ROME 2012, R2: Hard work but a Happy Birthday Win for Andy!!! 6'1,4'6, 7'5

[Sallydaisy]

The Birthday Boy hits up the Foto Italico!!!

H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=N301&oId=MC10) is 4-2 in Andy's favour. Andy beat the Argie twice in 2011 and twice in 2010.

But they've never before met on the 'devil dirt' .....

:shades:

Does anyone else remember Wimbledon 2005?

We watched a young Andy Murray, 18yrs old, #312 (and just turned professional), take on David Nalbandian (then ranked #19 ) and take the experienced Argentine to 5 sets in the R32. Nalby won it W 6-7(4), 1-6, 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 mainly because Muzzah ran out of steam in the 5th set but by then it was clear what a talent he was.

He's set about becoming fitter and better and now it's Andy who is ranked #4 (CH #2) whilst David Nalbandian is down to #42 (CH#3).

Despite this being Andy's first match in Rome the last couple of years have shown he's got the game to defeat Dave. However, the Argentinian has been playing well of late and his greater experience of playing on clay could be a major factor in this encounter.

Catch the match on Tuesday morning - 3rd match on Centrale following a ladies, then a mens singles, starting 12noon local, 11am UK. So, probably about 2.30/3.00pm UK time ...

[Jan]

good timing for me - hope Andy manages to make it a very happy birthday for himself!

edit - I'm not sure that it will be approx 12noon - it's the 3rd match after 12noon Rome time, and they seem to be one hour ahead of us, so that's 3rd match after 11am here I think.

[lynne]

:thanks: Jan, I was just going to post the same:)

[Sallydaisy]

I've edited the first post - and the thread title - because it was put up before I had chance to check the OOP details. Having done that I think the best guess regarding time is 2.30/3pm UK time. That allows the ladies 1.5hrs and the mens singles 2hrs - but they could go on a lot longer.
:p

[HoopGirl]

Heres to a great birthday and match and the start of a great run Andy.

Looked pretty blustary out there today - good luck!!!

[Jan]

does anyone else remember wimbledon 2005?


yes!!!

[Linda]

Yes!!!!!

[Sallydaisy]

:lol:

It was such an amazing match to watch - I was absolutely glued to the TV for all of it.
Unforgettable!!!

[Linda]

Me too. I watched it with my Mum. We were both yelling and crying and getting really overexcited!

[Manaus]

I remember the first match Andy had with Nalby too - it was that time when I really got interested in tennis. Good times:). Hopefully Andy will have a good birthday and beat Nalby easily.

[Fina]

Yes. What a match! :excited: Where has the time gone?

Good luck tomorrow, Andy.

[Linda]

I can't believe that's 7 years ago! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

[JAMES4578]

Yes time flies and that really was an incredible performance from Andy at the time, just didn't have enough in the legs. I'd been expecting Nalby to win fairly comfortably and it was such a confidence boost. Of course much has happened since then but I've always been a fanatical supporter. Even though the ranking has droppped Dave can can still be a tough opponent and Muzzah will need to be ready from the work go, hopefully the recent record will continue.

[Madeline]

I hate to say this - but doesn't Andy have rather a bad record for matches played on his birthday? Never mind, even if I'm right, time to start overturning that!

[david1610]

Yes!!!
But a very tricky first match, especially on clay.
Just hope Andy is raring to go!

PS Madeline - The only time I have ever seen Andy play was on clay on his birthday in Madrid when he lost to a certain del Potro .... but that was the past!!!!!! C'mon Andy!

[lynne]

The Very Best of Luck Andy!!!:thumbup:

[40-15]

go Andy!! -

looking for - Ciao Andy Murray and Arrivederci David Nalbandian - today

best of luck Andy!! - :swingin: :clap: :swingin:

[Caro]

Good luck Andy!! I can't watch, I'm at work and with patients all afternoon so can't even follow on LS :grrr: Sending positive vibes and will check in later to see the reult

[traveller7]

Saying 3.30 on lshunter now

[banskogirl]

Wishing Andy all the best with this match today! Happy Birthday Andy! Sorry I haven't been on much everyone :( getting there ;)

[Madeline]

The match before Andy is just about to start a third set.

