Andy Murray's potential route to Wimbledon glory examined
Sunday 5 July 2015 18:40, UK
British hope and third seed Andy Murray will be dreaming of Wimbledon glory to add to his triumph two years ago.
Following Friday's draw we now know what the British No 1 has to do if he is to go all the way once again.
Here, we look at Murray's path after being handed one of the toughest possible draws, finding himself in the bottom half along with seven-time champion Roger Federer and two-time winner Rafael Nadal.
First Round
Mikhail Kukushkin
The 28-year-old Scot will take on Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan. With Murray being coached by Amelie Mauresmo, world No 58 Kukushkin shares the distinction of also having a female coach in his wife Anastasia. The Brit leads their head-to-head record 2-0. He was taken to three sets in Brisbane three years ago and they met again at the Australian Open just weeks later, although Kukushkin retired in the third set of their last 16 encounter having won just two games. He recently lost in the opening round of the Nottingham Open 6-0 6-2 to hot prospect Alexander Zverev, but Murray is wary of his opponent, saying: "He's a good player, he's had some big tournaments in the past. I think he played Rafa (Nadal) pretty close here last year, I think it was five sets, and he can play well on the grass. He's a good player. He's plays predominantly from the baseline but he's a good ball striker and if you give him time to dictate the points he's a tough guy to beat."
Second Round
Robin Haase or Alejandro Falla
Should Murray pass his opening test, he will face the winner of the clash between Robin Haase and Alejandro Falla. Powerful Dutchman Haase has beaten the Scot, but that was seven years ago in Rotterdam. Since then, Murray has beaten him at the US Open in 2011 - fighting back from two sets down - and 2014 and at the 2013 Australian Open. Meanwhile, Colombia's Falla is regarded as a clay-court specialist and is currently ranked 130 in the world. Murray last played him three years ago, winning 6-2 6-3 in Miami.
Third Round
Most Likely: Andreas Seppi, Alexandr Dolgopolov or Denis Istomin
Gerry Weber Open finalist Andreas Seppi could lie in wait for Murray in the next round. The Italian is in fine form this year, having started it by knocking Roger Federer out of the Australian Open. Seppi, who is ranked 27, has lost his last six meetings against the British No 1 with his sole victory coming on grass in Nottingham nine years ago. Seppi probably lacks the firepower to trouble Murray. He plays British No 4 Brydan Klein in the first round. If Seppi fails to make it this far, there are a few dangerous floaters in the draw in the shape of proven grass-court players Alexandr Dolgopolov and Denis Istomin who could end up playing the Scot. Dolgopolov is erratic but hugely talented, reaching the semis in Nottingham. Istomin got to the final.
Fourth Round
Most Likely: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Ivo Karlovic
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the theoretical Murray opponent in the fourth round, although that is not as bad as it seems because the Frenchman has been out since the French Open with an abdominal injury and will have some ring rust, although he is a former semi-finalist at the All England Club. A bigger concern might be if 6ft 11ins Croatian Ivo Karlovic comes through that corner of the draw, because he has the serve to blast anyone off the court.
Quarter-Final
Most Likely: Rafael Nadal
This is where the competition seriously heats up with Rafa Nadal potentially awaiting Murray for a place in the semi-finals. If Nadal can get through the first week he will be dangerous but he has not gone past the last sixteen on his last three visits. The 10th seed leads Murray 15-6 in head-to-head meetings but Murray did wipe the floor with him in the final of the Madrid Masters just before the French Open.
Semi-Final
Most Likely: Roger Federer
If four-time Queen's Club champion Murray is to reach his third Wimbledon final, he will have to get past legend Roger Federer. The 33-year-old, who won the Gerry Weber Open for an eighth time last week, will also be hoping to make a great eight in south-west London. He beat Murray in the 2012 final and leads him 12-11 overall, but the Dunblane-born star has not beaten the Swiss since their semi-final meeting at the 2013 Australian Open.
The Final
Most Likely: Novak Djokovic
If Murray manages to go all the way, world No 1 Novak Djokovic might well be waiting for him in the final. The defending champion faces a possible semi-final against Stan Wawrinka, the man who beat him in the French Open final. The Serb does also face a potentially tricky start of the tournament, as he'll play German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber - the world No 33, and a fine grass court player - in the first round. And he could face Australian veteran former champion Lleyton Hewitt, playing his final Wimbledon, in the second. But if all goes according to plan then the dream final could see these two slug it out in a repeat of the 2013 final, which Murray won in three gruelling sets. That was his last win against Djokovic - nine matches ago.
