22 January 2014 | Tennis NT

Alice Springs will be cheering loudly for Andy Murray on Day 10 of the Australian Open 2014.

Murray headlines tonight’s Rod Laver Arena night session, where he plays 17-time Grand Slam® champion Roger Federer for a semi-final berth.

Alice Springs tennis coach Matt Roberts admitted it was a tough draw for their AO Blitz player.

“It is an absolute blockbuster of a match,” he said. “I’m actually feeling a bit nervous. Federer was back to his old form in the fourth round and Andy struggled a little bit.”

Roberts said the match would have the town residents glued to their televisions and on the edge of their seats.

“Everyone in Alice Springs is watching whenever Andy is playing,” he said.

“We are so lucky to have drawn someone like Andy, a three-time Australian Open finalist. His style of play suits the courts and he has a good history in the tournament, so there is no reason why he can’t beat Federer.”

“Fingers crossed he can get through, because we have the cinema booked for Friday night so we can all watch the semi-final on the big screen together.”

Murray is the last remaining player in the draw representing a Northern Territory town.

“It is not just for Alice Springs, he is now flying the flag for all of the Northern Territory,” Roberts said. “Three wins to go and the town party is ours.”