Andy Murray insists he has no concerns about the inside information semi-final opponent Tomas Berydch will possess when the pair clash in Melbourne today.
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Berdych is coached by Murray’s long-term friend and former assistant coach Dani Vallverdu, who – along with fitness trainer Jez Green – left the Murray camp at the end of last season.
Murray was reluctant to discuss Vallverdu in his post-match press conference after beating Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in the quarter-finals, but said: “My goal isn’t to beat Dani, my goal is to beat Berdych. We’ll see how the match plays out and what the tactics are.
“Maybe I’ll find it weird on the day but it’s just something that you deal with as a player.
“I’m happy to talk about Berdych and what his strengths and weaknesses are, but I don’t want to discuss what Dani does well and doesn’t do well.”
A clinical victory over Kyrgios in straight sets improved Murray’s record against Australian players to 11-0 and saw him produce 13 aces and just one double fault, with the only minor blip coming when he let a break of serve slip in the third set.
That was the only time Murray faced break points despite the windy conditions and Australian teenager Kyrgios was quick to back Murray to go all the way to Sunday’s final – which would be his fourth in six years in Melbourne – and claim a third grand slam title.
“He was way too good for me,” the 19-year-old from Canberra said. “I said to him at the net, ‘This is your time; go get him.’ I think he’s got a really good chance of winning the whole thing.”
Berdych has yet to drop a set in the tournament and ended his amazing 17-match losing streak against Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, after which he praised the instant impact made by Vallverdu.
“I’ve been really happy with how we work together so far but the good thing is I am already able to execute the things on the court,’’ Berdych said.
“I think I’m going to keep it a bit secret. That would be really pointless, setting up the tactics and the way we want to prepare for the matches if I just open up everything here. But he changed a lot of things.”