Murray to skip Davis Cup tie with Slovakia
By Mark Sanger on January 31, 2012, 03:34 PM | 52 comments » add comment
I'm gutted to miss out on the Davis Cup having really enjoyed playing last year.
But, as it's only the start of an important season, which includes the Olympics in London, it's probably a sensible decision.
I've been told to take a few weeks off after picking up a few minor injuries in Australia.
My focus in 2012 is on performing well in the Grand Slams and the Olympics. I look forward to playing in the next Davis Cup tie later in the year.
Murray edged out in five-set thriller
By Nigel Graber on January 27, 2012, 02:19 PM | 200 comments » add comment
In slick conditions on a cloudless night on Rod Laver Arena, Murray and his friend laid on a tennis match that at times defied description. Not compelling enough throughout to be hailed a classic, it nevertheless delivered tight, seat-edge drama for the best part of five hours.
For the Scot, the first set was a forgettable litany of unforced errors, break points and double faults. Murray staved off break points in his opening service game but a double-fault in the second handed the Serb a 3-1 lead.
At times early on, the British number one looked like a teenager forced to wear his dad's shoes to the school disco, as he struggled to force the aggressive style demanded by coach Ivan Lendl into a winning formula against the world's best player.
Murray, who struggled manfully to control his temper throughout, broke back, but Djokovic replied with a soul-crushing second break and duly served out a 47-minute first set to 15.
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Djokovic's domination spilled over into the second set, racing to a 2-0 lead. At this stage, Murray looked caught between two worlds – the Lendl world of brutal backcourt domination and the Murray world of punch and counterpunch. He was doing neither with aplomb.
But with the Scot toeing the baseline, a Czech-friendly strategy crystallised in his mind and some pulverising beef from the back saw him resurgent again, with a four-game run that pushed Djokovic into the shadows. Although the world number one broke back, Murray countered and took the set 6-3.
During a pivotal and gruelling third set, defeat must have seemed at times to exert a magnetic pull, so many chances did Murray squander. With Djokovic seemingly hurting and hobbling, the Scot cranked up the volume on a smart new crosscourt forehand and forced numerous break points.
Chances were falling to the Scot like golden rain, yet time and again they washed harmlessly away. Then, at 4-5, Djokovic had chances of his own, in the shape of three set points, which Murray bizarrely and bravely saved with some muscular groundshots.
The world number four broke at 5-5, but yanking disappointment from the jaws of joy, he surrendered his serve once again to take the set into a breaker. Murray had seemed at times like a man making his excuses after an invite to the Queen's diamond-jubilee ball, but he pulled himself together with some he-man tennis and took the breaker 7-4 after an astonishing 88-minute set.
Former coach Brad Gilbert always refers to the first games of a new set as the Dictate Games, when mental battles are won and lost. Murray, however, ignored all that and simply took a giant mental holiday.
With the Scot's brain slapping factor 30 on itself in some distant clime and choosing a snack from the poolside bar, Murray simply slipped away, at 1-5 not even bothering to chase down his pal's friendly groundshots.
And so began the pulsating final stanza. To some, Murray's new white shirt might have looked like a white flag. And so it seemed as he rapidly slipped to a 5-2 deficit. The Scot's tennis here was simply too casual, just when a black tie and tux, or at least a lounge suit, was required.
But Murray held for 3-5 and, with the Serb serving for a place in the final, he came roaring back, mentally resurgent and physically imposing, with his new beefed-up forehand painting the lines of the Rod Laver Arena.
With Murray's fans and support team screaming in exultation, at 5-5 it seemed like a dream might be about to be realised. But nothing could have prepared Murray for the depth of Djokovic's mental resolve.
Summoning every ounce of strength from his spent body, he staved off break points and drove deep and hard to draw errors from the Murray racket and pile on the pressure at 5-6.
