing confidence, flare and aggression on court with every match, despatching a resurgent David Nalbandian and a smoking hot Rafael Nadal without the loss of a set.
Federer however, experimenting with more frequent approaches to the net and showing a few other signs of Annacone’s influence, appeared lack-lustre and – in all honesty – slightly unclear on how to handle Murray’s fiery play.
Last night Murray walked on to court as if he was finally free of the shackles that have inhibited him since January. In storming to a 3-0 lead he made Federer look like an old man in comparison to his quick feet, quick mind and perfect balance of power with artistry. When the Swiss recovered one of the breaks and then the next break, Murray remained calm – refusing to let memories of Melbourne let an ounce of negativity enter his mindset.
The same was true in the second set. Murray’s only moments of sluggishness were when returning from yet another rain break while serving at 3-2 30-30. Federer took advantage of the momentary lapse to break back, but again Murray’s head refused to drop. If the Swiss came to the net Murray promptly passed him, if he was pushed wide on the backhand he returned a two-hander even wider towards Federer’s tramlines, when he was under pressure he – more than once – came up with a service bomb of over 215kph.
The rain-interrupted match wasn’t a classic – but it did include enough moments of brilliance from Murray for expectations to be recalibrated back to the high level of January 2010. With his victory Murray became only the second man since Andre Agassi fifteen years ago to retain the Toronto Masters title, and only the fourth player to beat Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the same tournament.
Toronto saw Andy Murray get back to winning ways. It saw him defeat the two players that – more often than not – prove his nemesis. And it saw him emulate his tennis hero. Enough to inspire him to finally breaking his Grand Slam duck at Flushing Meadows? Let’s see.