QUEENS R2: Mahut melts Muzzah: 6'3, 6'7(4), 7'6(1)

[Sallydaisy]

Andy starts the defence of his Queens title tomorrow, Wednesday 13th June, 2nd on Centre Court.

He'll play the Frenchman Nicolas Mahut currently WR #65 (CH #40).

Andy has played Nicolas twice before on the Tour, both times on hard courts (Indian Wells in 2007 & Marseille in 2008), and has won both matches in straight sets. Here's the H2H.


(http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=M873)

[Madeline]

And they were before Andy was Andy, if you know what I mean. . . still, Marathon Man is good on grass (didn't he get to the final here one year?) so not the easiest of first matches.

[traveller7]

Could be tricky match for him but hopefully a nice simple 2 setter!

[david1610]

Would love to see the non-clay court Andy we know and love! C'mon Andy!

[JAMES4578]

Not the easiest of matches and Mahut has had some big wins on the grass, but an inform Murray should be too strong for Nico. All the best Andy!

[Jan]

Mahut's a good grass court player - but Andy should be better!

[Jane]

Best of luck, Andy:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::)

[Sallydaisy]

Roddick has just taken the 2nd set so Andy won't be on until nearer 2.30pm.

[david1610]

Andy on next.... hopefully they get them out asap and Andy can do something like 6-2 6-2 and get off after an hour before one of those dark clouds come near....

I am not expecting such as easy match but wishful thinking to avoid problems with rain delays!

[RoastLamb]

They're walking on. Vamos Mooray!

[ljs]

and what a pitiful ovation for Andy

[Mandiemoo]

Afternoon all. Yes, a rousing reception for Andy there......:rolling:

My favourite time of the year, Andy on the green, green grass of home!

[Mandiemoo]

2 bps for Murray gone with the wind there, Mahut wins the 1st game 0-1

[david1610]

Andy had two BPs but great serving from Mahut so do not consider Andy blew them.

Now the key thing. How is Andy going to serve today? C'mon Andy!

[Mandiemoo]

A love service game, Murray wins 1-1

[Mandiemoo]

Good play from both, Murray gets 1 point but Mahut wins 2-1

[Mandiemoo]

Fab stretch at the net from Mahut gets a point, Murray mishits to 30-30 but wins it 2-2

[-J-]

missed first 3 games

[david1610]

mmmm..... would like a break as you never know if Andy will have a walkabout on one of his serve games....

C'mon Andy!

[-J-]

litte glimmer
cmmmon

[Mandiemoo]

Murray wins the battle of aerial tennis on the first point, Mahut DF to bring up deuce. Mahut gets AD 3 times, seals it when Murray goes into the net 3-2

[traveller7]

Comfortable holds so far

[Mandiemoo]

Danger looms as Mahut is at 30, Murray pulls back after sending Mahut around the court. Mahut gets the next point with a dropper but Murray gets deuce with a cross court shot. AD Mahut as Murray wide, Mahut breaks with a cross court forehand of his own 4-2

Serve gone walkabouts for Murray

[david1610]

And that is why the break would have been so useful :( Mahut's shot selection is very good.
C'mon Andy! Break back please!

[Mandiemoo]

Mahut steams to 40-0 & seals with an ace, not so much as a glimpse there. 5-2

[david1610]

Well at least hold and make him serve it out please! C'mon Andy!

[traveller7]

woops whats happened there come on andy

[Mandiemoo]

Murray makes Mahut serve for it 5-3

[Mandiemoo]

Andy slides as he hits an overhead shot & slides about 8 foot but wins the point. at 40-15, mahut with 2 set points, a down the liner from Murray saves 1 but an Ace gets the first set 6-3

[Mandiemoo]

Second Set (Mahut leads 1-

Murray gets the serve working better, gets to 40-15. Mahut hits 2 lovely shots on both side to get Deuce. Mahut playing great tennis, gets 2 break points but Murray wrestles the game to win 0-1

This is going to be tough.

[-J-]

hung on in

[DaveArneRiise]

To be fair Mahut played some excellent tennis in that first set. Playing some real grass court tennis, nice to see to be honest. Confident Andy will bounce back and win this though!

