Andy Murray v Roger Federer head-to-head. From Claire. Thanks.

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Australian Open 2010: Andy Murray v Roger Federer head-to-head
Andy Murray faces Roger Federer in the final of the Australian Open with the confidence of having a winning record against the Swiss, though Federer has won their last two meetings and the only other time they have met before in a Grand Slam final.

By Vicki Hodges and Steve Wilson
Published: 12:24PM GMT 29 Jan 2010

Fists of fury: Andy Murray will have to beat Roger Federer for the first time in three attempts to claim the Australian Open title Photo: GETTY IMAGES When Andy met Roger:

Bangkok, 2005, hard court: Federer wins 6-3, 7-5

A fresh-faced 18-year-old Murray broke into the world top 100 as he reached his first main tour final. But Federer, at six years his senior, had too much experience to win their first-ever duel.

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Murray squared the head-to-head battle with a second-round win over an exhausted looking Federer two weeks after teaming up with new coach Brad Gilbert.

Dubai, 2008, hard court: Murray wins 6-7, 6-3, 6-4

The clash which will go down as the moment Federer’s irritation with the Scot began. Murray was unseeded for the first round match in the desert while Federer was playing his first event since losing in the semi-finals of the Australian Open to Novak Djokovic.

US Open final, 2008, hard court: Federer wins 6-2, 7-5, 6-2

Appearing in his first grand slam final, Murray was either suffering from nerves or the after effects of an energy-sapping semi-final win over Rafael Nadal which was stretched over two days.

Madrid Masters, 2008, hard court: Murray wins 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

The British No 1 won his second successive ATP Masters title in his first event following defeat at Flushing Meadows courtesy of his victory over Federer in the semi-finals.

Masters Cup, Shanghai 2008, hard court: Murray wins 4-6, 7-6, 7-5

Murray knocks defending champion Federer out of the season-ending tournament in the round robin group stages with gruelling three-set victory in contest that lasted over three hours.

Doha, January 2009, hard court: Murray wins 6-7, 6-2, 6-2

Murray recovered from a back injury in the third set to complete a third successive win over his rival and book a place in the Qatar Open final.

Indian Wells Masters, March 2009, hard court: Murray wins 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

Murray fended off a second set fightback to snare his opponent for a fourth successive time in the semi-finals but went on to lose to Rafael Nadal in the final.

Cincinnati Masters, August 2009, hard court: Federer wins 6-2, 7-6

Federer ends his hoodoo with victory over the newly-crowned world No 2 and defending champion in their semi-final encounter but brushes aside his poor head-to-head record against his rival. “It doesn’t matter to me, I’m past that point.”

ATP Tour Finals, London O2 Arena, November 2009, hard court: Federer wins 3-6 6-3 6-1

Murray gets off to a great start on home soil, breaking Federer twice to take the opening set before Federer raised his game, breaking Murray in game six of the second set before Murray’s erstwhile dependable serve failed him – “I served pants” – in a one sided deciding set.

In their own words…

Federer on Murray:

March 2008: “I don’t think he’s changed his game a whole lot since I played him in the Bangkok final.

“Not that I’m disappointed but I really would have thought he would have changed it in some ways.”

June 2009: “He’s finally proved it [he’s a gifted player], because it took him some time. I was disappointed because I thought that it took him longer than I expected.”

August 2009, after Cincinatti semi-final win: “I stayed aggressive. I was always looking to make the plays and I think in the end I deserved to win, just because I wasn’t scared to go after my shots. And I think I served well.”

November 2009, after victory in London: “He’s one of the best returners in the game and when you’re behind against the top guys it’s not easy. But it’s a huge improvement and gives me confidence.”

Murray on Federer:

Speaking in September 2009 in Cincinatti: “I have beaten him a lot in the past. So if I play him in New York I can definitely win against him – if I play well. So regardless of this week it’s not really going to change my mindset going in against him at the US Open.”

Speaking in Novemeber 2009 ahead of World Tour Finals: “A lot of people said I focused too much on results and winning all the time, but obviously winning against Federer in one of the year’s biggest competitions is one of the best wins of the year for me.

“It’s sometimes nice to beat the big players in epic matches. Unfortunately that takes a little bit out of you sometimes.”

Speaking after the World Tour Finals defeat: “In the first set, at least when I was behind in games, I was coming up with big serves, being able to dictate the points. But after that I served pants.

“You can’t serve at 40 per cent against Roger because you give him so many opportunities to dictate play, but that’s what I did.”