Published: Friday, 29th January, 2010 1:04pm

Murray can hold head high after Fed express

by Calums Column

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After Sunday's final...

Another grand slam goes a-begging for Andy Murray but he can be exceptionally proud after putting in a spirited display against the world's best ever tennis player.

Murray had chances and looked good in the first set with the 6-3 scoreline perhaps flattering Federer as both players were involved in some exceptional shotmaking.

The second set was a bit of a struggle for Murray but he came storming back in third set, and should have at least taken it into a fourth set.

Federer's awesome record in grand slams is down to his masterful play which is magical to watch. It did look like Murray was breathing deep towards the end of the second set given the amount of chasing and running down of shots he was forced into.

Murray missed two excellent set point opportunities in the tie break, both close to the net, but he did not let that deter him in what was a sensational finale to the match as he kept fighting to the last gasp.

However, Federer showed that he is the king of kings of tennis with some breathtaking shots and a backbone made of steel.

Andy showed emotionally how much it meant to him in the after match interviews. It was crushing that he couldn't get it into the fourth set and it showed.

But there is no reason for him not to keep pushing and his progress to dismiss the likes of Nadal and Clicic was phenomenal and there is plenty of reason to hope that Murray can improve further and at last get that holy grail.

Before Sunday's final...

It was the leafy suburbs of Wimbledon five years ago, and I was awaiting confirmation of a press pass at SW19 central offices on the Sunday before Wimbledon.

As I patiently waited outside the reception area that afternoon, Tim Henman arrived from one of the side doors and got a glorious reception from the Wimbledon staff who hugged and kissed him. He was the hottest property in UK tennis.

A few minutes later in the central walkways within the heart of Wimbledon, from the same door, came a little known Scot, holding his own racquet bag, walking by unnoticed.

Except by me. I looked at Andy Murray who was a virtual unknown as he trudged past the staff who barely blinked an eye at the player as he headed off to the practice courts before his first ever showing at Wimbledon against George Bastl of Switzerland. I sat in the press area highly impressed in court no.2 that day with the likes of BBC presenter John Inverdale as we watched history in the making.

After comfortably coming through that, he beat number 15 seed Radak Stepanek, better known as a former boyfriend of Martina Hingis on Court number 1. Murray wanted one of the main club courts and wanted the prestige, and he got it in spades.

On a super Saturday night, Murray came close to upsetting former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian of Argentina before going out in a five set marathon quest.

Murray's progress ever since has been overwhelming and his style of play and creative shotmaking has left other players baffled and tied in knots. With a vicious backhand, and an improving battling spirit, it is almost incredible to think how the young Dunblane lad has moved from strength to strength and muscled in on the likes of Rafa Nadal who was, amazingly, second best to the proud Scot this week.

However, this Sunday's final represents a massive opportunity for Scottish sport and for Andy Murray to be a global sports icon, and also help put our country on the map following continuing football disappointments.

What makes Sunday's final extra special though is that Murray faces arguably one of the greatest sportsmen ever in Roger Federer who is perhaps the most graceful tennis player the world has ever seen, but that disguises the fact he has full guts and emotional strength.

Murray has played an almost immaculate tournament but the predator Federer likes in wait and if Scotland's finest can overcome the Swiss maestro, it would represent perhaps one of the biggest sporting achievements ever made in Scotland.

My gut instinct is that Murray can win it but it may take five sets and when you get into the latter stages anything can happen. Murray has already felt the full force of Federer's impact in the US Open Final in 2008.

While Federer went through his full repertoire of shots that day, Andy never truly got going and was perhaps feeling the extra excess of one less day's rest than his counterpart.

The roles are reversed this time and now Murray has had an extra 24 hours recovery time.

Now is the time, and now is the hour. After the year of the homecoming, how apt would it be if Andy Murray was to come home on Sunday with one of the greatest crowns of tennis for the first time since Fred Perry in the 1930s?

As the World Cup song goes from 1982 sung by John Gordon Sinclair, I have a dream.... and let's hope this dream comes true.