ANDY MURRAY insists Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal remain favourites for Wimbledon despite their lack of competitive match action on grass in the build-up to the tournament.
Murray cruised into the third round of the AEGON Championship at the Queen’s Club with a straight sets victory over Italian Andreas Seppi.
The number one seed triumphed 6-1 6-4 over Seppi to set up a third round clash against Guillermo Garcia- Lopez.
Nadal’s persistent knee troubles and Federer’s decision to pull out of the Halle tournament through exhaustion following his French Open triumph could give Murray a slight edge going into Wimbledon.
Both players, providing Nadal is fit enough, will enter the tournament without any competitive grass action under their belts.
Murray is convinced Nadal will shake off his bout of tendinitis to defend his title but does not believe the pair’s lack of match practice on the grass courts will help him.
‘‘Roger and Rafa, going into the tournament, were going to be the two favourites,’’ said Murray. ‘‘I don’t think anything’s changed.
‘‘Rafa I think has a slight edge in their head-tohead matches lately. Mentally he’s won two very long, tough matches against him in the last couple of times they’ve played in the Slams.
‘‘Both of them are going to be incredibly difficult to beat. Roger has made so many Grand Slam finals and semifinals in the last few years.
‘‘Everyone had been kind of saying all along that he was starting to slow down a bit, but in the Slams he’s still being incredibly consistent.
I always expect him to play well at Wimbledon.
‘‘I’d be surprised if Rafa didn’t play Wimbledon.
I’m sure his knees are not good. He likes to play a lot.
‘‘He won there last year after he won the French, so he obviously wouldn’t have missed this event if he wasn’t 100% ready physically or mentally.
‘‘He’ll come into Wimbledon with not as much match practice but he’ll certainly have the same belief that he can win the tournament.
‘‘Very few guys that are going to compete for the title at Wimbledon play the week beforehand.
‘‘Roger didn’t play last year in Halle and still nearly won the tournament.
‘‘Ideally I’d like to play a few matches on grass before Wimbledon. I’ll probably try and get as much practice on the courts at there and do a lot of fitness in the early part of next week to make sure I’m feeling in my best sort of physical shape going into the tournament.’’ Murray looked in fine shape as he raced to a first set lead inside 22 minutes over Seppi.
The Italian managed to fight his way back in the second but there was never any danger that the Scot would capitulate.
‘‘I started the match very well,’’ added Murray. ‘‘My serve could have been a little bit better, but I was happy.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here