Tonight:
4°c
Goran Ivanisevic has warned Andy Murray that Juan Carlos Ferrero has nothing to lose in their quarter-final showdown at Wimbledon.
Ferrero is the first wildcard entrant to secure a place in the last eight at SW19 since Ivanisevic went all the way and claimed the title back in 2001.
And while the pressure intensifies on Murray as the business end of the tournament approaches, Ivanisevic claims the former world No1 and 2003 French Open champion from Spain is a dangerous prospect because he can play with freedom.
"When you go into a grand slam ranked as one of the top players, you always play with pressure and that gets greater as the tournament goes on," said Ivanisevic, who reached a career-high ranking of No2 in 1994.
"Like Ferrero, I had been at the top of the game but found it easier to play at Wimbledon as a wildcard because there is no expectation on you.
"I had struggled with injury so my ranking dropped and when you spend a long time out, you appreciate playing at these venues a lot more.
"Ferrero is not a grasscourt specialist but he has a solid game and Andy will have to be at his best to beat him."
Ferrero, 29, is enjoying something of a renaissance in his career after being plagued by a series of injuries but Ivanisevic believes the expectation on Murray on Centre Court will make it a more level playing field.
"The English get carried away in sport all the time,” he added. “They do it in football, tennis and cricket — you name it.
“Winning a slam — and especially Wimbledon — is an extremely difficult thing to do. You have to win seven five-set matches and you won't always play well.”
Murray admits he will be nervous but has fully recovered from his fourth-round marathon win over Stanislas Wawrinka.
The Scotsman said: “There might be a few aches and pains but I am feeling good.”
Ivanisevic still believes that former champion Roger Federer is the man that Murray will have to beat in the final on Sunday.
He said: “Roger Federer remains the favourite for me simply because he looks far more relaxed now he has claimed all four slams after winning at the French Open.
“Tennis-wise, Andy is ready to win Wimbledon but I don't know if he will be able to handle the pressure when it gets really serious in the second week. I guess now we will all find out.”
* See players including Pat Rafter, Goran Ivanisevic and Stefan Edberg at the Masters Tennis from 1-6 December at the Royal Albert Hall. For tickets please go to: www.themasterstennis.com or call the box office on: 020 7070 4404.
