Former champion Lleyton Hewitt has backed Britain's Andy Murray to overcome Andy Roddick in Friday's Wimbledon semifinals.

Hewitt believes Murray is more than a match for the big-serving American and has improved since he defeated Roddick in straight sets in the third round in 2006.

The fiesty Australian also hinted that Roddick's game has hardly altered in the intervening three years.

"I think it's going to be a tough one for Roddick to win. When I've seen Andy Murray at his best, I think he matches up extremely well against Roddick," said Hewitt who lost a five-set thriller to Roddick in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

"A couple years ago I saw them play here because they were in my section, and Murray took care of him convincingly. Murray's a lot better player now than he was then. Roddick's going to have to play a helluva match to beat him."

Roddick is a two-time runner-up at Wimbledon and is desperate to add to his one Grand Slam title so far, the 2003 US Open.

However, Hewitt believes that the American's game hasn't adapted enough for the challenges ahead.

"His strengths are still the same. His slight weaknesses are still pretty much the same, as well," added the 2002 Wimbledon champion.

"He's maybe trying to stand up in the court a little bit more than he was a couple of years ago, especially returning serve and not trying to get dictated too much behind the baseline.

"He mixes it up well. When you've got a serve like he has he can take a few chances, a few risks on his opponent's service game."

Roddick refused to get drawn into a slanging match with Hewitt over his semi-final chances.

"That's fine," he replied when told of the Australian's opinion. "I'm not here to make predictions."

AFP

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