PARIS MASTERS 2012 R3: Andy heads home, beaten by Janowicz 5'7, 7'6, 6'2

[Sallydaisy]

Who???

Another player from a DC tie who has gone on to greater things since playing against GBR!
That's who.

Janowicz has done very well since 2009 moving from WR331 to WR69 this week (CH #64 last week) and he's in the 3rd round of the Paris Masters by dint of Qualifying (Tursunov then Serra) and then beating Kohlschreiber and then 13th seed Marin Cilic.

The 21yr old is 6'8" tall (so serves from the trees) and this year has notched up 3 Challenger wins and last week reached the Quarter-Final in Moscow. However, he kicked off this year, when ranked #221, by losing in the QF of a Futures event to David Rice of GBR who was ranked #499.
:doh:

Andy leads their H2H 1-0 by dint of winning their DC encounter 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
Here's hoping for another straight sets win for Muzzah!
:thumbup:

Catch the match not before 13.00hrs UK time (14.00 local).

[jaysee]

Here's the then-18 year old beanpole at the start of his match against Dan Evans in Liverpool827

[Fina]

Good luck Andy. Will be rooting for you!

[Jan]

ooh early - I don't think I'll be in for this match - hope Andy can come through it!

[lynne]

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

[karanga]

Very best of luck, Andy. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Aussie Andy]

Won't be able to follow the match, but good luck all the same, Andy!

[Elenive]

All the best to Andy today! Hopefully will be a nice solid win.

[david1610]

"Here's the then-18 year old beanpole..."

Has he changed his nationality? :)

[Madeline]

I suggest, just his age!

[david1610]

Just tuned in and I saw a trainer..... any worries?
Ah... Jerzy taking some medication.... perhaps has a tweak?

[Sallydaisy]

Just tuned in and I saw a trainer..... any worries?
None. He's waiting for Janowicz not Murray!!!
;)
(there is a doctor in attendance too)

The Pole has just been given Ibuprofen for some unknown pain.
They'll take 30mins to kick in and he's not eaten anything first.

[Sallydaisy]

2 points played and a smile from Andy.
:faint:

[Sallydaisy]

JJ holds finally to 30. I know it's him because he has JJ embroidered on his socks.

Andy to serve next. He got a huge roar from the Paris crowd when he walked on court. They'll like his kit - tres French in white T and navy shorts and perhaps a splidge of gel on his curls?

Allez Muzzah!!!
:swingin:

[david1610]

240 plus km/hr on the serving!!!!

[supergran]

Come on Andy!!!! JJ has quite a serve hasn't he? He won't keep it up!:cauldron:

[Hvala]

Oh Andy has changed his shirt^^ Come on Andy!!!

[Madeline]

I can't see myself ever being a big fan of this lad. I like an ace or two, but it gets boring when it's nearly every service.

[pippadaisy]

I can't see myself ever being a big fan of this lad. I like an ace or two, but it gets boring when it's nearly every service.
me too not fond of a big serve with no chance of play#

[david1610]

Stay focused Andy. To state the obvious, one bad service game by either and that is almost certainly the set.
Very tricky serve to deal with.
C'mon Andy!

PS As regards Jerzy, channelling height and power can create a strong serve and forehand but does not create an all-round tennis player!

[dewster99]

remember this guy from DC before. Serving is ridiculous. % has gotta drop sometime

[david1610]

5-5 Time to show your class Andy. Let's hope Jerzy drops off in his serving a little. C'mon Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

5-5 and some steady work from Andy to hold his serve from 0-30.

No doubt JJ has improved a lot since they last met 3 years ago. The (bean)Pole has honed that serve and he's now thinking through a few points and lining up some dropshots and walloping a few volleys away.

Carlos Ramos looking a bit surprised at the serve speeds.

And that was a JJ dropshot that didn't work 'cos Andy read it and won the point.