Murray, whose serve was a spent force by this stage, fought with every sinew to the end, but it was a rearguard action and, when the Serb punched away a forehand volley for a sweet and sweat-drenched victory, he collapsed onto the Plexicushion and roared in ecstasy.
This was a brave, sometimes bizarre, display from Murray that nevertheless represented a 100% improvement on last year's capitulation to the same opponent. In such a brutal era in the sport's history, though, it remains to be seen whether Murray's dream lies dead or is merely deferred.
But with the Scot toeing the baseline, a Czech-friendly strategy crystallised in his mind and some pulverising beef from the back saw him resurgent again, with a four-game run that pushed Djokovic into the shadows. Although the world number one broke back, Murray countered and took the set 6-3.
During a pivotal and gruelling third set, defeat must have seemed at times to exert a magnetic pull, so many chances did Murray squander. With Djokovic seemingly hurting and hobbling, the Scot cranked up the volume on a smart new crosscourt forehand and forced numerous break points.
Chances were falling to the Scot like golden rain, yet time and again they washed harmlessly away. Then, at 4-5, Djokovic had chances of his own, in the shape of three set points, which Murray bizarrely and bravely saved with some muscular groundshots.
The world number four broke at 5-5, but yanking disappointment from the jaws of joy, he surrendered his serve once again to take the set into a breaker. Murray had seemed at times like a man making his excuses after an invite to the Queen's diamond-jubilee ball, but he pulled himself together with some he-man tennis and took the breaker 7-4 after an astonishing 88-minute set.
Former coach Brad Gilbert always refers to the first games of a new set as the Dictate Games, when mental battles are won and lost. Murray, however, ignored all that and simply took a giant mental holiday.
With the Scot's brain slapping factor 30 on itself in some distant clime and choosing a snack from the poolside bar, Murray simply slipped away, at 1-5 not even bothering to chase down his pal's friendly groundshots.
And so began the pulsating final stanza. To some, Murray's new white shirt might have looked like a white flag. And so it seemed as he rapidly slipped to a 5-2 deficit. The Scot's tennis here was simply too casual, just when a black tie and tux, or at least a lounge suit, was required.
But Murray held for 3-5 and, with the Serb serving for a place in the final, he came roaring back, mentally resurgent and physically imposing, with his new beefed-up forehand painting the lines of the Rod Laver Arena.
With Murray's fans and support team screaming in exultation, at 5-5 it seemed like a dream might be about to be realised. But nothing could have prepared Murray for the depth of Djokovic's mental resolve.
Summoning every ounce of strength from his spent body, he staved off break points and drove deep and hard to draw errors from the Murray racket and pile on the pressure at 5-6.
Murray, whose serve was a spent force by this stage, fought with every sinew to the end, but it was a rearguard action and, when the Serb punched away a forehand volley for a sweet and sweat-drenched victory, he collapsed onto the Plexicushion and roared in ecstasy.
This was a brave, sometimes bizarre, display from Murray that nevertheless represented a 100% improvement on last year's capitulation to the same opponent. In such a brutal era in the sport's history, though, it remains to be seen whether Murray's dream lies dead or is merely deferred.
Murray dispatches tennis' rising son
By Nigel Graber on January 25, 2012, 09:22 AM | 29 comments » add comment
On a cooler day, Murray never had to burn too brightly to see off the world number 26, who was clearly feeling the effects of the 14 sets he'd endured against Ebden, Benneteau and Tsonga.
In truth, the Scot will look back on the match with mixed feelings. There'll be satisfaction in negating the smoking backcourt play of the Japanese, but disappointment at landing only 44% of his first serves. However, as Tim Henman once memorably observed, "There's no 'remarks' column in tennis".
Sticking to his new philosophy of hugging the baseline, Murray picked up where he left off against Kukushkin, who suffered eight consecutive service breaks at the hands of the Scot in round four. The difference today was that break points on the Murray serve were as plentiful as mediocre Melbourne sushi restaurants.