[-J-]

little glimmer

[DaveArneRiise]

BP chance. Cmon!

[-J-]

gifted a chance
bp
cmonnnnnnnnn

[DaveArneRiise]

Time to convert Muzza

[-J-]

kitkat :boogie:

[Mandiemoo]

handy net cord helps Murray to 15-30. DF gets 30-40. Deuce after a Mahut smash. Murray handed the break after Mahut serves into the net twice. 0-2 to Murray.

Lets hit the gas, Muzz!

[DaveArneRiise]

Yeee baby!

[-J-]

is that a drt for life logo on Andy sleeve

[Mandiemoo]

Mahut shakes it off & wins first point. Murray into the net to 15-30. goes long to give Mahut 2 bps. Mahuts nets then an ace equals deuce. Murray dodgy dropper, gives mahut bp. Mahut has the momentum but hits top of net. Mahut nets & its 0-3 to Muzz.

[Mandiemoo]

set 4 sports logo on sleeve i think

[david1610]

That was VERY VERY important. he has consolidated a break. If he had not done so, it would have extended quite a long list and transferred the "breakability" of Andy's serve from clay to grass.

Now double break to make sure. C'mon Andy!

[Mandiemoo]

The Murray we love appears & works his way to 0-30 on Mahut serve. Mahut ace x 2 & great shot selection wins 1-3

[Mandiemoo]

Into the net gives Mahut first point. Mahut plays some good stuff & earns a bp. First serve disappears & Murray goes long to give the break back 2-3

[-J-]

wonder whose bright idea it was to hold a tennis tournament in a morgue :eek:

[traveller7]

3-0 to 3-2 not great come on murray time for some fist pumping and come ons i think to get crowd into the match

[Mandiemoo]

mahut means business, gets 40-0, sealed when Murray nets. 3-3 back on serve.

[traveller7]

I had a feeling this match wouldnt be simple - bang goes my FTM prediction!

[Mandiemoo]

Deuce after a forehand down the line from Mahut. Mahut nets & Murray gets it. 3-4

Not as comfortable as I would like to be watching this.

[david1610]

This is crucial for Andy.... unfortunately his serve is far too vulnerable nowadays. Remember he lost five of his last six service games against Ferrer and was broken five times after breaking himself...

C'mon Andy! Find some aces!

[Mandiemoo]

from 0-40, Vintage murray gets to 40-30 then moonball Murray goes wide & mahut wins 4-4

[-J-]

mahut serving well, be nice if Andy could throw in a more comfortable hold

[-J-]

:eek:

[-J-]

better hold
cmonnnnnnnn

[Mandiemoo]

murray gets to 0-40 on his serve, goes long on next point but seals it with an ace. 4-5 to Murray in second set, Mahut won first set.

[Mandiemoo]

A break here would be wonderful to get the set!

[-J-]

little glimmer
cmonnnnnn

[jamie&andy's fan]

This match is making me nervous !!

[Mandiemoo]

At 30-30, Mahut hits an ace, challenged by Muzz but it was well in. Mahut hits the lines to make it 5-5.

[david1610]

Hang in there!
C'mon Andy!

[-J-]

down to mahut to secure a TB
CMANNNN ANDY

[Mandiemoo]

Murray ace but then nets 15-15. Weak second serve, smashed by mahut at 30-40. Vintage Murray swoops in goes down the line 5-6 to Murray.

The serve is making it difficult, hoping its just first grass match blip

[-J-]

Nice interchange

[Jan]

John Inverdale (I think) has just said that Jez Greene is Andy's physio :doh:

[-J-]

Isnt it johnathan overend

[Mandiemoo]

The sun comes out & great exchange at the net but mahut gets it 15-0. A superb cross court from Murray 30-15. Mahut seals it when Murray return goes wide so Tie breaker for Murray to stay in the match.

[Jan]

Isnt it johnathan overend
ah you could be right - I don't know!