Time for Andy to break ..... *15-30

[supergran]

Come onnnnnn Andy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pippadaisy]

wow well done Andy first time jj has had breakpoints in 27 games awesome

[supergran]

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

[david1610]

Perhaps his inexperience catching Jerzy out there. Going for too much on three first serves to the ad court instead of going for 80% getting them in and still thus causing problems even for a returner like Andy. And rather than Andy being the one overusing the drop shot, his opponent perhaps guilty of that.
Now focus. Safe hold.
C'mon Andy!

[pippadaisy]

Gotta hold though come on Andy

[supergran]

Now Andy!!

[supergran]

Oh bother!!! Come on Andy!!!

[pippadaisy]

yep easy osy does the job bide your time

[Madeline]

Little wobble there, but first set in the bag.

[hfwardhouse]

Goodness Janowicz played well in that first set .... well done Andy for holding your nerve and taking it 7-5.

Now, come on and show him who's boss!

Let's go Andy!

[supergran]

:clap::clap::clap: Marcus loves to talk about Andy's temper, attitude etc. He makes me so annoyed.

[david1610]

I think the word is "phew"!
For a couple of moments I thought Andy was going to give him the break back.
Looking at the stats Andy had just 3 UEs in that set but Jerzy had 86% first serve winners with 64% serves in.

All about Andy staying focused and Jerzy's service level. Slightly frustrating as some of Jerzy's shots are very, very weak.

Oh well: C'mon Andy!

[pippadaisy]

goody good kept your cool :thumbup:

[david1610]

1-1 Bit of a demonstration of artistry over brawn there!

[ljs]

just got here , this guy is good i take it .... cmon Andy !!!

[hfwardhouse]

Is it not enough we have to listen to that eejit in the commentary box without them constantly showing his face in that silly advert? :grrr:

[jaysee]

No adverts on tennistv! :thumbup:

[supergran]

What are these two muppets talking about? Animation....have I missed something? Has JJ showed great animation today?

[Madeline]

No adverts on tennistv! :thumbup:
No, but still a bit of an eeejit commentating. He started off by saying it was Andy's first match since the Shanghai final. So who was that playing yesterday, then?

[david1610]

Stay focused. C'mon Andy!

[david1610]

No, but still a bit of an eeejit commentating. He started off by saying it was Andy's first match since the Shanghai final. So who was that playing yesterday, then?
They had the good guys commenting for Berdych and Anderson. I do not know what this guy is called, but he is definitely a level below them!
Now let's get a break please. C'mon Andy!

[ljs]

Ive got Robbie K commentating on my stream.

Have any of you seen Janowicz before ? I havent .

[Madeline]

:boogie:

[pippadaisy]

No 1st time I've seen him too

[david1610]

Wow! That return was unbelievable! Now bring it on home.
C'mon Andy!

PS If Jerzy improves his all round game he is headed for a much higher ranking!

[supergran]

Brilliant Andy!!! But can't stand Bouncy and these flaming adverts as well!!!

[ljs]

beautiful Andy

[supergran]

Go on Andy....show him how it's done.

[Madeline]

Ok, now just HOLD!!!

[david1610]

Two more aces. No coasters please! C'mon Andy!

[ljs]

eeeekkkkkk

[david1610]

This guy serves too well to gift him a break.
Focus. I said focus!
C'mon Andy!

[Madeline]

Oh, Andy, you pudden!

[Sallydaisy]

Oooops!

JJ just broke back after Andy had a match point ... 5-5 in the 2nd set.
All to do for Andy again now.

[pippadaisy]

aaarrrgggghhhhh!!!

[supergran]

Oh drat!!! Come on Andy. Deep breath, focus and sock it to him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pippadaisy]

rats has to hold now

[pippadaisy]

so to a tiebreak we go

[Sallydaisy]

Into a tie-breaker ....... 6-6 2nd set.

JJ serving first - stand well back folks.

[Sallydaisy]

Meanwhile Marray/Hanley have just beaten the Bryans 6'4, 6'7, 10'5.