[david1610]

Drat! Another set to wait as kubot loses his serve!

[traveller7]

Another hour at least neil harman reckons boo

[Sallydaisy]

Saying 3.30 on lshunter now

I doubt Andy will get on court before 4.30pm.
Starace took the 2nd set and levelled the match so they're into a 3rd set decider.
Neil Harman reports the tennis is painfully slow but good to watch!!!
:rolleyes:

[KnightOwl]

Hmmm....I can't say I agree with him - just seems painful to me :) maybe that's just cos I'm waiting for Andy....

[DaveArneRiise]

Cmon POTATO!!!!

[KnightOwl]

The wind is really swirling around out there - gusts picking up the clay dust and throwing it everywhere - really makes you think they ought to water the courts a bit more when it's like this, to lay the dust a little bit...

[DaveArneRiise]

Proper clay courts these, slow like they should be not like Madrid. Hence why the clay courters are doing well here already.

[Madeline]

Hooray, Kubot finally manages not to choke. Match over, Andy next!

[karanga]

Very best of luck, Andy.

[Jan]

good timing - just back from taxi-duty!
Come on Andy!!

[Jan]

ah that's better - stream has changed to English!!:)

[Maza1987]

http://www.lshunter.tv/streams/1/lshtennis2.html

yes, it's english now.
let's go

[40-15]

15-40 - come on Andy 2 break points

[Maza1987]

good start

[Jan]

kitkat!

[40-15]

Andy great start 2-0

[KnightOwl]

Nalby hasn't really turned up so far - but watch out in case he does :)

[traveller7]

Nice start

[davech]

Not a bad start at all. Except for the 0-15...

[-J-]

thaught this was on earlier
bonus!!!!!!

[davech]

Oops. Not looking quite so good now.

[KnightOwl]

Ok, I'm a bit less happy now! Where did these BPs come from...?

[KnightOwl]

thaught this was on earlier
bonus!!!!!!

Should have been, but Kubot made a meal of the previous match!

[-J-]

Ok, I'm a bit less happy now! Where did these BPs come from...?saved them with some nice aggresive play

[davech]

Nalby should've had another bp there.

[-J-]

Should have been, but Kubot made a meal of the previous match!i thought it was11ish

[-J-]

nice recovery from andy
cmonnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[davech]

Some hopeful looking UEs from Nalby in that game. Andy was a little lucky to hold there.

[40-15]

good hold after 15-40 down - 3-0
Nalbandian - starting to warm up now!!

[Sallydaisy]

I don't care how he got there I can live with Andy being 3-0 up.
:shades:

[KnightOwl]

i thought it was11ish

Oh! Ok, then no, it was never going to be that early ;)

[-J-]

Oh! Ok, then no, it was never going to be that early ;)been hectic latly had a quick look yesterday must have read it wrong :rolling:

[Sallydaisy]

i thought it was11ish
Think FTM was set up for around then before the OOP was known maybe?

Glad you've chance to watch this tho'.

Wonder if they'll do a birthday cake for him on court after he's won.
:shades:

[-J-]

little glimmer ;)
cmonnnnnnnnnn

[-J-]

Think FTM was set up for around then before the OOP was known maybe?

Glad you've chance to watch this tho'.

Wonder if they'll do a birthday cake for him on court after he's won.
:shades:sound about right ta

[SamP]

The ball is really coming out the middle of the racket so far. Wonderful to see.

When he goes through a little blip, I always completely forget just how awesome he can be. It's pathetic of me, really.

[KnightOwl]

Think FTM was set up for around then before the OOP was known maybe?

Glad you've chance to watch this tho'.

