Australian Open - Murray gunning for Nadal

Eurosport - Thu, 08 Jan 16:12:00 2009

Andy Murray is confident he can deliver another devastating hammer blow to world number one Rafael Nadal should the two meet again at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of 2009.

TENNIS Abu Dhabi 2009 Murray Nadal - 0

The Scot defeated the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic champion 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to clinch the $250,000, winner-takes-all Abu Dhabi exhibition title the day after he had also beaten Roger Federer.

It was world number four Murray's second successive win over Nadal after knocking the Spaniard out of the US Open last year.

"When we play in the Australian Open, I know I'll be able to beat him in a tight match," Murray confidently predicted. "It was an awesome way to start the year. It was a long match physically, it didn't feel like an exhibition. Some of the rallies were incredible and I feel really good about the way I played.

"I surprised myself. Every match with Nadal is a tough one. Every time I play the top players, I know I have to work extra hard and play my best tennis if I want to beat them."

Murray now joins Nadal and Federer at the Qatar Open in Doha from Monday, the opening week of the 2009 competitive season.

Nadal, who missed the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai last year because of a knee injury, was playing his first event in more than two months, and was delighted with his game and health.

"Today was a very good test for the knee. It was two hour 45 minutes of high-quality, and I'm feeling very well," said the Spaniard who now has a 5-2 record over Murray.

On Murray, Nadal added: "He was very good towards the end of last year, and he is really playing well right now. I think he has got a great chance in Australia."

"I made some mistakes today but I think that's to be expected after two months out. I think I'm playing well, I did a lot of running and I feel great."

AFP

Comment 4 - 23 of 23

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  1. What a sad lot you negative people are, let the best­ man win and good luck to andy murray for 2009.

    From turnbull587, on Fri 9 Jan 4:03AM

  2. 2009 has got to be Andy Murray's year, he is fast­ becoming one of Britain's most successful tennis­ players. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have had their­ turn in winning silverware, lets hope that this man can­ win Wimbledon for the first time for Britain in many­ years... I'm backing Andy all the way, I don't­ know about you lot!

    From , on Tue 6 Jan 12:32PM

  3. WHAT A FAB MATCH WITH RAFA VS MURRAY FINAL ONE OF THE­ BEST I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG WHILE.
    MURRAY AND RAFA BOTH­ PLAYED THEIR HEARTS OUT SO HATS OFF TO THEM BOTH.
    I­ THINK MURRAY HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF REACHING THE FINALS­ AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN I AM NOT A FAN OF HIS BUT LETS­ GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE HE BEAT THE NUMBER ONE AND­ TWO PLAYERS IN THE WORLD SO GOOD LUCK TO HIM IN­ 09.
    ALISON.

    From AJ, on Mon 5 Jan 8:30PM

  4. nadal's dominance is even bigger than in 2008:
    1­ Rafael Nadal 6675
    2 Rafael Nadal 13160
    3 Roger­ Federer 5305
    4 Novak Djokovic 5295
    5 Andrew Murray­ 3720
    :))

    From Zoltán, on Mon 5 Jan 8:30PM

  5. To all those who can't stand Andy Murray - I hope­ he has his best year yet in 2009. He is neither­ arrogant or egotistical - just totally confident in his­ ability, as all great sportsmen and women should­ be.
    From Roz

    From cpalmer47, on Mon 5 Jan 7:45PM

  6. Murray has a great chance in Aussie Open. He has a­ natural talent and flair for the game. He doesn't­ smile much because he's so focussed and determined.­ Shame though, cos he's a handsome man...

    From pachambers, on Mon 5 Jan 7:28PM

  7. Just because he won an exhibition tournament he think­ he is the best now. Only time will teache this guy to­ shut his mouth and let his play do the talking.­
    Totally agree with kathleen.mellor : 'Pride comes­ before a fall!

    From mauricechlela, on Mon 5 Jan 6:37PM

  8. Im pretty sure Tsonga will beat Murray again in­ Australia 6-0,6-1

    From sagupaan1, on Mon 5 Jan 5:57PM

  9. murry can win, i know u can go all the way to the­ finale

    From david.khanna, on Mon 5 Jan 4:24PM

  10. I am one of Federer's fans because i doesn't­ enjoy any way of playing like his way and his­ personality is very good. Nadal is a very good player­ noone can deny although i am not interseting in his way­ but others are ,i must say i respect him very much­ because he respect everyone in his speech Federer and­ all other players.
    Djokovic also has a very lovely­ personality .
    But Murray he is a big arrogant­ doesn't respect anyone in his speech like the above­ or before shangai or his way when he shake with­ davydenko in shangai i wonder how there is people love­ a person like him
    I hope Federer and Nadal learn him­ how to be a sportive man.

    From ola azmy, on Mon 5 Jan 4:05PM

  11. what can i say? murray is right! if he wants to beat­ rafa or another player-better then murray ,he has plays­ his best tennis. murray is really good player but­ rafael is always my best!

    From sileirem, on Mon 5 Jan 2:49PM

  12. by the way maikafeimf, God doesnt read your comments

    From lxdollarsxl, on Mon 5 Jan 10:03AM

  13. Why oh why do some always have to come on here and­ knock whoever wins? Murray played well and deserved­ the win - Most sportsmen and women are a little­ arrogant but why not they are top of that sporting­ tree, and it has never been any different no matter­ what the sport or competitor. For those who knock get­ a life, your irrelevant comments do make you look very­ silly - I dont particularly like Murray but he­ did well

    From lxdollarsxl, on Mon 5 Jan 9:55AM

  14. look, there's something i can foreseen -- the­ wimbledon 2009 live courage from bbc will be overloaded­ with presenters ask for comments on murry from anyone­ they can think of, and what a pain that could be!

    From maikafeimf, on Mon 5 Jan 9:38AM

  15. It was a great match tho, one of the best matches I­ have seen in a while!Welcome back Rafa

    From Vic M, on Mon 5 Jan 9:34AM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    murry's expended ego is huger than what he really­ is, please god, get rid of this non-senser!

    From maikafeimf, on Mon 5 Jan 9:24AM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NOBODY LIKES MURRAY, HE IS 2 ARROGANT

    From HELEN, on Mon 5 Jan 6:14AM

  18. what arrogance, i haven't met one person that likes­ murray,

    From Penny, on Mon 5 Jan 5:20AM

  19. I hope his big mouth loses :)

    From johnka7a, on Mon 5 Jan 5:16AM

  20. murray has the answers to all nadal strenghts: high­ ball heavy forehand crosscourt topspins (that hurts­ federer), backhand crosscourt power play and forehand­ side spin. he beats nadal now cos of his improved­ mental toughness. he serves well and one of the best­ returning serves.

    lets hope he does not struggle on­ clay and grass though. I doubt if he can beat Federer­ in the finals of a grand slam despite the fact that­ federer is now slower, whihc has caused the higher­ percentage of unforced errors when he attempts his­ magical shot making skills.

    From Robert O, on Mon 5 Jan 4:18AM
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