Andy Murray began his 2010 ATP World Tour campaign by reaching his second Grand Slam at Australian Open losing to Roger Federer in straight sets. Since then, both Murray and Federer shared not so good results in succeeding tournaments including 2010 French Open where they both upset in fourth round and quarterfinals, respectively.
As the grass court season starts, Murray went at the Queen's Club as the defending champion, but wasn't able to defend his title as he lost to Mardy Fish in third round. But such loss didn't bother him for his quest for his first Grand Slam title at All-England Club.
Murray started his Wimbledon campaign beating Jan Hajek 7-5|6-1|6-2. In the second round, he played in front of Queen Elizabeth II against Jarkko Nieminen whom he defeated in straight sets 6-3|6-4|6-2. He defeated Gilles Simon in the third round 6-1|6-4|6-4 to set up a meeting with Sam Querrey whom he defeated in straight sets 7-5|6-3|6-4.
Murray is almost not rattled in the first four rounds of his Wimbledon campaign until he met Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals. It seems like his quest will end unexpectedly as he lost the first set but eventually won the match in four sets 6-7(5)|7-6(5)|6-2|6-2 to book a semifinal meeting with world No.1 Rafael Nadal.
Murray is in underdog position when he played Nadal. This will be their 11th career meeting with Nadal edged Murray 7-3 in their previous encounters. This is a toughest task for Murray to accomplished and the amount of pressure is constantly increasing, what's at stake becomes higher.
Murray and Nadal played their match after Tomas Berdych dispatched Novak Djokovic to reach his first Grand Slam final. The first set is too close until Nadal breaks Murray serve and close it out. The second set becomes closer as it went to tiebreak. It was a very crucial moment for Murray, he do have a lead and even held a set points but comfortably erased by Nadal to have a two set to love lead.
Murray break Nadal's serve in the first game of the third set and look as he can hold it and take it but suddenly Nadal broke back and then took the set and the match to meet Berdych in the finals.
Therefore, the 2010 Wimbledon Championships will be soon concluded and as expected a new king will be crowned and unfortunately, that king will not be Andy Murray.
One question that can be asked to Murray after the match is that, what if he won that close second set tiebreak and held the early break he had on third set, will the result have been different? Of course, it is. A two sets to one lead may have turned the match around.
What happened to Murray on those moments?
On those crucial moments, Nadal was simply too strong as he came out with big serves and big forehands to erased Murray’s lead and grab it to his advantage. As for Murray, he simply has no answer.
Murray didn't even maximize using his serves. In fact, he is leading in aces count over Nadal, but when he can't close out the set as his first serve went out. Holding nerves in critical moments is what Nadal did because Murray can't.
The result, Nadal saw himself in the finals of Wimbledon again for the fourth time in his career and on the brink of capturing his second Wimbledon title, his eight Grand Slam titles overall, while Murray once again will be out of the tournament empty handed.
Does Murray loss has something to do with the pressure of playing in front of his hometown crowd?
Yes it is. In fact, it increases the amount of pressure he carries on his shoulders and Murray simply can't handle that. It has also something to do with his state of mind as he is seemed to be distracted.
The only British hope remain in the tournament is out and the long wait continues. Another opportunity has slipped away. Time for triumph is not yet in Murray's hands, maybe next year.
There still one more chance for Murray to be victorious before the year ends - at the Flushing Meadows. The upcoming 2010 US Open might be Murray's chances to end the year with flying colors as he no stranger anymore at NYC. He may have disappointed his people in their home but there's no reason to lose hope.
For now, it's time to move on and evaluate what might have been wrong.
As long as Murray believed in his talent that it will give him Grand Slam title, success will surely be ahead of him. One day, he will get there and it will be the sweetest day of his tennis career.
Murray should be ready when it happens.
This article was originally published at Bleacher Report. For comments, read here.
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