[david1610]

Eek....0-2
C'mon Andy! Winning in straights is important for next week as well!

[Sallydaisy]

JJ *1-0
2-0* as Andy hits wide ...
2-1*
*2-2 DF from JJ hands back the mini-break
*3-2
4-2* and JJ breaks again.

This could go to 3 sets.

[pippadaisy]

tiebreaks against big servers eeekkkk

[Elenive]

A tiebreak against Janowicz :o Wasn't expecting that when I turned on the livescores :sad:

[supergran]

Come on Andy darling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[david1610]

Interesting that Andy acknowledges the good play rather than beats himself up....
C'mon Andy!

[Elenive]

:shocked: Nice to see Marray and (whoever he's teaming with!) have beaten the Bryans!!!!!

[hfwardhouse]

Oh dearie me .... I've got to go out .... please cheer Andy to victory so I can relax when I get back!

[ljs]

Interesting that Andy acknowledges the good play rather than beats himself up....
C'mon Andy!

yes noticed that thumbs up , nice to see , but this Janowicz is so good , how come ive never even heard of him ??

[Madeline]

Oh Andy. I had plans for this afternoon, after you won. Now it's a third set.

[pippadaisy]

:doh:

[supergran]

:shocked: Nice to see Marray and (whoever he's teaming with!) have beaten the Bryans!!!!! Hanley this time.

[Madeline]

yes noticed that thumbs up , nice to see , but this Janowicz is so good , how come ive never even heard of him ??

Because he hasn't done much before this, I suppose.

[Elenive]

Really need to grab this 3rd set, an early break would do and hold from then on.

[Sallydaisy]

Love hold for Andy: 1-0 in the 3rd set, slight lead at 7'5, 6'7, 1'0

[david1610]

Again pretty obvious but a break and hold to take it to 3-0 would not go amiss before this guy gets even more confident.
C'mon Andy!

[Elenive]

Shame.

[david1610]

Focus please. C'mon Andy!

Too casual. Is he thinking about tanking and preparing for next week? surely not? The competitive Andy would not do that?

[supergran]

Murraycoaster No.? We can cope 'cos we believe. Come on Andy.....time to shut Bouncy up and show JJ who is boss. Come on Champ!!

[Elenive]

Andy, don't let this one slip away........ (!!)

[pippadaisy]

oh no big eek

[Madeline]

Oh dear.

[pippadaisy]

JJ giving his all though some good play there

[Elenive]

Not what we wanted :sofa:

[Elenive]

This guy can serve!

[pippadaisy]

Andy lookin not bothered now?????

[david1610]

Has the knee "gone". When it does Andy often hits into the net....
C'mon Andy!

[supergran]

Andy lookin not bothered now?????I've just tweeted that. Snap!!

[Elenive]

:sofa: Two break points.

[pippadaisy]

JJ on a roll now Andy just falling away

[Elenive]

Oh Dear :sad:

[david1610]

Andy just basically went away in the last fifteen minutes.....
Oh well. Unless there is a freeze in Jerzy's serving or Andy gives an exhibition in returning, this one may be a step too far...

[pippadaisy]

my commies just said hes maybe thinking bigger fish to fry tend to agree

[pippadaisy]

yep Andy defo not bothered

[Elenive]

This guy's serve is unstoppable at the minute...

[Jane]

Just got in - what has happened? Come on Andy:thumbup::thumbup:

[supergran]

I am not at all disappointed or feeling upset. Is that strange, am I strange?

[david1610]

yep Andy defo not bothered
In fairness to Jerzy, nobody would have done much better in that last service game.
How avoid the breadstick. C'mon Andy!

[Elenive]

Meh, least he'll get some free days like Roger/Nole to prep for London :thumbup:

+ Nice little touch with the last two aces!

[lynne]

I am not at all disappointed or feeling upset. Is that strange, am I strange?



