Murray mugs the clown

Andy Murray staggered into the quarter finals of the Rogers Cup today, beating Gael Monfils 6-2, 0-6, 6-3.

Murray raced out the blocks, capitalising on some characteristically clownish play from Monfils to canter into a 4-0 lead. The Frenchmans game plan was clear from the outset: Murray was a more consistent baseline player so to win he (Monfils) would have to force the pace. This translated into some wildly improbable attempted shots and an ever increasing unforced error count.

Regardless of his opponents poor choice of tactics, Murray was playing some good tennis. He was timing his ground-strokes nicely, hitting with exactly the right amount of controlled aggression to keep Monfils on the back foot.

Monfils managed to get on the scoreboard in the fifth game, but was unable to make an impression on his opponents serve until the final game of the set. In a harbinger of what was to come in the second set, a series of sloppy shots from Murray gifted the Frenchman three rather improbable break points. Some big serves averted the danger but the stage was set.

In the first set Murray barely made an error, so after failing to convert a break point in Monfils opening service game it came as a surprise to see the Scot surrender his own serve with a series of misdirected ground-strokes.

Murray looked ruffled and there was a sense that the momentum of the match might be shifting. That inkling became an indisputable fact when the Scot failed to convert a break point in the third game and then promptly dumped his own serve for the second time. One easy hold later and Monfils was 5-0 up. More unforced errors followed and a furious Murray slunk back to his chair on the wrong end of a bagel. After that performance, the Scot's internal monologue would have made fascinating (and probably rather profane) listening.

A second set slump has been rather characteristic of Murray's recent form, so it was certain that he'd improve in the decider. Helpfully, Monfils was reading from the first set script again and a series of wild mishits offered up two immediate break points. The Frenchman saved the first with an ace, before throwing himself full length at a passing shot. He got the ball back in play but an alert Murray was in place to volley the ball into the open court.

The break achieved, Murray held for the first time since the first set. Monfils was by now showing signs of discomfort, presumably as a result of his ridiculous dive in the previous game. The trainer was called and Murray was left to collect his thoughts.

A vigorous shoulder massage restored Monfils and he staved off more break points to keep the set competitive. Murray was now looking far more comfortable on his own serve and a quickfire service game to love extended his lead to 3-1. Monfils threatened to perform the same feat as he raced to a 40-0 lead in his next service game before Murray hauled the game back to deuce with some frantic defence and then took the break thanks to two more unforced errors.

Monfils was now back to his worst and despite a slight wobble from Murray as he handed back one break, the outcome of the match was not really in doubt.

This was a peculiar performance from Murray and it is difficult to draw any solid conclusions. The first set was encouraging, but this has to be offset against what can only be a mental lapse in the second. Next up is David Nalbandian. The Argentine is on an 11 match winning streak and holds a perfect record over Murray. The Scot is going to have to up his game considerably to emerge victorious.