Murray splits with girlfriend Kim Sears
November 28, 2009, 10:58 PM | 76 comments » add comment
Andy Murray has broken up with his girlfriend Kim Sears after being together for over four years.Suspicions were aroused after Kim failed to attend the World Tour Finals to show support for Murray. At this point, fans began to speculate, coming up with explanations such as Kim simply struggling with her University work load to one extreme theory that she had fallen pregnant.
On 26 November, several days before the news broke, one MurraysWorld member wrote,
With Kim not attending Andy's matches at such an important event so close to home and the fact Andy has served the worst since he turned pro and the fact he seems more angry and out of control at the moment, surely must mean we can speculate that there might be problems between them [Andy and Kim] right now.
A friend of Kim broke the news to the media by saying,
No one else is involved. Both Andy and Kim are saddened that the relationship is over, but they mutually felt it was time for them to part.
They are both very young, and it is not unusual for young people to split up. There were no blazing rows, or anything like that. Kim left Andy’s house under amicable circumstances. They are still in contact with one another and remain good friends.
After all, Kim has been an extremely important part of Andy’s life, and they always spent as much time together as they could.
Kim must be commended for keeping such a low profile in the media given her position. Ever since she started dating Murray back in late 2005, she has remained utterly dignified and private in regards to her very public relationship with the Scot.
Andy & Kim montage (1 video)
Del Potro sends Murray crashing
November 26, 2009, 11:08 PM | 111 comments » add comment
Had Federer secured at least four games in the final set, Murray would have taken Del Potro's place. Unfortunately (or suspiciously, for the conspiracy theorists) a curiously slack service game from the world number one at *3-4 handed Del Potro the opportunity to break and serve for the match.
Federer and Del Potro will advance from group A, with the Robin Soderling already having secured qualification from group B. The remaining semi-finalist will be decided tomorrow when the final group B matches are played.
After the match, a confused Murray posted a message on his Twitter account saying, "Anyone know what's going on? I think I'm out but the rules aren't worded too well."
Murray edges Verdasco in thriller
November 26, 2009, 06:26 PM | 10 comments » add comment
The permutations are complex, but Murray knew a straight sets victory would guarantee him progress to the knock-out stages. Defeat however, would give Verdasco a chance of qualifying and almost certainly end the Scot's campaign. After fighting through in three sets, things are slightly clearer but by no means certain.
Murray cantered out of the traps in the first set, immediately grabbing three break points on Verdascos serve. The Spaniard steeled himself however, and managed to hold through some fine serving and fearless ground strokes. After a service performance against Federer that was described as “pants” by Murray himself, the crowd awaited the Scots first service game with trepidation. After hitting two aces and a double fault on his way to holding, matters were no clearer.
In this fashion the pair traded service holds. Murray was exerting considerable pressure on Verdasco, playing aggressive tennis and hitting some top quality returns. His own service games were a mixed bag of huge first serves, feather weight second serves with a tasty side dish of double faults.
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The crucial break came when Verdasco was serving at 4-4. Some scrambled defence from Murray forced Verdasco to play one more shot than he was comfortable with, thrashing an easy volley into the net. Serving for the set, Murray opened with two double faults to fall 0-30 behind. That deficit was erased with two massive aces and a ferocious forehand winner that left Verdasco gesticulating at the heavens. Several deuces came and went before Murray finally found the first serve he was looking for and clinched the set.
At the start of the second set, Murray immediately grabbed two break points courtesy of some wild hitting from Verdasco. Unfortunately the break was not to be and the chance went begging. As in the first set, both players exchanged service holds. The quality of play was noticeably lower, though Murray was still holding relatively easily compared to Verdasco. The Scot saw several break point chances come and go, but was unable to find the breakthrough.
Up until today, Murray had played 7 tiebreaks with Verdasco, winning them all. Verdasco was also on a losing streak of 7 tiebreaks in total, so hopes were high that Murray would prevail and wrap up the match. This was not to be however, as some woeful serving allowed Verdasco to dominate and take the breaker 7-4.
The third set was almost a carbon copy repeat of the second, albeit with a significantly higher level of play. More break points and half chances for Murray came and went but, as before, he was unable to convert and the set went to a tiebreak. Thankfully this was a 180 degree reversal from the last tiebreak and Murray took advantage of some wild swinging and village level volleying from Verdasco to clinch the first mini-break and canter through to take it 7-3.
Murray's fate still hangs in the balance as the outcome of tonight's Federer v Del Potro match-up will decide who stays alive and who falls. Any win for Federer will be enough to send Murray through, so his fans will be in the unusual position of cheering for the World #1.
At the start of the second set, Murray immediately grabbed two break points courtesy of some wild hitting from Verdasco. Unfortunately the break was not to be and the chance went begging. As in the first set, both players exchanged service holds. The quality of play was noticeably lower, though Murray was still holding relatively easily compared to Verdasco. The Scot saw several break point chances come and go, but was unable to find the breakthrough.
Up until today, Murray had played 7 tiebreaks with Verdasco, winning them all. Verdasco was also on a losing streak of 7 tiebreaks in total, so hopes were high that Murray would prevail and wrap up the match. This was not to be however, as some woeful serving allowed Verdasco to dominate and take the breaker 7-4.
The third set was almost a carbon copy repeat of the second, albeit with a significantly higher level of play. More break points and half chances for Murray came and went but, as before, he was unable to convert and the set went to a tiebreak. Thankfully this was a 180 degree reversal from the last tiebreak and Murray took advantage of some wild swinging and village level volleying from Verdasco to clinch the first mini-break and canter through to take it 7-3.
Murray's fate still hangs in the balance as the outcome of tonight's Federer v Del Potro match-up will decide who stays alive and who falls. Any win for Federer will be enough to send Murray through, so his fans will be in the unusual position of cheering for the World #1.
Federer outclasses Murray
November 24, 2009, 11:39 PM | 30 comments » add comment
Federer bounced onto the icy, blue court like a coiled spring and won a break at the first time of asking with a couple of extravagant cross court forehands that left his rival chasing shadows. Murray appeared immediately galvanised and levelled the scores to break after a let chord fell fortuitously to allow the 23 year old to swat a passing forehand winner. Both men adopted a little more rhythm as the match turned into an exhibition of mouth-watering spin, slice, touch and feel. The variation in the exchanges was a joy to behold and each player was being taunted to make an advantage for themselves.
Murray broke Federer again in the sixth game to go 4-2 up and it was fitting that it was a tense, long rally which saw the break. Like so many rallies in the first set, time seemed to stand still as each shot was played with optimum precision and delicacy. Federer was the first to become psyched out and hit a backhand wide to put Murray into an unassailable lead. Murray served 6 aces in the first set and despite retreating to Deuce after serving for the set at 40-0 up, Britain’s number 1 held his nerve to take the set.
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Federer entered the second set with a new lease of life. The Swiss started to hold with minimum hassle and showed his silky smooth class to break with a few precise cross court winners and race into a 4-2 advantage. There are times when watching the 15 time Grand Slam champion that you feel lucky just to be witnessing the two fighters at each side of the net. The seventh game of the set gave us one of these moments like an early, intricately wrapped Christmas present. At Deuce, Federer shrewdly crept towards the net and showed graceful, feather like hands to gently dink the ball over the net as it softly dropped. Murray chased in vain but was given no chance. Federer did not even relinquish one break point for the entire set and the tale of the set told as Murray miscued twice on his own serve to give his opposite number the set by a score of 6-3.
Federer so often strolls into matches a little rusty before turning on the style to blow his opponents away in the latter stages. In his opening match on Sunday evening, Fernando Verdasco had the better of Federer but like tonight against Murray, Federer apparently got bored and decided to shut up shop early. The 28 year old played some devilishly delightful tennis in the closing set and sprinted to a 4-1 lead as Murray’s first serve began to go elsewhere. Murray’s gameplan was ripped to tatters as Federer kept rallies short and dictated proceedings whole heartedly. With Murray serving to stay in it at 5-1, Federer wrestled to Deuce an astounding six times before forcing Murray into a backhand mistake to take the match on his third match point. It is still possible for Murray to join Federer in advancing to a lucrative semi-final spot with the London native playing the twice defeated and dejected Fernando Verdasco on Thursday. Federer will next lock horns with Juan Martin Del Potro in a repeat of this year’s emotionally draining US Open finale on the same day.
Federer so often strolls into matches a little rusty before turning on the style to blow his opponents away in the latter stages. In his opening match on Sunday evening, Fernando Verdasco had the better of Federer but like tonight against Murray, Federer apparently got bored and decided to shut up shop early. The 28 year old played some devilishly delightful tennis in the closing set and sprinted to a 4-1 lead as Murray’s first serve began to go elsewhere. Murray’s gameplan was ripped to tatters as Federer kept rallies short and dictated proceedings whole heartedly. With Murray serving to stay in it at 5-1, Federer wrestled to Deuce an astounding six times before forcing Murray into a backhand mistake to take the match on his third match point. It is still possible for Murray to join Federer in advancing to a lucrative semi-final spot with the London native playing the twice defeated and dejected Fernando Verdasco on Thursday. Federer will next lock horns with Juan Martin Del Potro in a repeat of this year’s emotionally draining US Open finale on the same day.
Murray lashes out at Rusedski
November 23, 2009, 10:01 AM | 19 comments » add comment
Andy Murray has hit back at Greg Rusedski and other Sky pundits for suggesting that he should play more aggressively against the top players.Yeah, who are these 'experts'? Barry Cowan? Greg Rusedski? I think I know more about tennis than Barry and Greg. I work very hard with my coaching team to come out with the right game-plan. I've been told a lot of times that I'm very astute.
You don't get to be No 2 in the world at anything if you're one-dimensional. If I go out at the O2 Arena playing ultra-aggressive and lose all three of my matches, people would say, 'What are you doing?
Regardless of what people think, if I don't win a major tournament in my career I will still have enjoyed the way I played. I think it's different to what most other players are doing.
Murray will take on Roger Federer at the O2 Arena on Tuesday, following Monday's group B matches.
In other news: Andy Murray rapping (1 audio)
Andy Murray agreed to add his vocal talents to a song named 'Autograph' by Bob and Mike Bryan.
| Andy Murray rapping | |
Murray goes one up in London
November 22, 2009, 05:00 PM | 33 comments » add comment
Murray commanded the match from the outset, racing to a 3-0 lead in the space of fifteen minutes. At this point, Del Potro managed to suffer from a nose bleed and therefore took a medical time out. When play resumed, it was clear that Murray was on his A game and Del Poro looked lethargic. It wasn’t long before he was 5-1 up and poised to take the set. Unfortunately, a combination of a dip in concentration from the world number four, and a bit of pressure from Del Potro saw that lead slip to 5-3. Fortunately, Murray still managed to seal the set 6-3.
However, the dip of form that started toward the end of the opening set continued into the second and Del Potro, this time, took the 3-0 lead. The home favourite did manage to pull the set level. However, the reprieve was brief, and despite chances in the closing game, the Argentine took the set 6-3 and levelled the match.
The deciding set proved a stunning display of shot making from both men, the noticeable difference from Murray being the abiliy to punish Del Potro with his first serve. Murray looked determined not to let this match get away from him and, with the help of a double fault, took the opening break. The British number one continued to put Del Potro under pressure and at 5-2, two more double fault gave Andy Murray two match points. The first went by with little effort from Del Potro, but the second saw Murray display his very best defensive skills, counter-punching his way to a well deserved victory.
Murray will next be in action on Tuesday, following tomorrow's group B matches.
Murray pleased with excellent start
It’s always tough out there. We’ve played 4 or 5 times and it’s always tough. But I started good today and stayed tough.
I served better in 3rd, he served well in the second and I served well in the first. That was the main difference when he was able to get free points on his serve.
Obviously [the atmosphere’s] great. Outside the US Open this is the second biggest arena I’ve ever played in.
Obviously having 16,000 people cheering for you is incredible. I loved it, and hopefully the support will stay the same for the rest of the tournament.
Murray to take on Federer in London
November 18, 2009, 11:22 AM | 170 comments » add comment
Murray, seeded fourth, is in Group A and therefore will also have to play US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and Fernando Verdasco. The Scot will need to finish in the top two of the group if he is to progress to the semi-finals.
Murray has a 6-3 win-loss record against Federer but lost their last meeting in Cincinnati this year. The Scot also holds a 4-1 record against Del Potro and a 7-1 record against Verdasco.
Federer, who's already looking ahead to the clash, says it's up to him whether he beats Murray or not.
It’s up to me whether I win or lose, not up to him,
I know what I can do and I know what he can do. When we both play well it’s a close match, but I always feel it’s the attacker who holds the key to success, so it’s up to me whether I win or lose, not up to him.
That’s why I don’t mind the match-up, to be honest.
ATP World Tour Uncovered Murray Eyes The O2 (1 video)