MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 21:33:30| >> :600:375235988:375235988:

Preview: Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray

Preview: Federer vs. Murray
© AP Photos
Sports Mole looks at Friday's Australian Open encounter between Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

Andy Murray and Roger Federer will meet in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Friday, marking the first time that the pair have faced each other before the final at a Grand Slam.

British third seed Murray is the only male in the last four who has yet to drop a set at the tournament as he looks to build on his US Open triumph four months ago.

The Scot has been in ruthless form in Melbourne, dismantling his opponents with clinical ease to reach an 11th major semi.

Meanwhile, four-time champion Federer encountered little resistance until his five-set quarter-final triumph over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Another Australian Open triumph for the Swiss world number two this year would see him become only the second man to win the event five times, overtaking such legends as Jack Crawford, Ken Rosewall and Andre Agassi.

Head to Head record:

Federer 9-10 Murray

Previous best at Australian Open:

Federer: Winner 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010
Murray: Final 2010, 2011

Route to semi-finals:

Federer

R1: Benoit Paire 6-2 6-4 6-1
R2: Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 6-4 6-4
R3: Bernard Tomic 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1
R4: Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6(4) 6-2
QF: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3

Murray

R1: Robin Haase 6-3 6-1 6-3
R2: Joao Sousa 6-2 6-2 6-4
R3: Ricardas Berankis 6-3 6-4 7-5
R4: Gilles Simon 6-3 6-1 6-3
QF: Jeremy Chardy 6-4 6-1 6-2

Sports Mole says: Murray to edge his way past Federer

ID:65669: cacheID:65669:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2817:
Written by
Jack Prescott

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roger Federer waves to the crowd after his fourth round victory over Milos Raonic at the Australian Open tennis championship on January 21, 2013
Read Next:
Federer wins rollercoaster against Tsonga
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!