IT’S a big opportunity for Andy Murray at Wimbledon.
He’s playing great, it’s his home crowd.
And let’s not beat about the bush — he’s not playing Novak Djokovic.
But Milos Raonic is in the final for a reason and he’s one of the most improved players.
We saw how dangerous he was at Queen’s.
To beat him, Andy will have to use the qualities he has had ever since he was a junior. I was lucky enough to be Andy’s first coach, when he was 11.
He would not accept losing. He would chase every single ball. He would fight until the very last point.
I remember him winning the Orange Bowl in Miami when he was 12.
The poor guy he was playing had probably never been drop shotted or lobbed so much. Andy was smaller and wasn’t going to overpower him, so he used his creativity.
Then, when he was 16, he played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who was two years older, in a final in Canada.
Tsonga was an unbelievable athlete, already hitting 130mph serves. But Andy won.
His ability to return massive serves and break down a stronger opponent was incredible. He will need to do the same against Raonic.
SERVE
Raonic’s serve is arguably the best in the world. Great action, loose arm, long limbs that create great elasticity and therefore great power. He hits his spots, too. He can slide it or go flat.
Don’t underestimate Andy’s serve. It’s aggressive, good speed, high 120s to 130mph, and he has made big improvements to his second serve.
RETURN
Considered a weakness in Raonic’s game until this year. He’s learnt how to abbreviate his forehand. Backhand up high is still a bit of an issue.
Return of serve is a cornerstone of Andy’s game. Amazing ability to defend huge first serves. Aggressive on second serve — and will need to be.
FOREHAND
Milos can hit with spin, probably a legacy of his time in Spain as a teenager, but can also step inside the court and flatten it out, especially down the line. A big shot for him, you can’t give him time.
Andy used to play a lot cross court but now he steps inside the baseline more to hit it hard down the line.
BACKHAND
Raonic’s backhand has improved but still a big difference to his forehand. His slice has got better.
Andy’s is one of the best. He puts a lot of body momentum through it and hits it flat. He pulls players into sidelines with the crosscourt but can also hit down the line.
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VOLLEY
Raonic was already coming forward more, but he’s definitely been told by John McEnroe to get in at every opportunity behind his serve or forehand.
Andy’s hand skills are amazing and his timing of when to come in has been excellent.
CREATIVITY
Because Milos is coming forward more now and has the sliced backhand, he has more variety to his game. But he’s not going to do a lot of drop shots or exquisite lobs.
Andy has every shot in the book. Sometimes it’s about trying to make your opponent miss and that’s what he does with his amazing array: fades, acute angles, putting the ball right down at his opponent’s feet, drop shots, lobs.
COACHING
Milos has had three voices here, in Riccardo Piatti, Carlos Moya and McEnroe, but he seems clear about what he needs and it’s clearly working.
Jamie Delgado has done a terrific job with Andy. But to get over the line in certain situations, he wanted Ivan Lendl. He’s playing with even greater authority.
TEMPERAMENT
Raonic is clearly buying into McEnroe telling him to express himself a bit more. Seems composed but we won’t know how he will react to a first Grand Slam final.
Andy has been focused, channelling his emotion the right way. Milos will hit aces and winners, so Andy will need to manage frustrations.
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