Wimbledon - Murray: I'll come back stronger

Eurosport - Sat, 04 Jul 20:52:00 2009

Andy Murray vowed to return to Wimbledon a better player next year after Andy Roddick ended his hopes of being a first Briton in the men's final since 1938 with a clinical masterclass of power serving and variation in pace.

TENNIS 2009 - Andy Murray of Britain returns the ball to Andy Roddick of the US during their semi-final match at Wimbledon - 0

Murray hit more winners than Roddick, more aces, and made fewer unforced errors, but was cut down in front of a shell-shocked Centre Court crowd 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6 by the American sixth seed, who now faces Roger Federer for the third time in a Wimbledon final on Sunday.

Murray, the third seed and warm favourite to progress from Friday's semi-final, said he would not dwell on the unexpected defeat and would look to grind out his first Grand Slam success at the US Open later in the year.

"I'll move on very, very quickly and go and work on my game and improve and come back stronger," said Murray, who was bidding to become the first British man to hold aloft the Challenge Cup since Fred Perry in 1936.

"That's a pathetic attitude to have, if you lose one match and you go away and let it ruin your year.

"I've had a very good year so far. I'm very close to the top of the game," said the 22-year-old Scot, who has won four titles this year including the grass warm-up event at Queen's Club and the Masters Series title in Miami.

Murray held a 6-2 career record against Roddick going into Friday's match, including a straight-sets win over the American at Wimbledon in 2006, but Roddick executed his gameplan to perfection, subtly varying the pace, hitting deep corners with relentless regularity and advancing to the net with great effect.

"If someone serves 130 miles an hour consistently throughout the match, and above, it's very tough to break them, especially on a court like this that's quick," he said.

"You always expect your opponents to play well, especially at this stage of the tournament. And he served great. Served really, really well in the tiebreaks. I think he maybe missed two first serves."

Murray will now take a five-week break from tournament competition before focusing on the American hardcourt swing, culminating in the August 31-Septemer 13 US Open, an event which has held a special place in his heart since winning the junior title there in 2004.

"The US Open I've always said is my best surface, my best chance to win a Slam, and I'll give it my best shot there," he added.

Reuters

Comment 145 - 164 of 184

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  1. murray did the nation proud and kept us on the edge of­ our seats with great tennis. awesome performance. so he­ didn't win the tournament big whoop. all it means­ is he didn't win it this time, roddick had to play­ some of the best tennis of his life to beat murray, and­ lets face it murray has time on his side for the­ future.

    From hazel ra, on Sat 4 Jul 7:23PM
  2. CAD YE GAV MAY SAM IDEA AV WAT YE FINK A SED MISTAR­ UMPIR? DAD YE FINK A SED CAME MON YE BASTURD?

    From Donney, on Sat 4 Jul 7:02PM
  3. THARD WARNANG. CODE VIALATION MISTAR MARRAY.

    From Donney, on Sat 4 Jul 7:02PM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    lemontreesid, you forgot to mention that they also had­ their handbags round their guts, wore nice bonnets and­ after the battle went to another place where they­ to$$ed their cabers, then to finish the day danced with­ a Gay Gordon, har har har har har har

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 6:58PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i have been told i might be let out for the US open,­ then i can fire more turds at you, har har har har har,­ you humourless tw ats

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 6:54PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    murray the turd

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 6:51PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    thank you for your wonderful remarks you jock­ supporting kn obs, for a while there i thought you had­ all gone home to cry about turd murray.

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 6:49PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    mikejimmyriddle, you are the turd, racist !, try­ explaining where you draw that conclusion from, you­ complete idiot.

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 6:47PM
  9. I see Colin H the TURD loving racist is back in full­ swing

    From mikeriddle, on Sat 4 Jul 6:41PM
  10. Andy Murray did well to reach the semi-final just came­ up short Roddick served so well no more to be­ said.
    Colin H you are just Vile Vile Vile get off this­ site thank you.

    From AJ, on Sat 4 Jul 6:22PM
  11. Murray did the Brits proud hes a born fighter &­ wots gud abt him is dat his defeats will make him­ stronger- im sure hes gona get evn stronger afta dis­ defeat jus like he did last year afta losing 2 Nadal in­ quarters 8 Wimbledon & he got fitter &­ thereafter he won in Cincinnati & also was a­ finalist at the US Open & various other masters­ tournaments & jus remember hes only 22 & hes­ already no3 in da world! It wont be long b4 he wins a­ grand slam! Remember Federer won his 1st grand slam at­ Wimbledon whn he wos 22 and since then hes won 14 &­ hopefully his 15th on Sunday! Jus bkos Nadal &­ Djokovic won a grand slam at a very early age doesnt­ mean dat makes them da best as is da case wiv Djokovic­ who has performed well in da Masters tournaments but­ his record in da grand slams dis year has bin poor in­ comparison 2 Murrays. Obviously Nadal has over­ performed by winning 6 grand slams and acquired da no 1­ ranking bt poor guy is having knee problems now so he­ was forced 2 withdraw. Im sure Murray will be a very­ big force & tennis has bekum very exciting as other­ players like Roddick, Soderling, Gonzalez, Verdasco­ & Del Potro ofcourse dat r really shining through s­ it'll b very hard for one player 2 dominate the­ game. Right now Murray's critics need 2 give him a­ break & reflect on da positives & nt put added­ pressure on him whn goin into grand slams.

    From Fahima, on Sat 4 Jul 6:10PM
  12. date ri ch men and celebrities, meet your clas sy half­ on _C lassymingle C om_ the place make your dream come­ ture!

    From Click F, on Sat 4 Jul 4:58PM
  13. Mrs.H Went to the toilet and had a little turd and­ named him Colin.
    But we all know him as Colin H...

    From wayne.delay2, on Sat 4 Jul 4:56PM
  14. inverkenny did you wear your dress at bannockburn­ ,while you were defeating the biggest amy in europe !­ you hero

    From lemontreesid, on Sat 4 Jul 4:51PM
  15. Colin Hate it is time to take your medicine now.

    From Geoff, on Sat 4 Jul 4:51PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    murray the haggis munching tw at

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 4:41PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    murray McTurd

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 4:39PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    turd murray

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 4:38PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    turd murray

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 4:38PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    turd murray

    From Colin H, on Sat 4 Jul 4:38PM
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