So at the end of all that, Andy Murray has reached his first grand slam final since, well, you know when. His opponent on Sunday will be either Novak Djokovic or Stanislas Wawrinka, who play their semi-final tomorrow. Whoever wins, it should be a special occasion. But for now, savour an outstanding performance from Murray, who is getting back to his very best. Can he win his first Australian Open? We’ll find out on Sunday. Thanks for reading today. See you tomorrow for Djokovic v Wawrinka. Bye for now. For now, read Kevin Mitchell’s match report from Melbourne.
Updated
Social media is abuzz with whatever it was that Kim Sears said when Tomas Berdych was broken in the third set. WARNING: THIS LINK CONTAINS NAUGHTY LANGUAGE.
“I probably can’t repeat it on TV,” Murray laughs when he’s asked what he was saying to himself at the end of the first set. “I was obviously disappointed to lose the first set. I had a couple of break points at 5-5. I was disappointed. But I was very aggressive at the start of the second set. I would say I changed tactics a little bit but I also got used to the conditions. I tried to play very aggressive on his service games and mine. I knew when I was dictating the points and getting the first strike in, I was winning the points. It was a little bit extra tension. It’s a big match. A lot was made of Dani working with him. Me and Dani have been friends since we were 15 years old and I thought that was a little bit unfair. This is sport. There are more important things. It created a bit of unnecessary tension.
Then comes a question about his coach, Amelie Mauresmo. “A lot of people criticised me for working with her but I think we’ve seen so far this week that women can be very good coaches as well,” he says. “I see no reason why that can’t move forward like that in the future, so I’m very grateful to Amelie. It was a very brave choice of her to do it, so thanks to her.”
You know, some people don’t like Andy Murray and those people are spectacular idiots. He’s brilliant.
ANDY MURRAY BEATS TOMAS BERDYCH 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5!
How are your nerves? On edge? How are your fingernails? Worn thin? Of course they are. Andy Murray is playing tennis. But you shouldn’t worry. He isn’t about to flinch. He races into a 30-0 lead and then a huge forehand gives him three match points. What to do here? Better just ace him down the middle! It’s over! Andy Murray is into the Australian Open final! He’s delighted! I ... I think he’s even just cracked a smile! Back in his chair, he pumps his fist at least three times! I think he’s happy.
Updated
Fourth set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 6-5 Berdych* (*denotes server): It’s worrying for Berdych when he loops a forehand wide to go down 0-15 and he’s positively shaking when he frames a simple overhead on the next point; he breathes a sigh of relief when Murray’s audacious lob lands a yard or two past the baseline. Then a stiff backhand from Berdych makes it 15-30, before a double-fault gives Murray two break points. Is this the moment? It’s what Murray has been waiting for throughout this set. A few beads of sweat drop from Berdych’s forehead and he bangs a backhand miles past the baseline! Murray breaks! He’ll serve for a place in the final!
Fourth set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 5-5 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray is so frustrating to play against. His defence is outstanding. It looks like Berdych has won the point at 15-0 with a coruscating forehand down the line but Murray’s defensive lob somehow lands inside the baseline. Berdych hooks it back but Murray is waiting with the backhand. That wide sliced ace then makes it 40-0 , but Murray then sloppily nets two forehands to make it 40-30. Is he about to do a Berdych? No. Berdych puts just too much weight on a forehand and Murray holds.
Fourth set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 4-5 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray would very much like to break here. A fabulous forehand return from him makes it 30-all, but Berdych narrows his eyes and produces a magnificent fizzing forehand to force it to 40-30. It’s his game. How are your nerves. Murray will serve to stay in the fourth set.
Updated
Fourth set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 4-4 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray’s first serve in the first serve of this game is so long that the line judge might as well say “Duh” instead of “Fault”. He wins the point, though, but Berdych then drives through two limp second serves to make it 30-all. Murray’s not making his first serves in this game. Berdych has another second serve at 30-all, but Murray stays in the rally and Berdych’s backhand flies long. Finally he gets a first serve on game point - and Berdych’s forehand is too long. Murray holds.
