Tonight:
5°c
Murray: Now I'll finish it
Chris Jones, Evening Standard8 Sep 2008
Andy Murray today vowed to end Britain's 72-year wait for a men's Grand Slam singles champion by beating Roger Federer in tonight's US Open final in New York.
The Scot produced a stunning display to beat world No1 Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in last night's rain-delayed semi-final but insists he won't be satisfied until he has clinched a first major title.
Murray said: "I am delighted to be in my first Slam final but, like I said at the start of the tournament, I want to try to win it. I played well enough to beat the No1 player in the world over two days and I have beaten Roger in the past."
Playing the US Open's first Monday final since 1987, the Scot will try to stop Federer from winning a fifth successive Flushing Meadows crown.
Federer already has 12 Slam titles but has not got one this season and Murray has the edge over him in their previous meetings, having won two out of three.
The Swiss said: "I guess it's less pressure for him to be in the finals here than at Wimbledon. It will be interesting to see how he handles it but I have a feeling he's a guy who plays well on the big occasions. That's why I need to be very, very careful how I play Andy."
Murray, who is hoping to emulate Fred Perry's British triumph at the US Open in 1936, said: "Roger has made the final at Wimbledon, the final of the French Open, the semis of the Australian Open and he's in the final here.
"It's an unbelievable run and I don't understand why everyone thinks he's not playing well.
"He has played unbelievable in the best tournaments."
Reader views (8)
Funny how Scots were all the rage when Chris Hoy was picking up his gold medals? Isn't England tired of begin bitter yet? Its just sport - and thank god some people here are still doing it on a world stage. Good luck to you Andy - that n'er do well Henman might have won over the fair weather fans at Wimbledon but he'd have chopped an arm off for your success tonight.
- Mick, Billericay, 08/09/2008 21:45
Report abuse
I'm with Colin and E Sullivan. Come on Federer!
- Sharon, London, 08/09/2008 16:08
Report abuse
Hurrah for Scotland but in this particular instance don't expect any backing from us English, I'll be wearing a Swiss flag down the pub.
- Bob, Cheam, 08/09/2008 16:03
Report abuse
Well I'll be cheering you on Andy. As far as I'm concerned, you are a Brit the same as me. The best of British to you, you deserve it.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa. Spain, 08/09/2008 15:56
Report abuse
Like other readers I shall be rooting for Roger Federer. We have not forgotten, and never will, Murray saying he hoped England would lose at rugby union.
- Annabelle, london, 08/09/2008 15:50
Report abuse
It is now clearly a question of when not if for Andy Murray to win a Grand Slam and Wimbledon. Bitter and twisted English fans (such as Colin and E) will have to grovel if they want to fly the Union Jack to celebrate this. Although I am sure Andy himself will be gracious in victory, grateful for the generous support he has had from the LTA.
- Blackstone, London, 08/09/2008 15:18
Report abuse
Hope he get's stuffed in the final!
- Colin, London, 08/09/2008 14:42
Report abuse
I will be cheering on Federer, just as Murray cheered on Uruguay in the World Cup (he came out wearing a Uraguayan shirt on the day of the England v Uruguay match). I will never, ever support this man.
- E Sullivan, London, 08/09/2008 12:51
Report abuse
