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Berdych deserves shot but Murray is too good

It surprises me a bit that Tomas Berdych leads the head-to-head count against Andy Murray, because I think Andy will just be a bit good tonight.

Andy has been the sleeper here. He had an ordinary first half last year and dropped out of the reckoning a bit.

But he had a strong end to to the year and looks fantastic at the moment.

His match against Grigor Dimitrov was one of the best of the tournament.

With that form going in, I have to pick him to win the semi.

In saying that it is a two-horse race.

Berdych has had trouble at the business end of slams against great players in the past. He has not been able to break through and win that major despite being a very good player.

He has been a good enough player in his career to deserve a slam.

He has not lost a set so far to get here either. But in saying that he did play an underdone Rafael Nadal. You can only beat the other guy across the net though and Berdych deserves his shot here.

To have a chance to win Berdych has to play really attacking tennis.

Murray is a bit like Rafa and Novak Djokovic in that they all defend so well. They are all so hard to beat because they defend so well, get so many balls back and can transition into attack exceptionally.

So Tomas will have to attack hard. He really has his off forehand working and that will be his big weapon.

More than anything, he has to have the confidence, the belief he can beat Andy.


Andy just looks so good though. He was too good for Dimitrov in four brutal sets.

But he followed that up with an easy three sets against Nick Kyrgios so he will be well rested.

And I think Andy is the only person who will be able to challenge Novak for the crown here so I am picking Murray to go through, in a good match, in five sets.

john Fitzgerald is a Channel Seven tennis commentator.

The Australian Open semi-final between Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych is on LIVE on Channel Seven from 7pm.