Wonder if they'll do a birthday cake for him on court after he's won.
:shades:

Hoi! No jinxing, thank you very much ;)

[-J-]

dropper!!!!!!
chance
bp
cmonnnnnnn

[40-15]

nice drop shot!!

[davech]

Andy's really seeing the ball well at the moment.

[KnightOwl]

The ball is really coming out the middle of the racket so far. Wonderful to see.

When he goes through a little blip, I always completely forget just how awesome he can be. It's pathetic of me, really.

No, I think most of us do that! Just makes it even better when he plays brilliantly again ;)

[davech]

4-0!!

[-J-]

at a boy
kitkat :boogie:
cmonnnnnnnnnn

[40-15]

4-0 now!! - and Nalbandian hasn't been playing badly either!!

[Jan]

good to watch so far :thumbup:

[-J-]

No, I think most of us do that! Just makes it even better when he plays brilliantly again ;)dont help with all the matches he has played during working hours recently barley seen him play in last couple months well feels like that anyhow

[Sallydaisy]

Oooops! *0-30. Come on Andy!

[KnightOwl]

Great return from Nalby - has to be that good to get past Andy at the moment though - can Nalby keep doing it...?

[davech]

Andy sometimes struggles when its gusty. Not today.

Except it's now 0-40

[KnightOwl]

Hmmm...bit of a cheap break there :sad:

[-J-]

sok andy just grab another kitkat
cmonnnnnnnnnnn

[davech]

Ah. Break for Nalby then. Andy's still way Ahead in this set though.

[-J-]

little glimmer
cmonnnnnnn

[Sallydaisy]

Deuce.
Chance for Andy to break back here. He's gone ahead once already in this game.

Looks very breezy out there.

[-J-]

gift wrapped bp
cmonnnnnnnnn

[40-15]

double fault gives Andy a break point

[-J-]

still a glimmer here
cmonnnnnnnnnn

[Sallydaisy]

Deuce - Andy missed that chance but another will come.

[KnightOwl]

Oooh, looked like it clipped the line to me - outside of the line but still the line....maybe not :sad:

[-J-]

still in it
cmonnnnnnnnnn
deuce

[davech]

Lucky net cord to go back to deuce.

[Sallydaisy]

Ad to Andy again. Come on Muzzah - make this one!!!

[-J-]

sets the chance up well
BP
cmonnnnnnnnnnnn

[davech]

bp Andy!

[KnightOwl]

Some of those gusts of wind look pretty fierce at times - seems to be affecting serving a bit...

[40-15]

nice drop shot - another chance of a break!!

[davech]

Andy's actually hitting some good droppers today. Which is nice.

[Sallydaisy]

How many deuces so far in this game???
:doh:

[david1610]

This is turning out to be a long game. Nearly ten minutes in fact.

[-J-]

chance
bp
cmonnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[40-15]

this time Andy!!

[KnightOwl]

How many deuces so far in this game???
:doh:

Haven't counted, but it feels like a lot! 10 minute game and counting...

[40-15]

ok next time!!

[-J-]

typical gotta go back oot at 5:30 wanted to see out the first set at least

[-J-]

deuce x 8 :eek:

[KnightOwl]

Feel a bit sorry for Nalby at the moment - all this effort just to hold your serve - and it's not even over yet :big grin:

[-J-]

number 9

[davech]

Come on you two, I've got work in the morning...

[-J-]

maliese

[KnightOwl]

Coming up to 15 minutes now! Amazing...

[david1610]

Feel a bit sorry for Nalby at the moment - all this effort just to hold your serve - and it's not even over yet :big grin:
If he holds it puts a lot of pressure on Andy as he will serve when both of them want a rest! C'mon Andy!

[-J-]

this time surely
BP
cmonnnnnnn

[-J-]

il take that
kitkat :boogie:

[davech]

:yahoo:

[KnightOwl]

That's really gotta hurt!!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy to serve for the first set at *5-1.