[Mandiemoo]

ace each 1-1

Murray wins a good rally then nets 2-2

murray ace then can't return mahut serve 3-3

[pippadaisy]

I,m a bag of nerves here

[-J-]

Cmon andy 50% 1 from 2

[-J-]

Great point
be greedy now
set point
cmonnnnnnnnnn

[-J-]

Sublime
getinnnnnnnnnn

[Mandiemoo]

signs of life from the crowd at last

Mahut comes forward gets point then Murray hits a good return 4-4

Mahut returns great serve long then the rally of the match with droppers & shots picked up from the feet which Murray wins 6-4

SUMMERS here, great cross court to win second set 7-4 Murray

[KnightOwl]

Two fabulous points to level the match - great stuff :clap:

[Jan]

:phew:
I have to confess I didn't have a huge amount of confidence that Andy would win the tb.

[david1610]

Well done Andy! Phew! In fact, need another one. Phew!
Was it last year at Queens his toughest match was actually the first round?

Now rock solid please. C'mon Andy!

[pippadaisy]

Phew couple of brilliant points from Andy at the crucial time:yahoo: Go Andy thats more like it

[-J-]

Little glimmer
cmonnnnnn

[-J-]

Chances
3 bps
cmonnnnnn

[Golden Lady]

I just knew Andy would win that breaker. His record in winning them must be pretty high, it would be really interesting to know what the win/loss ratio on tiebreakers in the last 12 months was.

[-J-]

GIFTED A KITKAT :boogie:

[Mandiemoo]

Mahut struggles & goes down 0-40. a DF hands Murray an early break in the third set 0-1

I wont break out my kit kat until Murray has won his service game

[-J-]

close it out
cmonnnn

[pippadaisy]

Nooooooooo

[Mandiemoo]

Mahut dusts himself off & plays some great shots to win the first point. Murray nets 30-15. Murray chases down a dropper but nets to give mahut a bp. mahut wide for deuce. Bp is saved but goes long to give another then hands break back by going wide 1-1

sigh.......

[-J-]

ack well best time to drop serves, and its back on serve
cmonnnnnn

[traveller7]

I fancy a kitkat right now

[pippadaisy]

:coaster:

[-J-]

little glimmer
cmonnnnn

[Mandiemoo]

Mahut works Murray this way & that, Lendl is shown looking stern faced, then its Deuce. Murray nets, Mahut long, deuce again. Murray long, Mahut takes it 2-1

[pippadaisy]

Easier hold that time c'mon Andy
I don@t actually like rollercoasters murray or otherwise prefer a nice gentle carousel

[Mandiemoo]

2-2 on serve 3rd set

[Mandiemoo]

Pet & child feeding time at the mandiemoo house so updates a bit difficult. Will do my best.

couple of mishits from Murray but then he comes with a fab shot to get deuce. mahut smashes for AD but goes wide. great return of serve give Murray bp. mishit from murray. Even sterner face from lendl. ace then long from Murray, mahut 3-2 on serve.

[david1610]

C'mon Andy!

[traveller7]

very close this match too close for my liking!

[Mandiemoo]

BBC viewers red button to continue watching

[Mandiemoo]

4-4 in 3rd set on serve

[-J-]

i dont have red button ? silly bbc

[Sallydaisy]

i dont have red button ? silly bbc
Me neither on the laptop ...
:rolleyes:

Anyone got a livestream?

[-J-]

on the bbc website hgere http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18424320

[Mandiemoo]

5-4 in 3rd set on serve. Murray to serve to stay in.

[pippadaisy]

5-4 Mahut

[pippadaisy]

15-0

[pippadaisy]

and Mahut goes for it and 15-15

[Mandiemoo]

15-15, Mahut looking up for it, sofa time

[Mandiemoo]

Mahut finds his sweet spot 30-30

[pippadaisy]

nice serve30-15
30-30

[Mandiemoo]

Mahut nets but then plays a blinding return shot for deuce, help!

[pippadaisy]

40-30 and first serve inthe net
deuce

[pippadaisy]

game Murray phew

[Mandiemoo]

'C'mon' says murray as the return is out Ad Murray

'C'mon says Murray as mahut nets

5-5 final set

[-J-]

getting very tight
cmonnnnnnnnn

[pippadaisy]

these commentators honestly youd think they want Mahut to win

[traveller7]

6-5 me thinks another tiebreak is on the cards

[Mandiemoo]

murray nets to hand mahut a love service game 6-5 final set so Murray is serving to stay in the match & stay in Queens.

