Murray defeats Djokovic
July 26, 2008
Andy Murray has moved into the semi-finals of the Toronto masters with a fantastic straight sets win over World number Three Novak Djokovic. The young Scot produced one of his best performances ever to win the match 6-3, 7-6.
After the match he said…
“Mentally, that’s probably the biggest one of my career. He’s going to be around for a long time. So to come through against him, especially when he beat me convincingly four times, is very satisfying.”
The win is even more impressive considering Novak has defeated Murray comfortably in the last four meetings.
Andy continued…
“The last few times I’ve played against him, I really struggled to read his game. But I’ve watched a lot of his matches lately and I’ve seen the patterns of play he likes to use and I read his game much better. He hit very few winners, I think. That was one of the most satisfying things for me.”
Murray now faces Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard continued his fine form coming from a set down to defeat talented Frenchman Richard Gasquet. The win for Rafa is the 27th win in a row. With Roger being knocked out early Nadal is getting ever closer to that number One spot.
Murray defeated by favourite Nadal
July 3, 2008
Rafael Nadal powered on in Wmbledon with a brilliant display against home favourite Andy Murray. Rafael’s ground strokes were just too much for Murray and the Scot couldn’t get a grip hold in the match. Nadal won easily 6-3, 6-2,6-4.
After the match he said…
“If I play like I did against Andy, especially the second set, there are not a lot of things. With the second half of the first set and especially the second set, this was probably my best match here. I think I’m doing a lot of things better than last year. The slice is better. My position on court is better. I’m playing more aggressive with the forehand all the time, and the backhand is feeling good.”
Simon Says…
Although Murray said he wasn’t tired I think he was. He didn’t lift the crowd too much and was missing easy shots. It didn’t help when Nadal was hitting the ball deep and hard to put Murray under even more pressure. Rafa has got a huge chance has got a huge chance to win this tournament especially if he plays like he did today.
Murray defeats Gasquet in epic encounter
July 1, 2008
Andy Murray is through to the quarterfinals after a quite unbelievable match with number 8 seed Richard Gasquet. A match that lasted just under 4 hours was played in almost total darkness at 9-30pm last night. The Scot came back from the dead to win in 5 sets 5-7, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.
After the match Murray said…
“The crowd were unbelievable and to come back from two sets down with him serving for the match, it’s an awesome feeling. He got a little bit nervous towards the end of the third and I just had to keep fighting.”
Gasquet was gracious in defeat but admitted the light was not great…
“At 5-4 in the third I should win, Andy fought hard right to the end but the crowd really carried him. With the light it was strange. When I was eight years old I could understand playing in the dark to finish a match but not at Wimbledon. But I understand they wanted to finish the match and it is not an excuse. In the fourth and fifth sets he returned better than me and that was probably the key. I hope to play him at Roland Garros one day. I won’t be alone for sure and it will be hard for him.”
Simon Says…
I think the crowd really pulled Andy through. He did well and played some unbelievable points, I just cannot see him challenging Nadal in the next round. Yes the crowd will be behind him but they can only do so much. The crowd got to Gasquet and it was difficult for him. It isn’t going to happen to Rafa and the crowd like him a lot as well. It will be fascinating but Rafa will win.
Murray defeats Tommy Haas
June 28, 2008
Andy Murray continued his fine form at Wimbledon with a tough fought victory over Tommy Haas. The Scot dropped his first set of the tournament but still won 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.
After the match Murray said…
“It was a good match. I had a chance to win in straight sets but played a poor service game. But he had few chances on my serve and I played very well. I was pleased with the way I managed to play in the tight situations. My mentality on court was very good. The older you get, the more you get used to everything. I’ve got some good people around me and I’m just enjoying myself on court.”
Murray now faces number 8 seed Richard Gasquet who defeated Giles Simon. Andy knows he will have to improve but if the crowd get behind him and he keeps his composure he has a chance of making it to the quarters,
Andy Murray thanks McEnroe
June 24, 2008
Andy Murray has thanked John McEnroe for his kind comments ahead of his first round match against Fabrice Santoro.
