Andy Murray vs Yen Hsun Lu Preview – ATP Queen’s Club 2015 Round 1
Andy Murray’s 2015 grass court campaign will commence with a contest against a player whom he faced during his historic run to the Wimbledon Championships crown back in 2013: Yen Hsun Lu. During that time, Murray was an unstoppable sensation on grass – a motivational force on a one-track course to capture the title denied to Brits for over seven decades. However, this time around, all eyes will be on the Scot as he attempts to follow up on an impressive clay court season. Of their three previous meetings on the professional tour, Murray leads the head-to-head series 2-1.
Ranked No. 3 on the ATP World Tour, Andy Murray compiled a 15-1 record on clay this season, which included two title wins in Munich and Madrid before he reached the semi-final stage at Roland Garros. There, he lost to Novak Djokovic in five sets during a match that was played over two days. Now, with Joras Bjorkman by his side, Murray will attempt to recapture his former glory on grass and carry his current momentum and form forward.
“From the beginning of this year I’ve felt ready to win major competitions again,” said Murray, who was searching for his best form in 2014 following back surgery. “It’s been huge, huge progress from where I was this time last year. I’ve played extremely well so far this year so I have to be happy about that.”
Murray’s upcoming opponent Yen Hsun Lu has already played three matches on grass so far this season, including two wins in the qualifying round here at Queen’s Club. Prior to that, he lost his opening match on the surface this season when Adrian Mannarino at the TopShelf Open ousted him.
This marks the fourth time that Murray and Lu will meet on the professional tour but also the first time since the 2013 Wimbledon Championships. Murray leads the head-to-head series 2-1 and has not lost a match to Lu since 2008. Given that he is the stronger and more comfortable player on this surface, Murray should be able to work his way into the second round of the tournament.