I do not think this loss is something to get overly upset at.  Yes it would be nice not to have a bagel.  But I would like to raise 2 points
1. Andy has managed to for the first time win two matches in a row on clay which is a step forward.
2. Andy was playing Djokovic who is currently the hottest player on the tour and on current form can beat anyone.

If Andy can get to the 3rd round minimum in all his clay tournaments then he will move slowly but steadily up the ranks once the grass and hardcourt season starts where Andy usually does better he can really make big advances.  I believe that 2009 will be the season for Andy to make  a breakthrough on Clay.  

I think he can end this season comfortably in the top 6-8 then next year if he clicks on clay the extra points gained will push him into the top 5.  

I wonder where "fuzzyballs" is.

If anyone see that ball, please give the ball this link: www.tennis-player-novakdjokovic.info

I guess it woudn't help my defence if I were to tell you that I have lived in E17 most of my life

Just got my copy of this week's international express, and an article headed 'Murray will learn way to play clay' (sorry, my monitor on computer broke at mo, so can't scan) but this is what Alex says of Andy

"Andy learns very fast.  You tell him something and right away he gets it. He has some good things that the others don't have.  The Spanish guys or South Americans play a very regular, solid game but they don't show anything else.  They just play topspin and run but Andy can mix it up very well.  He can play defensive, offensive, he moves very well, he can play drop shots, so he has the variety."

What Andy has to say

"Alex is very relaxed, he's a very nice guy.  He doesn't put any pressure on you, which is nice.  I know I can play well on clay.  It's just finding the right mentality and understanding that you have to fight for every point."

1.  I'm not happy that Alex is being 'nice' to Andy - he needs to crack the
2.  Andy needs to practice what he preaches - I saw little fight from him this morning/yesterday.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

That would be nice

I disagree with you about almost everything here. The fact it was only his 3rd match on clay this year does matter as far as I'm concerned.  He's also won 2 tournaments.   I concede that he has played sh*te on some occasions but not all.  He needs to concentrate and focus more but I don't think its as bad as some of you think.   Reading some of the posts its as if you have all given up on him and, like fuzzballs, believe he's on a backward slide - even though he'll be up to 18th next week.    I believe he is going to pull it around but I guess we'll just have to wait a few months to see who is right.
 

You're forgiven   - he's still moved up

I personally think he hasn't been the same since his injury. His confidence on court is totally not what it used to be. And he doesn't have the belief he used to play with against the top 10. However, I don't think this is a 'going backwards' or a new career pattern, I think it's a blip. However long it takes for him to get that confidence back, whatever it is that sparks it I do believe that he'll be back stronger and better. There is a reason so many players hate to play him, and there is a reason he gets talked of so highly by all the greats. It's because he has the game to do it, he just hasn't slotted the whole package together yet on a week in week out basis.

I won't say 'he'll play better next match' or whatever cause I do think this is something significant he needs to go through as a sportsman. But he will come through it and he will be stronger for it.

And I know this is an old excuse but do we always forget to give the kid a break, he's only 21 next month. I know Nadal and Djokovic are the same(ish) age but that doesn't actually mean anything. Remember Tim's big chance for Wimbledon was only 5 years ago, what was he then, 27-28? We've got a long way to go if that's what we're looking at!

Tim's big chance for Wimbledon was 7 years ago and he was 26 years old at the time.

Although I disagree with the comparisons. Andy is a much better player than Tim at the same age (i.e. 20/21) and he has the abilities to be competing. He just needs to be more aggressive, that's his problem.