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After storming to a 2-0 lead, the world number four needed to save two break points to consolidate it. This became the theme of the match, with Murray converting seven out of 18 and Nishikori two out of 10.
Those break-point stats told a truer tale than the scoreline of a match that was closer than met the eye. The Japanese is a true talent, admirably displayed in the fifth game with a remarkable ‘tweener’ lob that forced a sinew-busting smash, which Nishikori promptly fizzed into a corner.
Murray served out the opening set in 55 minutes, another stat that offered a more-accurate reading of the match. A more-heartening figure was the 58% of points won on second serve, which remains the most consistent of any player left in the tournament.
A barrage of pulverising groundstrokes from Murray and Nishikori's less-than-nuclear serving (averaging just 85mph on his second delivery) helped secure the second set. With the groundwork done, Murray rode off into the Victorian sunset at a canter in set three.
"There were a lot of good points," Murray said. "Most of the fun points, he was winning, so I was trying to keep them as short as possible. I played a bit better in the third, but it was tough. I need to serve better. I didn't serve particularly well, but the returning was good."
After an awkward and functional victory, the best that can be said is that Murray controlled the dynamics of the match, if not the tennis itself – as good a measure of a seasoned matchplayer as any.
Murray will need all of that match management and more as he prepares for a probable semi-final with Novak Djokovic. Should he negotiate that, a showdown with Nadal or Federer beckons. Truly, the great titles bow down to no one.
Those break-point stats told a truer tale than the scoreline of a match that was closer than met the eye. The Japanese is a true talent, admirably displayed in the fifth game with a remarkable ‘tweener’ lob that forced a sinew-busting smash, which Nishikori promptly fizzed into a corner.
Murray served out the opening set in 55 minutes, another stat that offered a more-accurate reading of the match. A more-heartening figure was the 58% of points won on second serve, which remains the most consistent of any player left in the tournament.
A barrage of pulverising groundstrokes from Murray and Nishikori's less-than-nuclear serving (averaging just 85mph on his second delivery) helped secure the second set. With the groundwork done, Murray rode off into the Victorian sunset at a canter in set three.
"There were a lot of good points," Murray said. "Most of the fun points, he was winning, so I was trying to keep them as short as possible. I played a bit better in the third, but it was tough. I need to serve better. I didn't serve particularly well, but the returning was good."
After an awkward and functional victory, the best that can be said is that Murray controlled the dynamics of the match, if not the tennis itself – as good a measure of a seasoned matchplayer as any.
Murray will need all of that match management and more as he prepares for a probable semi-final with Novak Djokovic. Should he negotiate that, a showdown with Nadal or Federer beckons. Truly, the great titles bow down to no one.
Murray cruises into the quarters
By Phil Messenger on January 23, 2012, 07:34 AM | 75 comments » add comment
Kukushkin, ranked 92 in the world, came into this match on the back of two hard fought five set victories. From the outset it was obvious the 24 year old Kazakh player was not 100% fit, and he immediately dropped serve and fell 3-0 behind. A momentary lapse in concentration handed a break back, but the Scot quickly reasserted himself and cantered through the rest of the set without dropping a game.
The second set followed the same pattern as the first, with Murray leaping into an early lead before a lapse in concentration reduced the deficit. As before Murray reasserted himself and showed no mercy. A service game to love sealed the set in just 22 minutes.
Kukushkin dropped serve for the eighth consecutive time in the first game of the third set and promptly decided to retire.
Next up for Murray is Kei Nishikori, who upset Tsonga in five sets. The pair last met in the semi finals of last years Shanghai Masters 1000 event, where Murray dropped just three games in a thoroughly one sided victory.
