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Murray unfazed by ATP Finals challenge


 

Originally published on: 10/11/12 00:00

The world No.3 defeated Djokovic and Federer in successive days to win Olympic gold at the All England Club earlier this year, but only managed half the job in Shanghai, falling to the Serb in an epic three-set final a day after beating the Swiss in the penultimate Masters 1000 tournament of the year.

The 24-year-old faces the same challenge at the O2 Arena, should he give himself the opportunity to bid for the title by beating Federer tonight.

“Over the years I’ve got used to playing those guys a couple of times in a week,” said Murray. “Also with Rafa as well, it’s happened quite a few times.

“It’s not something that I’m afraid of. I know it’s incredibly difficult and challenging to beat guys like that back-to-back, but it’s doable. And you’re obviously going to have to play great tennis to do that, and I’m aware of that.”

Though he has beaten Federer in 10 of their 18 career clashes, the Scot knows that the six-time winner of the year-end event is particularly dangerous under a roof.

“He’s played great indoors the last few years, that’s for sure,” added Murray, who has lost to the world No.2 in each of their previous two meetings at the O2 but did win their round robin clash in 2008, when the event was held in Shanghai.

“I played him quite a few times indoors, had decent success against him early on [but] the last few times I played him [I] haven't done so well indoors. He's played very well so far here. He likes the conditions when they're like this. It helps his timing. When he's timing the ball well, he plays great tennis.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.