Sport

Murray helpless in face of Federer's power play

Roger Federer celebrates victory over Andy Murray during day eleven of Wimbledon
Roger Federer celebrates victory over Andy Murray during day eleven of Wimbledon Roger Federer celebrates victory over Andy Murray during day eleven of Wimbledon (Jonathan Brady/PA)

ANDY MURRAY admitted there was little he could do to combat the awesome power of Roger Federer as the Swiss cruised to a straight-sets win over the British number one to reach a 10th Wimbledon final.

Murray was bidding this fortnight to win his second title at the All England Club and looked in excellent form heading into the semi-finals.

However Federer outclassed the Scot to win 7-5 7-5 6-4 and book a Sunday showdown with Novak Djokovic.

Federer was aggressive from the outset and served brilliantly on Centre Court, offering Murray only one break point in the opening game, before breaking his opponent at the end of each set.

"I definitely don't feel like I played a bad match," Murray said. "He served fantastic, apart from the first game where I had the chance there.

"I didn't really have any opportunities. That puts pressure on you. The pressure builds throughout the set that way.

"Obviously I got broken right at the end all of the sets but I didn't actually play a bad match. I played pretty well."

Federer set a new record by reaching 116th consecutive service holds in the previous round, before being broken for the first time in the tournament but to no avail by Gilles Simon.

And the number two seed was dominant again, producing 20 aces against Murray, who is considered one of the best returners in the sport.

"That's definitely the best he's served against me," Murray said.

"Sometimes the stats come up on the court. He was serving like 80 per cent in the first set, then he was in the high seventies for most of the match.

"When he was missing the first serves, I was winning over half of the points.

"But I don't know how many times in the match he missed two first serves in a row, it wasn't very often.

"It's tough to gain much momentum that way.

"I'll have to have a think about it, because maybe I could have returned better, but it did feel like he served extremely close to the lines today."

Alex Ferguson was supporting Murray from the Royal Box, and two years ago provided advice that was described as "gold dust" as the man from Dunblane went all the way to the title.

The former Manchester United manager has attended many of Murray's biggest matches, including during his run to the 2012 US Open title, and this time he sat through a tough loss.

Federer stands one win away from a record eighth Wimbledon title, which would see him climb above Pete Sampras in the all-time list of men's champions in SW19.

The world number two turns 34 next month and Murray says his conqueror's longevity is among his most impressive features.

"I don't know if anyone's played as well as Roger at that age," Murray said.

"Serena (Williams, also 33) obviously on the women's side is doing it but they're pretty rare athletes. They're two of the best that have ever played the game."

Murray enjoyed passionate home support when he beat Federer at the Olympics in 2012 but the Swiss remains widely popular and the crowd on Centre Court was more split this time around.

"I felt like the crowd were getting pretty pumped at the end of the second set," Murray said.

"That's how it felt to me on the court. Any time I fist-pumped in their direction, they responded very well.

"But he's earned all of the support that he gets everywhere around the world.

"And also when you don't have any break points or opportunities, it's tough to get the crowd involved."

Federer has not won a grand slam since beating Murray at Wimbledon three years ago but the number two seed believes wins such as Friday's vindicate his decision to keep playing.

"It's definitely one of the best matches I've played in my career," Federer said.

"I always knew the reason why I keep playing. I enjoy it. I work hard in the practice. In a match like this, I can have a great performance.

"And clearly it's an amazing feeling when you come back from the match and everybody's so happy for you.

"Even inside the Royal Box when I was walking back, there was applause all the way to the locker room.

"That's something I don't remember really having, except maybe on one of the wins I've had here.

"So I just feel overall that people are very happy for me, and at the same time I'm very pleased how well I'm playing."