Nalby complaining about the sun, the wind, the shadows and MoLay is telling him it's the same for everyone!!!
:lol:

[-J-]

2 more points
cmonnnn

[-J-]

set point
cmonnnnnn

[Jane]

Great stuff, Andy - first set in the bag 6-1:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::)

[-J-]

getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[Jan]

:yahoo::yahoo:

[david1610]

Good professional hold by Andy there! Well done!

[davech]

Nailed that forehand winner for 40-0!

And now the set to Andy 6-1 :yahoo:

[-J-]

gotta go
keep up the good work andy
CMONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

[Sallydaisy]

6'1 to Andy in the first set.
:dance: :dance: :dance:
('cos they're playing Dancing Queen in the Centrale!)

[KnightOwl]

complaining about the sun, the wind, the shadows and MoLay is telling him it's the same for everyone!!!

:big grin:

He should be complaining "but that's Andy Murray over there" and MoLay will say "yes, but it's the same for everyone"

:laugh:

[ljs]

way to go Andy :cheer:

[Sallydaisy]

Nice point from both of them - Nalby gets it for 30-30.
Andy had *15-30 tho' against the server.

[Jan]

hope Andy doesn't lose focus here

[david1610]

dreaded first service game after wniing set? No thank you. C'mon Andy!

[KnightOwl]

First serve gone slightly wayward - c'mon - focus!

[davech]

Ace!!!

[KnightOwl]

What did I just say?? first serve just fine ;)

[KnightOwl]

Nice angle on that dropper!

[ljs]

seriously wish Dave would stop whining about the shadows

[davech]

Sorry, but they really are annoying. ;)

[davech]

Andy's clutching his left hip. I was starting to think we'd get through a whole match without him hurting himself...

[david1610]

Going to plan, but Andy needs to focus of course and make sure there are no silly breaks on his service in the next few games, otherwise all the hard work will be nullified.
C'mon Andy!

[KnightOwl]

Andy's clutching his left hip. I was starting to think we'd get through a whole match without him hurting himself...

He's always clutching things - doesn't always mean anything....

[Sallydaisy]

2-2 on serve. Time for a Kitkat Andy?
:shades:

[david1610]

He's always clutching things - doesn't always mean anything....
At least it means he can change gear! Boom boom!

[davech]

2-2 on serve. Time for a Kitkat Andy?
:shades:

It would be nice, but it's not looking likely at the moment...

[ljs]

He's always clutching things - doesn't always mean anything....

:big grin:

[davech]

At least it means he can change gear! Boom boom!

:laugh:

[KnightOwl]

Andy kind of needs to to start making an impression in this set...

[david1610]

3-3 Time to step up a gear! C'mon Andy!

[davech]

He's not making much impression on Nalby's serve at the moment. That double fault might help, though...

[traveller7]

Alot closer this set

[Sallydaisy]

Good from Nalby at the net there.
He seems a bit more determined now he's got over the fact that MoLay can't change the weather.

[david1610]

Almos 7:00 pm local time. Would be good to get off court in straights. Ten quality minutes should do it. C'mon Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

Almos 7:00 pm local time. Would be good to get off court in straights. Ten quality minutes should do it. C'mon Andy!
Hold, break, hold should do it .......
:shades:

[david1610]

Well hold kitkat hold would be great. C'mon Andy!

[KnightOwl]

... that MoLay can't change the weather.

He can't?!? Darn, that puts a bit of a damper on my whole "MoLay is God" theory :sad:

[david1610]

Where has that power been hiding the last x minutes?

[Sallydaisy]

Also, I think it's time Andy shortened the points and threw in a bit of serve/volley.
I get nervous when he gets into long rallies with "clay Dave".

[Sallydaisy]

Scoreboard on Bet365 is ahead of the video .....

*40-15
*40-30

Andy holds 4-4.

[david1610]

40-30 from 40-0. Ace please!

[KnightOwl]

Wow, what a dropper!!

[david1610]

4-4 Now just the break and hold. Please! C'mon Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

Big hitting from big Dave to hold that game for 5-4.