Updated
Fourth set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 3-4 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray was given a time warning in the previous game, so obviously he’s eyeballing the umpire as Berdych takes his time getting to the baseline at the start of this game. The first two points are shared; the third is a minor classic, Murray somehow reaching a couple of Berdych belters and then seizing the advantage with a rasping forehand from right to left to make it 15-30. Berdych responds brilliantly, however, an ace making it 30-all, a smash breaking through the Murray wall and making it 40-30. Another smash finishes the job, although Murray almost got to his backhand. Berdych walks to his chair and urgently gestures for a towel. He’s pumped. Don’t be surprised if this goes to a fifth.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 3-3 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray wins the first two points, Berdych wins the next two to make it 30-all and his belief swells when Murray skews a forehand long to give Berdych his first break point since the first set. What’s Murray got up his sleeve? A wonderful cross-court forehand pass, that’s what - though Berdych was too hesitant coming into the net. The game goes to deuce, but Berdych has another break point when Murray nets a two-handed backhand, only to send a sloppy forehand return a few yards past the baseline. A let-off for Murray - and he holds as two more Berdych shots go long! There simply wasn’t enough conviction from Berdych there. He had chances.
Updated
Fourth set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 2-3 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray is keeping his groundstrokes so low. The ball skips just over the net and it’s tough for Berdych to deal with, his backhand going long to make it 0-15. It’s looking like a tricky game for him at 30-all, but then Murray raps a backhand wide of a second serve and Berdych holds by clumping a volley out of the air and past Murray. The Czech’s belief will be lifted by that.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 2-2 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray urges himself to settle down after drilling a backhand long to go down 0-15. But at 15-all it’s Berdych’s turn to chunter at himself after smacking a tempting forehand return wide. Murray doesn’t look back from there. An ace out wide and a controlled backhand down the line keeps Berdych at arm’s length.
Updated
Fourth set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 1-2 Berdych* (*denotes server): A welcome hold to 15 for Berdych. Murray is a little too rushed with a forehand on the first point and drags it wide to make it 15-0, before skewing a slice wide. Is a little sloppiness creeping into his game? He won’t want to take his eye off the ball or give Berdych any encouragement. Berdych turned that fourth set into a scrap in New York and was 5-2 up at one point in the tie-break, before Murray eventually came through.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 1-1 Berdych (*denotes server): Two aces from Murray and he holds to 15.
Fourth set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 0-1 Berdych* (*denotes server): Has Berdych had the stuffing knocked out of him or will he find a second wind? He’s in desperate need of one and he’s relieved when Murray whistles what would have been a forehand winner just off-target on the first point. Then he lets out some of his frustration by Lendling Murray at the net and he holds to 15 when Murray nets a backhand. It’s not over yet.
Updated
ANDY MURRAY WINS THE THIRD SET 6-3; HE LEADS 6-7, 6-0, 6-3
An accurate sliced serve out wide is a good way for Murray to start. Berdych can’t extend his long right arm far enough and it’s 15-0. He hands Berdych the next point with a wild forehand but makes it 30-15 with an ace down the middle. Two more points. Two little points. Berdych fires a forehand return long. One more point. One little point. Berdych saves the first set point by wrongfooting Murray with a clever forehand, but Murray stays calm and seals the third set by walloping an ace out wide! He’s one set away from his fourth Australian Open final.
Updated
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 5-3 Berdych* (*denotes server): “Andy, Andy, come on, come on.” The words of Andy Murray after missing a backhand to make it 15-0. Soon Berdych is 40-0 up. Which isn’t necessarily the comfortable position it should be, not after that previous service game. And would you believe it, he double-faults to make it 40-15. But Murray then lets him off the hook with an ill-advised drop-shot that sails into the net. Murray will serve for the third set.
@JacobSteinberg from 40-0 to losing the game? If I were Andy I'd be saying "well done Thomas" now...
— Carl Wrigley (@CWriggers) January 29, 2015
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 5-2 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray is running this now. His forehand is purring. He’s moving smoothly. It’s hard work for Berdych. Murray holds to love to consolidate that precious break and Berdych will serve to stay in the third set.
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 4-2 Berdych* (*denotes server): Berdych glides into a 15-0 lead thanks to one of those blistering forehands, before a body serve does for Murray on the next point. Berdych seems to have rediscovered his serving rhythm, although he throws in two consecutive double-faults at 40-0 as soon as I finish praising him, just to make me look stupid. Then he batters a forehand wide to bring the game to deuce, before a two-handed backhand return from Murray earns him a break point. What’s going on here? Berdych was cruising. Out of nowhere, he appears to be in the midst of a minor meltdown. He saves it, just finding the line with a massive forehand, but he’s facing another when Murray pulls him all over the place and sends a forehand down the line. Murray clenches a fist - and then smacks a brilliant forehand down the line to break! It’s superb tennis from Murray, but what a gift from Berdych. What on earth was going through his mind? He led 40-0. He punishes himself by almost eating a tennis ball.
