Miami Masters Quarter-Final: Cilic BANG!!! Murray through to the Semi's 6'4, 6'3

[Sallydaisy]

Andy plays Marin Cilic on thursday in a bid to reach the Semi-Final of the Miami Masters.
The pair have met 8 times already with Andy 7-1 H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=C977) against the 24yr old Croatian.

Andy has always managed to work out a way to beat the big servers and hitters and Cilic is no exception. His only win over Murray came at the 2009 US Open R16 in 3 sets; Andy returned the favour (including a 4th set bagel) at the 2012 USO QF 'en-route' to taking the title and his first Grand Slam.

All to play for this week for Andy, perhaps contributing to some nervousness, with the #2 ranking at stake. Nole's exit leaves the top half of the draw wide open for Ferrer, Simon, Haas or Melzer to make the Final.
Let's hope Andy's there too!

He has a day off today and plays Cilic on Thursday - time tbc but this could well be the night match since Andy's now the top ranked player left in the draw and a former Champion here.
Cilic plays in a doubles match this afternoon ...

Andy's H2H against the remaining 7 players:-

7-1 Cilic
4-4 Berdych (4-2 off clay)
4-3 Gasquet (2-2 off clay but the 2 Gasquet wins on hard court were in 2006 and 2007)
6-5 Ferrer (6-1 off clay)
10-1 Simon (Gillou's sole win came on clay at the Rome Masters 2007)
2-1 Haas (not played each other since 2008 when Andy beat him at Wimble, otherwise 1-1 at I/W)
5-0 Melzer (all wins on hard court or grass)

[Caro]

The match I remember was the semis of the AO a few years back when Cilic was playing really well. Andy did well to come through that.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy plays not before 15.00 local time, 19.00 UK time tomorrow against Marin Cilic.

[lynne]

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

[Elenive]

Andy plays not before 15.00 local time, 19.00 UK time tomorrow against Marin Cilic.

Great time for us Brits!

[jaysee]

Looks like Sky have got more clout than the Czech/French broadcasters! Unfortunately I'll have to record it as I'll be at church - the 23.00 match would have suited me better!

[Madeline]

Sigh. Right on hospital visiting time again. I'll have to fiddle about rewinding tennistv.com again. It was much easier to do last year, drat them and their "improvements".

[JAMES4578]

The match I remember was the semis of the AO a few years back when Cilic was playing really well. Andy did well to come through that.

Indeed, though still think the Us Open matches were more memorable, though heartache in both of then. However, at least their 2012 encounter which was also their last meeting ended happily! Hope Andy gets off to a good start this time as obviously Cilic can be an awkward customer.

[david1610]

Well it will give the winner longer to recover.

[Nina]

Well it will give the winner longer to recover.

yeah for Andy
we believe in Andy

Good luck

[patmoren]

Good luck Andy, stay focused and closer to the baseline!

[LC the fan]

I haven't forgotten the agony of that 09 US Open match. Hopefully Andy hasn't either. This is going to be far from a walkover, but we haven't seen Andy at his best yet and I just hope he can come out with it today.

GOOD LUCK ANDY - SEMI AWAITS :clap:

[supergran]

Nervous about this one but hopeful that Andy knows what to do. Good luck!!!!!!!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

[david1610]

yeah for Andy
we believe in Andy

Good luck
We also believe in superstition :)

[pabbers]

We also believe in superstition :)

:cauldron:

[Jane]

The very best of luck, Andy:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[kenny009uk]

Andy has not been at his best but his 2nd gear can see him but other opponents. Andys due a few decent problems and hopefully tonights one of them. That match at the us open will be still be hurting cilic so Andy will need to be careful.

[Linda]

Church not till 8pm tonight. Do I watch the start before I go or will that just make me worry?

[Katie]

Hope Andy raises his level today - he usually does when he's facing a tricky opponent.

[Elenive]

Here we go!

[david1610]

Players on court. Cilic wins toss and decides to serve. Andy asks to change ends.

[Bardot]

How much negativity about Andy could Croft get into one answer. :grrr:

[Sallydaisy]

Petch and Cowie in the commie box.

[david1610]

How much negativity about Andy could Croft get into one answer. :grrr:
Surprisingly, tennis tv seem to have their "Second court" commentator on for Andy. Nothing particularly horrible about him except he thinks commentating is shouting certain words at key moments and a bit of a witterer ... but at least not negative, just... a second court commie.
BPs! Come on Andy!

[banskogirl]

Hi everyone :) glad I can get to watch this although hubby wants it off by nine! Andy can do that!

[david1610]

Mmm.... hope that does not come back to bite him. Cilic was definitely shakey in the first few points and 0-40 was a very good opportunity.

Oh well. Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Andy!

[Elenive]

:sad: No early kitkat

Team Spain just lost their semifinal also :sad:

[banskogirl]

Ok I was thinking this was a stressful first point but it wasn't Andy's serve!

[david1610]

C'mon Andy! