Murray plans nothing special for Federer

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:22

And if the 21-year-old’s record against the former world number one is anything to go by, he has probably got it right.Murray has won five of the pair’s seven meetings, although both Federer’s wins were in finals, notably at last year’s US Open which denied the Scotsman a maiden grand-slam title.

“It’s important to serve solid, make a lot of balls and not feel like you have to do anything special on each point to win against him,” said Murray ahead of the last-four clash at Indian Wells.

Both players have come into the tournament following spells out of the game. Murray was laid low by a virus after pulling out of the Dubai Open quarter-finals and Federer took some time out to cure a back injury following his emotional defeat to Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open.

The 27-year-old, who this week revealed his long-term girlfriend is expecting their first child, admits Murray is still something of an unknown quantity, but backs himself to come good when it matters most.

“He’s young, so I still have to figure him out a little bit,” said Federer. “He’s changing his game as time goes by.

“Every time you play him he plays a bit differently, whereas for me, it’s different. He knows what to expect. That’s the advantage of a youngster.

“I’m aware he has beaten me more than I’ve beaten him but, on big occasions, I think I came through.

“I have to build on that and make sure I play a tough and good match against him. Anything else is not going to do the job.”

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