ANDY Murray’s Wimbledon dream is over – but his faith in winning the title remains as strong as ever.
Murray valiantly shouldered the hopes of a nation starved of success.
But for now Britain’s long national nightmare will continue.
Seventy-three years of hurt will become 74.
Fred Perry, a player only remembered in black and white photographs and smudgy newsreels, is still the best we have to offer after Andy Roddick upset the form book and dismayed the home crowd with a 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6 semi-final victory.
But there was no shame in Murray’s defeat – Roddick has rarely played better – and his time will surely come.
“I will move on quickly from this and come back stronger. If you lose one match and let it ruin your year, that is a pathetic attitude,”
said Murray.
“If I keep playing well, I’m going to give myself opportunities.
I believe I can win a Grand Slam.
“I will come back next year and try and do better.
“You always expect your opponents to play well and he served great, especially in the tie breaks.
“I had a few chances in the first tie-break and in the third set but I didn’t take them.
“I thought I played well. I hit more winners and less unforced errors but it just came down to points on his serve and he served really, really well.
“Sometimes there is not much you can do. If someone serves 130mph consistently throughout the match, it is very tough to break them.”
Murray and Roddick had played eight times with the Scot holding a commanding 6- 2 advantage, including wins in their last three encounters and a triumph in their only previous meeting on grass.
However, Roddick clearly hadn’t read the script as he took the early advantage, winning the first set to establish a momentum he never lost.
Well-drilled by one of the canniest coaches around, Larry Stefanki, his disciplined tactics were spot on, as he mixed caution with his trademark aggression and unrelenting serve, which touched 143mph.
“I had to play my best tennis to win. I can’t say enough good things about Andy Murray,”
said Roddick “It’s only a matter of time before he wins a Grand Slam title, he will probably win numerous ones. It’s not if, but when for Andy in my opinion.
“But I can play some tennis sometimes, not many people gave me much of a chance but I knew I had a shot.
“Throughout my career I’ve had a lot of shortcomings but trying hard is never one of them. He had a lot of pressure on him and that probably helped me.
“The last couple of years I didn’t know whether I’d play for another Grand Slam title – it’s just a dream.”
Murray will now have five weeks off before focusing his attention on the US Open at Flushing Meadow and the Masters 1000 events that precede it.
He was a beaten finalist against Roger Federer last year and the world number three has made no secret that the hard court surface in New York is where he prospers.
“I’ve always said the US Open is my best chance to win a Slam and I’ll give it my best shot there next month,” added Murray.
“I’ve liked the US Open ever since a junior. I love New York and the atmosphere.
“However, I think it’s been a very good Wimbledon for me. I’ve done better than I ever have before, I played some good tennis and dealt with everything put in front of me.”
Murray was repeatedly left flatfooted by Roddick and received a code violation for swearing from umpire Pascal Maria, a charge he furiously contested.
He also seemed to be in pain, holding his thigh on several occasions as the pair traded blows from the baseline.
But still Murray had his chances. He had a set point for a 2-1 lead but spurned it and Roddick almost immediately took advantage.
The fourth set was equally as close but Murray just couldn’t get close to Roddick’s fizzing serve and the American – who has won 26 out of 30 tie-breaks this season – closed out the match.
It was a classy performance and he even mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ to the crowd as he departed Centre Court, exhausted from a three-hour seven-minute tussle.
Five-time champion Federer, seeking an unprecedented 15th Grand Slam title, now awaits in the final.
The stage is set – it’s just that the cast is wrong.
But don’t worry. The Ashes starts next week and there are 33 days to the start of the new football season.
■ Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON is lead partner of British Tennis and is backing the sport at all levels, from grassroots to world class tennis events. For further information visit www.lta.org.uk
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