Andy Murray’s coach Jonas Bjorkman has urged the Scot to fight fire with fire and attack Roger Federer in today’s Wimbledon semi-final.
Bjorkman was brought into Murray’s back-room team in March to work with Amelie Mauresmo at adding more variety and aggression to the British number one’s game.
The 28-year-old’s fresh attacking blueprint will undergo its stiffest examination yet as 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.
Federer has typically played the role of aggressor in previous meetings, with Murray using his speed and guile to counter-punch the Swiss, but Bjorkman believes his protegee should stick to his guns and attack this time around.
“That will still be the best way, absolutely,” Bjorkman told Press Association Sport. “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 won the duo’s last three meetings, including 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.
Murray has dropped just two sets on his way to the semi-finals and Bjorkman insists the shoulder injury that proved problematic in round three is no longer causing the Briton discomfort.
“If he had issues before, it was good in the match and it felt strong today in the warm-up,” Bjorkman said.
Murray admits he felt a sense of awe when he first beat Federer as a 19-year-old in 2006 but there is no inferiority complex now, after 23 meetings between the pair, of which the Briton has won 11.
“There is no reason for Andy to have any fear. They have played a lot of times before and it will be another close match tomorrow,” Bjorkman said.
“The top four have been so dominant for so many years that they have a lot of respect for each other.
“But they also know whoever is in good form on the day will win. And hopefully tomorrow that will be Andy.”