Tipsarevic has just beaten Dimitrov 7-6, 6-2.

Probably be a good 10-15 minutes before Almagro/Fish appear yet and another five minutes or so to warm up. So we're still looking on for about 8pm ish, unless this match finishes in two fairly quick sets.

Thanx Allan So you've almost got to predict you're going to do badly then. Oops

Not necessarily - no harm for the players in entering a challenger as a backup should they not qualify/get very far in the first tournament. Worst-case they play a challenger, best case they qualify/do well in the better tournament.

The Challenger will have a list of Alternates anyway, and many players that didn't enter originally can get in as Alternates as well. Worst-case scenario for the Challenger event organisers is a lucky loser or two getting into the main draw.

Anyway, good run last week from Jamie and a couple of impressive comebacks. Seems to be able to keep his head when it matters (staved off a number of break points when serving for the match in the QFs and had a couple of his own match points saved before finally taking it). Didn't realise he was ranked this high 4 years ago though! Similar age then to Dan Evans now. Hopefully Baker is now finally realising his ability and can push on into the top 200 and hopefully further. We only have James Ward in the top 200 after Murray and after his shocking run of form since his first challenger success way back in August (AO Qualies aside) he's in great danger of slipping right down come the summer.

Dan beat Alex Ward in qualifying for Le Gosier yesterday. Faces Arnaud Clement in the 1st round. Fair few top 100 players playing this tournament, including the likes of James Blake and Olivier Rochus.

Alex also into main draw as lucky loser, faces Yen-Hsun Lu in the opener.

One man RODDICK. Though he comes across like a right douche, he has the sport at heart and is quite a good guy in reality.

Retiring at the end of this season is he not?

One of the American commentators on SS were saying how this will be his last appearance at IW and Miami, will probably be quite emotional, etc, but after having a google I see nothing that mentions of him retiring. I'm confused now.

Delighted for Roddick, this is his last appearance in Miami apparently? Great way to go out, getting a rare win over Federer and stopping the most in-form player on tour at the moment. Getting fed up with Federer beating everyone. About time someone humbled him.

Thanks.  That makes my prediction of 8 pm the more likely.  Can't see either of those being quick matches, unless Tipsy blows Dimitrov off the court.  And I'd say Almagro/Fish has the potential to go to 3 sets, which would push Andy's match back even later

Just re-read that post - rather wish I'd had a look at my post before posting it there. >_< Typed it without looking at the keyboard.. or the screen, it would appear.

Depends as always on the matches before it.  As the OOP isn't out yet on the website I don't know who's playing before Andy, but I agree 8 pm could be a little late.

Judt ahs a look - Dimitrov/Tipsarevic followed by Almagro/Fish are on before Murray/Simon.

Do you think it will be that late? I agree not before about 7pm, but 8?

Normally takes around two hours for each match including warm-up and the time between matches. Unless either of the matches on before Andy's are particularly quick 8pm sounds the most realistic.

Bit of fatigue after his run to the Indian Wells final maybe.

He's had a fairly poor start to the season actually (until last week anyway), the win against Federer in the Davis Cup the only performance of note until his great run and match against Djokovic at Indian Wells.

  He does look lovely in the last picture

Found some highlights of their encounter last year in Madrid.  Can't find anything more recent that's longer that a minute  

He was in dire need of a haircut that day.

I've never thought of Andy's hair as being red, Ruthie.  My husband has red hair, my dad had red hair - I was sure I'd have red-haired kids but they were all dark - though my son's beard is red if he lets it grow - very strange!

Heh, my beard also goes red when I let it grow visible enough, although I don't believe I have any red-haired ancestors.

Also worth noting that Andy's only loss to Simon was back in 2007 when he has just turned 20, on the clay.

As mentioned all but two of his wins have been in straight sets.

No such thing as an easy match but you'd think as long as Andy plays well it should be fairly comfortable... Probably cursed it now right.

Apologies if already done (chances are it has!) but I really don't have the time to trawl through 80 pages!

Just seen this episode of A League of their Own (comedy quiz show), with Andy featuring as a guest. Quite a good watch.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xobskk_a-league-of-their-own-series-4-episode-1_sport

Posted this on Raonic thread, may as well post it again here..

A Nadal rematch could be interesting after Tokyo. Murray's only improved since then as well, with Lendl's arrival.

Think I may be looking too far ahead though.

Anyway about time for a new thread to move into I think.