Updated
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 3-2 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray clips the top of the net with his first two serves. Let! Let! Bizarrely there are no chuckles. Where are the chuckles? That’s the kind of thing that has them rolling around in the aisles when it happens on Centre Court. What gives, guys? That is comedy gold. Isn’t it? Murray holds to 15.
Updated
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 2-2 Berdych* (*denotes server): Berdych is getting a few challenges right now. He calls for HawkEye when a first serve is called out on the first point and his suspicions were well-founded - it was on the line. From there, it’s a handy hold to love for Berdych, the first one he’s enjoyed for a while.
Updated
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 2-1 Berdych (*denotes server): Berdych won’t want the rallies to go too long with Murray. A multi-shot one on the first point ends with Berdych swiping wide. Murray rattles into a 40-15 lead with an ace down the middle and bashes a forehand down the line to hold.
Third set: Murray 6-7, 6-0, 1-1 Berdych* (*denotes server): This is a massive game for Berdych. He has to hold. He does. Murray nets a forehand at 40-30. What a relief.
Third set: Murray* 6-7, 6-0, 1-0 Berdych (*denotes server): Look at the score when Murray beat Berdych in the US Open: 5-7 6-2 6-1 7-6. A tight first set, but Murray ran away with it in the second and third, before winning a fourth-set tie-break. Will this match follow a similar pattern? Berdych will have to show plenty of resolve to recover from his collapse in that second set; and there are some encouraging signs for him when he skips into a 15-30 lead, finding his range with his strong groundstrokes again. But he can’t quite sustain it and Murray holds with a cute volley.
"Good play Thomas". It's like the Sandman. Say it once and Andy Murray suddenly turns up and starts ripping you to bits
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) January 29, 2015
ANDY MURRAY WINS THE SECOND SET 6-0 TO LEVEL THE MATCH!
Berdych seems a little stunned at the way this has gone. He nets a sad forehand to make it 0-15, then sends a forehand long to make it 0-30. But he steadies himself with three straight points, even overcoming the disappointment of being penalised for a foot-fault when he thought he’d served an ace at 30-all. The game goes to deuce and Murray fashions his first set point when the depth on his forehand forces Berdych to net a backhand. Is it to be a bagel? It’s a bagel! Murray returns well and Berdych wafts a forehand long. It’s the first set Berdych has dropped in this tournament and what a way to drop it. It’s completely smashed to pieces!
Updated
Second set: Murray* 6-7, 5-0 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray admonishes himself after netting a backhand on the first point. He doesn’t want to lose any of the momentum he’s built up in this second set. He doesn’t want to give Berdych anything. And he doesn’t. An ace down the middle seals a ruthless hold. Berdych will serve to stay in the second set.
Second set: Murray 6-7, 4-0 Berdych* (*denotes server): Suddenly it’s all Murray. Berdych slips during each of the first two points, checks his shoes, looks at the scoreboard and sees that it’s 0-30. He fights back to 30-all but then plonks a low volley into the net to give Murray a break point. Murray is in command. He constructs the point beautifully, pulling the trigger on a cross-court backhand at the right moment, and Berdych slashes a slice wide. Murray breaks again!
Updated
Second set: Murray* 6-7, 3-0 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray holds to love. He’ll be feeling better with himself now.
Second set: Murray 6-7, 2-0 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray is fuming with himself when he goes down 30-0. But he uses that rage to win three consecutive points to earn a break point. A backhand from Berdych is called out. He challenges. Murray looks worried. But HawkEye is on his side. The ball was long. Murray breaks. “I do like Murray, and I hope he wins, but he is always entertaining when he starts shouting at himself,” says Matt Dony. “I’m not sure he’ll ever top the classic ‘I’m trying my tits off, here!’ from the French Open a few years ago, though.”
