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Handy Andy needs to return to his very best
ANDY MURRAY must find a way to shoot down the top gun in tennis if he is to send the nation's hopes soaring by reaching Sunday's Wimbledon final.
Murray faces Andy Roddick in this afternoon's second semi-final on Centre Court and the British number one has been warned by John McEnroe that he had "better be ready".
Roddick holds the record for the fastest serve in tennis at 155mph. His fastest serve so far this tournament is 141mph and so far he has thundered down 139 aces, second only to Ivo Karlovic.
McEnroe said: "He possesses one major weapon in that serve. It's the hardest I've ever seen. At the very least he has a puncher's chance, so Murray better be ready. Roddick's a smart guy and the pressure being off should help him."
But while Roddick's serve is an obvious threat, Murray, whose epic fourth-round encounter against Stanislas Wawrinka attracted 12.6million BBC viewers at its peak, has demonstrated during Wimbledon 2009 that he has matured into a complete player.
His own first serve has been clocking in at more than 130mph regularly on the speed gun, while his ability to switch defence into devastating attack with the variety of his shot-making has been the feature of the tournament.
Roddick has traced Murray's rapid rise and puts much of it down to the maturity and experience he gained in defeating Richard Gasquet in a five-set thriller last year.
The American number one said: "I think this tournament did wonders for him last year, especially the Gasquet match. Everyone thought it was going to be a matter of time. He's certainly capable of hitting all the shots. It's just a matter of being able to do it day after day now.
"There's a certain comfort level where you go out there and it's like second nature. I think he's acquired that since last year.
"He doesn't really have a lot of weaknesses, or any for that matter. He's improved his serve a lot. He returns well. He has been playing great. He's certainly come into his own."
Roddick reached the Wimbledon final in 2004 and 2005, losing both times to Roger Federer. His one grand slam success came at the 2003 US Open, but while his one-dimensional game appeared to have been left behind by players such as Federer and Rafael Nadal, he proved by reaching the semi-final at the Australian Open in January that he is still a force.
Roddick said: "With my serve I can give myself a chance in any match. I'm going to have to play well and hopefully he would probably say the same. He's certainly in the conversation among the best returners."
Scattered showers are forecast for the Wimbledon area today so there is the possibility that the match could take place under the new roof, which would hand Murray a distinct advantage since he sampled the indoor conditions in his match against Wawrinka on Monday.
Murray was negative in his comments about how the humid conditions affected his serve that night but insists he is happy with Wimbledon's 100m new addition.
"You have to alter your game style slightly, because it's a slower court, but I don't mind if it's indoors or outdoors," said the Scot.
"I think it is important if you are going to play under the roof you know half an hour in advance. That's all I would ask for which I don't think is unreasonable."
He was much more concerned, however, with guarding against complacency with the hype surrounding his quest to become the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles crown hitting stratospheric levels.
Murray: "Roddick is one of the best servers in the game. I'll have to return very well. He's made two finals, been number one in the world, been a grand slam champion. It's going to be tough.
"I served well in all the matches where I've needed to, bar the Wawrinka one. If I can keep serving like that I've got a good chance against anyone.
"If you serve great on grass it makes a big difference to your confidence throughout the match."
Return as well against Roddick today and British tennis fans could have the final they have been dreaming about.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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