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Murray enjoying centre stage

Murray enjoying centre stage

05/09/2008 3:51 PM

Andy Murray is relishing his return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for Saturday's US Open semi-final showdown with world No.1 Rafael Nadal.

British No.1 and sixth seed Murray will be making his third straight appearance on the main show court at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, which with a 23,000 capacity is the largest purpose-built tennis arena in the world.

Whether that happens on Saturday, though, is the subject of much debate with heavy rain forecast for most of the day and US Open organisers making contingencies for alternative scheduling.

The Scot's committed and passionate approach during matches has made the 21-year-old a big hit with tennis fans in New York, who flocked to his early-round matches against Sergio Roitman, Michael Llodra and Jurgen Melzer on the lesser show courts, Louis Armstrong and Grandstand.

Murray made his Ashe Stadium debut on Monday night with a straight-sets demolition of Stanislas Wawrinka and followed up on Wednesday with a four-set thriller against Juan Martin Del Potro to reach the first grand slam semi-final of his career.

He now faces top seed Nadal, who knocked out American Mardy Fish, confident he can have a large section of the crowd in his corner.

"I think they enjoy my game style," Murray said of the US Open fans. "You know, I think it's a bit different to how a lot of the guys play nowadays, and I think they just enjoy the way I play, and show emotion on the court, and that's what Americans like to see."

Despite being denied an unusual request to have the giant video screen at Ashe turned off during his match with Del Potro, Murray is enjoying his experiences in the stadium.

"There are so many things going on on that court that something like that, which is right at the top of the stands, is, I guess, putting you off," Murray said of the screen.

"I love playing on that court. For me, the atmosphere there is awesome. I've had great support, and I played two really good matches. I look forward to playing hopefully more matches on there in the future."

Murray claimed the atmosphere was as enjoyable as playing in his home grand slam at Wimbledon.

"It's just very different," he said. "For me the biggest difference is in the middle of the points. At Wimbledon it's so quiet, and then at the end of the points it kind of erupts."

"Here there's a lot of noise going on in the middle of points, and a lot of shouting out during points."

"Just a little bit more laid back, the atmosphere here. But both are great."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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