The Sunday Mail
ANDY MURRAY finds himself in the unusual position of favourite to lift a second Wimbledon title today with fate seemingly doing its best to make sure the British star captures a third career Grand Slam crown. The 29-year-old world No 2 faces Milos Raonic, the first Canadian man to reach a final at the majors, in what will be the first Wimbledon title match since 2002 not to feature Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.
It will also be Murray’s first final from 11 at the majors where he hasn’t faced either Djokovic or Federer against whom he has lost eight times.
And if Murray needed any more convincing that this will be the year when he adds to his 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon titles it’s seeing Ivan Lendl back in his coaching corner.
It was the Czech who oversaw the Briton’s triumphs in New York and London.
“It’s obviously an opportunity. I put myself in a position to try and win the event again. It’s against someone new that I’m playing against in the final,” said Murray after breezing past Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych to reach his third Wimbledon final.
But the second seed won’t underestimate Raonic who reached the final by coming from two sets to one down to defeat seven-time champion Federer.
“Milos is a very tough opponent. He’s played very well on the grass this year and has earned his right to the final by beating one of the best, if not the best player, ever at this event.”
Raonic packs the fastest serve of the tournament so far, sending down a 144mph (231.7km/h) ace early in the semifinal against Federer.
“Andy is one of the premier workaholics,” said Raonic who was a beaten semifinalist in 2014.
“I think Andy tries to get you doing a lot of different things. He’ll try to throw you off, give you some slower balls, some harder balls, all these kinds of things. I guess my goal is to keep him away from that, play it on my terms, be aggressive, not hesitate.”
In an interesting sub-plot Raonic will have three-time champion John McEnroe in his corner for the last time.
McEnroe and Lendl were great rivals in their playing days when they met 36 times.
Murray believes 56-year-old Lendl has a crucial role to play while Raonic may not see McEnroe in his player’s box if the American has TV commentary commitments.
“I obviously had the best years of my career with him. I obviously wanted to work with Ivan again to try to help me win these events,” said Murray.- AFP.