Well that makes two of us SG.....:thumbup:

[david1610]

Just got in - what has happened? Come on Andy:thumbup::thumbup:
Andy has been playing somebody serving really really big - 140 miles an hour plus.
He had to work really hard to get a break in the first, which he did, held his serve and won the set.
Same story in the second, though when serving for the match Andy was broken - should really have put the match to bed - and lost the tiebreak.
In the third Andy has looked more lacklustre (thinking about next week?) and Jerzy has served fantastically.

[pippadaisy]

ah well at least you held but JJ gonna come out all guns blazin

[Madeline]

Well, I was hoping for a quick third set so I could get on with some gardening, but this wasn't what I meant.

[pippadaisy]

Well that makes two of us SG.....:thumbup:
that makes three of us then weird isn't it

[Alis]

It seems none of the big boys wanted to be here this week did they?

[ljs]

that makes three of us then weird isn't it

4 of us , think its because he achieved so much this year , couldnt have asked for more !!!!!!

[Elenive]

It seems none of the big boys wanted to be here this week did they?

Shows us how bad the scheduling for the end of the season is doesn't it.

[Sallydaisy]

*sigh*

All over for Andy in Paris in 2012.
Janowicz beats Andy 5'7, 7'6, 6'2

[supergran]

OMG Bouncy is salivating and resorting to hyperbole.

[Elenive]

Nevermind, more time to get ready and fit for London, unlike what happened last year!

[Alis]

I'm actually not sorry he's gone out today - I would have hated for him to lose to Berdych in the quarters.

[david1610]

Congratulations to Jerzy. He served very well and hung in there. We can see how much it meant to him.

Perhaps next week we may consider this a blessing.

And those who need to win the tournament to qualify for the WTFs suddenly have a completely different perspective on the possibility of that now the top seeds are out!

[pippadaisy]

well done JJ that was a good match
dont care that he lost quite happy for jj actually he was so pleased to win wasn't he
rest up for the O2 Andy just like the others are doing

[cazza99]

Sorry Andy lost, but at least he has more time to prepare for London.

[lynne]

No problem Andy............Good Luck for WTF!!!!:thumbup:

[scrapaddict]

Can't decide how much Andy had wanted this win though Jerzy payed some excellent tennis.

All the better to prepare for next week though.

Hope Tsonga is able to qualify as he is such fun to watch

[rk350]

Oh dear, another loss from MP up. Awful habit! Well played Janowicz, but Murray was absent after he lost that MP and second set. I hope he's able to get back to full intensity at the start of London.

Paris is such a disaster of a tournament though, with regards to the schedule. I think since 2008 all but one masters tournament outside of Paris has been won by the top 4. I think this will be 3/5 in Paris! They are surely not going to carry on with this farce next year?!

[pippadaisy]

ha ha think its weird how we are all not dissapointed andy has just lost just shows what a GS and Olympic wins can do for your perspective

[harriet]

but bad habit, losing from matchpoint ahead. there was another day, this summer, when marray won and murray lost.

[jaysee]

He's certainly a lot more than just a beanpole serving machine now! Come on a lot since we saw him in the Davis Cup. Well done, Jerzy, but for Andy it's on to the more important tournament next week.

[pippadaisy]

but bad habit, losing from matchpoint ahead. there was another day, this summer, when marray won and murray lost.
maybe but the other guy had a hand in these losses its not like Andy threw them away

[HenFan]

I have to be honest and say I'd rank this as one of the worst losses of Andy's career...I do genuinely wonder whether once he started going down in the score in the final set whether he turned half his mind towards the WTF - it would've taken a HELL of an effort to come back from that (particularly against such a huge serve) and whilst I'm sure Andy wanted to win the match, I can't imagine that he'd have been particularly inclined to leave it all out on the court given what ended up happening at last year's finals... :)