Murray's French run continues
By Phil Messenger on January 21, 2012, 10:07 AM | 39 comments » add comment
The Frenchman's game is a throwback to the last century: a big leftie serve with slice, serve and volley and chip and charge in abundance. Realising that he had little chance of beating Murray from the baseline, Llodra spoke pre-match about the need to be aggressive and dictate from the net. He was true to his word, approaching wherever possible and putting Murray under pressure whenever the Scot dropped a ball short.
Whilst not an ultimately successful tactic, the contrast in styles did at least keep the match interesting. Murray was virtually flawless from the baseline - hitting just 11 unforced errors compared to 48 winners - and Llodra made a succession of incredible volleys. Parts of the second set looked more like the highlights from a point of the year compilation than a third round grand slam match.
This encounter was filled with positives for Murray. His baseline game was impenetrable, his movement exceptional and serve, whilst not at it's best, solid enough. Mikhail Kukushkin, his opponent in the fourth round, is unlikely to cause many problems.
Murray turns Roger-Vasselin to jelly
By Nigel Graber on January 19, 2012, 08:33 AM | 30 comments » add comment
In truth, the scoreline flattered Roger-Vasselin, with Murray dominant in every area of the court. At 5-0 in the first set, a whitewash looked likely, but the Frenchman dutifully turned the bagel into a baguette with some uninhibited tennis.
Murray will look back on this match as nothing more than a useful loosener, with the 28-year-old's friendly shot placement even ensuring the world number four stayed in the cooling shadow of the Hisense Arena.
As the second set wore on, it was clear that being kept in the shade was figurative rather than literal for Murray and, when he broke at 4-3, it was on the back of a 70% first-serve success rate and an expansive return game that turned Roger-Vasselin into petroleum jelly.
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With the third set unwinding in a similar pattern to the second, the most impressive factor for the Scot was his discipline. Murray chased every ball, even when they eventually landed in an adjacent postcode, and seemed keen to give each aspect of his game a workout, with frequent sorties to the forecourt.
The Frenchman, whose father once reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros, looked neat in patches, but his three-quarter-length groundshots couldn't trouble Murray often enough to gain a foothold in the match.
Murray said, "I served well. I didn't give him too many opportunities on my serve, which was important as he played well in the second and third set."
The Scot did concede, however, that the tricky left-hander Llodra could offer sterner opposition, saying: "The next round is tough – he's got a lot of flair, so it'll be a good match."
Today's victory brings Murray's success rate against Frenchmen to 37 out of 38 matches, a sequence that he can extend in the next round and then, potentially, against Monfils and Tsonga. With such credentials, the Scot might find himself whisked off to the next euro summit by David Cameron.
The Frenchman, whose father once reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros, looked neat in patches, but his three-quarter-length groundshots couldn't trouble Murray often enough to gain a foothold in the match.
Murray said, "I served well. I didn't give him too many opportunities on my serve, which was important as he played well in the second and third set."
The Scot did concede, however, that the tricky left-hander Llodra could offer sterner opposition, saying: "The next round is tough – he's got a lot of flair, so it'll be a good match."
Today's victory brings Murray's success rate against Frenchmen to 37 out of 38 matches, a sequence that he can extend in the next round and then, potentially, against Monfils and Tsonga. With such credentials, the Scot might find himself whisked off to the next euro summit by David Cameron.
Murray advances despite Harrison challenge
By Alistair Hendrie on January 17, 2012, 09:33 AM | 75 comments » add comment
Murray came through 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 against the buoyant Harrison, who looks to be another prospect on the conveyor belt of young, American talent.
It was the 19-year-old Harrison who made the first impression, chasing every ball as if it were his last. He swarmed over any loose ends coming his way and, going against his lower ranking, clinched the first break as Murray struggled to live with Harrison’s power at the net.
Harrison, buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd, began to settle and let his sumptuous volleys do the talking. Murray wilted in the stifling heat and was soon another break down.
Serving for the set at 5-3, Harrison’s inexperience reared its head and he suffered a case of the jitters. A double fault and another error from the American afforded Murray a way back in.
