OLYMPICS - SINGLES R2: Andy nobbles Nieminen 6'2, 6'4

[Sallydaisy]

Andy's into R2 of the Olympics tennis event after his 2 sets win over Stan Wawrinka.

Next up is Jarrko Nieminen after the Finnish player came through 6'3, 6'1 against Devvarman after several hours rain delay.

The last time these 2 met, in R2 at Roland Garros, Andy suffered back spasms which severely affected his play early in the first set and he admitted in the post-match interview that at one point he almost gave up. You can read about it all on the match thread but from here (http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/forums/showthread.php?1058-ROLAND-GARROS-R2-Andy-battles-his-back-and-the-Finn-to-win-1-6-6-4-6-1-6-2&p=67367&viewfull=1#post67367) will give you a good idea. There was some controversy afterwards with a few commentators implying that Andy had faked the injury to put the Finn off his game. There's no denying that Jarrko didn't cope with what was happening very well and he certainly didn't take advantage of the many opportunities that came his way as a result of Andy playing below par.

One journalist, Simon Reed, has written the following in his blog (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/simon-reed/federer-favoured-olympic-draw-151822144.html) for Eurosport:

Then you would assume he faces Jarkko Nieminen, who has a score to settle with the Scot after that injury-faking episode at the French Open. That was a quite bizarre performance from Murray, but one which saw him come back to win as the Finn appeared completely bamboozled by his play-acting.But now there is a danger that Nieminen — who surely cannot play any worse than when he capitulated in that match — will use his sense of injustice against Murray, who has to be careful.

Let's hope there are no repercussions! Apart from anything else both Andy and Jarrko are known for their 'sportsmanlike' behaviour!

Andy leads the H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=N289) 4-0 and it's 1-0 on grass with a 3 set victory in 2010 at Wimbledon.
Nieminen, WR#41 (CH13, 2006) is now 31 so this is probably his last Olympics chance.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday 31st July provided the rain doesn't disrupt schedules too much.




Year
Tournament & City
Surface

Round
Winner & Score


2012
Roland Garros (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Roland-Garros.aspx)
France
Clay
R64
Murray, Andy (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Andy-Murray.aspx)
1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=N289#)


2010
Wimbledon (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Wimbledon.aspx)
Great Britain
Grass
R64
Murray, Andy (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Andy-Murray.aspx)
6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=N289#)


2007
ATP Masters Series Paris (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Paris.aspx)
France
Hard
R32
Murray, Andy (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Andy-Murray.aspx)
7-6(5), 6-3 Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=N289#)


2006
ATP Masters Series Canada (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Toronto.aspx)
Toronto, Canada
Hard
Q
Murray, Andy (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Andy-Murray.aspx)
6-4, 6-7(0), 6-3 Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=N289#)

[Aussie Andy]

Love the H2H! Go Andy! So pleased that he beat Stan! :GBsmile::OGwave:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy's match is 2nd on Centre Court tomorrow and follows V.Williams v A.Wozniak.
Allowing the ladies an hour or so we'll probably see Andy around 13.15/13.30.

:GBflag:

[-J-]

Andy's match is 2nd on Centre Court tomorrow and follows V.Williams v A.Wozniak.
Allowing the ladies an hour or so we'll probably see Andy around 13.15/13.30.

:GBflag:1:30? might be able to swing it

[scrapaddict]

So excited for tomorrow - what a brilliant timetable for me to watchon centre court - can't wait!!

[lynne]

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

[Jan]

Will probably miss most of this - I have to take my mum for a hospital appointment.
Good luck Andy!!

[Caro]

I'll miss this - at work .... again! Go Andy!!

[Sallydaisy]

Venus rattling through her R2 singles match v Wozniak and leads 6'1, 4'0.

Andy could be on in 15/20mins time at this rate!

[cazza99]

It should be showing on Sky channel 455 (olympic channel 6)

[cazza99]

Andy is on soon as the previous match has finished.

Come on Andy :cheer:

[Jane]

All the very best of luck, Andy:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:: )

[RoastLamb]

Really hope I can get a ls. Fingers crossed.

[Jan]

ooh great - I'll catch the start of Andy's match!
Come on Andy!!!!:GBflag:

[Sallydaisy]

FREESAT CHANNELS FOR TENNIS:

156 (BBC Olympics 6) Centre Court
157 (BBC Olympics 6) Court One

[rondun]

Just covered centre :(

[Sallydaisy]

Uh oh! They've just pulled the covers over Centre Court.
Not sure if it's precautionary or raining a lot; can only see a couple of brollies up.
:wimbrolly:

[Sallydaisy]

Roof going on so that means they'll not start for about another 20/25 mins whilst they get the air temperature and flow sorted out.

[Madeline]

Looks as though all matches have stopped - unless the scoreboard has stopped working!

[Sallydaisy]

Looks as though all matches have stopped - unless the scoreboard has stopped working!
Rain delay Madeline. Centre Court is all prepped ready for the arrival of the players though.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy time!!!!!
:dance::dance::dance:

Wow! Listen to that crowd!!!

[ljs]

Good Luck to Andy !!!!!! :clap:

[Jan]

Missed them coming onto court.
Have to go to take my mum for hospital appointment in 10mins or so. Video set! Come on Andy!!

[RoastLamb]

Got a good livestream! :yahoo: COME ON ANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Manaus]

Phew haven't missed too much. Great start for Andy. :)

[david1610]

C'mon Andy!
watching on my hols in the UK so for a change have the 'pleasure' of the BBC commies.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy gets an early break!!!
Serving next at *1-0.
And he holds for 2-0 - great start.
:thumbup:

Andy looking good today in a Navy short-sleeved, round-neck t-shirt with red piping round neck and sleeve ends and 'flag' bits back and front. Dark navy shorts and red shoes.

