Murray beats Tiafoe on Tour return
By Joe Bailey for MurraysWorld.com on August 23, 2020, 09:49 am
Andy Murray won his first ATP level match of 2020 at the Western and Southern Open, beating American Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-1.
This Masters 1000 tournament is traditionally played in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. However, in another sign of the upside down world imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the event is this year being held in New York - despite the courtside hoardings suggesting we are in Cincy as usual.
Happily for Murray and his fans, this Tour comeback was preceded by several exhibition tournaments so the Scot had had prior opportunities to sharpen his skills.
Tiafoe, aged 22 and ranked 81 as the Tour resumes, presented a decent test for Murray. The first set followed serve into a tiebreak as neither play could seize an advantage despite impressive ground strokes from both.
In that tiebreak, Murray looked onto a loser as he fell to 2-5, but his trademark battling qualities saw him save a set point before taking one of his own.
In the early stages of the second set, some bafflingly varied play from Tiafoe (including a sub-80 mph first serve) couldn’t be capitalised upon by Murray and the American took the set.
Murray stepped up to put things to bed in the third, however, with two breaks allowing him to coast to the victory.
Murray has been awarded a wildcard for the US Open, which begins at this same venue next week. This tournament will serve as a useful warmup and a huge test awaits in his next match - the world number 7, Alexander Zverev.
This Masters 1000 tournament is traditionally played in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. However, in another sign of the upside down world imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the event is this year being held in New York - despite the courtside hoardings suggesting we are in Cincy as usual.
Happily for Murray and his fans, this Tour comeback was preceded by several exhibition tournaments so the Scot had had prior opportunities to sharpen his skills.
Tiafoe, aged 22 and ranked 81 as the Tour resumes, presented a decent test for Murray. The first set followed serve into a tiebreak as neither play could seize an advantage despite impressive ground strokes from both.
In that tiebreak, Murray looked onto a loser as he fell to 2-5, but his trademark battling qualities saw him save a set point before taking one of his own.
In the early stages of the second set, some bafflingly varied play from Tiafoe (including a sub-80 mph first serve) couldn’t be capitalised upon by Murray and the American took the set.
Murray stepped up to put things to bed in the third, however, with two breaks allowing him to coast to the victory.
Murray has been awarded a wildcard for the US Open, which begins at this same venue next week. This tournament will serve as a useful warmup and a huge test awaits in his next match - the world number 7, Alexander Zverev.
add comment | 10 comments
Thanks for the report Joe. Thought Andy played himself into that match as it went on. He’ll need to serve better against Zverev and hope he can find a way to shorten points before Zverev away at him.
August 23, 2020, 10:45 am
By amongsttheleaves
By amongsttheleaves
I didn’t see the match, so appreciate the report, Joe. So nice to be discussing Andy again on here.
August 23, 2020, 12:06 pm
By Elly
By Elly
August 23, 2020, 12:24 pm
By Tonedial
By Tonedial
Aw - thanks, flower.
August 23, 2020, 12:25 pm
By Elly
By Elly
So nice to be discussing Andy again on here.
It certainly is!
August 23, 2020, 02:19 pm
By waverlybear
By waverlybear
It certainly is!
Ditto! Thanks for the report Joe.
August 23, 2020, 05:06 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
Good win, but I'm hating these matches without a crowd. So dead and lifeless.
August 23, 2020, 09:46 pm
By boogers
By boogers
While I agree, at least they're less stressful to watch.
August 23, 2020, 10:37 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
Hi everyone, watched the match last night, my grandson came for a visit and I am so used to not watching tennis that I forgot, plus my grandson drove 4 hours to come see me so, I would have been a wreck had I remembered. I agree that Andy needs to get his first percentage up on the serve. Did you all see his interview? If you didn’t let me know I have it DVRd and can get it on my camera.
Wishing Andy the best of luck on his match tomorrow. Play tough Andy, you can do this!!!
Wishing Andy the best of luck on his match tomorrow. Play tough Andy, you can do this!!!
August 24, 2020, 06:09 am
By Apollo
By Apollo
Andy Murray won his first ATP level match of 2020 at the Western and Southern Open, beating American Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-1.
[attachment=1]
This Masters 1000 tournament is traditionally played in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. However, in another sign of the upside down world imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the event is this year being held in New York - despite the courtside hoardings suggesting we are in Cincy as usual.
[attachment=1]
This Masters 1000 tournament is traditionally played in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. However, in another sign of the upside down world imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the event is this year being held in New York - despite the courtside hoardings suggesting we are in Cincy as usual.
that did perplex me!
August 24, 2020, 09:39 am
By althusser
By althusser