OK, perhaps it's not a terribly feasible theory, knowing how much Andy despises losing - but honestly, it's the only one I can find right now to explain this result. I am becoming a bit worried about this new tendency of Andy's to lose from match point UP - I'm no expert, but I'd say for fairly certain that it's happened as many times in the last month-and-a-half as it had previously done in the whole of his career! It's something he needs to get a grip on, otherwise all the confidence he gleaned from winning the Olympics and the US Open will get eroded away!! :(

Here's hoping for some good end-of-season wins at the WTF - a title win will solve everything! ;)

Take care... :)

[Sallydaisy]

Well played Janowicz.
:clap:

He had a game plan to back up his serve but it wouldn't have worked if Andy himself hadn't faltered so spectacularly when he had 2 match points in the 2nd set. After that the Pole knew he still had a chance for the match and played to win it.

As for Andy - he's set a bit of a negative trend here.
He had match points against Raonic in Tokyo, Djokovic in Shanghai and now against JJ in Paris.
And went on to lose all 3 matches.
That is NOT good and needs dealing with.

In this particular case it affords him 3 days back in London to prepare for the World Tour Finals.
Let's hope he's really got his game face sorted out by Monday because he'll need it.

[david1610]

Oh dear, another loss from MP up. Awful habit! Well played Janowicz, but Murray was absent after he lost that MP and second set. I hope he's able to get back to full intensity at the start of London.

Paris is such a disaster of a tournament though, with regards to the schedule. I think since 2008 all but one masters tournament outside of Paris has been won by the top 4. I think this will be 3/5 in Paris! They are surely not going to carry on with this farce next year?!
In a strange way it helps the excitement over the race to the WTFs as you can say somebody ranked between 9-12 (or lower, depending on the points distribution in a particular year) has a realistic chance of winning Paris and thus qualifying for O2.
Whether that is ethical...

[patmoren]

Disappointing as he had done so well to get to match point. One more tournament to go then he gets a break. Will have a few more days to prepare for WTF and the crowd supports him there!

[pippadaisy]

I'm sure he will Sally lets not be too dispondent its maybe just end of year thing not too worried as yet
Bring on the WTF

[jaysee]

Those of you on Sky may not have seen, but at the change of ends after he went down a double-break he was certainly cross with himself - the language while he was sitting on the chair was clearly audible on tennistv! I think he did try to fight from that point on, but by then it was too late.

[pippadaisy]

was watching on LSHunter so didn't see Andy get annoyed whilst sitting
did think overall he was getting annoyed but still feel the same better to get some rest and practice b4 next week

[pippadaisy]

is WTF being shown on BBC as haven't seen any ads for it this year
usually there are loads

[rk350]

They're showing afternoon matches until Sunday on BBC2 then the final on Monday evening on BBC3!!

[david1610]

Without wishing to dwell too much on this, years ago I used to keep the stats on Andy's victories over the top ten and the top twenty and the former were always better than the latter. Andy has finally broken through this year at the highest level but what has not followed is a break through in terms of winning more easily against lower ranked players when not playing in GSs. Or, put another way, surprising or relatively surprising results are still continuing.
I take nothing away from Jerzy today - Andy was having to put in a big shift today but perhaps relaxed in sight of the finishing line. As seems to have happened more than once recently.
Hopefully he is aware of this and can rectify it. He certainly seems to be aware of the need to, while being a serious contender in GSs, also take care of the wins and points in Master's tournaments. Time will tell and hopefully next week he will be back to his best.

[pippadaisy]

They're showing afternoon matches until Sunday on BBC2 then the final on Monday evening on BBC3!!
does that mean no evening matches ???
and BBC3 good grief

[jaysee]

BBC have never had the evening matches - they're down to Sky (or tennis tv)

And I suppose at least everybody has BBC3 now that we've all gone digital!

[supergran]

Sky will be showing the matches....usually very good coverage.

[pippadaisy]

BBC have never had the evening matches - they're down to Sky (or tennis tv)

And I suppose at least everybody has BBC3 now that we've all gone digital!
at least i'll be able to record this if they are showing on one channel not like Wimbledon and Olympics where it was jumping back and forward between BBC chanels
and its on bbc i player i just looked

[rouges]

Oh dear, another loss from MP up. Awful habit! Well played Janowicz, but Murray was absent after he lost that MP and second set. I hope he's able to get back to full intensity at the start of London.

