Wimbledon tennis: Ernests Gulbis determined to gain Andy Murray revenge
ANDY MURRAY faces a young man with a score to settle when he takes on Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis on Centre Court this afternoon.
The British number one has beaten 20-year-old Gulbis in their only two meetings but the Latvian was left with a sour taste following their match at Queen’s last year.
Gulbis recalled the meeting as both players prepared on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Park practice courts.
"I played pretty well," said Gulbis. "In the third set he took a medical time-out when it was five-all.
"Actually he had nothing (wrong with him), he just broke my rhythm, and I wasn’t an experienced enough player to deal with that at the time.
"Then in St Petersburg, I was tired of the season. I was trying to play a good match, but in my mind already I was home.
"I don’t say that I would have beaten him, but in this tournament it’s going to be like a new match and the past won’t count so much."
It would be overstating things to say their second- round encounter will be a grudge match, but Gulbis clearly believes his defeats against Murray have not been a fair reflection of his ability.
Gulbis and Murray have been travelling in opposite directions in the world rankings these past 12 months. While Murray has soared to number three, Gulbis has tumbled from 38 to 74.
He puts it down to concentrating on his physique rather than his tennis, although Murray could counter by saying he has done both with spectacular success.
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