[-J-]

6-5 me thinks another tiebreak is on the cardshope so

[pippadaisy]

C'mon Andy

[pippadaisy]

Into a tie break we go after love game for Murray
Go Andy eeek

[Mandiemoo]

A fab love service game & we are tiebreaking again. 6-6 Match TB & some signs of life from the crowd who are not asleep, amazingly enough!

[-J-]

ok andy you know the score
take care of your serve and look for the opportunities
cmonnnnnnnnn

[-J-]

2 from 2 now andy
cmonnnnnn

[traveller7]

3-0 down in tiebreak not good

[pippadaisy]

no no no thats not the way to do it

[Sallydaisy]

Come on Muzzah!!!!!

:swingin::swingin::swingin:

[-J-]

ok andy point at a time first point please
cmonnnnnnnnnn

[Mandiemoo]

mahut serves, takes point then Murray gifts it by going long 2-0 mahut

Murray nets then nets again 4-0 (oh lordy)

[Mandiemoo]

Murray nets 5-0

[-J-]

gotta force him to serve for it andy
cmonnnnnn.

[Sallydaisy]

So, Andy has to come back from *0-5 in the tie-break or go out of Queens in R1; something he's not done since 2006.

[traveller7]

curtains for andy I reckon 6-0 and match points a plenty

[Mandiemoo]

Great return Mahut 6-0

dont think i can watch

[-J-]

its rnd 2 sally

[pippadaisy]

Oh shut up commentators we kno we know

[Mandiemoo]

Ace from murray & a roar from the crowd but is it too little too late

[-J-]

Cmonnnnnnnnn

[david1610]

Comeback starts here?????

[Mandiemoo]

Murray nets & is out. i want to cry

[traveller7]

And thats that GSM Mahaut unbelieveable

[-J-]

Ack well next stop wimbers

[Sallydaisy]

Oh good grief.

[Mandiemoo]

I've just switched the tv off as i know i cannot bear Bouncy castle smugness now. The serve, oh the serve, what has happened to it.

[david1610]

Well the doubles pairing of Vasselin and Mahut got the Andys today.

Service games need to be harder to break. The rest is secondary. You cannot win if you cannot hold.

Perhaps he will get more rest for Wimbledon and the Olympics.
He needs a really kind Wimbly draw especially the last 16 and 8 and, should he get through, needs the other top three player to have had a ten hour marathon QF!

[Mandiemoo]

His Andy Murray Column for the BBC is going to be an interesting read

[JennieF]

Gutted. But well played Marathon Mahut. He's a really nice guy. Best victory of his career he says. And reckons Andy will do well at Wimbledon. Let's say ditto!

[Madeline]

I've just switched the tv off as i know i cannot bear Bouncy castle smugness now. The serve, oh the serve, what has happened to it.

I suspect the back still isn't right. Even his aces didn't seem to have the same bite - I would have liked to see the serve speeds.

Not looking too good for Wimbledon.

[pippadaisy]

Ah well fair play to Mahut played a good game
Dissapointed Andy lost but a good game nonetheless
onwards and upwards I still think work in progress with Llendl and still to reap the benefits

[Madeline]

At least he shouldn't suffer from media over-hype at Wimbledon!

[JennieF]

And so to Jo.

[Bardot]

That miserable, begrudging Queen's audience (they're too silent to be called a crowd) don't deserve Andy so at least he doesn't have to suffer their apathy until next year although on that subject I would forgo his Aegon bonus and give Halle a call.

[traveller7]

Maybe if there is no expectations on murray to win wimby cos of his poor recent performances he will not be so media ambushed and go on to win!

