Friday 10 July 2015 10:38, UK
Andy Murray's coach Jonas Bjorkman says the key to beating Roger Federer will be an attacking, aggressive approach.
Murray added Bjorkman to his backroom team in March, to work with Amelie Mauresmo at adding more variety and aggression to the British No 1's game.
Since being given that new sense of freedom, the 28-year-old has enjoyed the best clay-court season of his career and recorded 10 consecutive victories on grass, a run which included winning a fourth title at Queen's last month.
But Murray’s new attacking strategy will face its sternest examination to date on Friday when he bids to inflict a first ever defeat on Federer in a Wimbledon semi-final and prevent the 17-time major champion from claiming a record eighth title at the All England Club.
He has the legs, he's one of the fastest guys out there, he's super strong and he can attack in behind when he's under pressure. Even against someone like Roger that is a good way to play.
Bjorkman believes his charge should fight fire with fire and said: "That will still be the best way, absolutely. We're trying, Amelie and I, to get him to be more comfortable at the net and be more aggressive.
"That's what he was asking me to come into the team and help out with and it will take some time because at big tournaments it's hard to do that straight away.
"But there's no doubt he has the potential to do it. He has the legs, he's one of the fastest guys out there, he's super strong and he can attack in behind when he's under pressure.
"Even against someone like Roger that is a good way to play. It puts off the guy who wants to come in - he wants to move forward but then all of a sudden he has to go back.
"So definitely, a way to beat someone who is very aggressive is to be very aggressive yourself."
Federer has beaten Murray in the pair’s three previous meetings, a run which includes a 6-0 6-1 demolition at the ATP World Tour Finals in November, but their most recent clash on grass remains Murray's Olympic triumph on Centre Court in 2012.
His victory, coming just a month after the tear-jerking final defeat on the same patch of turf, was a turning-point for Murray, spurring him on to secure the US Open title that year before becoming Wimbledon champion 12 months later.
"He will definitely watch those 2012 matches, for sure," Bjorkman said.
"I will too look at them with a different view to when I was commentating - now I look at them with a view of what to do against Roger and how to beat him.
"We will all have tried to watch them but the players know each other's game so well, they have played so many times.
"For both Andy and Roger, this court is probably the most famous court and their favourite court as well so those matches can only play a small part."