Has everyone found where to watch it?
BBC3
FreeSat 156 (BBC Olympic 6)
Sky 455 (BBC Olympic 6)

[RoastLamb]

Great start! :thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

C'mon Andy!
watching on my hols in the UK so for a change have the 'pleasure' of the BBC commies.
John Lloyd ......
:lol:

Do you also have the pleasure of the rain???

Nieminen holds to love. Andy leads 2-1.

[Sallydaisy]

Murray in a hurry today ......... 4-1 with a double-break.
:thumbup:

The Finn saved 2 break points, despited being foot-faulted again, but Andy produced a great volley to win the game.

[Manaus]

Andy cruising along, 4-1. :cheer:

[RoastLamb]

Did you see those two girls asleep? Unreal!

[david1610]

Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Andy!

[david1610]

John Lloyd ......
:lol:

Do you also have the pleasure of the rain???.
Put it like this, not many people go from Lisbon to Bradford for a summer holiday :)
eek... 15-40. Still a lot of work to do. C'mon Andy!

[ljs]

Did you see those two girls asleep? Unreal!

no , but I saw the 2 with the Murray masks :lol: I have one of those

[Manaus]

Phew, slight wobble at the start but holds in the end. One game away from the set!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy's producing some exception shots out there today!!!

Was *15-30 but he's just into the net so 30-30.

[RoastLamb]

no , but I saw the 2 with the Murray masks :lol: I have one of those

Really? :lol:

[Jane]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

[Sallydaisy]

C'mon Andy !!!!!
:dance::dance::dance:

*0-15, 0-30, *15-30, 30-30 ... 40-30. 6'2 FIRST SET

FIRST SET TO ANDY MURRAY!!!

[Manaus]

Good first set. :yahoo: No problem for Andy.

[RoastLamb]

Just watching Andy out there makes me realize YET AGAIN how lucky we are to have him.

[Manaus]

Awesome rally and Andy gets the early break in the 2nd set! :yahoo:

[cazza99]

Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes

The David Nalbandian/Queen's linesman is on centre service line duty on CC today. No wooden boxes on view so he ought to be safe

[-J-]

2 more games required
cmonnnnnn

[Manaus]

4-2 Andy, nearly there. :)

[-J-]

shot!!

[ljs]

beauty !!!!

[-J-]

one game away

[Manaus]

5-3, one game and the match is in the bag! :cheer:

[-J-]

match point
cmonnnnnn

[-J-]

Andy serving for the match

[ljs]

serve it out Andy :dance:

[RoastLamb]

Come on Andy! I need a PS here.

[-J-]

two match points
cmonnnn

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

6'2, 6'4 and into the 3rd Round - to play Marcos Baghdatis.

https://twitpic.com/show/large/adv0d3

(photo from twitter Muzza in navy blue. :) http://twitpic.com/adv0d (http://t.co/nu8T7Sv8) )

[Jane]

Congratulations, Andy - well done:clap::clap::yahoo::yahoo::dance::dance:

[Manaus]

2MPs!

Edit: And that's the match! Awesome stuff Andy! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

[-J-]

:swingin::clap::swingin::clap:

[RoastLamb]

Ya beauty! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

I want me some of those wrist bands. New not used.

[ljs]

impressive stuff Andy !!!!!! :clap:

[david1610]

Just what the doctor ordered... two straightforward straight set wins so far!

[lynne]

Nice little walk in the park................Well done Andy!!!!!!:thumbup:

[Madeline]

Nicely stress-free :thumbup:

[Genbrit]

Way to wake up in the morning with a stress free Murray win. :yahoo: Now to get ready for work. :GBflag:

[Jan]

Just back home - well done Andy! :cheer::GBflag:
Must try and watch recording later.

[LC the fan]

:clap: :clap: How impressive was that ? He nailed that almost without drawing breath - even John Lloyd was dishing out compliments !

Baggy wont let him get away so easily, but in this mood Andy could take anyone - long may it continue

[-J-]

the thing that struck me today was that awesome crowd, am I the only one disgusted by the normal Wimbledon crowd, that's the kind of support you expect for a home player really showed up the stuffed shirts and designer labels who normally frequent SW 19 at the end of June

[scrapaddict]

It was BRILLIANT today. Andy didn't have to exert himself much but it was a pleasure to watch him play and the crowd was fantastic - wonderful atmosphere and I think I shall be chanting A-N-D-Y in my sleep!!
A definite day to remember. The organisation was first class and all the helpers very pleasant AND helpful. First time I've seen Henman Hill and it has made me want to go to Wimbly proper now.
Laura's match was also great and the support for her was amazing and VERY loud. Think she appreciated it - lots of smiles from her but I don't know how Sharapova felt,; it must have been quite annoying for her with Laura having so much support.

[SamP]

He's playing incredibly well right now.

Whilst he'll constantly continue to improve mentally, I think over the next year, 18 months this might be the peak of his game physically. He's absolutely ripping it right now.

Thats just a plain guess, but tennis players do tend to have a window of pure awesomeness. This could be Andy's time.

He looks like he's having fun too, which is always a bonus.

[Elenive]

Currently in holiday in France, managing to pick up the Wifi when I can... Great result. Comeon Andy!!!

Also Don't want to jinx it but just realised to GRand Slam results this year have gone in a formulaic pattern.
AO: Nole, French: Rafa, Wimby: Fed. (from the start of the year ranked 1st, then 2nd, then 3rd) ... Good prospect for 4th, US Open, Andy :D!