Andy Murray In The French Open 2011

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Wow the tennis gods have decided to be kind to Andy Murray this year in Paris. Andy Murray faces french qualifier Eric Prodan, if everything goes to script Andy's 3rd round opponent could be big hitting up and coming young gun Milos Raonic and if Andy goes deep into the draw potential quarter finalist could be Roger Federer's conquerer in Monte Carlo World No.8 Jurgen Melzer. If Murray manages to make it to the semi's, the man standing in the way will be 5-time champion and King of Clay one Rafael Nadal. There is no question why Andy Murray should not be considered a favourite at Roland Garros. There are players above him as favourites, the Nadals, Federers and Djokovics and rightly so. Murray though has found a rhythm to his game on clay and has certainly had the best run on clay since becoming pro and looks like he is over his Australian Open heartache. Another important part of Andy Murray's French Open campaign is his box. Will Darren Cahill be there? That for me is a big deal because if he can work with Andy during these next 2 weeks it will be a massive boost to his campaign. It would be the first time Andy has gone through a Slam without a coach. It is debatable the level of input Alex Corretja had during the US Open campaign of 2010 and the Australian Open 2011 campaign. Both campaigns brought mixed performances. We had the Andy Murray 'didn't want it and totally lost it' performance against Stanislas Wawrinka at the US Open and the Andy Murray 'planned everything and got outgunned at the end' performance at the Australian Open. What is certain is that Andy will come in without any pressure from the press because in some quarters players like David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro are considered favourites ahead of Andy based on previous results against the Scot on clay and also Clay is their preferred surface. Andy needs to let his tennis do the talking and really put himself in a position to be a serious threat at this French Open. I would hate for Andy to look back at this and like Marlon Brando in the Waterfront say "I coulda been a contender"

Double break!!

Double Break!! 4th set is his surely

Woop Woop

Troicki needs a hold, and at 40-0 seems well on his way to getting it, but back comes Murray roaring to break point, and though that one goes begging, he creates another with a brilliant return winner, before a fabulous forehand pass gives him the double break!

This is quite sensational. Murray has completely changed the match and even his tournament.

2-2 final set tomorrow

So Murray fans what do we think?

He still for me looks way off the pace and a lot of that I think is the ankle. But to be able to still be in this position is quite amazing. What an end to the days play after the matches earlier.

I'm delighted legendkillar, hopefully get back out there and finish the job, it's almost a shame they had to come off, as Troicki was losing it at the end, but what a fight by Andy. He's done us all proud today...

Cannot wait for tomorrow. Andy has shown amazing strength both physically and mentally.

He needs to make sure he's properly warmed up tomorrow though, none of this silly going 0-5 down nonsense

That was a great effort by Andy today. At times, I didn't think he could do it. But he's still in there fighting with a great chance.

Come tomorrow I shall hibernate

you can't hibernate yummy, it's spring, hibernation is a purely winterly activity...

Hibernate and you call yourself a Murray fan??? Pfffft

:run1:

I'm not happy with the replay tomorrow, Murray is always a slow starter, esp early in the morning (well, mid-dayish), so I am looking at a possible quick set by the 'Oik, heaven forbid !!

If Andy can come out firing on all 4 cylinders, then it'll be straightforward, but he will have to get those ruddy 1st serves in and cut out the simple errors.

Morning Murray fans.

It is a 1 set shoot out today.

I wonder which of the players will be able to hold their nerve.

Troicki will be serving first which I think is best because I know if Andy was serving there would be a chance he would concede the break.

Excellent. In a pointless statistic Murray has not lost a set serving second in this FO. Seriously it is important that he warms up properly, yesterday it took him about five games to get going and he can't afford that today, needs to be on the ball straight away...

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Excellent. In a pointless statistic Murray has not lost a set serving second in this FO. Seriously it is important that he warms up properly, yesterday it took him about five games to get going and he can't afford that today, needs to be on the ball straight away...

Couldn't agree more Chelsea

Which AM will turn up this afternoon ?

hello Yummy

If Andy goes out there and plays like he did against Berrer or in the last two sets yesterday he'll be fine.

I think Andy will take the last set 6-2.

Disappointing that play had to be suspended - looked like Andy had finally worn Troicki out and the fifth set should have been someting of a formality.

Am worried about them coming back today for the single set, especially in view of Andy's ankle injury - will he be able to start playing properly from the off, or wil it have stiffened up again with a night's rest? Also, Troicki should be feeling fresher than he was at the end of the 4th set.

Troicki and Murray exchanging some passive groundstrokes. Murray starting aggressively. This is good. Murray still not moving cleanly. Earns a break point and Troicki plays a fab drop shot. Encouraging from Murray. Holf from Troicki.

