Andy Murray's chances

uberdoo · Newbie

Andy Murray's chances

steven · Tennis legend

British men have actually reached 11 Wimbledon semis since the 2nd World War, and hence since Bunny Austin reached the Final in 1938, winning just 4 games in the Final against Don Budge.

British semi-finalists in the men's singles at Wimbledon since Fred Perry won the title (when he beat Budge in the semis and Austin lost to von Cramm):

1937 (4) Bunny Austin lost to (2) Gottfried von Cramm (GER) 8-6 6-3 12-14 6-1, who lost to (1) Budge in the Final
1938 (2) Bunny Austin beat (4) Henner Henkel (GER) 6-2 6-4 6-0, then lost 6-1 6-0 6-3 to (1) Budge in the Final

1961 Mike Sangster lost to (8) Chuck McKinley (USA) 6-4 6-4 8-6, who lost to (2) Laver in the Final

1967 Roger Taylor lost to Wilhelm Bungert (GER) 6-4 6-8 2-6 6-4 6-4, who lost to (3) Newcombe in the Final
1970 (16) Roger Taylor lost to (5) Ken Rosewall (AUS) 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-3, who lost to (2) Newcombe in the Final
1973 (3) Roger Taylor lost to (2) Jan Kodes (CZE) 8-9 9-7 5-7 6-4 7-5, who won the title

1998 (12) Tim Henman lost to (1) Pete Sampras (USA) 6-3 4-6 7-5 6-3, who won the title
1999 (6) Tim Henman lost to (1) Pete Sampras (USA) 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-4, who won the title
2001 (6) Tim Henman lost to (WC) Goran Ivanisevic (CRO) 7-5 6-7(6) 0-6 7-6(5) 6-3, who won the title
2002 (4) Tim Henman lost to (1) Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 7-5 6-1 7-5, who won the title

2009 (3) Andy Murray lost to (6) Andy Roddick (USA) 6-4 4-6 7-6(7) 7-6(5), who lost to (2) Federer in the Final
2010 (4) Andy Murray lost to (2) Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-4 7-6(6) 6-4, who won the title
2011 (4) Andy Murray lost to (1) Rafael Nadal (ESP) 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-4, who lost to (2) Djokovic in the Final
2012 (4) Andy Murray plays (5) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

Clearly Muzz has to be the favourite for this, but so was Tim for the Goran match and Andy for the Roddick match, and look how those turned out - though both opponents then went on to give a very good account of themselves in the Final, of course.

One thing which may help a bit this time is that this will be the first time since 1973 that a British man has played a Wimbledon singles semi-final against a player who, like him, hasn't reached a Wimbledon singles Final before.

-- Edited by steven on Thursday 5th of July 2012 05:28:06 AM

S&V · Club Coach

Terrified to speculate but it looks better right now than id have ever hoped at this point

thegingerlightbulb · Intermediate Club Player

Right now lets just hope he gets to the final. If he does then it'll be the first time since 1939 so that will be one big monkey off our back, and then we can think about the next one!

We do seem cursed with semi finalists though, Murray three times and Henman 4. But Henman had only one realistic chance (when he played Goran), while Murray should have beaten Roddick, so hopefully we'll finally see a finalist for the first time in our lives.

RJA · Hall of fame

It certainly grieves me that a Grand Slam draw has never opened up for Andy. Just look at Fed, Rafa and Novak. Their first grand slams were all won with the help of a relatively friendly route to the final and/or a final against someone who had never won a major.

Fed - Wimbledon 2003

Only played one top 10 player (Roddick in the SF) all tournament and played Philippoussis (WR 48) in the final

Rafa - French Open 2005

Only played one top 20 player all tournament, Federer in the SF, but before Fed had established himself as a genuinely good clay court player. Played Puerta (WR 37) in the final

Novak - Aus Open 2008

Tougher route than Fed or Rafa and had to beat Ferrer (WR 5) in the QF and Federer (WR 1) in the SF but played Tsonga (WR 38) in the final.

In comparison Andy's 9 defeats in Grand Slam semis or finals have all come against former Grand Slam champions. (Nadal 4, Fed 2, Novak 2, Roddick 1)

-- Edited by RJA on Thursday 5th of July 2012 09:18:43 AM

Josh · Challenger level

Don't think Hewitt had reached a final before in 02, but this is the first since 1973 that the opponent hasn't reached the final before or been ranked world number 1 at the time.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

At least Muzz has been to GS finals, not sure whether Tim had been to so many?

KK · Club Coach

What he needs is for the other semi final to be a very very long arduous five setter.

steven · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
At least Muzz has been to GS finals, not sure whether Tim had been to so many?

Tim didn't reach any.

steven · Tennis legend

Josh wrote:
Don't think Hewitt had reached a final before in 02, but this is the first since 1973 that the opponent hasn't reached the final before or been ranked world number 1 at the time.

Sorry, there was meant to be a "or won another slam" in there ... your been ranked no. 1 effectively covers that too.

steven · Tennis legend

Just realised my stat would still have been wrong because Kodes had won RG before 1973.

Maybe I'll go with the first time for 45 years that a British man has played a Wimbledon semi-final against someone who hasn't either reached the Wimbledon Final or won another slam before.

Is that watertight or have I missed something else? LOL