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Extinguishing two set points in the following game, Murray held, though it would only be a vain act of defiance. Harrison served out with a finely tuned radar and kissed the lines numerous times with a barrage of vicious groundstrokes.
Surely Harrison’s plucky endeavour in such heat would limit him in the end, though. Both men struggled with conditions in the second set, yet it was Murray, the favourite, who tasted his victim’s blood first. The spirited Harrison netted while in all kinds of trouble to hand Murray a 3-1 lead.
Murray began, finally, to relax a little, hitting accurately and serving with aplomb. However, Harrison, determined to succeed, attacked at will but was left powerless after a series of errors handed Murray the second set 6-2.
Harrison’s immense power and crushing forehands are, of course, all well and good but like so many before him, he struggled to cope with Murray’s endless variety. The Scot began to raise his level in the third.
An inventive stop-volley and Harrison’s misjudgement handed Murray a break in the first game, which he duly converted afterwards to lead 2-0.
Indeed, Harrison careered towards a murky path during the third set. He frequently yelled into the humid air after dumping shots into the net but, to his credit, managed to wriggle away from break points in consecutive service games.
Harrison could, however, do nothing about Murray’s stern demeanour when serving out. A miraculous, athletic volley at the net and Harrison’s wild backhand mistake gave the Scot, 24, the set.
As the fourth set began both men carved out break points, sensing this was the time to attack. Two netted backhands saw Harrison lose a break, though, and go 3-1 down. If only his play had been as impressive as his racket smash soon afterwards.
Inevitably enough, Murray’s volleys were dynamic here and nullified his opponent’s brute force throughout the set. His deft hands paid off during the fourth and he rarely encountered danger, serving out with authority to win the set 6-2, deservedly taking the match with it.
It was not a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination. Harrison left Murray flummoxed in the opening exchanges, with the higher ranked player, Murray, looking hot and bothered in more ways than one.
Murray did escape adversity admirably though, and imposed his gameplan of moving his opponent into tricky spots. Harrison, quite frankly, couldn’t live with him in the end.
Surely Harrison’s plucky endeavour in such heat would limit him in the end, though. Both men struggled with conditions in the second set, yet it was Murray, the favourite, who tasted his victim’s blood first. The spirited Harrison netted while in all kinds of trouble to hand Murray a 3-1 lead.
Murray began, finally, to relax a little, hitting accurately and serving with aplomb. However, Harrison, determined to succeed, attacked at will but was left powerless after a series of errors handed Murray the second set 6-2.
Harrison’s immense power and crushing forehands are, of course, all well and good but like so many before him, he struggled to cope with Murray’s endless variety. The Scot began to raise his level in the third.
An inventive stop-volley and Harrison’s misjudgement handed Murray a break in the first game, which he duly converted afterwards to lead 2-0.
Indeed, Harrison careered towards a murky path during the third set. He frequently yelled into the humid air after dumping shots into the net but, to his credit, managed to wriggle away from break points in consecutive service games.
Harrison could, however, do nothing about Murray’s stern demeanour when serving out. A miraculous, athletic volley at the net and Harrison’s wild backhand mistake gave the Scot, 24, the set.
As the fourth set began both men carved out break points, sensing this was the time to attack. Two netted backhands saw Harrison lose a break, though, and go 3-1 down. If only his play had been as impressive as his racket smash soon afterwards.
Inevitably enough, Murray’s volleys were dynamic here and nullified his opponent’s brute force throughout the set. His deft hands paid off during the fourth and he rarely encountered danger, serving out with authority to win the set 6-2, deservedly taking the match with it.
It was not a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination. Harrison left Murray flummoxed in the opening exchanges, with the higher ranked player, Murray, looking hot and bothered in more ways than one.
Murray did escape adversity admirably though, and imposed his gameplan of moving his opponent into tricky spots. Harrison, quite frankly, couldn’t live with him in the end.