There were times today when Andy Murray really looked like he was going to win. Not just passing rallies but a consistent variety of shots which had Novak Djokovic reeling, often down on his haunches. No wonder he looked so disheartened after he stretched for his final shot and could only find the net. Undoubtedly one of, if not the best, performance of his life on a tennis court. And still, as always in the Grand Slams it seems, it was not enough.
The majority of people who watched any of the match today will agree that its only a matter of time before Murray lifts one of the majors, but its still so disappointing every time he comes so close and can't quite go the whole distance. Djokovic did not play discernibly better, but took his chances. As close as the top four have been over the past twelve months, it is perhaps Djokovic's decision making and nerve on the biggest points of the season which has confirmed his place at the top of the tennis tree.
Murray so close once again but heroic victory thwarted by world no.1
After Nadal and Federer had fought with a contrast of stylish and bullish strokes, there was a much similar tone about the second semi final's tennis. Both Murray and Djokovic have games based around counter-attacking. In a way Nadal could also be put into this category, except the Spaniard never seems on the back foot, as if his opponent knows in the back of his mind that one bicep-thundered forehand could end the point in a flicker.
Murray doesn't quite have that prowess yet; his forehand not quite as efficient as the backhand in finishing a rally whenever he fancies. For most of their match Djokovic didn't have the same ability either, with the Scot able to defend and defend until the Serb offered him a glimmer of an opportunity. If there was one way to split them you could say Djokovic often starts points the stronger. His serve today, although not always, had the edge over Murray's. His 2nd serve winning percentage was at 45%, whilst Murray's was down at just 30%. But in the end it was more than just the figures, it came down to brutal mental resilience and determination.
Mind you that was incredibly close as well. Murray came back from 5-2 down in the deciding fifth set to drag it back to 5-5, a victory for his sometimes brittle mental resolve. But a tiring and obviously fatigued Djokovic, who looked like a man destined to succumb to the physical restraints of the sport mid-way through the second set, managed to soldier on, and it takes more than several weeks of running up the side of a mountain to keep jellied-legs moving for five hours. Mind over body indeed.
The result is all the more confusing when you consider many major turning points in the match went to Murray. After a first set quite reminiscent of the beginning to the final in the same arena last year, Djokovic went ahead and it looked like his opponent may implode, but not so. Murray was 2-0 and break point down at the start of the second set but fought back to win four games on the trot and brought the match back to one set each. Another important few minutes was the end of the third set tie-break, with the winner seemingly into the final straight.
However Murray couldn't build on the significant momentum he had conjured up after three sets and Djokovic proved just why he is favourite for any tournament he enters this season, bar perhaps Roland Garros. Even when the Scot pulled it back to 5-5 in the fifth set, Djokovic had the ability to put the last fifteen minutes behind him and put Murray's serve under increasing pressure. A gasp of horror from all British fans could be heard as Djokovic gained match point, and more of a sigh came out when it was over. Another semi final for Murray, another chance come and gone. 'There's always next time...' has become a far too common phrase.
Murray as usual was gracious in defeat, especially against a man he has fought on the court with for the best part of 10 years. Speaking about the difference between himself and the top three Murray said, ''I think that gap, I feel tonight I closed it. My job over the next two or three months is to surpass him [Djokovic] and the guys in front of me."
Easier said than done, but on today's performance, there is a real chance the breakthrough can come in 2012. Perhaps a year that can live long in the memory for British sports fans.
Thomas Drake - Thomas Drake writes for www.centre-court-tennis.com and frequently writes for the Warwick University newspaper as well as other ...
Join the Conversation