[supergran]

Well, I am in a state of shock. When the sun came out Andy seemed to improve but all credit to Mahut. He served better and really went for Andy and it worked. Andy must feel sick and so disappointed as I do. Let's hope he recovers mentally and get some grass play under his belt before Wimbledon. He certainly didn't seem on song with his service game. Wonder what he'll do now..Exhibition...?:crying::crying:

[pippadaisy]

At least he shouldn't suffer from media over-hype at Wimbledon!
Lets hope so but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one
Maybe Jamie Baker will take out Tsonga Now that would be an upset :battle:

[david1610]

There is no point in being negative about anything else... bouncy castle, the Queen's crowd - unless you need catharsis - because the bottom line is a top player breaks serve and then in nine cases out of ten you expect that top player to then get the set. With Andy it is not even fifty fifty at the moment.

Andy simply needs to learn to serve a set out. That was one of Federer's main reasons for his success. So many GS matches 6-4 6-4 6-4 or thereabouts. Get the break. Ok. Trust the serve. Hold. Don't bother about another break - save energy for the next set, round - because he knew he could trust himself to serve it out no probs.

Never mind all the talk of the forehand, Andy has to find a way of holding serve more confidently, easily and frequently.

[Jan]

congrats to Mahut - from the bits I saw he was definitely the better player.
I've decided to have minimal expectations for Wimbledon. I really don't think Andy moved well today.

[millypops]

I have got tickets for Friday so really dissapointed Andy will not be playing but not surprised I wonder if his back is still playing up and because he was obligated to play at Queens he did a "Rafa" and didn't try too hard, again I think because of all the press coverage about his fitness it wouldn't have been mentioned, I could be wrong but I don't think the result at Queens is anything to judge Wimbledon by well I hope not

[Bardot]

Remember, the way Andy was talking after the French Open it sounded as if he'd decided against playing Queens saying he needed a period of fitness training before Wimbledon/Olympics but there must have been considerable pressure for him to play given his Aegon contract. Well he's fulfilled that and now he gets time to train.

[Golden Lady]

Remember, the way Andy was talking after the French Open it sounded as if he'd decided against playing Queens saying he needed a period of fitness training before Wimbledon/Olympics but there must have been considerable pressure for him to play given his Aegon contract. Well he's fulfilled that and now he gets time to train.

I think this is a positive too and like others have said, I too am not convinced that this loss is relevant to how Andy will perform at Wimbledon. Onwards and upwards, 2 weeks to put in some good work.

[harriet]

sorry that went pearshaped, like the ferrer game, everytime andy got a break he gave it straight back. but i agree, mahut a worthy winner, hope andy won't knock himself out training for the next fortnight, and be exhausted and make his back even worse for wimbly

[pabbers]

Never mind all the talk of the forehand, Andy has to find a way of holding serve more confidently, easily and frequently.

Well we've only been saying that for about the last 3 years..........is anyone listening do you think?


Remember, the way Andy was talking after the French Open it sounded as if he'd decided against playing Queens saying he needed a period of fitness training before Wimbledon/Olympics but there must have been considerable pressure for him to play given his Aegon contract. Well he's fulfilled that and now he gets time to train.

Hope no journos are looking in.......they'd have a field day! ;)

[-J-]

That miserable, begrudging Queen's audience (they're too silent to be called a crowd) don't deserve Andy so at least he doesn't have to suffer their apathy until next year although on that subject I would forgo his Aegon bonus and give Halle a call.:clap::clap::clap:NOTHING O ADD

[DaveArneRiise]

That miserable, begrudging Queen's audience (they're too silent to be called a crowd) don't deserve Andy so at least he doesn't have to suffer their apathy until next year although on that subject I would forgo his Aegon bonus and give Halle a call.

Great post mate, great post. Was just thinking that myself, pathetic support. Most of them too interested in how they look in their ponce outfits.

[banskogirl]

Hi everyone :confused: again! thought I would come on and talk with some people who actually know something about tennis ;) have listened to the hubby since the beginning of the match and when Andy is losing he is always an expert, like Castles really! I was confused, between andy's lack of movement, his nervous moving at the beginning and his serve (pants!) I think he looked really nervous on the surface to begin with and wonder if that is just fear of hurting his back more before Wimbly or is he still sore?

[pabbers]

Maybe he's lost confidence in his body and therefore his game and each loss to a lower ranked player doesn't help either of those things.