@JacobSteinberg 1st set was 76m, on pace to shatter longest #ausopen match - 5h 53 m 2012 Nadal Djokovic Final pic.twitter.com/ows98by9SN
— a.g. (@aghease) January 29, 2015
Second set: Murray* 6-7, 1-0 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray will be annoyed with himself, though. He will rue those two break points he had at 5-5. He should have converted them. But if he thinks back even further, he’ll remember that he lost the first set to Berdych in their US Open semi-final in 2012. He also lost the first set when he beat Marin Cilic at this stage in 2010 and against David Ferrer in 2011, so he’s got a history of fighting back in these situations. He knows that. He’s as stubborn as they come and he steadies himself at the start of the second set by holding to love.
Updated
A steaming Murray stalks back to his chair and then tells the umpire that Berdych has been talking to him during the changeovers. The umpire asks Berdych what he said. “Well done, Tomas,” Berdych says.
TOMAS BERDYCH WINS THE FIRST SET 7-6!
First-set tie-break: Murray* 6-8 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray misses a first serve. Uh oh. His second serve just kisses the line. But then he nets a forehand! The first set is Berdych’s!
Updated
First-set tie-break: Murray 6-7 Berdych* (*denotes server): Ace! Berdych has his first set point.
First-set tie-break: Murray 6-6 Berdych* (*denotes server): Berdych saves the set point with some punchy tennis, forcing Murray out of position with a big forehand that sets him up for a simple backhand volley.
First-set tie-break: Murray* 6-5 Berdych (*denotes server): Berdych nets a tight backhand. Murray has set point.
First-set tie-break: Murray* 5-5 Berdych (*denotes server): A good serve from Murray allows him to rip a forehand down the line.
First-set tie-break: Murray 4-5 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray reaches one smash. He doesn’t reach the second. This is tense.
First-set tie-break: Murray 4-4 Berdych* (*denotes server): A double-fault from Berdych!
First-set tie-break: Murray* 3-4 Berdych (*denotes server): A quick change of racquets for Murray, but Berdych forges ahead in the tie-break for the first time with a thunderous forehand down the line.
First-set tie-break: Murray* 3-3 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray completely mishits a forehand. Again the mini-break slips from his grasp.
First-set tie-break: Murray 3-2 Berdych* (*denotes server): A good time for Berdych to come up with an ace.
First-set tie-break: Murray 3-1 Berdych* (*denotes server): Berdych, off balance, nets a forehand.
First-set tie-break: Murray* 2-1 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray stands firm at the net.
First-set tie-break: Murray* 1-1 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray drags a backhand wide. Berdych did well. The mini-break is immediately eroded.
First-set tie-break: Murray 1-0 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray makes an excellent start, positive and aggressive, and wins the first point thanks to a fine volley.
Updated
First set: Murray* 6-6 Berdych (*denotes server): The game should be Murray’s at 40-15, but then he misses two forehands to make it deuce. Berdych is two points away from the first set. The volume rises. These are nervy times for Murray. But he clings on. Berdych misses two backhands and it’s time for a tie-break.
First set: Murray 5-6 Berdych* (*denotes server): Is the balance of power shifting? A double-fault from Berdych makes it 15-all and then he wafts a backhand past the baseline to make it 30-all. There’s a slight chance here for Murray. The game goes to deuce and it’s a long way for big old Berdych to bend down when Murray delivers a slice full of spin, slice and mischief over the net. It’s a break point for Murray. But he drags a forehand just wide. It’s a miss. He knows it. Meanwhile Berdych has a problem with two of the balls, even though they’re four games old. Murray and the umpire are as perplexed as each other, but eventually Berdych is given two shiny new balls straight from the umpire’s pocket. How delicious! What an honour! I imagine that’s like being given a £10 note by the Queen. Murray’s focus is elsewhere, though. He has another break point after Berdych misses a forehand, but again it goes begging, a forehand dribbling into the net. Murray then misses a backhand and unloads on himself. “What are you doing?” he shouts. “Nonsense! Towel!” He doesn’t get another break point. Berdych thumps a forehand away and it’s over to Murray to force a tie-break. While we wait for the next game, the umpire quickly checks the compression of the balls. He seems happy with their compression.
Updated
First set: Murray* 5-5 Berdych (*denotes server): The job is far from done for Murray, though. He still has to hold to stay in the first set and you can bet that, having broken him once, Berdych will fancy himself to do it again here, especially when Murray nets a backhand to make it 30-all. Murray’s annoyed with himself. But he cheers up a bit when Berdych nets a forehand off a second serve to make it 40-30 and by his standards he’s positively ecstatic when Berdych nets another forehand. Murray holds. He’s recovered well.
