The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAndy Murray has reached the Wimbledon final as the Brit comfortably dispatched Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-3 6-3. Murray’s overall consistency in his defensive capabilities and aggressive groundstrokes was overall too much for his opponent, as the world number two controlled most parts of the match to secure a straight-forward win.
In the opening set, Murray made a quick start as his consistency in the rallies was enough to extract the errors and as a result seal the early break, which the Czech conceded with a double fault. However, the world number two was unable to consolidate his advantage, as Berdych soon settled and produced a series of blistering forehands to break straight back, before levelling the scoreline at 2-2. However, the combination of Murray’s aggression and his opponent forcing the issue at times saw the Brit eventually regain the break to go 5-3 ahead when Berdych pulled a forehand wide. Serving for the set, the world number two remained solid whilst Berdych continued to commit more unforced errors, and Murray fully capitalised to close out the set with an ace.
As the second set unfolded, both players were forced to produce heavy serving and deep shot-making to avoid going down a break early on. However, at 3-3, the Brit ruthlessly punished his opponent for failing to convert his chances in the previous game, as Murray upped the aggression and clinched the decisive break when Berdych netted a drop shot attempt. The world number two easily consolidated it for a 5-3 lead, before benefitting from errors from the Czech to break him again with a brilliant forehand passing shot winner, to establish a two set lead.
In the third set, Murray’s devastating combination of high quality defensive skills and offensive intent continued to put Berdych under pressure and the Czech was unable to cope, as he fell behind an early break of serve after planting a forehand wide. The Brit continued to be untroubled on his own service games as he held for a 4-1 lead, using his accurate serve and strong groundstrokes to continuously manoeuvre his opponent around the court. Berdych managed to reduce the deficit, but one break was enough for Murray as he eventually closed out the match to book his place in the final.
In the championship match, Murray will play Milos Raonic, as the Canadian reached his first grand slam final with a 6-3 6-7 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Roger Federer, to end the Swiss maestro’s hopes of an eighth SW19 title.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams thoroughly dismantled Elena Vesnina 6-2 6-0 and the world number one will meet Angelique Kerber in the final, as the German saw off Venus Williams 6-4 6-4. Serena will attempt to claim her 22nd grand slam title and tie Steffi Graf’s record, but the final will be a rematch of the Australian Open final earlier this year, which Kerber won to seal her first major trophy.