Maybe it's time for me to say about Andy what I said about Nole 2 years ago......he'll never win a (another - in Nole's case) GS or another Masters........right, let's see what happens.....give it a few months.

[rouges]

Mahut did play better than Andy and was so aggressive, something Andy has to learn the hard way. He should play Eastbourne to get match practice, I feel his best has come and gone that's all I'm going to say on the subject. I'm glad I watched on Eurosport as I could not bear to hear Bouncy's voice and that Lloydy talking to Sue.

[WimbledonAce]

What a disaster! I know Mahut is dangerous but ??!!

[rondun]

:coaster:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/rondun/amcom/coaster-crash.gif

[Katie]

Andy often doesn't start his Queens campaign playing well, but he doesn't usually have an opponent who is so aggressive in the forecourt with frequent net approaches. Another thing I noticed was Andy being so unsure of his footing - I can't remember him sliding like that before either on grass, very strange. So perhaps a combination of being unsure about his movement plus Mahut playing very good tennis led to this result.

I still think he will do well at Wimbledon though. He's shown so often before that he can go from playing terrible tennis to amazing tennis in the space of a few weeks. He'll obviously be much more motivated too - something which he definitely didn't seem to be today.

[DaveArneRiise]

The uncertainty on his foot movement is perfectly natural. Wouldn't worry about it, just made the transition from clay and the Queens court is very slippery. More matches he plays on grass the more he'll come accustom to it. So perhaps Eastbourne would be a good idea...

[JAMES4578]

Gutted that Andy is out, thought that he would find a way past Mahut even if he was hot. The tiebreak was a bit of blow! Of course Nico is the one of the trickiest oppenents you could face in an opener though and looks like Andy just wasn't in top form and of course the transitition is not always staightforward. Obviously we are disappointed but we shouldn't be too down on Andy, he will have better days! That being said obviously there are areas to work on and it seems the serve was not reliable. I just hope that there is no fitness issue to worry about, sure Murray can bounce back though! Andy will need to consider if would beneficial to play Eastbourne or alternatively one of the exhibition events.

[Nina]

Watched the whole match Can't say that Andy wanted the win here
I just can't understand what he needs for a motivation???

Andy please enjoy your game and don't pay attention opponents, crowed or anything else...

[ChrisMac]

That miserable, begrudging Queen's audience (they're too silent to be called a crowd) don't deserve Andy so at least he doesn't have to suffer their apathy until next year although on that subject I would forgo his Aegon bonus and give Halle a call.

Nice to read that someone was feeling exactly as I was, I have been muttering that to myself untill I came on here and read your post Bardot. There was only ONE guy I heard shouting for Andy most of the match, and I would love to shake his hand. When the camera's were on the crowd they are too interested in the drink in their hand and thinking it's the place to be seen rather on the game of tennis. Let that lot shout for some foreign player. Glad Andy is out, stuff the lot of them!

[HoopGirl]

Am really annoyed witty Andy I have to admit, yet again I have tickets to see him play (sat semis) and he is knocked
Out.

Last time I went all the way to New York to see him and he was out!

He really should have won that - no excuses acceptable here.

[SamP]

I genuinely think he's started to hate tennis.

[Mandiemoo]

A few hours later & I'm still unsure what to think. Not seen any comments from Andy yet, will be interesting to ee what he says. I thought it was a winnable match, they all are but I had confidence that this would be tough but doable without too much difficulty. Mahut played great in parts, good agressive stuff & Andy has lost the serve mojo making him a sitting duck almost as players start to believe he is breakable so his wonderful return of serve game means nothing.

Suddenly, I'm not looking forward to Wimbledon & Olympics as much as I was. We'll know by the end of summer whether Lendl is any good as a coach because he needs to get to the bottom of this & fast.

[Mandiemoo]

I genuinely think he's started to hate tennis.

Wow, a strong statement. Is it more frustration because he hasnt won a grand slam yet?

[traveller7]

I am sure there is an explanation for his performance there usually is.
I think he is still hungry to win a GS as ever, but injuries can get you down. He prob shouldnt have played Queens but thought the practice on grass would do him some good.
I personally dont think Lendl has done anything to improve andys game, infact I think his forehand is weaker than before but I am no tennis expert,just a tennis fan.