Are you watching yummy?

Murray needs to stop retreating the baseline in rallies. Troicki is looking for the drop shot each time. I would like to see Andy come to the net a bit more and close out points. Murray holds.

that's a good, morale boosting hold for Murray

The gulf in class between these 2 is massive. The only thing keeping Troicki in this is his first serve and drop shot.

Troicki is playing some good stuff, but it is not good enough. Andy is killing him on the second serve. Again Murray takes Troicki to deuce. Break point for Murray again. Troicki saves it. What a rally. Credit to Troicki that was a hell of a defensive play. Another couple of first serves and Troicki holds.

Troicki's serving really well, but Murray's still getting his chances. Just needs to be patient...

I am watching with one eye

Let me know when it's over

Murray is playing well. Serving a bit better today. Couple of big serves and shot rallies and Murray is winning his points on serve. Love hold from Murray.

Troicki is finding his first serves. Andy stop moaning to yourself. Troicki races to 30-0. Andy misses a chance on the second serve. Been the story of the match, I feel sometimes he has tried to jump on it too early. Love game for Troicki.

poor game from Murray that, three errors and Troicki holds easily

Think if Andy can get to 4-4 I think Troicki will buckle.

woops

I hope you're right legend

Murray gets out of jail. Thank god for that ball boy. That could turn this set. Andy wins the opening point. Not sure why the crowd are getting on Andy's back. 30-15 Murray. Commentators should let the opening point go too. Troicki playing another drop shot 30-30. 40-30 Murray after a big serve. Why are they booing the ball boy? Disgraceful. The French have been krap all tournament from a crowd perspective. Andy taken to deuce. Break point for Troicki. Come on Andy big ace needed. Troicki takes it. Gahhhh

oh Andy

Andy takes the opening point on the Troicki serve. Troicki goes wide on a forehand. Andy mini advantage. Got to make it count. Troicki finds an ace. Troicki is finding the first serves today. 30-30. Another break point for Murray. Come on my son. Take it. Troicki got a lucky bounce on that return and threw Andy of his balance. Deuce. Andy!!!! Come on. The pigeons have helped, ball boys have! What more do you need!! Adv Troicki. I am screaming Andy hit the ****** net!!! Troicki 5-2

and Troicki plays yet another break point brilliantly, so frustrating. Murray's movement still well below par, but he's till not far away.

Murray starts his service game well. Wins the opening 2 points. Looks like another love game for Murray. And it is.

Troicki turning the screw. Making his intentions known. Serve and volley. Arghhhhhhh!!! Andy goes long on a backhand. Andy opens the forehand. 30-15. Theres a sniff. 30-30. What has Troicki got? Pressure is on. 30-40 break point for Murray. Come on Andy. This is it come on. Takes it!! Oh my ****** god you beauty!!!

yep troicki duly tightens up and Andy gets the break back, aided by a brilliant return at 30-15. Game on again!

Murray breaks Troicki 5-4!

Murray serving to stay in it. Andy focus now. Murray goes long on a forehand!! Grrr these UE's!! 0-15. Brilliant drop shot. 15-15. I think Troicki is looking for Andy to lose it much rather than win it. The Murray factor is clearly affecting Troicki. Someone shut that baby up in the crowd please. Andy still reluctant to come into the net. 30-15. Another ace by Murray. 40-15. Murray holds. 5-5.

Troicki losing it. Andy breaks!!!

Troicki tries a drop shot and Andy picks it up. 0-15. Andy is trying to invite Troicki in and he isn't biting the cherry. Andy plays a drop and Troicki nets it. 0-30. Troicki goes wide on a wild forehand. 0-40. 3 break points. His mind has gone. Finds a first serve. 2 more needed. Troicki saves another. 1 more. Murray takes it!! COME ON!!! MURRAY SERVING FOR THE MATCH!! 6-5.

3 MP gone...

Murray now serving for the match. 4 aces would be nice. If not 4 first serves. Murray's forehand is now a force to be reckoned with. 15-0. Troicki goes wide on a Murray 2nd serve. What a gift. 30-0. Murray carves the court open and rips a forehand. 40-0. 3 match points. Hold your breath. Troicki attacks the 2nd serve and is rewarded. 2 more match points. Another one goes. 1 more match point. This is not funny Andy. Murray goes long on a Backhand!!! ****** hell!! Deuce. Andy finds a first serve. Another match point. WHAT A WAY TO FINISH!!! MURRAY WINS!!

big serve brings a fourth... and he takes it!!!!

Brilliant stuff!!!

Andy wins it! Brilliant comeback.