Andy said…
“It’s great when people say nice things. It helps build your confidence. Ultimately, they are the people that know the most about tennis and, if they’re being complimentary about me, then that counts for something.”
Murray’s opponent will be 35 yr old Santoro. He spoke about the challenge of facing Andy…
“It’s a great challenge to play Andy. But, as you get towards the end of your career, you want these sort of matches. I was hoping I would play on Centre Court for the first time. I have had a 19-year career and I’ve played on every other court apart from Wimbledon’s Centre Court. I was pleased when I saw the draw. Andy’s a smart player. One day he will do something big.”
Simon Says…
I really hope Andy can perform well this year and make it to the quarters or beyond. He has all the talent in the world and one day he will win Wimbledon.
Murray forced to pull out
June 13, 2008
Andy Murray has had a huge scare before Wimbledon after pulling out if his quarterfinals match with Andy Roddick. Murray pulled out due to a sprained thumb, during his match with Gulbis he had numerous falls on the slippery centre court and asked the umpire if they could get off the court due to dangerous play.
Murray spoke about his departure…
“I woke up this morning and couldn’t pick up my pillow, I was struggling to pick up my phone, I took another anti-inflammatory, came down here and tried to practice, hit some balls. I had a scan and I haven’t pulled anything, just sprained it a bit. It’s obviously not terrible but it’s just too sore to try and play a match. ”
Andy Roddick will now meet Rafael Nadal after he beat Ivo Karlovic in three sets 6-7,7-6,7-6.
Andy Murray crashes out of French Open
May 31, 2008
British number one Andy Murray has crashed out of the French Open after a good performance against clay-court specialist Nicolas Almagro. The young scot was defeated in 4 sets 6-3,6-7,6-3,7-5.
After the match Murray was a bit disappointed but he also believed that his performances overall on clay have been good and that he is now looking forward to the grass-court season. Murray had a very good run in the French Open and he believes that his form can help him at Wimbledon because he could get into the top 12 seeds. Which would mean he could avoid he top four seeds until the quarter finals.
The young spaniard who defeated Murray now looks to Jeremy Chardy who defeated the talented Russian Dmitry Tursunov.
Andy Murray through to third round of French Open
May 29, 2008
The young Scot put in possibly his best ever performance on clay as he crushed the well fancied Jose Acasuso 6-4,6-0,6-4. The British number one defeated the Argentine in just 1 hour and 38 minutes. The victory means he will now face Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the third round.
How did Murray rate his performance..?
“I felt my performances on clay have been decent this year but I keep getting questioned why I’m not doing better,” he continued “I wanted to show I could beat a good clay court player.
“I’m very pleased, it was a great performance. I was very aggressive and my shot selection was great.”
Andy Murray seems to be really confident and judging by this performance there is no reason not to be.
Andy Murray into the second round of Roland Garros
May 26, 2008
Out of form Andy Murray survived a scare in his opening round match of the French Open only just defeating young whizkid Jonathan Eysseric in 5 sets.
How did the match go..?
Murray started well and breezed through the first set 6-2. But then a spirited comeback from the 17 yr old opponent began as he forced Andy into mistakes and Murray lost the set 1-6. Jonathan took control of the match and began to dominate the Scot and took the next set 4-6. Murray looked on in disbelief as he had lost control of the match. He shook himself up and as his opponent got tired he began to take the chance’s he was getting. He won the last two sets 6-0,6-2 to avoid an embarrassing defeat to the hands of the wildcard.
How did Murray rate his performance..?
He said that although he wasn’t playing well he always thought he was going to win the match and be in the second round. He that he was trying to conserve some energy for later on in the tournament.
So Andy Murray through to the next round can he go deeper in to the competition. Playing like this he may struggle in France.
