Wimbledon 2016 Men’s Semifinals: Berdych vs. Murray Preview, Predictions

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at Internationaled.org

Published: July 6, 2016

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When Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych face off in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2016, it will be a match between guys whose careers fall on opposite sides of that line that separates great players from Grand Slam champions. 

In quarterfinals action Wednesday, Murray defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 7-6(10) 6-1 3-6 4-6 6-1, and Berdych took out Lucas Pouille, 7-6(4) 6-3, 6-2. 

It's Murray's seventh semifinals appearance at Wimbledon. It's only the second for Berdych. Murray is a two-time Slam champion who has been runner-up eight times. Berdych has been a runner-up once. 

The two men shoulder completely different expectations. Murray became the favorite when Sam Querrey upset No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic. Berdych, seeded No. 10, was overlooked in pre-Wimbledon picks.

Of the 13 experts in ESPN's pre-tournament poll, none picked Berdych as the favorite. Four picked Murray. Everyone else chose Djokovic. 

The last time Berdych reached the semifinals, 2010, he advanced to the finals where he lost to Rafael Nadal. That year, Berdych defeated No. 1 seed Roger Federer and No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic en route to the championship match.

A regular in the top 10 on the ATP World Tour, Berdych has been ranked as high as No. 4. Yet he is slam-less.

Berdych would love to take his name out of the conversation about the greatest players to never win a Grand Slam. Among active players, he ranks up there with David Ferrer and Tsonga.

Last year, Berdych told ESPN: "I know that with Djokovic, Roger Federer, Murray and Nadal this is the toughest time ever to win a slam title. Stan Wawrinka proved it could be done last year but I am 29 years old and know my time is running out. So it has got to be soon."

Does he have what it takes to step up from great player to Grand Slam champion?

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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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