Andy must hold next game or it goes to a 3rd.

[david1610]

Andy has got to be very careful now. I hope he can take it to a TB.
So...
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Andy!

[Jan]

Nalby definitely playing much better than in the first set. Please hold in the next game Andy!

[Linda]

Just got home, in time to see part of the match! Didn't think it would be as late on as this.

[KnightOwl]

Too good from Nalby there...!

[Sallydaisy]

*30-30
:sofa:

[Jan]

Andy's first serve has dropped off this set

[KnightOwl]

C'mon Andy, focus!!

[david1610]

Next two points please!

[Jan]

:sofa:

[KnightOwl]

Ouch! Set point Nalby!

:sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

:sofa::sofa::sofa:

Nalby AD on set point.

[david1610]

Make that the next point please! C'mon Andy!

[Jan]

nice first serve to save the sp

[KnightOwl]

Fantastic serve under pressure!

[Jan]

sp again

[davech]

Eek!

[KnightOwl]

No! He made the tricky shot, then fluffed the easy one :sofa:

[Jan]

phew

[david1610]

And again...please. C'mon Andy!

[davech]

Phew! Back to deuce.

[KnightOwl]

Bad time for a UE for Nalby...

[Jane]

Oh dear oh dear 4-6

[Sallydaisy]

2nd set to Nalby!!!

[KnightOwl]

Aaarrrghhh!!

[davech]

Oops. It's going to be tough now...

[david1610]

Oh dear! Just hope Nalby runs out of puff! C'mon Andy!

[Linda]

Maybe I should go out again :sad:

[Jan]

oh Andy

[Sallydaisy]

Right Andy, I think breaking Nalby's serve to kick off the 3rd would be a good move.
:shades:

[traveller7]

3rd set woopss come on please finish before I have to head out

[KnightOwl]

Maybe I should go out again :sad:

Yep - sorry Linda, you might have to take one for the team ;)

[Linda]

OK I'm going over the road to buy some milk. Hopefully he will be back on track by the time I get back.

[KnightOwl]

:laugh: good call!

[Sallydaisy]

Why does that idiot Cowan apologise for something I've not heard.
:grrr:

[KnightOwl]

Why does that idiot Cowan apologise for something I've not heard.
:grrr:

Well, I could answer that question, but I'd risk being banned ;)

[KnightOwl]

Nice aggression there - I liked that!!

[davech]

A bit of wincing from Andy now.

[davech]

Half a chance here.

[KnightOwl]

Hungry - wanna kitkat...!

[Sallydaisy]

*little glimmer*

(impersonating J)

[KnightOwl]

Half a chance here.

I think you meant "little glimmer" ;)

[KnightOwl]

*little glimmer*

(impersonating J)

Snap!

[davech]

Breaks are becoming extremely hard to come by...

[Linda]

I'm back again. I'm very surprised to see the first set score - had Nalby not woken up?

Oh, and any news on when J will be back online?

[KnightOwl]

Nalby was a bit lax in the first few games...

J said he had to go out at 17:30, but didn't say if/when he'd be back...

[Linda]

Oh, was he here? I haven't seen him for about a week.

[SamP]

Frustrating!

[KnightOwl]

Oh, was he here? I haven't seen him for about a week.

Yep, he was posting for the first set & a bit, then had to go...

[KnightOwl]

Feeling a little nervous about this match now :sad:

[Sallydaisy]

DF from Andy gives Nalby 3-1.
:shocked:

[SamP]

If he loses this, I don't think he'll be climbing the ranking this year.

Just saying.

[davech]

It's not looking good for our hero.

[KnightOwl]

Oh, c'mon Andy - pleeeease - get it together and concentrate!

[Linda]

:facepalm: :crying:

[davech]

little glimmer

[davech]

big glimmer

[KnightOwl]

Great stuff! still in this...

[Sallydaisy]

Break back from Andy!!!

