TOKYO 2012 R1: Andy through to R2 beating Karlovic 7'6(7), 6'4

[Sallydaisy]

It's been so long since he played (all of 3 weeks) ... but Andy's title defence in Tokyo begins on Tuesday this week.

We now know that he'll face Lucky Loser Ivo Karloic in R1 after Gael Monfils withdrew and returned to France to visit his knee specialist.

This is going to be a bit of a test for Andy. Not because he can't beat Ivo - he leads their H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=K336) 4-0 - but he's had to acclimatise, regroup after his stunning Grand Slam win 3 weeks ago and reset his face into ATP Tour mode. A change of playing strategy is also needed because Ivo has a vastly different game to Monfils.

However, Andy is a consummate professional and his experiences of playing the big servers with stand him in good stead tomorrow morning.

This might be an 'unlucky' loser match for Karlovic.

It's 3rd up on Centre Court on 2nd October; approx 15.00 local time, 07.00 UK.



Year

Tournament/City
Surface
Round
Winner & Score


2012
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)
7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(4) Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=K336#)


2008
ATP Masters Series Cincinnati (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Cincinnati.aspx)
OH, U.S.A.
Hard
S
Murray, Andy (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Andy-Murray.aspx)
6-4, 6-4 Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=K336#)


2008
ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Indian-Wells.aspx)
CA, U.S.A.
Hard
R32
Murray, Andy (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Andy-Murray.aspx)
7-6(7), 6-7(3), 6-3 Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=K336#)


2007
San Jose (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/San-Jose.aspx)
CA, U.S.A.
Hard
F
Murray, Andy (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Andy-Murray.aspx)
6-7(3), 6-4, 7-6(2) Stats (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=K336#)



The following related to Andy's original opponent, Gael Monfils, who has withdrawn after a recurrence of the knee injury which put him out of action for 4 months earlier this year.


He's not got the easiest of first round matches either. In fact, this time last year this would probably have been a Semi-Final encounter but Gael Monfils has been out of action a lot with injuries and slipped down the rankings.

The pair have met 5 times on the ATPTour. The ATP site is playing up so I can't access the H2H details right now but from an article in the Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Andy-Murray-faces-tough-start-to-defence-of-Japan-Open/articleshow/16611701.cms) today it's 3-2 to Andy who had this to say:
"I have a tough first-round match against Monfils. I played him five times and lost to him a couple of times. He is a great athlete, so that's a tough match to start," said Murray.

"I think a lot of players are at this stage a little bit tired mentally and physically as well. You need to find the best way of managing that for the last couple of months of the year," said Murray.
"I also would like to play well in the tour finals in London. I didn't have the chance to do that last year. It was a very disappointing way to finish the year.
"I want to make sure I'm 100 percent fit for that tournament and try to finish the year well there."

Their match isn't on the OOP for Monday 1st October (neither is his first round doubles match partnering Jamie) so it'll probably be Tuesday before we see him in action.

[AllyB]

Is it really only 3 weeks? :shocked:

[Aussie Andy]

It's been 3 weeks since a Brit won a Grand Slam? Oh the mortification! :faint:

[Madeline]

"I think a lot of players are at this stage a little bit tired mentally and physically as well. You need to find the best way of managing that for the last couple of months of the year," said Murray.
"I also would like to play well in the tour finals in London. I didn't have the chance to do that last year. It was a very disappointing way to finish the year.
"I want to make sure I'm 100 percent fit for that tournament and try to finish the year well there."


And of course the best way to do that is to play Basel/Paris/WTF, three weeks running? Yeah right.

[rouges]

Been away for a while, glad to be back and getting all the news.

[vronhague@gmail.com]

Thanks. Was just trying to find out what time or day Andy's match against Monfils is going to be played.

[Sallydaisy]

Thanks. Was just trying to find out what time or day Andy's match against Monfils is going to be played.
Probably on Tuesday but we'll know when the OOP is up later tomorrow.

Welcome to the forum by the way!
:welcome:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy plays Gael around 07.00 UK time on Tuesday 2nd October.
Their match is 3rd on Centre court where play starts at 11.00 local time, 03.00 UK.
Much depends on how long the other 2 matches take (Stepanek v Raonic and Soeda v Nishikori).

[Madeline]

A poster from Tokyo on another forum says Monfils has withdrawn with a knee injury, and that Andy will play a lucky loser. I'm about to go and look for confirmation!

[Jan]

really?

[Sallydaisy]

It's true - and guess who the Lucky Loser is?

KARLOVIC!!!!!

:doh:


Carole Bouchard ‏@carole_bouchard (https://twitter.com/carole_bouchard)
Ivo Karlovic serait le lucky loser remplaçant Monfils vs Murray
Karlovic is said to be the LL replacing Monfils vs Murray.

Carole Bouchard ‏@carole_bouchard (https://twitter.com/carole_bouchard) Monfils suffering again from the knee, same pain than past months.
Back in France to do new exams and see a specialist. via @romlef (https://twitter.com/romlef)

[Madeline]

I can't get the tournament site to open in English, but it is also being said on MTF. I know you can't believe everything you read on there, but the poster I first mentioned is very reliable, I've "known" her for years and she will be going to the tournament some days so her information is likely to be right.

[Madeline]

I don't mind Karlovic. Even in his younger days, Andy was able to deal with him. Obviously Andy will not be able to afford a slow start, unless he recovers from it very quickly.

[rainy days]

nevermind.

[Jan]

well at least Andy will know what to expect!

[Sallydaisy]

Have edited the first post with H2H details. Andy leads Ivo 4-0 with 3 wins on hard courts in 2007 and 2008 and the most recent win this year at Wimbledon in 4 sets on grass.

Monfils must be well hacked off, he's not long returned after 4 months out.
Sounds as though his career could be in the balance if they can't sort out his knees.


I can't get the tournament site to open in English, but it is also being said on MTF. I know you can't believe everything you read on there, but the poster I first mentioned is very reliable, I've "known" her for years and she will be going to the tournament some days so her information is likely to be right.
I went onto twitter and found a very reliable French journalist tweeting about it so have taken it as confirmation of the information coming via Japan and MTF and other sources.

[xenon21]

Ah, pity about Monfils withdrawing! I like watching him play and would hVe been a fun match. But I remember an Ivo vs Andy match being pretty cool too with Andy even lobbing Dr Ivo lol!

[david1610]

The rest of the year is going to be interesting because Andy's recent comments about not having done well enough in the clay season/Master's to be best player of the year mean he is not oblivious to the need to clock up the points now there is the focus of improving ranking as well as getting GSs.
However, with the "this year I want to be ready for the O2", we might see a couple of tourneys where Andy is saving energy and therefore might be more vulnerable. In other words, we should not panic if Andy has a couple of defeats which might surprise us.
Having said that, I suspect Andy will think he might as well do well in the two Asian tournaments if only to justify the physical investment of flying out there, adjusting to conditions and time zones.
Dr. Ivo needs a lot of concentration and Andy knows that of course. Tricky first rounder though to have to put in that level of concentration.
C'mon Andy!

[JAMES4578]

Shame Monfils has had to pull out, for an opener don't think Karlovic is much easier mind you. Still Andy has a 100% record but some of the encounters have been tricky indeed. Ket's hope Andy has a good serving day and is also on song with the returns.

[Hawkeye]

People may want to reconsider their FTMs!

[Sallydaisy]

Having said that, I suspect Andy will think he might as well do well in the two Asian tournaments if only to justify the physical investment of flying out there, adjusting to conditions and time zones.
Very true - and this week he is defending doubles champion as well. That's 2 lots of 500 points to defend and very crucial to brother Jamie staying in the top 50 dubs rankings.


People may want to reconsider their FTMs!
Tie-break fest ...
:lol:

[pabbers]

Agree with your comments David 1610. Had the same thoughts myself, especially if he has the O2 in his sights as the culmination of a fantastic year. He won't want to overdo things in Asia and risk another injury ahead of London I'd guess.

[Aussie Andy]

Perhaps he will bagel everyone to save energy?

From his interviews I gather he regrets not doing better earlier in the year, so he doesn't need to expend so much effort. Look Andy, we'll take WTF over any Tokyo, Paris, whatever, any time.

[rouges]

Good luck Andy.

[jaysee]

I don't mind Karlovic - I prefer Andy to face someone reasonably challenging, even in a first round! It's the matches that should be "no problem" where he has sometimes gone walkabout - although we can always hope that's in the past for Grand Slam Andy!

I presume this is going to be livescore only, since both Sky and tennistv don't start coverage until Wednesday night/Thursday morning?

[Jan]

Strangely the BBC website is reporting that Andy has "bye" (which would surely be a walkover in the circumstances anyway) - but I'm not convinced!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19778491

" Andy Murray returns to action on Wednesday for the first time since winning the US Open, eager to round off his career-best season on a high.

His Japan Open title defence begins in Tokyo against Slovakia's Lukas Lacko.

The world number three and number one seed received a bye into the second round after French opponent Gael Monfils withdrew with a knee injury. "

[pabbers]

Also says he's playing Wednesday - don't we think it's tomorrow morning??????

[Jan]

Also says he's playing Wednesday - don't we think it's tomorrow morning??????

yes - well, the ATP site is still showing Andy playing Monfils tomorrow morning..............

[pabbers]

yes - well, the ATP site is still showing Andy playing Monfils tomorrow morning..............

:facepalm:......they obviously want to surprise/keep us in suspense!!!

[Mickey]

On Andy's blog on Twitter say he's playing on Wednesday vs Lukas Lacko having been given a bye because of Monfils withdrawal. Think this is correct.

[Alis]

The story about Karlovik must have come from somewhere.

[Mickey]

Info about Wednesday Andy vs L. Lacko also on ESPN site.

[Mickey]

The story about Karlovik must have come from somewhere. Rumors, rumors and damned rumors.

[Sallydaisy]

The story about Karlovik must have come from somewhere.
It was tweeted by a Japanese contact on another forum, by Carole Bouchard of L'Equipe (who has an interest because Monfils is French) and been tweeted by Neil Harman of the Times too.

It's strangely conflicting information that's for sure.
:confused:

[Hawkeye]

Somebody saw LL and jumped to the wrong conclusion???

[JAMES4578]

oh well we'll have to wait a bit longer for Andy to start his campaign and he'll hopefully get off to a good start with Lacko!

[Sallydaisy]

Rumours doing the rounds that the entire ATP Tour is now terrified to play Andy Grand Slam Murray and he's got a Bye to the Final ...
:lol:

[Sallydaisy]

In all seriousness various other forums seems to be taking their cue from the BBC website and assuming it's correct that Andy will play Lacko on Wednesday.

So, I'll start a new thread on the assumption that if he plays Karlovic tomorrow he'll win and meet Lacko in R2.

[cazza99]

Steven ‏@GBtennis

Tokyo ATP Facebook http://on.fb.me/QFg32m says Monfils is out and his replacement to play Andy will be announced on Tuesday morning

Tokyo ctd: .. so AM he should definitely be playing a lucky loser. There may be a question mark over whether it's Ivo, but he is 1st in line

[cazza99]

I guess there is little news as it is the middle of the night over there.

[Sallydaisy]

Folks ... there is more news about this match and I think it's on for tomorrow.

Having an exchange of tweets with Steven on twitter:

Steven ‏@GBtennis (https://twitter.com/GBtennis) 99% certain BBC report is wrong RT @SallyDaisy10is (https://twitter.com/SallyDaisy10is): This is weird.
Nothing official on ATP or Japanese websites. BBC http://bbc.in/QFfXYw (http://t.co/AQPOFRzx)



Tokyo ATP Facebook http://on.fb.me/QFg32m (http://t.co/2v2NPj5r) says Monfils is out and
his replacement to play Andy will be announced on Tuesday morning

Steven ‏@GBtennis (https://twitter.com/GBtennis) Tokyo ctd: .. so AM he should definitely be playing a lucky loser.
There may be a question mark over whether it's Ivo, but he is 1st in line



and from Stu Fraser, Scottish journalist ...

Stuart Fraser ‏@stu_fraser (https://twitter.com/stu_fraser)
@SallyDaisy10is (https://twitter.com/SallyDaisy10is) It's lucky loser Karlovic.



So ....... be there or be square!
:p

[Jan]

So it will be a surprise for us in the morning! Hope Andy gets a bit of notice so he can prepare.

[lynne]

Right everyone so we are still setting our clocks....as I am feeling rather...:barmy: after all this confusion....surely Andy must know who he is playing:rolleyes:.........see you all in the morn..so Andy, whoever you are playing.............


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

[MuzzaMania]

Hello all, I am new here. My name is Connor but I am known here as MuzzaMania. Feel free to add me and I hope to make some new friends here.

When the Tokyo draw first emerged I was quite scared about Andy's half. Reasons for this is that he has the likes of Raonic and what would have been Monfils. And with the tendency to go off the rails a bit after winning his first Grand Slam only three weeks ago that added to my angst. But after hearing the news of Monfil's withdrawal I know feel he can relax in the opening two matches and get back into form ready to conquer Asia. There is obviously the threat in the firs round because Karlovic can sometimes be a nasty customer when his game is on but I am convinced Andy will win in 2 sets :)

[MuzzaMania]

Hi I'm new here.

I think this is an easy match up for Andy despite Karlovic being a tricky player. It's a decent warm up for the week ahead and will probably get Murray back in a rhythm.

[Sallydaisy]

Hello all, I am new here. My name is Connor but I am known here as MuzzaMania. Feel free to add me and I hope to make some new friends here.

When the Tokyo draw first emerged I was quite scared about Andy's half. Reasons for this is that he has the likes of Raonic and what would have been Monfils. And with the tendency to go off the rails a bit after winning his first Grand Slam only three weeks ago that added to my angst. But after hearing the news of Monfil's withdrawal I know feel he can relax in the opening two matches and get back into form ready to conquer Asia. There is obviously the threat in the firs round because Karlovic can sometimes be a nasty customer when his game is on but I am convinced Andy will win in 2 sets :)

Hello Connor and welcome to the forum!
:welcome:

I guess no-one would consider Karlovic an easy R1 opponent but Andy seems to know how to beat him!
There's still some uncertainty about who he'll play though if you check the posts!

Hope you'll join in the chat and banter with us.

[MuzzaMania]

Thanks Sallydaisy. Of course I will banter with you all. Love a good chat about Murray.

[Maza1987]

Welcome muzzamania.

[MuzzaMania]

Thanks Maza1987.

[rainy days]

Does anyone have a stream by any chance?

[patmoren]

Can't find a stream but Tennis TV aren't showing the tournament until Thursday so might be live scores for the first match.

[rainy days]

Yeah, I can't find a stream either. It might be awhile until Nishikori/Soeda finish their match.

[Hawkeye]

Just gone to one set all. No live scoring for me then!

[Sallydaisy]

Nishikori and Soeda are about to start their 3rd set ... at least 40mins before Muzzah is due to play.

[RFS]

Hurrumph not even on Sky ... Grrr

[Hawkeye]

BBC Breakfast this morning had a 3 day old interview and were still claiming he was playing Monfils...

[lynne]

Yes I heard that this morning, Karlo is tweeting though.........



Nah.. I'll hold.. #lockerroomtoilet pic.twitter.com/NuyYFgcn


https://twitter.com/ivokarlovic/status/253008324109426689

[Sallydaisy]

The OOP has been revised and Andy is on it to play Ivo Karlovic today as originally thought.

[JAMES4578]

So Andy is playing Karlovic,hopefully Andy will win the key points and it won't be too tricky this time!

[lynne]

Sally the confusion continues.............from @NeilNarmanTimes..........


So, Andy Murray has a further day off as Gael Monfils withdraws from Tokyo tennis


then 5 mins later....



Murray plays lucky loser @ivokarlovic which is not the best first match after a bit of down time #tokyotennis

[clancy]

Completely confused - why do players sometimes get a bye through injury and sometimes a replacement?? Disgusted with the BBC info - surely they should be more up to date than they've proved to be?

[Sallydaisy]

Completely confused - why do players sometimes get a bye through injury and sometimes a replacement??
I think you're getting confused with the terminology - not helped by the BBC on this occasion.
People don't get bye's if their opponent is injured - that's called a walkover.
People don't get bye's if their opponent withdraws - they play a Lucky Loser.
If a Lucky Loser cannot be found at all (unlikely) the player goes through to R2 on a walkover.

Bye is only used to indicate that some seeds in a draw have been allowed to by-pass R1.
A lot depends on the size of event e.g. in a 32 draw with only 28 spaces the top 4 get Byes.

[Hawkeye]

Andy up on LS just as I'm leaving for work.

[hfwardhouse]

Let's go Andy let's go!!! I'm off to work too :sad:

[Madeline]

Got up and checked that he was actually playing, fed/brushed/cuddled the cat as she demands every morning, now I'm free to follow livescores. I hope Andy's is less depressing than Laura's. . .

[Fina]

What a shambles re communication in the run-up to Andy's first match back. Hope it's not affected his preparation.
I fear Karlovic may come out fired up, feeling he has something to prove after 'footfault-gate' at Wimbly.

Good luck, Andy. Everything's crossed for you. <zen>

[Sallydaisy]

Sally the confusion continues.............from @NeilNarmanTimes..........
then 5 mins later....
Well he may have been listening to the BBC when he wrote the first one and tweeted the 2nd one after several people told him about the revised OOP on the ATP site!!!

[hfwardhouse]

What a shambles re communication in the run-up to Andy's first match back. Hope it's not affected his preparation.
I fear Karlovic may come out fired up, feeling he has something to prove after 'footfault-gate' at Wimbly.

Good luck, Andy. Everything's crossed for you. <zen>

I'm sure the players knew exactly what was happening - the press on the other hand :rolleyes:

[Sallydaisy]

I'm sure the players knew exactly what was happening - the press on the other hand :rolleyes:
I think Hawkeye called it right ...

Somebody saw LL and jumped to the wrong conclusion???

When Monfils withdrew the tennis community spoke/tweeted about Andy playing LL.
Peeps probably looked at R2, saw his next opponent's initials were LL and put 2+2 to make 9.
Once that hit the BBC and/or ESPN (whichever came first) others thought it was pukka.

[patmoren]

Off and away. I have three young men here doing work today so Andys match will be a movable feast. Hairdressers at 10am so he had better get a move on.

[Sallydaisy]

And they're off - Dr Ivo serving first.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy's already onto the 2nd serves; Ivo got to *40-15 but Muzzah has levelled it to deuce.

Ivo holds. Andy to serve at *0-1.

[Jan]

Morning! Looks as though I got here in the nick of time!

Come on Andy!!!

[Jane]

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

[Sallydaisy]

1-1, Ivo to serve next.
2-1 to Ivo after a quick hold.

[rainy days]

Not getting a lot of first serves in atm. But still holding comfortably. 2-2

Ivo to serve.

[Sallydaisy]

2-2. Andy holds to 15.
AM 30% first serves in ... Ivo is on 64%
;)

[rainy days]

I guess that's the difference between a good returner and well... ;)

[rainy days]

Come on Andy. Now would be a good time for a break!

[Sallydaisy]

3-3, an Ace from Muzzah in that game.

[Sallydaisy]

Come on Andy. Now would be a good time for a break!
He got to 40-15* ... then Ivo fired down a couple of Aces and reached AD.
Back to deuce now though.

Ivo holds.
4-3

[rainy days]

Shame, really. Stupid serve of his. lol

Andy's serve seems to be working better now. :thumbup:

Come on, get this one champ!

[Jan]

7 aces already from Dr Ivo!

[Sallydaisy]

5-5 after a love hold from Andy!

7 aces already from Dr Ivo!
And 4 from Andy!!! Ivo has only served one DF so far, Andy none.

As long as Andy holds serve he's alright I think and he knows he'll have to be patient to break down Ivo's game. It must be strange for him being back out on court after all the euphoria of the Grand Slam win.

[Jan]

looking increasingly like tb's this morning!

[jaysee]

I saw 43% first serve in and thought uh-oh... but then I saw 87% of service points (overall) won and thought "so what". Just needed to convert the break points - none in that game from Karlovic however :sofa:

[Madeline]

Andy has been getting more points against the serve than Ivo, so hopefully that will hold true in a tiebreak.

[Sallydaisy]

Karlovic 6'5, and that's now 9 Aces.

looking increasingly like tb's this morning!
Doesn't it just?
Andy first match back so a little rusty probably, Ivo with a 2nd chance to progress and he's got his eye in on serve having played 2 Qualifying matches.

[rainy days]

TB... Come on Andy!

[rainy days]

2-0 Ivo

[jaysee]

More LS nonsense - Ace AM and point to IK :doh:

[Sallydaisy]

6-6 tie-break, Ivo serving first.

0-1* Ivo holds
*0-2 Oh no Andy!
*1-2
2-2* phew, that's the mb back for Muzzah, on serve again.
2-3* Ace from the big man
*3-3 at the change of ends.

[Jan]

time for the :sofa: I think

[Jan]

come on Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

*3-3 at the change of ends.

*3-4 Darn it, Andy broken
3-5*
4-5* DF Ivo, back on serve. Phew.
*5-5
*6-5 Set point to Andy
6-6* at the change of ends

[hfwardhouse]

Yikes, come on Andy!!!!

[Jane]

Yessssssss:clap::clap::clap:

[hfwardhouse]

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

First set to Andy 7-6

[Sallydaisy]

6-6* at the change of ends

6-7* and an Ace for Ivo gives HIM a set point. Careful Andy.
*7-7
*8-7 2nd set point for Muzzah! Come on Andy!
*9-7

:dance:

First set to Andy!

[Jan]

:phew: well done Andy!

[Madeline]

yesssss!!!!

[rainy days]

Andy takes the set. YEEEEES! Very good! YAAAY

[patmoren]

That's a relief. come on Andy one more to go.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy serving first in the 2nd set - that'll help keep the pressure on Ivo.

[jaysee]

:swingin:Phew!:swingin:

Now, how about breaking Ivo's serve nice and early in the 2nd set please, Andy?

[rainy days]

I think that's a brilliant idea. Despite Andy's great TB record lately, I'm not really a fan of those.

[hfwardhouse]

Glad to see Andy's first serve percentage made it above 50 by the end of the set cos when I checked it was below :rolleyes:

COME ON ANDY!!!!

[Sallydaisy]

This is a very long change of ends following a set, it should only be the normal 2mins.
Wonder if either of them has the trainer on???

[Madeline]

Possibly a bathroom break.

[rainy days]

Glad to see Andy's first serve percentage made it above 50 by the end of the set cos when I checked it was below :rolleyes:

COME ON ANDY!!!!

Ivo still only won 6 points on Andy's serve and Andy was never behind in any service game. Not even 0-15.

[Sallydaisy]

1-0 2nd set, Andy holds to 30.

[hfwardhouse]

Ivo still only won 6 points on Andy's serve and Andy was never behind in any service game. Not even 0-15.

That's encouraging then :thumbup:

Come on Andy - let's have a kitkat - I know it's a bit early for chocolate but well I can eat chocolate at any time of the day!

[Sallydaisy]

No need to be alarmed, we all know Andy has niggles from time to time ... and especially since he's just returned to play after 3 weeks for hols/training.
But I had wondered about the long time for the change of ends and here's why.

Chris P ‏@scoobschris (https://twitter.com/scoobschris) @SallyDaisy10is (https://twitter.com/SallyDaisy10is) apparently Andy went off court to get treatment on his lower back. Presume it's just the usual first match niggles.


Sallydaisy ‏@SallyDaisy10is (https://twitter.com/SallyDaisy10is) @scoobschris (https://twitter.com/scoobschris) Thanks! I'm sure you're right.
Must be a strange return to play this time around after the GS win.




bunnypaw ‏@bunny_paw (https://twitter.com/bunny_paw) Murray in the locker room to have treatment presumably on his back?
He was seen holding his back a few times during the 1st set.

[Sallydaisy]

1-1 after Ivo holds.

[Sallydaisy]

2-1. Not hanging around today are they?

[Sallydaisy]

3-2, love hold for Andy.

[jaysee]

The back massage seems to have worked! First serve percentage climbing, and a hold to love. Now where's that chocolate, Andy?

[Sallydaisy]

3-3

[Sallydaisy]

4-3, Ivo serving, a KITKAT would go down well right now.

[Sallydaisy]

4-4 ...

Come on Andy!

[jaysee]

Half chance at 30-30, but then Ivo serves it out again:grrr:

[Sallydaisy]

5-4. Blink and you miss 'em!

[Jan]

Ivo serving to stay in the match

[Madeline]

3 MP! Surely Ivo can't ace them all away!

[hfwardhouse]

:antijinx:

Come on Andy!

[Jane]

Well done, Andy:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

GSM Andy Murray. 7'6(7), 6'4

[hfwardhouse]

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[jaysee]

:yahoo::yahoo:Kitkat at the perfect time!

[Madeline]

YES!!! 1st fence (a very tall fence) safely negotiated.

18 aces for Ivo and still couldn't win a set.

[Jan]

hooray! well done Andy :cheer::cheer:

[lynne]

Well Done Andy!!!!!!:thumbup:



BTW...Good tweeting Sally!!!!:thumbup:

[Alis]

:swingin::swingin::swingin: Great stuff Andy! :dance: :dance: :dance:

[rainy days]

Well done Andy!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Well the serve stats definitely improved!!!
From around 22% first serves in he reached 56%. Other information below.



Andy Murray

Match Stats

Ivo Karlovic



9

Aces

18



0

Double faults

2



56%

1st serve %

64%



88%

1st serve points won

79%



81%

2nd serve points won

54%



0/0

Break points saved

5/6



21%

1st return points won

12%



46%

2nd return points won

19%



72

Total points

60




Match time: 1hr 38min

[lynne]

Andy 4th on Centre tomorrow against Lacko.....I'll leave Sally to work out the time lol!:whistle:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy 4th on Centre tomorrow against Lacko.....I'll leave Sally to work out the time lol!:whistle:
:p

If the matches start at the same time as today i.e. 11.00 local, 03.00 UK then I'd say around 09.00 here for Andy but it does depend on how long the first 3 matches take.

[Madeline]

I'll be sure to miss it - have to take the car for an MOT at 8.30. Traffic at that time of the morning is horrendous, so will have to leave the house about 7.45.

[Fina]

Yay. Great to hear of the win. Well done, Andy :clap:
[Any news of when the doubles match will be played?]

[MuzzaMania]

Very good win for Andy. He seems not to be rattled by increasing attention. The stats look very favourable towards Andy so I'm happy :).

[ChrisMac]

:dance: Well done Andy, great start!!!

[pabbers]

In all seriousness various other forums seems to be taking their cue from the BBC website and assuming it's correct that Andy will play Lacko on Wednesday.

So, I'll start a new thread on the assumption that if he plays Karlovic tomorrow he'll win and meet Lacko in R2.

Well you weren't wrong either way, Sally. Just goes to show you have to come here for the latest info - we were right all along about Andy playing Karlovic today - think someone needs to tweet the Beeb and advise them to take us on on a consultancy basis. Or.......give Sally the reporter's job!

Phew - had live score on but couldn't check but sporadically. Great news he got the win! Not so good about the back - IIRC he had an injection that was only supposed to take him through Wimbly and the Olympics - he got through those and the USO but is it starting to wear off? We need him fit for the O2.

[harriet]

IIRC? what's that? great stats posted by sallydaisy, and tiebreak score,
thanks for all the posts, back to the old days isn't it, following andy on LS.
wish we were still 'official' and rob could have settled the ivo/LL business.
and well done hawkeye, i thought at the time he was spot on about it.

[pabbers]

Sorry - IIRC = if I remember correctly.

[Sallydaisy]

wish we were still 'official' and rob could have settled the ivo/LL business..
Perhaps a missed opportunity for the official website to post a clarification?
Unfortunately, there's currently no results update or any 'match' information given there - just a link (not working) to the Tokyo tournament website. The latter also left things up in the air overnight by not posting anything to confirm who Andy was playing after Monfils withdrew.
It took Steven from BT.net to ferret out the ATP Tokyo Facebook page which said Andy would be playing LL tbc Tuesday. As Hawkeye rightly surmised some people took that to mean Lukas Lacko (and in R2) rather than the tennis term Lucky Loser.

[Jane]

Andy plays Lukas Lacko(SVK) tomorrow - they are fourth on Centre Court, so match will be any time from 9.00am (UK)

Ooops - just noticed a new thread about this:hide::shamed:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy plays Lukas Lacko(SVK) tomorrow - they are third on Centre Court, so match will be any time from 7.00am (UK)
Actually, they're playing 4th on Centre Court - see OOP posted in the main thread and per below from the Lacko match thread:

So, he beat Karlovic and now definitely faces Lukas Lacko tomorrow. The match is 4th on Centre - around 09.00 UK time depending on how long the earlier matches take.

[JAMES4578]

Looked like it was very tight in the first set but Ivo never threatened Andy's delivery. Glad Andy went though in straight sets, hopefully Andy in good form versus Lacko tomorrow.

[patmoren]

He timed it beautifully all ready to go to the hairdressers and waiting for him to get one of the 3 match points!

[ljs]

Yayy , glad hes thru !!!!! playing with confidence !!

[pabbers]

I would say something about Andy and his recent tie break record but then I'd have to.........

:cauldron: