Andy Murray Prepares For The Last 16
Andy Murray is wary of the grass-court pedigree of ``nice guy'' Mikhail Youzhny.
The pair meet on Centre Court in the fourth round of Wimbledon later today, with Murray a big favourite to see off the challenge of the 20th seed.
Youzhny is most famous for his racket-smashing on court, the Russian once leaving himself with blood streaming down his face after pounding his racket repeatedly against his forehand.
Murray, though, insists Youzhny is a different character off court, saying: ``He's actually a very nice guy.
``His coach is a really good guy, too, it's a pretty cool relationship they've got. They've been working together since he was really young so it's good.''
Murray is four victories away from a first Wimbledon title after wins over Benjamin Becker, Lu-Yen-hsun and Tommy Robredo.
Here, we take a look at the men likely to stand in his way at the All England Club.
Fourth round: MIKHAIL YOUZHNY Russian Youzhny is famous for his racket-smashing antics, most recently witnessed at the French Open where he obliterated one in a fourth-round defeat by Tommy Haas. But he has an excellent record on grass, reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year, and was a finalist in Halle prior to Wimbledon, winning a set against Roger Federer. He and Murray have played twice, with the Scot winning both, but not since 2009, and they go head to head on Monday.
Quarter-finals: FERNANDO VERDASCO The big-hitting left-hander was a fixture in the top 10 in 2009, when he lost a titanic battle with Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open semi-finals, and stayed there in 2010. He is ranked only 54th now, however he has looked in great form during Wimbledon, beating the dangerous trio of Xavier Malisse, Julien Benneteau and Ernests Gulbis to reach the fourth round, where he will play Kenny De Schepper. After that would be a likely meeting with Murray, who has won eight of their nine meetings.
Semi-finals: JERZY JANOWICZ The 6ft 8in Pole appears to be the lurking threat in Murray's half of the draw, and they could meet in the semi-finals. Janowicz was hugely impressive in beating Nicolas Almagro in round three and possesses the game to trouble anyone. Tim Henman said of the 22-year-old: ``There's no doubt he's a danger. He's got a big game, and not only is he a big guy but he's a very good mover. If they were to play that would be an interesting match-up but I'd still pick Andy every day of the week.''
Final: NOVAK DJOKOVIC It would be a surprise if there was anything other than a repeat of the last Australian and US Open finals next Sunday. Murray won in New York, Djokovic in Melbourne, and it would be a brave pundit who predicted a winner this time around. Djokovic is a former Wimbledon champion but grass is probably more of a favourite surface for Murray than the Serbian. Djokovic has won their last three matches and leads the head-to-head 11-7 but Murray was victorious in their only previous match on grass in the semi-finals of the Olympics last summer.