Wimbledon 2012: Can Andy Murray Beat Roger Federer to Win the Wimbledon Title?

He's the first British man since Bunny Austin in 1938 to reach the Wimbledon final, but can Andy Murray go one step further and finally put the ghost of Fred Perry to rest?

An Unkind Draw

When the Wimbledon draw was made, many, myself included, believed Murray's Wimbledon mission to be almost impossible.

But he's proved us all wrong.

Former world No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko was the first to be dispatched; Ivo Karlovic and Marcos Baghdatis followed shortly afterwards.

Marin Cilic went without much of a fight to set up Murray's toughest challenges.

David Ferrer, what a player, and magnificent in defeat—not many would have been so humble and complimentary of their opponent as Ferru was about Andy. 

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Roger Federer in last year's quarterfinals; recovering from two sets down.

He presented Murray with a formidable challenge—but once again the Scotsman stepped up; winning in four sets.

The Final

Who would have thought that Federer would beat Novak Djokovic in the semifinals to reach his eighth final?

Not me.

My Friday, "Why Novak Djokovic will cruise to Wimbledon title" article left me feeling somewhat embarrassed.

But I can deal with it.

Can Murray deal with Federer?

How They Match Up

Murray holds a winning 8-7 winning record against the GOAT—that's "Greatest Of All Time" for those this side of the Atlantic.

The last time they played however, Federer won, in the final at Dubai.

Would Murray rather have faced Federer or Djokovic in his first Wimbledon final?

Almost certainly he stands more chance against the GOAT.

The entire British tennis community will be wishing Murray well against Roger in Sunday's final.

The rest of the world will probably be hoping Federer wins a record-equalling seventh title. Fed is probably the world's most popular sportsmen, a class act and fantastic role model.

My feeling is that Fred Perry's legacy as the last British player to win Wimbledon, back in 1936, is about to be eclipsed.

What do you think?