[Philip]

Andy will be facing Xavier Malisse in the second round.  Surprising that there is no thread for this yet.  Good to see Nalbandian tiring himself out.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8902782.stm

Nalbandian came through 7-5 3-6 6-3 to reach round two and extend his winning streak to seven matches.

The former world number three won his first title for 20 months in Washington on Sunday following injury problems.

Roger Federer returns to action for the first time since Wimbledon against Juan Ignacio Chela later on Tuesday.

In earlier matches, Belgian Xavier Malisse beat Michael Berrer of Germany 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 to set up a second-round clash with Andy Murray.

[Philip]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanoverend/2010/08/maclagan_ready_to_move_on_afte.html

"I think a lot of people misunderstand the role of what a tennis coach is," Maclagan says. "Andy is a very smart guy and a very good tennis player. He doesn't need to be told all the time "you hit your forehand like this, hit your backhand like this".

"In my opinion the art of good coaching is knowing when not to say anything. You might only say one or two things in a week which might be important to Andy, that's why it's important to know when not to say anything so when you do, it's effective. That's my philosophy."

"I had to remind myself sometimes that he's a 23-year-old and not everything is perfect," he says. "I'd like people to wonder what they, or their kids, were doing at 23 and the answer may not always be as a comfortable as they'd like to think.

"Here's a guy who is driven, works very, very hard, is not falling out of nightclubs, and not being pictured with a different girl every week. He sets a very good example in a lot of different areas."

[Aileen]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanoverend/2010/08/maclagan_ready_to_move_on_afte.html

"I think a lot of people misunderstand the role of what a tennis coach is," Maclagan says. "Andy is a very smart guy and a very good tennis player. He doesn't need to be told all the time "you hit your forehand like this, hit your backhand like this".

"In my opinion the art of good coaching is knowing when not to say anything. You might only say one or two things in a week which might be important to Andy, that's why it's important to know when not to say anything so when you do, it's effective. That's my philosophy."

"I had to remind myself sometimes that he's a 23-year-old and not everything is perfect," he says. "I'd like people to wonder what they, or their kids, were doing at 23 and the answer may not always be as a comfortable as they'd like to think.

"Here's a guy who is driven, works very, very hard, is not falling out of nightclubs, and not being pictured with a different girl every week. He sets a very good example in a lot of different areas."

Very good article, thanks.  It's nice to have Maclagan's take on things.  I think a lot people, myself included, never gave him quite the respect he deserved.  Having also listened to an audio tape of him being interviewed after the Washington final on another thread, it seems he wasn't the "yes" man many thought.  I'm sure his time with Andy, and what they achieved together, will stand him in good stead in the coaching market, although probably not as a coach of top-20 players.  I'm very glad too that he and Andy are still friends

Now, what was I doing at 23 ...?    

[Aileen]

Not exactly a news article but I came across this from Highland Spring.  Not only do they sponsor Andy, Jamie and mum Judy, but they're actively involved in promoting tennis amongst children throughout the UK  - http://www.highland-spring.com/sport/tennis.aspx?gclid=CPWKsJ3csqMCFSSElAodzDVj4A

And if you've never drunk, it's worth a try.  It was my favourite even before Andy came on the scene.

[Aileen]

^ Thanks Philip.  Two very interesting takes on Andy's coaching situation.  I think the most telling comment is Andy saying "You might need to be talked to more sometimes, but it's also knowing when to back off a little bit and just to let things go."  Just how far can a coach push prickly Andy?

Seems to me The Guardian has hit the nail on the head when it says a coach will have to be a good psychologist.  It makes me think once again that Andy could do with some input from a fully-qualified sports one, who could, in addition, sort out the curious brain-fades that have been so prominent this year.

[Aileen]

^ Maybe 3/4 months without a coach might actually be beneficial, if he's forced to take responsibility for his own game.

[Philip]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/7945093/Andy-Murray-thrashes-David-Nalbandian-to-reach-Rogers-Cup-semi-finals.html

For a man without a coach to guide him, Andy Murray appears to have a remarkable sense of direction.

Everything that Nalbandian tried to do, Murray matched it and turned it to his advantage. He moved the Argentine around from the start, pulling him far and wide and forcing him into errors. He served with precision and power and he planted his passing shots on a sixpence.

This time, Murray kept the errors to a minimum and his mind fully focused on the job in front of him

[Philip]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8914647.stm

"This is a surface I'm most comfortable on," said Murray. "I enjoy playing aggressive, especially against the best players.

"I want to enjoy playing my game and expressing myself out on court. You never expect to beat the other top players. The margins are so thin.

"I go on court knowing that I have to play my best if I'm going to have a chance of beating them. I like playing Rafa on a hardcourt."

Nadal remained positive despite the defeat, saying: "Overall I'm feeling good. I've won 34 of my last 36 matches and have played well all season.

"It's not a bad start for the hardcourt season. I had chances for the final and I'm not so far off my game. I just need to produce more chances to win."

He added of Murray: "His movements are great from the baseline, and he has unbelievable hands to return the ball. That's one of the best things in his game."