Rivalries 2011 - Nadal vs. Murray

ATPWorldTour.com reviews how the key rivalries played out in 2011. Today we feature Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray.
Although the results suggested Rafael Nadal continued his dominance over Andy Murray in their 2011 meetings, Murray did not make it easy for the Spaniard and there were signs towards the end of the year that the Scot may be more of a threat to Nadal in the upcoming 2012 season.
Indeed, Murray impressed onlookers in their first clash of the year as he pushed the King of Clay to three sets in the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The Scot’s controlled aggression meant for a gripping first two sets, before Nadal pulled away to secure the 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win in two minutes shy of three hours.
"Obviously it's good to know you're able to play at a similar level to what he does on the clay," said Murray. "To win against him, you need to be able to do that for three and a half hours, four hours. He's the best player in the world for a reason."
Nadal again triumphed when the pair clashed a few weeks later in the Roland Garros semi-finals, this time with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win. The scoreline appeared comprehensive, but the Spaniard had saved 15 of 18 break points in the gruelling three-hour, 24-minute match. It was the first of three Grand Slam semi-finals the duo would contest in 2011, with more heartache to follow for Murray.
Four weeks later the pair came face-to-face again in the Wimbledon semi-finals. A year earlier Nadal had ruthlessly ended Murray’s dreams of glory at his home Grand Slam, but the Scot gave himself the chance to avenge that loss as he clinched the first set. The momentum abruptly swung early in the second set, though, when Murray missed a short forehand that he should have hit for a winner at 1-2, 15/30. "It was a big point," Murray said afterwards. "I went for it today, and I started to make a few mistakes after that." From there, Nadal ran out the 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 winner.
"Tennis right at the top of the game is exceptional," conceded Murray. "So not only to get level with those guys, but to push past them, you need to work harder than them."
Nadal again held Murray’s number when they met two months later in the US Open semi-finals, holding off a late fightback from the Dunblane native to secure a 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win and reach his third major final of the season. "For sure it's an emotional day for me, winning against one of the best players in the world and reaching another final at the US Open," said the Spaniard.
Murray dominated the ATP World Tour Asian swing in the autumn, and the confidence he gained with a succession of impressive results saw him snap a five-match losing streak against Nadal when they contested the final of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships. After losing the first set, the inspired Murray surrendered just two more games as he claimed a 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory.
"For sure in the third set it was some of the best tennis I’ve played against him," said Murray. "I was very consistent, didn’t make too many mistakes and kept a cool head in the important moments." Nadal, who had been allowed just four points in the decider, agreed. "He played unbelievable, he didn’t make any mistakes in the third set," said the left-hander.