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[Joe]

Hmmm..... I wish I shared your optimism.  Not that I don't want to, but I'm just not too sure about his belief in himself on clay just yet (it is on clay?) 

It's on clay. Everything is on clay until the end of Roland Garros.

[dhoward012]

I agree it's not the easiest of draws but not the worst either!

Bolleli is no slouch on clay but lots of other potential landmines avoided (Monaco, Safin, Ljubicic, Tipsarevic, Gulbis).

Murray has only ever played Bolleli once before - in Madrid last year (albeit on a different surface) when he won 6-0 2-1 ret.  Anything close to that form will do nicely!

Should he overcome the #50 ranked Italian, Andy will most likely face local man Tommy Robredo (who has a 2-1 record against Andy).  There last meeting was at Indian Wells this year in R16 where Murray won 6-2 3-0 ret.  Home favourite Robredo will be a much tougher prospect on clay however, having already won on this surface twice this year (Buenos Aires and Costa do Sauipe).

In terms of rankings, Murray will retain his #3 ranking (without winning a match) unless Djokovic reaches the final (a tough ask given he is in Nadal's half of the draw).

To surpass Federer as world #2 ahead of Roland Garros, Andy would have to win the event outright, irrespective of how Federer does.

[Scottie]

Not great. Just win a few matches and be ready for RG! Praying that Djockovic and Federer have nightmares and go out early too.

[Joe]

I’m not sure if this should really be in here anyway,

Watching Sky yesterday they had a piece on the new tennis complex in Madrid “La Caja Majica” or something like that, but it is called the magic box and they went on about how good it was.

The Emperors’ new clothes, if ever I’ve seen them  

It appears to be one of the most horrendous pieces of soulless modern architecture I have seen in a long time and who ever named it must have been the most sarcastic man on the planet.

It reminded me of some sort of industrial unit they had laying around after the credit cruch, so they decided to use it for tennis since it was going spare. It is all straight lines and horrible silver checker plate

I kid you not, the spectators sitting in the booths courtside look as if they are being devoured by massive cheese graters.

As for atmosphere there was none, I only hope that when the crowds can be bothered to finally show up they absorb some of the tinny echo’s that resonate around the place.

Truly Sh*t.

Didn't see any live play yesterday but from the photos I've had a look at, I'd agree with you. Obviously impressive in terms of the roof design, but it appears soul-less and drab. The outside courts look stupid when you see them next to the main complex too.

[AL1874]

Oh I loved it

I thought my sky+ had buggered up and taped some crap from channel 5 on an American supermax prison.

All it would take is some razor wire and orange boiler suits and you could not tell the outside of it apart from the “La Cucaracha home boys” compound in San Quentin.

I bet Ross Kemp was disappointed when he showed up with his film crew. 

[AL1874]

He must have been an estate agent in a previous life to come away with gems like that.

But I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt this time. 

[Joe]

is there any chance I can watch the Andy match at 4pm live online..(preferably without paying)! cheers .....

It's not going to be at 4 at this rate! More like closer to 6... there's another match on after the one currently on court before Andy plays

Otherwise, try channelsurfing.net (although I can't get their Madrid link to work), justin.tv, bet365... some of the others might be able to help you more, I'm not great on the whole live stream thing, but those sites are probably the first ones to check.

[Elle]

thanks