Murray serves up a masterclass as Scot shows promise ahead of Wimbledon

By MALCOLM FOLLEY
Updated: 17:01 EST, 11 June 2011

Andy Murray’s brilliant masterclass in west London, a short drive from the All England Club, has increased his belief that he can end Britain’s 75-year search for a male Wimbledon champion.

‘I’m in a good place,’ said Murray, after demolishing Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-1, to set-up a noon showdown with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club.

Roddick, a three-times Wimbledon finalist, acknowledged that Murray’s game had touched exceptional heights during a semi-final that lasted a mere 58 minutes. ‘Everything Andy touched turned to gold,’ he said.

Cruise control: Andy Murray sauntered into the final at Queens Club after thrashing Andy Roddick

Former British Davis Cup captain John Lloyd was unstinting in his admiration for Murray’s performance.

‘You can compare Murray’s dominance over Roddick to the hold Roger Federer once had over everyone on a grasscourt,’ said Lloyd. ‘Murray had so much time, he made Roddick look like he was hitting the ball in slow motion.’

Murray’s form dipped alarmingly after he lost in the Australian Open final in January, for a second consecutive year, but he recovered his confidence during the clay-court season that climaxed with his appearance in the semi-final of the French Open championships.

Lost at sea: Andy Roddick had no answer to Murray's powerful play in London

Murray, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon for the past two summers, has never shied away from stating his ambition. ‘I’ve always believed that I can win Wimbledon,’ he has said repeatedly.

With Wimbledon starting a week on Monday, his mood and health could not be better. For the final, he will be reunited with his new coach, Australian Darren Cahill, who has had great success with Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi, both past champions at the All England Club.

‘Darren’s of the opinion you’re there to win the event,’ said Murray, who is trying to win the Queen’s Club title for a second time in three years at the expense of Tsonga, who ended Englishman James Ward’s fairytale wildcard journey in the other semi-final, 6-3, 7-6.

End of the road: James Ward's dream week came to an end at the semi-final stage

The last man to win at Queen’s then prosper at Wimbledon three weeks later was Spaniard Rafael Nadal three years ago.

‘Regardless of how the match with Tsonga goes, this has been the perfect week in many ways,’ said Murray, who was cheered on to the final by his girlfriend, Kim Sears.