AO R4, match summary: Andy Murray d Gilles Simon 6'3, 6'1, 6'3

[Sallydaisy]

As expected Andy came through his R4 match against Gilles Simon in 3 straight sets.
To describe the win as comfortable or easy would give the wrong impression.
If you didn't see it then you'll save yourself some frustration by not watching on rewind.

Simon came into the match with his energy reserves in some doubt. He'd outlasted compatriot Gael Monfils in a late night epic 5-setter despite severe cramp in both legs and with Monfils squandering several chances to take the match.

Being aware of this, and the 9-1 H2H record held by Murray over the Frenchman, there were many who thought Simon might put up token resistance and if the going got really tough that he'd retire.
The Frenchman had other ideas.

Gilles must have realised his only possible route to a win would be to go on the offensive and try to get as much under his belt in the early part of the match. To begin with his tactic seemed to work; he was hitting great winners past Andy and winning many of the longer rallies, helped to a great extent by a surprising number of errors from the Murray racquet. Unfortunately his effort went unrewarded and as the match wore on his physical state began to deteriorate.

In the 1st set the 2 of them traded early breaks of serve as they worked their way into the match but it was a stuttery start especially from Andy. Eventually he held his own serve to go ahead 3-1 and, despite some spirited play from Gilles, Andy broke again as the Frenchman was serving to stay in the first set.
Andy 6'3 and that's one in the bag.

The 2nd set began as the first did with the pair trading service breaks until a hold for Muzz and 3-1. Going a double-break up Andy served out the set for 6'1 and a 2 set lead.

Into the third set - and props to Gilles Simon for carrying on despite obviously limping at times.
Andy had a chance to break him in the opening game but the Frenchman clung on. Andy's game had gone up a level though and he had a quick hold of serve before breaking Simon whose accuracy began to desert him. Andy to serve at "2-1 ... and an easier hold to 15 put Murray ahead 3-1. We have been here before in this match...
Despite struggling Simon held his serve and then a love hold from Andy gave him a 4-2 lead. After holding again Gilles had massage on his thighs during the 2minute changeover but by then it was pretty clear he'd no prospect of coming back in this match.
Andy broke Simon again in the final game of the match and took it 6'3, 6'1, 6'3.

Props to Gilles Simon for playing when he must have still felt drained from his R3 match.

Andy didn't play stellar tennis but he posted a win and a place in the Quarter-Final. That's what counts at this stage and he has got there without losing a set and averaging just under 2hrs per match.

From now on in he has to really ramp it up and get his A game lined up and that includes against Jeremy Chardy who could provide the first real test for Muzzah at this year's Australian Open.

Link to Andy's Presser (to follow)
Link to Gilles's Presser (to follow)

Match Stats

Andy Murray ........... Gilles Simon






12
Aces
1






62%
1st serves
67%



Double faults
2


32
Winners
21


26
Errors
41


77%
1st serve win %
57%


58%
2nd serve win %
30%


52%
Receiving pts won
30%


8/15
Break points
2/2

[Sallydaisy]

This extract from The Times (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/tennis/article3663484.ece)says it all ...


For the most part, the match had no shape, rhyme or reason, but Andy Murray did what he had to do to put Gilles Simon out of his Australian Open misery and reach the last eight of the tournament without dropping a set.


The world No 3 defeated Simon, whose match-stick legs looked ready to snap at any moment, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 and will meet Jeremy Chardy, a Frenchman who by contrast is in the best shape of his life. The fifth match of this Melbourne odyssey will be nothing like the fourth, unless Chardy is overcome by the occasion.

.....

Vajda said of Djokovic. “And Wawrinka, he was superb.”


That was not a word you would have associated with Murray’s match on Hisense Arena, a stadium in which it is difficult to sustain an atmosphere, for it is so grey and lacking in character. When faced with such a match, between a player who is clearly incapable of playing at his best and an opponent who is not quite sure how he should play against him, we are left with the soulless occasion of this fourth round.



... as do these tweets made during the match.



Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/NeilHarmanTimes) I suspect that Mr Lendl will not be overly impressed with these opening 15 minutes
Murray takes a scrappy first set over Simon 6-3
Murray screaming into his towel after losing serve in second set to Simon. He needs to be wary of the Frenchman who thrives on pace,
Murray now a set and 4-1 to the good. Should ease it from here
Murray leads Simon two sets to love and the Frenchman's thin legs looking less robust by the game.
There's the break in the third for Murrayl. Simon resembling a marionette
Simon beginning to really feel it in the thighs (if you know what I mean)
There are some very very silly shots in this match now. It is almost amateur hour
GSM Murray 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. Funny old game. Jeremy Chardy next in line


Jonathan Overend ‏@5livetennis (https://twitter.com/5livetennis)

12 of the 24 points so far have ended with unforced errors. Only way is up after this low key start.
17 minutes for the first hold of serve. Murray ahead 3-1.
If there has been a single moment of excitement in this match so far, I missed it. Murray wins an underwhelming first set 6-3.
Much better from Murray!! Excellent BP to move 2-0 up, draining Simon's energy before slashing a F winner. The Frenchman on his way out.
All too simple v Simon. AM ahead 6-3 6-1 3-1. It's a non-event and Murray still missing a worrying amount.

[supergran]

I watched and have to agree with your summary and the tweets. So many errors which not reflected in scoreline. I thought at one time Andy should have had the net lowered.
:lol:
Still he won and he can only get better.
:thumbup:

He knows what he has to do and he will just have to do it from now.
:skippy::skippy: