Andy Murray vs Richard Gasquet, Thursday, approximately 3pm (UK time)
Birthday Boy Murray fights past Nalbandian
By Hazybear on May 15, 2012, 07:45 PM | 28 comments » add comment
Andy Murray won a tough contest against David Nalbandian winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-5Murray broke Nalbandian in his first service game as the Argentinian threw in a few mistakes including a double fault to give Murray the early break.
Murray faced break points in his following game, but a couple of good points from the Brit gave him deuce and the game, for a 3-0 lead. Murray kept the pressure on Nalbandian in the following game and a beautifully crafted drop shot presented Murray with a break point. He opened his shoulder and brought his forehand to play, enforcing his early dominance on the match with a double break.
In the swirling clouds of red clay on the windy court, Andy faced pressure on his own serve from the Argentinian. With little fuss or fight Andy handed Nalbandian a break back to love, allowing him to get his name on the scoreboard with 4-1.
Both players showed their ability to move in the first set, with forays into the net from both. Fighting each other and the wind they played an intense sixth game as Nalbandian fought to hold serve and Murray to gain back the break. The longest game of the set by far gave the players a chance to showcase their skill with drop shots and long baseline rallies. Murray read his opponent well to open up the court and present advantages, but a mixture of his opponent’s ability, human error and the wind kept extending the game.
Murray’s speed and returning ability handed him a break point that Nalbandian’s fourteenth unforced error ended this seemingly pivotal game giving Murray a 5-1 lead. Andy followed up the longest game of the match with a simple and fast service game to take the first set.
Read more (530 words)
The second set was for the most part a more balanced affair with both holding serve comfortably. Nalbandian was able to convert more points on his serve while Murray continued to look stable and under control for most the set. Both continued to play their preferred shots with more lovely drop shots from the Argentinian though Murray produced a stunning drop shot to hold 4-4, and Andy’s forehand also looked in good form.
After nine games going with serve, Murray’s serve dropped noticeably and Nalbandian upped the pressure as Andy served to stay in the set. Suddenly Murray was facing set points after a reasonably calm second set. The game suddenly resembled the sixth game of the first set but Nalbandian had the advantage. The Argentinian managed to break Murray and take the set 6-4.
Nalbandian opened the third set with a solid hold and the first few games went with serve. In the fourth game Murray let Nalbandian into the game and a cracking return handed Nalbandian a break point which he didn’t need to win as Murray hit his second double fault of the match to give Nalbandian the break to go 3-1 in the third set.
However, as is so often the case he then managed to lose his next service game to love to the Brit, putting them back on serve in the third. Murray then consolidated the break with a good service game that included some wonderful shots down the lines to win points. All this made easier by a first serve percentage of 80% so far in the third set.
Finally both players seemed to be playing better tennis at the same time with more intensity and excitement than the second set. The eighth game seemed crucial but Andy held comfortably, finishing it off with a beautifully crafted drop shot to rival the many coming off Nalbandian’s racket all match.
Both players continued to hold serve, with Murray raising his intensity in the ninth game, painting the lines and putting away a lob to ensure he held serve for 5-5.
Suddenly a couple of errors from Nalbandian and good returns from Murray handed the Brit three break points. Break points one and two the Argentinian defended well, but a net cord worked in Andy’s favour and he took the break for a 6-5 lead.
Nalbandian was not disheartened and a 26 shot rally was fought over the opening point of Andy’s service game. Another brilliant point by Nalbandian gave him a chance to break back. A superb backhand down the line gave the birthday boy deuce. Finally after 2 hours 40 minutes Murray gave himself the birthday gift he’d been aiming for with a win.
Nalbandian was on form today and Andy was tested in all areas of his game by the Argentinian. Especially in terms of the return game, Nalbandian gave Murray a taste of his own medicine and produced too many drop shots to count. It was a nerve-wrecking match for Murray’s fans as the level of play from both players was overall good. However, the Scot came through to win and will face either Gasquet or Lorenzi in the next round.
After nine games going with serve, Murray’s serve dropped noticeably and Nalbandian upped the pressure as Andy served to stay in the set. Suddenly Murray was facing set points after a reasonably calm second set. The game suddenly resembled the sixth game of the first set but Nalbandian had the advantage. The Argentinian managed to break Murray and take the set 6-4.
Nalbandian opened the third set with a solid hold and the first few games went with serve. In the fourth game Murray let Nalbandian into the game and a cracking return handed Nalbandian a break point which he didn’t need to win as Murray hit his second double fault of the match to give Nalbandian the break to go 3-1 in the third set.
However, as is so often the case he then managed to lose his next service game to love to the Brit, putting them back on serve in the third. Murray then consolidated the break with a good service game that included some wonderful shots down the lines to win points. All this made easier by a first serve percentage of 80% so far in the third set.
Finally both players seemed to be playing better tennis at the same time with more intensity and excitement than the second set. The eighth game seemed crucial but Andy held comfortably, finishing it off with a beautifully crafted drop shot to rival the many coming off Nalbandian’s racket all match.
Both players continued to hold serve, with Murray raising his intensity in the ninth game, painting the lines and putting away a lob to ensure he held serve for 5-5.
Suddenly a couple of errors from Nalbandian and good returns from Murray handed the Brit three break points. Break points one and two the Argentinian defended well, but a net cord worked in Andy’s favour and he took the break for a 6-5 lead.
Nalbandian was not disheartened and a 26 shot rally was fought over the opening point of Andy’s service game. Another brilliant point by Nalbandian gave him a chance to break back. A superb backhand down the line gave the birthday boy deuce. Finally after 2 hours 40 minutes Murray gave himself the birthday gift he’d been aiming for with a win.
Nalbandian was on form today and Andy was tested in all areas of his game by the Argentinian. Especially in terms of the return game, Nalbandian gave Murray a taste of his own medicine and produced too many drop shots to count. It was a nerve-wrecking match for Murray’s fans as the level of play from both players was overall good. However, the Scot came through to win and will face either Gasquet or Lorenzi in the next round.
Murray pulls out of Madrid Masters
By Nigel Graber on May 04, 2012, 05:10 PM | 79 comments » add comment
Andy Murray has pulled out of next week's Madrid Masters with a back injury.It is with regret that, on doctors' advice, I have to withdraw from the Madrid (event) with an injury.
I always love coming to Madrid so it is a big disappointment. I look forward to returning next year and wish everyone a great week of tennis.
The Scot has twice reached the quarter-finals in Madrid and made the third round in 2011. Murray is next expected to be in action at the Rome Masters, which begins on 12th May.
Raonic Rampant against Scottish Lion
By Hazybear on April 27, 2012, 06:20 PM | 65 comments » add comment
Andy Murray is out of the Barcelona Open after being beaten by Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).A match up that was viewed as overdue by many, this was a match being anticipated with some interest. It was also a cause for some concern with many Murray fans and rightly so. The young Canadian seems to fall into the 'still waters run deep' category with no sign of nerves as he faced the world no.4.
Raonic came out guns blazing with his huge serve and powerful returns, and gave Murray no chance to get a real grip on his serves. Andy on the other hand seemed to be constantly on the back foot as he stood back and played his usual game of long rallies. Unfortunately the long rallies led to more winners for the Canadian rather than errors and gave Raonic control of the match from early on.
The first set comprised of Murray being tested on serve while Raonic held with ease, until at 3-3, a wayward drop shot from Murray offered Raonic a 2nd break point with he took full advantage of and went up the break 4-3.
Murray fought to hold onto his next service game, forcing Raonic to serve out the set, which he did with an excellent forehand winner after setting up 3 set points with his 9th ace of the match.
Read more (393 words)
Murray seemed lightly more animated and determined at the beginning of the 2nd set, and this began to show slightly in the score on Raonic's serve, with him taking the young Canadian to deuce in the 4th game of the set, and attacking the serve again in the 6th game. This made no real difference however, as Raonic's massive serve got him out of any potential trouble.
Murray's own service game came under pressure in the 7th game of the set, which offered Raonic 2 chances to break. For once in the match Raonic failed to make the most of the opportunities and many Murray fans held their breath, hoping that this would throw the Canadian and give Murray a chance to get into the match.
This hope did not last long as in Murray's next service game Raonic broke and came out to serve for the match. Andy then showed his battling spirit and played some of his best points of the match and managed to break the Raonic serve to level the game once more.
Both then held serve and the 2nd set went to a tie-break. In merely comparing the two mens serve the match seemed a foregone conclusion, and so it turned out to be. Raonic showed no signs of nerves or of much really, his composure never faltered. He quickly gained a 5-1 lead in the tie-break and while Andy held onto his 2 points on serve, Raonic served out the match and proceeds to the semi-finals.
The match was not a display of Murray at his finest, although neither was it him at his worst. He was hitting the ball well at points, and the main faults to be picked up upon were the usual- he was too passive and his serving percentage couldn't compare with his opponent. While it can be argued that Raonic is quickly becoming one of the big servers of the game; and that Murray's style of tennis would never give him the same percentages, this match highlighted the degree to which match winning opportunities are gained on second serves.
Yet again Murray ends a tournament on clay with a lot of questions to be answered about what he can do to make himself successful on this surface. So while Milos Raonic
progresses to the Semi's, Andy must return to the practice courts.
Murray's own service game came under pressure in the 7th game of the set, which offered Raonic 2 chances to break. For once in the match Raonic failed to make the most of the opportunities and many Murray fans held their breath, hoping that this would throw the Canadian and give Murray a chance to get into the match.
This hope did not last long as in Murray's next service game Raonic broke and came out to serve for the match. Andy then showed his battling spirit and played some of his best points of the match and managed to break the Raonic serve to level the game once more.
Both then held serve and the 2nd set went to a tie-break. In merely comparing the two mens serve the match seemed a foregone conclusion, and so it turned out to be. Raonic showed no signs of nerves or of much really, his composure never faltered. He quickly gained a 5-1 lead in the tie-break and while Andy held onto his 2 points on serve, Raonic served out the match and proceeds to the semi-finals.
The match was not a display of Murray at his finest, although neither was it him at his worst. He was hitting the ball well at points, and the main faults to be picked up upon were the usual- he was too passive and his serving percentage couldn't compare with his opponent. While it can be argued that Raonic is quickly becoming one of the big servers of the game; and that Murray's style of tennis would never give him the same percentages, this match highlighted the degree to which match winning opportunities are gained on second serves.
Yet again Murray ends a tournament on clay with a lot of questions to be answered about what he can do to make himself successful on this surface. So while Milos Raonic
progresses to the Semi's, Andy must return to the practice courts.
Murray saunters past Santiago
By Phil Messenger on April 26, 2012, 02:58 PM | 22 comments » add comment
Andy Murray eased to a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 victory over Santiago Giraldo. The Colombian, currently ranked 54 in the world, is something of a clay court specialist but posed little threat to Murray. Murray, who broke twice in the first set, played with a pleasing amount of aggression throughout. Pacey forehands, deep returns and the usual variety and consistency prove more than enough to dispatch Giraldo. The second set proved slightly more challenging after a sloppy passage of play saw the Scot surrender a 2-0 lead. This proved to be a minor blip though, as Murray proceeded to race through four consecutive games to seal the match.
Next up is Milos Raonic the fast serving Canadian tyro. Murray is also scheduled to play doubles with his brother later today.
Comfortable Murray through to third round
By Hazybear on April 24, 2012, 04:07 PM | 34 comments » add comment
Andy Murray came away with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win from his match with Sergiy Stakhovsky in the 2nd round in Barcelona. The match was a solid one from Andy, although not one that set the court alight. After offering Stakhovsky a break point in the opening service game, he followed up by holding to love in the next and putting pressure on the Stakhovsky serve. A couple of missed 1st serves from the Ukrainian let Murray into the game and a double fault handed him the only break necessary in the first set.
Despite going down a break, Stakhovsky raised his intensity and showed off his speed and movement around the court. Repeatedly he landed drop shot after drop shot, forcing Andy to run the length of the court to return it, only to have it pushed long down the line.
Murray however, was looking much more comfortable on the clay. In what was obviously a deliberate move Andy played (for the most part) further up the court, standing closer to the baseline. It was here that the main difference could be seen in how Murray is approaching the clay in Barcelona as opposed to Monte Carlo.
Read more (189 words)
Murray took the first set after 42 minutes of play, despite a 1st serve percentage of 50%. He made that first serve count though, winning the majority points and keeping Stakhovsky comfortably at bay.
The second set opened in much the same way that the first had, with drop shots from Stakhovsky and running from Murray. Both players held serve and the set looked like it could see a few back to back service games when Stakhovsky’s game fell apart. 4 unforced errors in a row; finished off by a horrible miss-hit, handed Andy the break to lead 2-1.
The following service game from Andy consolidated the break and featured both his 1st and 2nd aces of the match. Stakhovsky’s earlier aggressiveness and intensity all but vanished and a passive service game from him gave Andy another break to lead 4-1.
Andy raced through his service game for 5-1, and then Stakhovsky fought and held serve for 5-2. Andy served for the match, and despite going down 0-30 he held serve to win the match 6-3 6-2.
Andy Murray will next play Hasse or Giraldo in the 3rd round.
The second set opened in much the same way that the first had, with drop shots from Stakhovsky and running from Murray. Both players held serve and the set looked like it could see a few back to back service games when Stakhovsky’s game fell apart. 4 unforced errors in a row; finished off by a horrible miss-hit, handed Andy the break to lead 2-1.
The following service game from Andy consolidated the break and featured both his 1st and 2nd aces of the match. Stakhovsky’s earlier aggressiveness and intensity all but vanished and a passive service game from him gave Andy another break to lead 4-1.
Andy raced through his service game for 5-1, and then Stakhovsky fought and held serve for 5-2. Andy served for the match, and despite going down 0-30 he held serve to win the match 6-3 6-2.
Andy Murray will next play Hasse or Giraldo in the 3rd round.
Toothless Murray bunted out
By Phil Messenger on April 20, 2012, 12:52 PM | 129 comments » add comment
Andy Murray was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters event 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 by Tomas Berdych. The Scot was out gunned and looked bereft of ideas in a passive car crash of a tennis match.Murray has never beaten a top 8 player on clay, and today provided plenty of evidence as to why that's the case. When he's at his red hot peak, such as against Nadal in the semis of this event last year, Murray is able to threaten good results against great clay courters. When operating some way below his best, as he was today, he's unable to generate the consistency and power required to dominate from the back of the court.
Murray was in trouble from the start, staving off seven break points in the first set alone. Berdych pounced on frequent short balls from the Murray forehand, driving the Scot out wide before trotting to the net to put away the inevitable floated forehand return. Throughout the match the Scot was unable to counter this tactic and it was only some big serving (and big misses from Berdych) that kept the first set competitive. Seven spurned break points and four set points later and Murray emerged as the unlikely winner of the first set tie break.
Berdych knuckled down in the second set. Fractionally safer ground strokes and a little more consistency resulted in the Czech cantering to victory.
This was a horribly disappointing performance for the Scot, and questions will again be raised about his competitiveness on this surface. On this evidence, he's unlikely to become the first Brit to win a tour clay court event since Buster Mottram in 1977.
Murray through as Benneteau retires
By Phil Messenger on April 19, 2012, 11:35 AM | 21 comments » add comment
Andy Murray advanced to the fourth round of the Monte Carlo Masters event after his opponent injured his ankle and wrist in a fall. The scores were level at 5-5 in the first set when Benneteau came to an abrupt stop half way through a slide and from the Frenchman's reaction it was clear that something was seriously wrong.
The Murray on show today was markedly different from Tuesdays razor sharp vanquisher of Troicki. The Scot seemed ponderous in his movements and offered up a plethora of unforced errors on both wings. Benneteau by comparison was dictating play with a combination of timely forehand winners and delicate drop shots.
Next up is either Berdych or Nishikori.