[HoopGirl]

That miserable, begrudging Queen's audience (they're too silent to be called a crowd) don't deserve Andy so at least he doesn't have to suffer their apathy until next year although on that subject I would forgo his Aegon bonus and give Halle a call.


Yes I agree they are miserable but I don't think that is anything todo with andy - they were quiet with
James Ward yesterday too.

Regardless of the crowd he should win because he was the top seed there and defending champion!

[banskogirl]

The more I have thought about it the less I think Andy wanted the win. I think he was there rather than pull out, but I don't think he is happy with stretching himself before Wimbledon.

[harriet]

yes, i did think andy was letting the tiebreak go rather tamely. wonder if there is a deep plan here?

[Jan]

the way he walked to the other end immediately when they changed ends in the tb - almost as though he'd conceded defeat.

[banskogirl]

Wouldn't that be great harriet! ssshhhhhhhhhh maybe we should stay shtum!

[supergran]

Great posts girls.....love this mystery element. I won't say a word!:shades::whistle:

[banskogirl]

Great posts girls.....love this mystery element. I won't say a word!:shades::whistle:

yes we need a bright side to look on :) we can have the secret shtum club!! do you think Judy would join??

[pabbers]

Well Wimbledon is over 5 sets and as we know that's a whole different ball game where Andy's concerned (pun fully intended!).

That said, he hasn't looked as comfortable on clay this year as he did last and he definitely didn't look comfortable on the grass today but if you're protecting an injury (even if it's mended - remember the wrist - he was ginger for a while after that about hitting with power) then any risk of jarring or moving awkwardly is bound to affect your freedom of movement IMHO. But he does need to get past this somehow.

[supergran]

Thanks Pat...think you might be on the ball with this assessment.:clap:

[jamie&andy's fan]

Poor Andy :(:( I'm disppointed.

[scrapaddict]

Having watched the match I def. felt that Andy was worried about the surface and therefore more tentative than on other occasions. That said Mahut did play some vg tennis as did Andy but I had a feeling after the first set that he might not win this one.

I have a bet on him to win Wimbly so hope things improve!!

[pabbers]

Let's hope he gets in under the radar at Wimbly - the less prepared he looks and the less he expects of himself then maybe the greater the chance of success.

[Linda]

I've been out all day and evening, so I haven't read any match reports yet (I heard the news on the radio that he'd lost). Just reading back the last couple of pages on here, it sounds like his heart wasn't really in it. But playing two tiebreaks doesn't sound like someone who wasn't trying - and surely he'd have wanted to get at least a couple of matches on grass under his belt before Wimbly? I suppose he might now play a match at Boodles?

[-J-]

Let's hope he gets in under the radar at Wimbly - the less prepared he looks and the less he expects of himself then maybe the greater the chance of success.not a chance, castle et al will build up andy so they can knock him down should he fall short

[RoastLamb]

Having watched the match I def. felt that Andy was worried about the surface and therefore more tentative than on other occasions. That said Mahut did play some vg tennis as did Andy but I had a feeling after the first set that he might not win this one.



He was sliding on it like you would on clay. :shocked:

I think Mahut is a much improved player from a couple of years ago. That epic Wimbly match spurred him on methinks.

[Bardot]

If it's like previous years then next week is the pre-Wimbledon frenzy where Andy meets with all the media and not just the ones who call themselves tennis journalists. Also from twitter, Andy had a pre-arranged interview with Mats Wilander tonight which he kept despite losing. This apparently impressed Mats. I don't know why because it's typical of Andy.

In the interview after the French Open where Andy expressed doubt about playing Queens he also mentioned about Djokovic going into Wimbledon without competing on grass and it didn't do him any harm. I also think it's significant he didn't enter the doubles this year. He knows what he wants to be working on and now he gets the chance to do so.

[Madeline]

Actually he did enter the doubles, with Jamie, who is now playing with Baggy instead. I suspect the back is still not right and he withdrew from doubles because of it, decided to give the singles a go for some practice, but wasn't prepared to go full out and risk further damage.

I know that's not the official line, but we know you can't always believe official lines!

[DaveArneRiise]

Murray will be back to his best for Wimbledon! Get behind him ;)

[MurrayAOne]

Murray will be back to his best for Wimbledon! Get behind him ;)

Always.

[Golden Lady]

Murray will be back to his best for Wimbledon! Get behind him ;)

Great post Dave and I totally agree.

Nice to hear Rusedski saying this morning that everyone should calm down about Andy's loss and he too said he would be back to his best by Wimbledon. He went on to say that had it been best of 5 sets then Andy would have probably found a way through, as that's what the top players do. Don't always agree with Greg but thought he was spot on here.

[pippadaisy]

interesting points made love the conspiracy theories lol
think it,s probably a good thing he went out didn't look animated in
this game except maybe start of second set
any way i read somewhere that nobody who won at queens went on to win
Wimbledon sooo...........
don't know if its true or not

[Madeline]

Not quite, it has happened sometimes, but not very often.

[pippadaisy]

Ah well we can hope

[supergran]

Murray will be back to his best for Wimbledon! Get behind him ;)WE WILL!!! No worries on that score....his loyal fans are always behind him, supporting, cheering and usually going a little bit mental!:excited::excited::cheer::cheer::clap::clap :

[jamie&andy's fan]

Would you rather him win Queens' or Wimbledon? ;)

[traveller7]

No briainer, he will be ok

[ljs]

WE WILL!!! No worries on that score....his loyal fans are always behind him, supporting, cheering and usually going a little bit mental!:excited::excited::cheer::cheer::clap::clap :

" a little bit " ????? :lol:

[Linda]

any way i read somewhere that nobody who won at queens went on to win
Wimbledon

Rafa 2008

[Madeline]

Boris Becker whenever it was. . . there have been some, but not very many.

[Genbrit]

WE WILL!!! No worries on that score....his loyal fans are always behind him, supporting, cheering and usually going a little bit mental!:excited::excited::cheer::cheer::clap::clap :

Definitely, maybe this is his way of flying under the radar. Hope so. Will be supporting him loudly from across the pond!!!!

[Alis]

I've been away for a few days and didn't see the match so interested to hear everyone's take on it. I actually wasn't surprised that Andy didn't win and so wasn't disappointed. I personally think that if it hadn't been Queen's, and Andy hadn't felt so committed to play, he wouldn't have played. To make a fairly good show but go out on a third set tie breaker to a good grass court player is perhaps Andy's way of getting around a tricky situation. It means he has more time to rest his back and work on things he needs to work on.

Interesting that Nadal has gone out in the quarters in Halle just as he did at Queen's last year - I think that tells you everything you need to know about strategic planning! I just hope that by the time Wimbledon comes around Andy's back is sufficiently rested to allow him to serve because IMO that has been his real problem over the clay court season. If you can't rely on your back, you certainly can't serve.

Great to see all the positive support from Andy's fans on this forum though and I totally agree with all that has been said about the crowd at Queen's - lamentable!

[jeannie13]

I've been away for a few days and didn't see the match so interested to hear everyone's take on it. I actually wasn't surprised that Andy didn't win and so wasn't disappointed. I personally think that if it hadn't been Queen's, and Andy hadn't felt so committed to play, he wouldn't have played. To make a fairly good show but go out on a third set tie breaker to a good grass court player is perhaps Andy's way of getting around a tricky situation. It means he has more time to rest his back and work on things he needs to work on.

Interesting that Nadal has gone out in the quarters in Halle just as he did at Queen's last year - I think that tells you everything you need to know about strategic planning! I just hope that by the time Wimbledon comes around Andy's back is sufficiently rested to allow him to serve because IMO that has been his real problem over the clay court season. If you can't rely on your back, you certainly can't serve.

Great to see all the positive support from Andy's fans on this forum though and I totally agree with all that has been said about the crowd at Queen's - lamentable!

You talk a lot of sense, Alis. I'm inclined to agree with what you say about Andy's & Rafa's losses.
Hopefully Andy will be sufficiently rested by Wimbledon!! :thumbup::swingin: