Murray & Nadal to Square off at Indian Wells

Sunday’s BNP Paribas Open Men’s Tennis Final will feature two swash-buckling, flamboyant players. Scotsman Andy Murray faces the unflappable 22 year old Spaniard and world’s number one big-match talent, Rafael Nadal, in what promises to be a hard-hitting test of wills. The match pits the game’s two greatest heavy weights against each other in a battle for the $605,500 first prize.

In his semifinal win, the 21 year old Murray became the first British player to reach the finals at Indian Wells since 2004 when Tim Henman was at the peak of his game. With a 20-1 2009 record, Murray is the hottest player on the tour. The rising red-headed star disposed of second-seeded 27 year old Swiss counterpart, Roger Federer, in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. The win was Murray’s fourth consecutive over Federer and extended his lifetime record against the former number one to 6-2.

In preparation for BNP Paribas Open event, Federer had rested his troubled back for three weeks. The rust showed as the three-time Indian Wells Champion committed an uncharacteristic 32 unforced errors. Fourteen of those errors took place in the tell-tale first set.

Murray’s aggressive and confident play kept Federer on the defensive and out-of-position most of the day. Federer gambled more than usual while often playing around his backhand. His forehand attempts left the Swiss star scrambling for court coverage and his fans wondering what was next in store for the road-weary and battle-tested former tennis monarch.

Murray made the most of his opportunities converting 4 of 5 service break point opportunities while committing just 19 unforced errors. On the other hand, Roger was only able to convert 2 of 10 break point chances.

In the final set, the Scotsman was meticulous. He broke in the fourth and sixth games to build an insurmountable lead and seal the match. Federer’s boisterous fans fell eerily silent.

After losing serve in the fifth game of set one, crowd favorite Federer, stormed back breaking Murray’s first service game in set two. The pair traded breaks once again in the second set but Federer had momentum and seemed on a wave heading into the final set. Murray came out strong and never let up on the pressure in closing out the match. Play was marked by exhausting baseline rallies that broke down when Federer was out of rhythm.

Murray is playing as if he has something to prove. He heads into the finals seeking his 11th overall title and 21st victory this year. But Nadal, the left-handed Spanish number one does not shy away from competition. In fact, no current player relishes the moment more than the irrepressible Nadal whose timely shots overcame the much-improved and fleet-afoot American star Andy Roddick, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). The 22 year old Spanish star defied the well turned out Indian Wells crowd who was desperate to see Roddick pull the upset.

After another decisive quarter-final win over defending champion and third-seeded Novak Djokovic, Roddick was poised to challenge the world’s top player. Roddick’s power serve is now complimented by a new conditioning program that has increased his court speed and Djokovic fell in a strikingly easy 68 minute match 6-3, 6-2.

Nadal methodically set about ending the American’s 11 game winning steak. His relentless style and singular ball control abilities rise to the fore in big matches. Saturday’s semifinal was no different.

The game’s premier retriever, Nadal and Roddick held nothing back in the day’s second hard-hitting semifinal. After a tense first set that featured just one service break, the second set was loaded with momentum swings as Roddick, spurred on by the noisy crowd, tried to battle back.

The pair traded breaks in games three and four. Nadal led 30-0 at 5-4 in set two before Roddick rallied to break back again. When Roddick held serve to go ahead 6-5, the crowd responded in kind. As usual, the heady Nadal seized the moment and overcame the swirling winds and crowd distractions to stem the tide and force the tiebreaker, which was never in doubt.

The 22 year old Nadal should be concerned with Murray, who is 3-0 against top ten competitors in 2009. Murray has a two match win streak against the Spaniard and most recently defeated him in Rotterdam. Nadal is an 11 time Masters Series Champion and seeks his second trophy at Indian Wells.

In post match interviews, Nadal credited Murray with his decisive shot making and deft drop shot. Citing his offensive capabilities and his ability to turn defensive plays into winners, Nadal showed uncommon respect for the Scotsman’s game.

Sunday’s final looks to have pivotal implications for both players. Bookmakers like Murray and have since the beginning of the year. While both players are supremely confident, they are certainly not crowd favorites. The surface and playing conditions would seem to favor Murray. That is precisely when Nadal is at his best. Sunday should be a thriller at Indian Wells.