Features

Murray slips down rankings

Author: John Harris
Date: 05/12/2009
Tennis betting

2009 was supposed to be the year that British number one Andy Murray landed a Grand Slam title, but he was left disappointed at the end of the season, as he slipped to number five in the world rankings.

Murray's campaign started in fine fashion with titles in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, but he suffered a major setback at the Australian Open, losing in the fourth round to big-hitting Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

Can Murray win next year's Wimbledon title? - Latest Tennis Betting

The action at Melbourne Park bubbled up to an outstanding finale, as Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in an epic five-set final, edging home 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 in a match which many viewed as the beginning of the end for the Swiss maestro.

The next major target for Murray and co was the French Open, a tournament which has been dominated by Nadal in recent times.

Murray's campaign ended in the quarter-finals as he was seen off 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 by Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, while Nadal's hopes of a fifth straight title ended in round four as a knee injury took its toll and Robin Soderling ousted the Spanish ace.

That left the way clear for Federer to finally complete the set of all four Grand Slam titles and move level on 14 titles with Pete Sampras.

However, Federer had to do things the hard way, coming from behind to beat both Tommy Haas and Juan Martin Del Potro, before seeing off Soderling in straight sets in the final to ensure his place as the greatest champion in the men's game.

Nadal was forced to miss Wimbledon due to his knee problems and with him unable to defend his title, Federer was again the strong favourite for the title.

Murray raised hopes of home glory before he was demolished in the semi-finals by a resurgent Andy Roddick, who then pushed Federer to the limit in a marathon final.

Eventually the Swiss prevailed to move on to the unparalleled mark of 15 Grand Slam titles, with Federer edging out a heartbroken Roddick 16-14 in the final set.

The final Grand Slam of 2009, the US Open at Flushing Meadows, saw Nadal back in the fold and he reached the last four despite still being short of full fitness.

Murray again reached round four, but yet again he came unstuck against a player with huge power from the back of the court - Croatia's Marin Cilic.

Nadal was eventually ousted by Del Potro, who then upset the applecart in the final by beating sportsbook favourite Federer in five sets to clinch a first Grand Slam title at the tender age of 20.

The giant Argentinian ended the season by reaching the final of the ATP World Tour finals in London, although he lost out to Nikolay Davydenko in the final match of a gruelling season.

However, he had done enough to become world number four and leave Murray wondering how he can make the move up to become a Grand Slam winner.

BET NOW