Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych Bring Heated Rivalry to Miami Masters Semifinal
There will be no love lost between Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych in the semifinal of the 2015 Miami Masters on Friday. The two veterans have been brewing an overlooked rivalry, and it threatens to bubble over in their next clash.
On one side is salty Murray. He has worked and scrapped his entire career to become the greatest champion outside the trinity of modern tennis legends—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He is the human warrior, brandishing a largely defensive game of grit and parry, who is trying to squeeze his way into a tennis can that only holds three balls.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Then there is the more even-tempered Berdych, who is desperate to shed a label of softness and big-match futility. He’s a proven second-tier star who wants his own Stanislas Wawrinka breakout. Is the answer to play with more vim and vigor, mixed with more spicy combativeness?
Housecleaning by Murray
After a trying 2014, including a gradual return from back surgery and the departure of coach Ivan Lendl, Murray struggled to regain his form. He had withdrawn into his default mode of defensive "pusher tennis," according to his more critical observers.
Firmly on board with new coach and former WTA No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, Murray had to make changes, even if to move a few pieces around the board, hoping to see new patterns on squares of black and white. How could he rediscover more of the aggression and guidance that had made him the 2012 U.S. Open champion and a Wimbledon hero for Great Britain?
The fall guy turned out to be friend and hitting coach Dani Vallverdu. (He also gave the ax to fitness trainer Jez Green.)
Murray and Vallverdu parted ways in November with the usual amicable rhetoric about change being best for everyone. It’s what almost all players do eventually—shake the tree and hope some new fruit drops down at their feet. Tennis careers usually have a short shelf life, and there’s no time to stew with stagnation, be they friends or enemies.
Never mind that Vallverdu and Green reportedly were at odds with the Mauresmo hiring, according to 10sBalls.com.
Bold Move by Berdych
Berdych is pushing 30 and perhaps facing a last-gasp effort to taste one major title trophy. He reached out to Lendl, hoping that the legend’s Czech roots and big baseline strokes might add some toughness and championship magic to his final quest.
Lendl declined, but Berdych did not turn too far for his next move.
Enter Vallverdu. Simon Briggs of The Telegraph emphasized Vallverdu’s importance in the Lendl team to him as well as Murray. His incessant energy for hitting, travel and serving as a confidant and connector with Murray and Lendl was no doubt important. “You guys don’t understand how much I relied on Dani,” Lendl bluntly said.
If Berdych didn’t land Lendl, he may have gained his right hand. And it might not hurt that the Vallverdu hire could be an enticing lure if Lendl gets restless for another coaching stint—a new project but with someone familiar who could share in the less glamorous details.
Would Vallverdu’s presence make a difference for Berdych? Would Vallverdu’s absence make a difference for Murray?
There promised to be more on the line than just a tennis match the next time the two players gathered for a coin toss.
Australian Effects
Murray stampeded his light draw at the Australian Open for his semifinal berth. He was also validating his decision to stand with Mauresmo.
Berdych, usually consistent in defeating weaker opponents, finally threw off his biggest gorilla, defeating Nadal after 17 straight losses. Yes, Nadal was weaker than usual, but Berdych was stepping inside the court with bigger strokes. And he was quick to credit Vallverdu’s tactics and positive energy.
In the semifinals, Murray was waiting. The road to the Australian Open title was clearly the most important goal and subject of all outward rhetoric, but there was visible tension and determination in both camps. Perhaps it was even bigger for Murray to prove that Vallverdu was not the X-factor in their careers.
At any rate, Murray stormed back after losing the first set, knocking the wobbly Berdych back into 2014. Was that a statement or just the usual hard-nosed business of winning?
There were media stories about the players’ fiancees, spats, harsh language and plenty of spice for a daytime soap opera. “When there's a lot of tension surrounding something, which you (the media) created, then it's completely normal that the whole first set everyone was tight,” Murray said, according to CNN.com. "My physical trainer, physio, I'm sure for Dani it was uncomfortable.”
The short-term consensus is that Murray has been more energized, usually flashing his best form when not playing Djokovic. He’s moved up to the top four in the ATP rankings, back where he should be.
Berdych has remained solid, if not ready to live up to Vallverdu’s claim that he is ready to win a Grand Slam title.
Not Just Another Clash in Miami
It should get easier for these two warhorses to battle each other, at least in terms of waving away the emotional miasma. Time heals old wounds, and both players will move forward.
But don’t ignore the terrific contrast of their tennis skills. This is another big match for all the right reasons. Berdych’s bigger power and groundstrokes have often handcuffed the more defensive Murray. Berdych is the one who has won six of their 11 career matches. If he can dictate with plenty of time and pace, there’s a good chance he roars into the Miami final.
On the other hand, Murray’s resolve has been a more proven commodity. He is the one who can change his game, use more slice and changes of pace and produce the defensive irritation and guile that could force Berdych to prove that he has become tougher and more resilient.
Someone is headed to Sunday’s final with his head held a little higher, both for the opportunity to take Djokovic’s title and to fly off to Europe’s clay-court season with the confidence that is only found through winning.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
