[OldScotSupport]

Fantastic! Yes, Garcia-Lopez was no opposition, but it was the manner by which Andy destroyed his opponent that makes me believe that he is on the right track.

Better %age 1st serves and deeper 2nd serves; aggressive forehands and no mumbling to himself, when he misses a winnable approach shot.

I still am certain that the increased 6 bounces are assisting his concentration.

Melzer will not be as easy as Garcia-Lopez, but I feel that taking Jurgen's scalp is available.

Finally, congratulations, Nigel on a magnificent report. 

[scotsgeek28]

This was a good win.  But now the tournament begins for real.  Melzer is more of a test, and thereafter we will really see what Andy's chances are!

Great stuff though, easy peasy really.  Andy is in great form, but he needs to keep getting better.  Hopefully the better serving can hold up in the bigger matches, as we have seen him serve well many times before, this is not something new.

[psychological tennis]

Really enjoyed the report, thank you Grabcopy.  Andy was magnificent.  Garcia-Lopez was obviously well up for this as the early hot-dog revealed, but he was simply outplayed and outclassed.  It was sheer pleasure, even in the wee hours of the morning, watching Andy's elegantly majestic repertoire of shots flowing from his racket time after time.  A display of excellence to be savoured, pure class.  He was totally at home out there on Rod Laver Arena, focused, clinical and measured, serving and hitting the ball economically to keep the points and the match short, essential in the heat and humidity,

So far so good, three down and four to go, Andy's campaign thus far has been spot on.  The 'kind' draw of the first three rounds now gives way to what could be a real dog-fight against the much-improved Melzer, a tough and very hungry last-16 opponent.  Andy, hopefully, will take nothing for granted - in the past he has been surprised by players punching above their weight and producing mind-boggling performances, especially in the majors.  The experience of these losses will be in his memory locker and should hold him in good stead.  From now on it will not get any easier, but Andy will be playing aganst guys he's beaten before, on courts he's played on before, and he has five sets to work it out.  The Australians love him and he knows it, bless him, it is lovely seeing him get the appreciation he so richly deserves.

Should Andy progress  the 'kind' draw requires nothing less than a super-human effort in the last three matches if he is to achieve his goal - but as we've said before, he needs to focus on one match at a time.  We ask no more than he does himself proud, he has every shot in the book, is better prepared physically and mentally than ever before, he brings all his rollercoaster experience with him to these huge matches, and he WANTS it.  He is the real deal and the sport is so ready for him to take up the mantle.  Andy, the world is your oyster, please take it.

[MT]

incensed at BBC news tonight reporting on Andys win

"Say what you like about Andy Murray, and many do, and he is certainly not going to win any prizes for sartorial elegance, he has progressed to the fourth round with ease."

What is wrong with these people at the BBC? Do they want a British world champion tennis player or just another Beckham poncing about in a thong? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Respect the guy please.

[blueberryhill]

 Clementine Agree with every word.
They were showing some of Andy's footwork and my word I know he's fast but...one shot he's running very fast forwards, GL put the ball behind him, Andy stopped dead, turned and returned the ball over the net. Think he could've been a short distance sprinter in another life.

[Aileen]

Andy has a 4-0 H2H advantage, but Melzer's on a steep improvement curve late in his career. Wonder what he puts in his coffee.

 

Andy shouldn't have too much of a problem against Melzer, and should make his life easier if he plays the way he has so far this week Melzer's playing well though so I'd be putting my money on a 4 set win for Andy

The last time Murray and Melzer met was in R3 of the 2009 AO and Murray won 7-5, 6-0, 6-3, but at 29 Melzer's knocking on the door of the top 10.  Like Nigel, I'd like to know what he's on.

This will be Andy's first big test.  OK, so his last 3 matches were nice little warm-ups, but that's why I'd have preferred to see more of a fight from G-L.  Agree with psychological tennis that this match will be a much better indication of just how much he's improving ... and did anyone notice that he has, so far, been showing little emotion during his matches?  He's reportedly started watching videos of his matches, so he must see that if he can keep his emotions under control he plays a lot better.  Just go on keeping the heid, Andy!

Can anyone point me to the Courier interview? I skipped the formalities so I could crack on with the report.

Will see if this is anywhere on the AO website, although it could be gone by the time I get round to looking for it.

[scotsgeek28]

I don't see Melzer as much of a challenge here.  Andy will grind him down and the errors will inevitably come.  Also I am not convinced he really believes he can win.

No way Jurgen will be in the top ten by the end of the year; just a temporary peak.  I would be surprised if Andy dropped a set.