First set: Murray 4-5 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray’s hopes rise when Berdych loses the first point, dabbing a low backhand into the net and soon it’s 15-30. Is Berdych, so strong up to this point, about to stumble? He could be. Murray puts some oomph on a forehand and Berdych nets a backhand to give Murray two break points at 15-40. They’re his first of the match. Can he emulate Berdych? Well, he wastes the first opportunity with a backhand that drifts long ... but he doesn’t waste the second! It’s a magnificent, see-sawing rally that featured some outstanding shots from both players, but the sheer persistence of Murray eventually forces Berdych to wilt. He nets a forehand and Murray breaks back! He’s pumped up now! And so’s Berdych. He’s eyeballing Murray as they walk back to their chairs.
Updated
First set: Murray* 3-5 Berdych (*denotes server): They’re playing Kenny Rogers tunes during the changeover. But he’s just the support act today, the two blokes out on court are the stars. And, at the moment, it’s Berdych who’s forcing the issue. Murray is only winning 25% of his second serves and he misses a first serve at 15-30. Sure enough, he puts nothing on his second serve and Berdych jumps into his backhand and sends the ball down the line to earn two break points. He’s been threatening this all match and he doesn’t blink when he gets his chance, stepping in and hammering a backhand from left to right to draw the error from Murray. Berdych breaks and he’ll serve for the first set!
@JacobSteinberg The Gambler @_KennyRogers held up play finding his seat. Fully excused. pic.twitter.com/pP4YV2dMcN
— a.g. (@aghease) January 29, 2015
First set: Murray 3-4 Berdych* (*denotes server): Murray finds himself at 15-all for the first time on the Berdych serve when Berdych whistles a forehand just wide. But two thudding winners from Berdych later and it’s 40-15. Then Murray nets a forehand return. It’s been a doddle for Berdych on serve so far.
Updated
First set: Murray* 3-3 Berdych (*denotes server): The players are made to wait at the start of this game while Kenny Rogers takes his seat. Yes, Kenny Rogers. One of the BBC commentators says he played tennis with a few times. His chum asks how his backhand was. I love repartee. Anyway. Back to the actual tennis. Two poor errors from Murray leaves him in something of a pickle at 0-30 and he looks like he’s in a major hole as he sprints forward to reach a lovely drop-shot from Berdych. But he’s so quick, so agile. He not only gets there but then flicks a sumptuous backhand past Berdych - and it lands inches inside the line. As Murray walks back to the baseline, he’s limping a little, but an ace makes it 30-all, but again he’s taken to deuce, Berdych’s strength on the forehand side forcing Murray to rush his shots. But Berdych can’t earn himself a break point and Murray holds when the Czech sends a backhand wide.
First set: Murray 2-3 Berdych* (*denotes server): Once again, it’s a fuss-free hold for Berdych. He’s dropped one point in his first three service games. He’s looking sharp.
Updated
First set: Murray* 2-2 Berdych (*denotes server): “Take any seat please, thank you,” says the umpire, who’s not really saying thank you, he’s being sarcastically polite, exasperated at the folk who can’t arrive on time for an Australian Open semi-final. But they’re here just in time to see Berdych on the attack, as he dominates Murray at 15-all, overpowering him with one of those stinging low forehands. Murray can be aggressive too, however, and wins the next two points, only to miss a second serve at 40-30. He walks to the net to check the line, but decides against challenging and gets down to the gritty business of winning the game. Which he does. “Come on!” Murray cries. He’s bristling. Frowning a lot. He wants this.
First set: Murray 1-2 Berdych* (*denotes server): It’s been so simple for Berdych on serve so far that when he nets a forehand at 40-0, the umpire mistakenly says “GAME!”, before correcting himself. But it soon is “GAME!” when Berdych comes out on top in a fine rally. Murray was in charge for most of it, only for Berdych to wrestle control of it away from him and put away a backhand volley. “With four victories it’s well known that the AO is Nole’s most successful slam,” says Raymond Pluijmen. “But according the statistics it’s also Murrays’ favourite slam. He has been runner up there three times (against two Wimbledon finals, two US open finals). A victory today will result in his fourth AO final. How many players have lost their first four finals at a single slam event? It’s time for Murray.”