Paris is such a disaster of a tournament though, with regards to the schedule. I think since 2008 all but one masters tournament outside of Paris has been won by the top 4. I think this will be 3/5 in Paris! They are surely not going to carry on with this farce next year?!
I read somewhere or heard it from the commies that Bercy is going to be in February in future, I don't know when.

[rouges]

Sky will be showing the matches....usually very good coverage.
Ecept for Bouncy et al

[hfwardhouse]

Oh well .... I saw the score at 5-2 and thought :eek: then I figured Andy was in a hurry to get back to London same as the other guys .... so home it is and onwards and upwards - so long as he brings his good game with him next week please :thumbup:

I'd be awfully pleased if Sky would lose bouncy for the WTF cos if he's there I may be forced to descend from on high (where we're sitting) on the 9th and give him a stern talking to ..... :grrr: ;)

[RoastLamb]

Wow! Shocker. Cannot believe this! :crying:

[karanga]

:crying: :shocked: but onwards and upwards to London. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Jan]

What???? Silly boy. Off to read all about it (but not sure if I reall want to)

[Jan]

Meanwhile Marray/Hanley have just beaten the Bryans 6'4, 6'7, 10'5.

some good news!! well done them :cheer:

[Reef]

Oh no, came in to watch recording - yet AGAIN failing to serve out a match........surely not another monkey on his back?? That's 3 times in a row. What a worry is Murray. Now he has to remember how to close out a match, something he was always so good at....bring on the sports psychologist again. Our boy has a problem and it needs sorting quickly - if not it could be carried through to 2013.....

[clancy]

I agree Andy is on a negative trend right now and he's needs to get it sorted or he could end up a one slam pony; not that that would worry me - I'll always be his biggest fan -but we all know he's capable of so much more.
Personally I've been very disappointed in his form since his two big successes - losing match points in Tokyo, Shanghai and now Paris- I really thought his wins would give him the confidence to serve out matches but he's just gone back to being Mr Inconsistency. Is this reaction, shock at actually getting a GS?? Sorry to sound hard on him but he's disappointed me so much; honestly, ! want him to do great at WTF as much as anyone on here but I've no high hopes - but with our Mr Inconsistency who knows which Andy will come out?? Let's hope we all end the year on a high!

[Alis]

We are such hard critics - with friends like us Andy really doesn't need enemies. Have some faith in our boy - he's delivered the goods and will again. 2013 will be a mega year for Andy I'm sure!

[-J-]

We are such hard critics - with friends like us Andy really doesn't need enemies. Have some faith in our boy - he's delivered the goods and will again. 2013 will be a mega year for Andy I'm sure!whats the we nonsense, dont include me in that ;)

[Alis]

whats the we nonsense, dont include me in that ;)
O.K. I was being generic - some of us then!

[HoopGirl]

Shame he lost - I can understand why he might decide not to fight too hard if it was becoming a struggle
but I still think he needs to win especially when in a leading position. Fundamentally it gives a message that andy is flaky and can be beaten.
Regarding next week - as a standalone tournament - without viewing in the wider context - it makes
complete sense to focus on preparing for next week.

Would love to be on a more level murray roller coaster though!

[JAMES4578]

Whilst I'm certainly disappointed as it seems Andy let the match slip away somewhat we've got to look at the bigger picture as Andy has given us some fabulous moments this year! Admittedly a blow losing to Janowicz but looks like the Pole was inspired. I don't for one minute buy this downward spiral theory,sure Andy can show us great form at the O2 and beyond,silver lining is that he will have more time to prepare.In any case whilst Murray didn't win Shanghai it was a successful week there in the circumstances. I thought Andy would win at least one further tournament after the Us Open and even it it doesn't happen at the WTF it's not the end of the world. With Muzzah there's still bound to be highs and lows but surely far more of the former.

