[Aileen]

Tweet from Dani Vallverdu on 22 Feb - "Safe flight. Team Murray!"

So at long last the Andy tennis drought is nearly over.  It feels like several light years since the AO.  In the absence of Nadal, Andy is seeded 3 in this tournament. However, Lendl won't be at his side as he's playing in an ATP Champions Tour event, although I expect their mobiles will be red hot!

According to Champions Tour news - "Lendl and Murray ... have spent 11 days together ahead of Murray's trips to Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami. It is the first extended opportunity that Lendl has had to work with his new student after guiding the Scot to the title in Brisbane and to the brink of victory against Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals. The work was a combination of tennis and fitness drills to ensure that Murray is in the best possible shape."

Also, from TheSlice Tweets - "Mr. Lendl on Andy: Maybe it’s surprising, but he’s a lot better than me right now."

[Bailey]

I'm so excited! i just hope that Andy is not gonna go on one of his slumps.

[Mackem]

Would love Andy to get Smugfed in the semis so he (Andy of course) can stuff him.  Also, we want the best 2 players in the Final.  I'm not saying it'll be easy for the top guys but, if they're on form, no-one can touch them.  Looks like Tsonga will be seeded 4th.  Berdych and DP lurking in the quarters - bit more threatening than Fish and Tipsy I think.

[Bevc]

Thanks Alis

Just remembered, isn't Elly going to this (and visit her sister at the same time)? Have a great time Elly!

[Aileen]

I'm so excited! i just hope that Andy is not gonna go on one of his slumps.

I don't think he will.  His attitude's a lot more positive these days and he certainly won't want to be letting Lendl down.  Anyway Lendl will give his ass a good kicking should he show any signs of going into a decline! 

It'll be interesting to see what improvement there might be after this latest coaching session.  It was only 11 days,  but Andy's a quick learner.

[Ruthie]

Bailey I'm confident too that Andy is in a totally different space from this time 12 months ago and 24 months ago - partly because of the manner of his defeat to Nole at AO, which was almost as good as a victory although not quite of course and because of having spent so much concentrated time with Mr L since then.  Just hope he's sorted all those little physical niggles he was carrying by end of AO.
Unfortunately I don't think I'm going to be able to watch till Friday though just might catch snatches earlier . And I'm hoping I'll be back home in time for an Andy-smugfed showdown, with Andy the victor of course.

[Aileen]

Very encouraging comment from Mike Dickson in the Daily Mail of 23 Feb -

From what I gather Andy Murray's training stint in Florida with Ivan Lendl was a resounding success that has cemented their relationship.

Often meeting at Delray Beach they were together from from 8am to 8pm with the world No 4 buoyed by the contribution made by the eight-times Grand Slam winner.

Dickson also points out that the field in Dubai looks unusually strong with eight out of the top 10 scheduled to take part.  This should be a fascinating tournament.  Can't wait for the draw to come out on Saturday!

[Ruthie]

 That is really encouraging Aileen - thanks for passing on.  It's what I'd hoped would happen and is quite a test in terms of their personal relationship if they've spent so much time together. And confirms what we were hoping ie that far from a slump Andy is on the up.