The highlight of middle Saturday at Wimbledon will be Andy Murray’s meeting with Marcos Baghdatis for a place in the last 16.
Andy Murray column
“With guys like Marcos Baghdatis, Milos Raonic, Juan Martin del Potro and David Ferrer still in my quarter of the draw, if I want to go deep in the tournament I’ll have to do a lot of running.”
It is an intriguing match given their 3-3 head-to-head record and the fact that Baghdatis is working with Murray’s former coach Miles Maclagan.
The shock elimination of Rafael Nadal is good news for Murray as the Scot continues his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title.
But Baghdatis has pedigree: the Cypriot beat Murray en route to the semi-finals in 2006, the same year he reached the Australian Open final.
BBC Sport analyses their latest encounter, which will take place third on Centre Court.
Andy Murray, world number four
Murray can gain the upper hand if he varies his game from the baseline, especially on his backhand. He has deployed the slice well so far and this graphic shows just how often he has used it.
“I played him here six years ago. We grew up playing the juniors and he’s coached by Miles, so we know each other’s games well.
“We’ve played twice since Miles started coaching him and I’ve won both times, so I don’t know how much of a factor it will have.
“Things change in sport – and especially in an individual sport like tennis – from day to day and also once you get out there you have to make adjustments during the match because he might try to do certain things I might be able to counter and vice versa.”
Miles Maclagan, coach of Marcos Baghdatis
“Andy is obviously the home favourite and Marcos has been around and people know him, so a lot of people are looking forward to it.
“I spent two and a half years with Andy but guys are on tour 35, 40 weeks of the year so they know each other well. I just hope my time with him gives what I say to Marcos a little bit more authority and belief.
“I was impressed by Andy against Ivo Karlovic – he looked very focused, served well and is clearly in good shape.
“Marcos is a dangerous player; he’s got all the shots, can play a full-court game, often rises to the occasion and plays better on the bigger courts.
“I think Andy’s biggest worry is focusing on himself. With Nadal now out, the pressure is increased. Casual tennis observers forget there aren’t just four players in tennis. They’re thinking ‘because Nadal’s not there, who’s Andy playing in the final?’ That adds pressure.
“I’m hoping my boy wins and I’ll do everything I can to help him. He’s got through two rounds, he’s feeling good, he’s on Centre and he’ll enjoy it.”
Pat Cash, 1987 Wimbledon champion
This graphic shows a trajectory of one of Murray’s slices. He is able to exert high amounts of spin, which allows the ball to bite and move viciously off the court. It also stays extremely low, meaning his opponents have to change the contact point of their shots.
“Baghdatis is a quality player. He’s had an up and down year with injuries and various things, but he’s working his way back to form, is a big-match player and loves playing on the stage.
“He’s a very good all-round player – he’s got power, a good serve and can volley. It’s a matter of whether he can keep it up. It will be a spectacular match.
“If he runs hot, I think he’ll win a set and maybe even two. I don’t see it being an upset but if we sit down on Saturday night and say ‘Murray lost to Baghdatis’ you wouldn’t be totally surprised.
“The match will be played from the back of the court, and Andy should have too much consistency and variety. But Baghdatis has great variety as well, so it will be a matter of Andy outlasting him.
“I think Miles will be able to give Marcos some inside information, absolutely. Whether it will make a difference or not is another story.”
David Felgate, Tim Henman’s former coach
Tournament stats so far
| Murray | Baghdatis | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Sets played | 5 |
| 21 | Aces | 21 |
| 118 | 1st serves in | 70 |
| 7 | Double faults | 5 |
| 10 | Return games won | 11 |
| 70 | Winners | 55 |
| 14 | Unforced errors | 22 |
“We saw Baghdatis beat Murray in 2006 and give Djokovic trouble last year. But in every area, Murray is that little bit better.
“Clearly Baghdatis is a very good player and he does raise his game to the occasion. He’ll enjoy Centre Court and relish the challenge, but I think Murray will combat anything Marcos throws at him.
“I can see some long groundstroke rallies, but Murray is in great shape and he should be able to suck up that pressure and counter-punch.
“Allow Baghdatis into the match at your peril. He’s a big-match player. The crowd will be with Murray but they will warm to Marcos as well.
“If Andy can get on top early, he’s got to keep himself there as Baghdatis isn’t a player you want to let into a long match. If you give him confidence, let him showboat and hit winners, there could be trouble.”
BBC