[xenon21]

That was a bit weird but the only thing I can think of is that Andy may have had half a mind of making sure he is fit, healthy and not tired for World Tour Finals

[MurrayAOne]

Oh no, came in to watch recording - yet AGAIN failing to serve out a match........surely not another monkey on his back?? That's 3 times in a row. What a worry is Murray. Now he has to remember how to close out a match, something he was always so good at....bring on the sports psychologist again. Our boy has a problem and it needs sorting quickly - if not it could be carried through to 2013.....

What?!!! Look at his progress since achieving a lifetime's goal. He could so easily have dipped after that. Anyone else might have. He had the fortitude to carry on and be mere points away from winning 'three times in a row'. THAT'S diligence and work ethic and he is to be applauded for it. Our boy has character. That's what our boy has.

[super8]

Ridiculous scheduling decision to have Paris and London back to back.

Frankly, I can't think of any other context to base Andy's defeat than that - irrespective of how well his opponent played.

Delpo, Djoko, Andy out early, Fed not playing. The scheduling has made a mockery of the Paris Masters this year.

The result of this is that a Masters Shield will be won by someone outside of the top 4 for the first time in 2 years.

[Reef]

What?!!! Look at his progress since achieving a lifetime's goal. He could so easily have dipped after that. Anyone else might have. He had the fortitude to carry on and be mere points away from winning 'three times in a row'. THAT'S diligence and work ethic and he is to be applauded for it. Our boy has character. That's what our boy has.

Of course he has character - I'm not arguing with that and I wouldn't be here if I hadn't always (and will continue to be) a massive fan, but it worries me for him , that these complexities in the character of this utterly brilliant, yet complex, sportsman may mean that he could end the season with a string of "near-wins" when he should be still enjoying the best year of his life. We know how he hates to lose and Andy himself is clearly bothered by these last three matches where he couldn't quite close it out, as it's a whole new experience for him, having never previously had a problem getting over the finishing line on such occasions. I felt at the time, against Novak in Shanghai, that it was not his physical health letting him down, but the recent memory of what happened against Raonic and the fear it might happen again, that prevented him from beating Novak - almost a self-fulfilling prophecy if you like. Ever the unconventional and unpredictable, perhaps this is Andy's version of a "dip" though I can hear you all protesting as I type....

I don't doubt he'll turn it round - he's far too intelligent not to realise what's happening and I'm sure he knows it will only take one more similar match that he comes through to do just that. Maybe it's just another of these almost subconscious "challenges" he needs in order to achieve his next goals.

This only my humble opinion from the outside looking in as I would just love to see him end the season on the high he deserves and not have to spend the off-season on a "slightly" negative note by his own high standards, that's all.

Is Lendl going to be at the O2, by the way?

[MurrayAOne]

I respect your opinion of course. But I can only see this year as positive for Andy whatever happens. Of course those near misses bothered him - as you say his standards are high - but to get himself in those positions in the first place after such a momentous win is an excellent response. Also we know he is quick to learn from experience and he'll learn from this too. All good as far as I'm concerned.

[MurrayAOne]

Oh and not sure if Lendl will be at O2. Haven't heard that he will.

[Fina]

Oh and not sure if Lendl will be at O2. Haven't heard that he will.

According to this article in The Independent Lendl is joining him in London for the WTF http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/careless-murray-lets-guard-down-as-finish-line-looms-8274605.html
:)

[david1610]

Taking the bigger picture, if at the beginning of the year you had offered me a Grand Slam and the Singles Gold Medal for Andy and an absolutely rubbish year otherwise, I would have taken it. Yes the three defeats since the USO have all been after having match points, and it is worrying but I would rather it were this way round than Andy had won ten tournaments this year including five Masters, but no GS. That still makes it Andy's best year ever even if there is still work to be done on dealing with tricky opponents who are ranked below him. The monkey now off his back was an extremely large one!

