Omens good for Murray but Gulbis is no pushover
ANDY MURRAY does not come across as the superstitious type, but if the British No1 is looking for omens on his quest for Wimbledon glory then today’s opponent could be a good one.
Latvian Ernests Gulbis, who Murray faces in the second round, exited the tournament at the same stage last year. The man who beat him that day was one Rafael Nadal, and the Spaniard duly went on to claim the title for the first time.
World No3 Murray will be expected to progress. He is ranked 71 places higher than Gulbis and is 2-0 up in their previous meetings, including one on grass at Queens’ Club last year. He is equally tall, at 6ft 3in, a bulkier presence, and is more at home on this surface.
Gulbis will be no pushover, however. The 20-year-old is a powerful, highly regarded player who last year reached No38 in the rankings after his quarter-final appearance at the French Open.
And, having been tested thoroughly by Robert Kendrick in round one, Murray is refusing to look too far ahead. “I’m not going to start worrying about reaching the final yet,” said the second favourite. “I need to focus on the next match. I’ve got a very tough opponent.”
ORDER OF PLAY DAY FOUR
CENTRE COURT (1PM START)
JM Del Potro (ARG) 5 v L Hewitt (AUS)
C Wozniacki (DEN) 9 v M Kirilenko (RUS)
A Murray (GBR) 3 v E Gulbis (LAT)
COURT ONE (1PM START)
V Williams (USA) 3 v K Bondarenko (UKR)
I Kunitsyn (RUS) v A Roddick (USA) 6
F Gonzalez (CHI) 10 v L Mayer (ARG)