Updated
First set: Murray* 1-1 Berdych (*denotes server): Murray makes an inauspicious start to this game with a ludicrously awful double-fault, his second serve landing around five or six yards wide. That’s what I’d do. But he doesn’t allow that to knock him off his stride. A forehand winner makes it 15-all and two aces make it 40-15, before Berdych gives an inviting second serve the treatment with a forehand bullet. 40-30 becomes deuce when Berdych bashes another forehand down the line and suddenly what was looking like an easy game for Murray is fraught with difficulty. But he digs deep to hold, his excellent defensive skills holding off the Berdych charge.
First set: Murray 0-1 Berdych* (*denotes server): There are still a few empty seats inside Rod Laver Arena, but we’re waiting for nobody. It’s time to play and it’s Tomas Berdych to open the serving. He enjoys a breezy enough start, winning the first three points as Murray nets three forehands and polishing off a comfortable hold with a huge ace. Berdych twice came to the net in that game. He’s backing himself.
The players are out. It’s time for the toss. Murray chooses tails. It never fails. It NEVER fails. Murray picks the end and Berdych chooses to serve first. Now it’s time for them to knock up.
And here’s a pertinent stat: Berdych has a 6-4 winning record over Murray. Although he doesn’t have two grand slam titles.
It’s going to be a windswept evening in Melbourne. Which obviously brings Murray’s US Open semi-final against Berdych in 2012 to mind. That was a day of the purest farce.
Berdych has always been a contender, if you recall his romp to the Wimbledon final in 2010, beating Roger Federer in the quarter-finals and Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals but coming up short against Rafael Nadal at the last. He has been to the semis of the other three slams, too, and was beaten here in the semi-final in the Australian Open by Stan Wawrinka last year. It was a close-run thing, Wawrinka winning the third and fourth sets on tie-breaks, and Berdych must have spent a fair chunk of time wondering what might have been given the state of Nadal in the final.
Although he’s still looking for his first grand slam at the age of 29, Berdych is a huge threat. He’s a no-thrills player: his power is awesome, especially on the forehand side, and his serve is a weapon. He has beaten each of the big four in the slams. Where he has come unstuck, though, is when the very top players have been able to absorb his power, respond in kind and beat him with their superior guile. Will Vallverdu give him that extra edge?
Updated
Preamble
Morning. Dani Vallverdu doesn’t tweet much. But here’s what he tweeted on 8 July 2013: “and here it is......its been one hell of a ride @andy_murray WIMBI CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Just look at their happy faces.
and here it is......its been one hell of a ride @andy_murray WIMBI CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QVEuCiKafY
— Daniel Vallverdu (@danielvallverdu) July 8, 2013
Yes, it’s fair to say that he went through a lot with Andy Murray. They first met when they were kids in a tennis academy in Barcelona and they ended up working together for five years after Vallverdu joined his old friend’s camp in 2010, going on to experience some crushing lows and a fair few exhilarating highs. Vallverdu was in Murray’s corner. He saw plenty of coaches come and go, but he stayed. He was there to see his rise. He was there for all the setbacks, all those agonising disappointments and near misses, and he was there when everything finally fell into place for Murray and he won Olympic gold, the US Open and, of course, Wimbledon. It was Murray who lifted the trophies. But Vallverdu was always there.
But not any more. There was tension in the camp when Murray brought in Amelie Mauresmo as his new coach last June and although that was resolved, it was decided that it was time for a change at the end of the season. Vallverdu left in November - so did Murray’s long-time fitness trainer, Jez Green - and became Tomas Berdych’s coach, and now look. Here we are. Wouldn’t you just know it? Isn’t it just so spooky? Doesn’t it make you think?
Vallverdu has clearly had an impact on Berdych’s game and even though Rafael Nadal was clearly not at his physical peak, that was a stunning performance from the Czech to beat him in their quarter-final on Tuesday, and Murray might have a few misgivings about this match. Vallverdu knows him so well - will he tell Berdych the secrets to beating Murray?
Murray says he isn’t too worried. He has said people within sport don’t fret too much about this kind of thing - “people aren’t interested in talking about coaches and trainers in sport” - and anyway maybe he’ll know exactly what Vallverdu is telling Berdych.
So perhaps it doesn’t matter too much. There is only so much a coach can do. Once the umpire shouts play, it’s down to the two players and Murray, who is playing his best tennis since his return from back surgery, will remember how he beat Berdych in four sets in their US Open semi-final in 2012. He was the one who came up with the shots that day, not Vallverdu.
Play begins at: 8.30am.