[Reef]

Taking the bigger picture, if at the beginning of the year you had offered me a Grand Slam and the Singles Gold Medal for Andy and an absolutely rubbish year otherwise, I would have taken it. Yes the three defeats since the USO have all been after having match points, and it is worrying but I would rather it were this way round than Andy had won ten tournaments this year including five Masters, but no GS. That still makes it Andy's best year ever even if there is still work to be done on dealing with tricky opponents who are ranked below him. The monkey now off his back was an extremely large one!

Yes of course - you are quite right, David. I admit I am possibly prone to overreaction where Andy is concerned and that may say more about me than it does about him. Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much.:facepalm:

[Linda]

I think that by playing so well, Janowicz gave Andy a golden opportunity to avoid either (a) playing through until Sunday, so placing himself at a serious disadvantage to Fed & Nole at WTF, or (b) losing to a serious rival like Berdych. Andy would have been a fool not to take advantage of that opportunity - and he is certainly no fool.

[clancy]

We're hard on him because we care too much! I'd hoped he would have a really big end to the year (I know, he still might!); all I want for him for 2013 is to see him and Kim happily married.

[Madeline]

I do have a sneaking fear that he may not do too well at the WTF either - but then I am a pessimist by nature! I still worry about his back causing him problems, and they are all so tired by now.

Way back in 2005 when he first came on the tour, on another board there was a "how high will Andy get?" thread. I said I thought top 5 and a slam. He has already fulfilled that and more, so as far as I am concerned, anything from here on in is the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake :clap:

[rimarli]

I have yet to watch this match if I ever do but looking at the stats it was pretty close. This seems to have been the pattern this year
. Lost at Queens, went on to the final at Wimby and then the gold medal. Lost at Cincy went on to win the US Open. He needs this break coming up to regroup after such a tremendous year. I totally agree that I would rather he won what he has this year than win 10 other tournies. I really like Ferrer and would like him to win Paris but if you look at what he has won over the years they only 250 and 500.. Would we like Andy's record to be like this or with fewer titles but much bigger ones?

[Bardot]

There has been this feeling during the week that the longer you last in Paris the more detrimental it is to your chances at the O2. Andy didn't "tank" the 3rd set but rather than fully concentrated on winning there must have been the distraction of thinking, I don't need this and it's only the 3rd round. Also I've been reading about the quirks of the Paris Masters. It's the last Masters not won by 1 of the top 4, it's the last Master where 1 of the top 4 has not made the quarters and the 8 quarter finalists have 2 masters win between them, both at Paris. It needs to find a new date in the calendar quickly.

However what was brilliant about yesterday was the unbelievable reaction of Janowicz on winning. This should be a life changing victory for him and given the success we've enjoyed over the years with Andy it's easy to forget how tough it is for the majority of tennis players on the circuit. His unbridled joy was wonderful to see.

[Alis]

I think that by playing so well, Janowicz gave Andy a golden opportunity to avoid either (a) playing through until Sunday, so placing himself at a serious disadvantage to Fed & Nole at WTF, or (b) losing to a serious rival like Berdych. Andy would have been a fool not to take advantage of that opportunity - and he is certainly no fool.

I think you've nailed it Linda. Andy certainly didn't want to lose this week to any of the guys he would be likely to meet next week nor would he have wanted to play through 'til Sunday. I'm sure Andy knows exactly what he's doing - as do the other top guys. With the big guns gone Ferrer and Tipsy may well see this as their best chance of securing a Masters title and so play through to the end but I wouldn't be surprised to see Tsonga and Berdych go out in the next round.

[supergran]

We all know that Andy is an intelligent player and I agree with the views on this page. He is now practising like Fed. Not sure if Nole is in London yet because of his father's health problems. Just wish Andy the very best of luck.....would love to see him triumph at the 02.

[MurrayAOne]

The monkey now off his back was an extremely large one!

Spot on!