FIRST, he slew the giant. Now he must confound the sporting god of tennis.
Andy Murray last night kept his hopes alive of making the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP Tour Finals by defeating the 6ft 5in Milos Raonic 6-3, 7- 5 in one hour 31 minutes in front of a rapturous crowd. Roger Federer, and a series of diabolical permutations, now stand between him and the last four.
Raonic, the man of more than 1000 aces this season, was dealt a grievous blow. The intricacies of Group B are such that all four players - Murray, Raonic, Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer -can qualify for the semi-finals.
It is Murray's fate that he plays Federer, the greatest player of all time indoors. It maybe his destiny, too, to defeat him. Federer has been imperious this week while Murray has struggled before he soared last night. Group B with Federer on two wins, Murray and Nishikori on one and Raonic on none has a series of outcomes that would test the brain of Albvert Einstein.
Briefly, Murray could defeat Federer and go out. He could lose to Federer and go through. It all depends on the outcome of Raonic-Nishikori. Basically, he will be rooting for the Canadian against the Japanese. One cynic said the simple way for Murray to progress was just to defeat the Netherlands 3-0. That is all for tomorrow, of course.
Last night the Scot exulted in a hard-fought victory. "I am happy to be back," he shouted to a crowd that roared its approval at a much improved performance after the disappointing display against Nishikori on Sunday.
Murray served better but his all-round game was more focused and he had a couple of backhands, particularly at 5-5 in the second set, that were simply marvellous.
The story of the two sets followed a typical Murray narrative. He wrested the big man for advantage, won it and then seemed to squander it. He was one set up, 2-1 up and serving in the second before he performed a Murray manoeuvre that is not unrecognisable to dedicated followers. He was broken.
But he was not beaten. He showed grit to claw his way back and force another break. He was outstanding on several backhand shots, aggressive on his forehand and strong of mind in the vital moments.
This was a big result for Murray that resounds beyond the O2. He has been desperate to gain
more confidence by beating the big players, The tall Raonic, the world No.5, falls into the category. He was cut down to size last night.
There is no secret to beating Raonic. The first rule is to neutralise his 135mph-plus serve for at least one game. And then capitalise by breaking it. This is what Murray achieved in game seven of the first set. He had already eked out two break points against the Canadian in game six but he could not quite grasp them, letting one slip with a loose forehand. Game six was the crucial moment.
With Murray leading 3-2, he again forced Raonic, whose first serve percentage rate was in the 30s, to offer two break points. Murray took the first gleefully. He then faced that Murray moment when he can be vulnerable, immediately after a breakthrough.
But he held his nerve and his technique to hold and take a 5-2 lead. Raonic was not finished, though. He held his serve and then pushed Murray to deuce. But the Olympic gold medallist fired in a serve the Canadian could not return. The battle to stay in the tour finals was off to an excellent start.
Murray looked confident, focused in the early exchanges of the second set At 1-1, Raonic looked as if he was cruising to another hold but Murray hung in, taking 0-40 to deuce as the Canadian's serve and forehand misfired. A break point was earned then taken as Raonic looped a forehand long. At 2-1 with the ball in his hand, Murray was now in charge of the match. He stuttered, though, in game four, offering a break point, his first of the match.
A skewed backhand saw Raonic claw back to 2-2. Murray was livid. Raonic was energised.
The Raonic serve percentage was improving in to the 60 percentile and Murray, too, was obdurate on serve. The match then progressed to 5-4 Raonic. Murray was serving
to stay in the set. He held with some comfort. Brilliant Murray play forced two break points and Raonic failed to place a half volley over the net. Murray was now serving for the match. A shanked forehand from Raonic gave the Scot match point. But he plundered a weak second serve. Murray forged out a second match point and a Raonic forehand drifted long to the Scot's joy. "I am really looking forward to playing Roger," he told the world. He will pay the 17-time grand slam winner in the evening match.
He will know what he has to do. That, of course, is far from half the battle against a sporting deity.
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