Rafael Nadal intends to keep Andy Murray waiting for his maiden grand slam title beyond this year's Wimbledon.
Spaniard confident ahead of Wimbledon semi-final with Murray
Rafael Nadal intends to keep Andy Murray waiting for his maiden grand slam title beyond this year's Wimbledon.
While the Spaniard cannot imagine Murray remaining a nearly man forever, Nadal intends to throw everything at the Scot in their semi-final at SW19 on Friday.
Their first Wimbledon meeting in 2008 resulted in huge anti-climax for Murray followers, with Nadal posting a straight-sets victory.
But plenty has changed since that quarter-final, and indeed Murray has won three of his last five matches against the world number one.
Murray has also dropped only one set on his way to the last four this fortnight, and Nadal said: "He is ready to win a grand slam and one day he will.
"But let's hope it will not be this one."
Unbeaten run
Nadal is undefeated in his last dozen Wimbledon matches, having been champion two years ago and an injury absentee 12 months later.
Knee trouble saw Nadal retire in the third set of his Australian Open quarter-final against Murray at the start of this year.
At two sets and 3-0 behind, the left-hander shook hands with Murray who went on to suffer defeat by Roger Federer in the final, but Nadal still has positive memories from the occasion.
"I was very happy about my level in those two sets," he said. "I lost both, but I was ready to win both, too. I was a break up in both sets, I think."
Nadal fought back impressively after falling 5-0 behind in the opening set of his quarter-final against Robin Soderling to beat the Swede over four sets.
He is certain to attempt to impose his belligerent style on tomorrow's late-afternoon occasion.
"I am happy how I'm playing, so I going to try to play my own game," Nadal said.
"My game is trying to play aggressively. The important thing is serve well.
"I'm sure that the styles of Murray and Soderling are completely different. But at the same time I have to still be playing at my best level if I want to have chances to win.
"So we will see what happens. I don't want to change a lot of things. I'm happy with how I'm doing."