*2-3

[davech]

Fantastic backhand smash to break back!

[KnightOwl]

Wow!! great backhand volley!!

[Linda]

And Andy breaks straight back! :cheer:

[JAMES4578]

Excellent game from Andy to break back, was worried after previous game! Come on Muzzah!

[KnightOwl]

So sick of Annabel - where's Marcus?! :crying:

[Sallydaisy]

*0-15
*15-15
*15-30 Come on Andy!
*30-30

[davech]

Great wall-kicking fun. :)

[Sallydaisy]

3-3 and all to play for now.

[KnightOwl]

Great scrambling defence from Andy, and Nalby's got to be kicking himself for missing that one :big grin:

[JennieF]

Hi everyone, have brought my iPad to my evening duty at the local adult education centre so can keep up with how he's doing! How is he doing?? :-)

[Sallydaisy]

You stooopid commie; Nalby is ahead because it's on serve!!!
:doh:
4-3* final set, Andy to serve and this is a must hold now.


Andy got a code violation for swearing .......
:p

[JennieF]

How come he lost the second set after such a brilliant first??

[Sallydaisy]

How come he lost the second set after such a brilliant first??

Nalbandian woke up and pitched into Andy's game at the back end of the 2nd set.

Andy *40-15.

[KnightOwl]

How come he lost the second set after such a brilliant first??

Nalby playing better, a few errors from Andy - not much in it, but enough for Nalby to take it...

[ljs]

just got back home , thought this would have been over by now !!!!

cmonnn Andy

[Jan]

back from eating. Come on Andy!

[JennieF]

Come on Andy!! Don't lose this first match PLEASE!!!

[KnightOwl]

Ouch! Should have had a BP there...

[Sallydaisy]

Nalbandian holds for 5-4.

Andy must hold now!!!

[Linda]

They are both playing very well - I'd be really enjoying this if I didn't mind who won!

[Jan]

want to feel confident, but don't.

[KnightOwl]

C'mon Andy - really gotta focus now!

[ljs]

Ive been looking forward to the tennis this week , you had better not lose your 1st match Mr Birthday Boy !!!!!!!!

[Bardot]

Anyone know who is commentating on Bet365? Even when Andy was winning the first set it was begrudging but now it's scorn and ridicule. Not one good shot has been complimented but every aspect of Andy's character has been criticised. We get it, you don't like Andy.

[Jan]

finally - the bhdtl

[JennieF]

:hide::hide::hide: hold pleeeeeese - Andeeeee!!

[Jan]

that's more like it - come on

[JennieF]

Tell me what's happening.......no tv!

[Sallydaisy]

Anyone know who is commentating on Bet365? Even when Andy was winning the first set it was begrudging but now it's scorn and ridicule. Not one good shot has been complimented but every aspect of Andy's character has been criticised. We get it, you don't like Andy.
Think it's Barry Cowan and Marcus? Others might recognise them better?

[KnightOwl]

Looking good *40-15 to go 5-5!

[Sallydaisy]

5-5

:phew:

[Jan]

well done Andy - more of the same please!

[SamP]

He's playing pretty well I think, in fact, i'd say he's playing good.

Nalbandian has gone up about 3 gears though from the first set,

Great backhand from Andy! 5-5

[JennieF]

Thanks KnightOwl......keep me posted. The suspense is awful!!!

[ljs]

:cheer::cheer: now Break him !!!

[Jan]

0-15 come on!!

[Bardot]

Think it's Barry Cowan and Marcus? Others might recognise them better?

This isn't Sky, it's one guy (English) on his own.

[KnightOwl]

Think it's Barry Cowan and Marcus? Others might recognise them better?

Really?! Cowan can be pretty negative, but Marcus usually isn't - never heard him commentate either...?

[Jan]

0-30 keep focused Andy

[davech]

A couple of tired shots from Nalby in this game. "little glimmer"

[Linda]

I thought Bet365 usually showed the tennis.tv stream?