Zee Media Bureau/Manushree Chaumal
Melbourne: Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and four-time Australian Open champion Roger Federer will clash for a place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Wednesday at the Rod Laver Arena.
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Had the world not witnessed the Federer precision in his quarter-final match against French man Jo Wilfried Tsonga, this match could have easily been touted to be in Murray`s favour. But, with vintage Federer at his best, Murray should expect the quarter-final to go till five sets with some hard-fought tennis. Murray`s form post his back surgery has not been too consistent, and he showed signs of frustration in his fourth round match against Stephane Robert which was his first four set match in the tournament. However, Federer has reached the quarter-final without dropping a set, and has been serving and volleying quite effectively.
Before coming to the Australian Open this year, Murray lost to German Florian Mayer in the second round of the Qatar Open in Doha. Federer was a finalist at the Brisbane Open, losing to Lleyton Hewit.
Murray and Federer will meet for the 21st time in their career, and incidentally Murray has played the Swiss more than he has played anyone else in his career. Murray leads 11-9, and the last two times they met have been both won by Murray. Murray at last year`s Australian Open semi-final defeated Federer in an epic five set match.
Federer, this year looks quite aggressive while Murray`s back still looks bothersome. Winner of this match will meet the winner of the Rafa Nadal-Grigor Dimitrov match.
The clash will also be seen as a match up between wards of one of most famous rivals of tennis - Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg.
Federer`s route to quarter-finals
Round 4: J Tsonga 6-3 7-5 6-4
Round 3:T Gabashvili 6-2 6-2 6-3
Round 2: B Kavcic 6-2 6-1 7-6(4)
Round 1: J Duckworth 6-4 6-4 6-2
Murray`s route to quarter-finals
Round 4: S Robert 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-2
Round 3: F Lopez 7-6(2) 6-4 6-2
Round 2: V. Millot 6-2 6-2 7-5
Round 1: G Soeda 6-1 6-1 6-3
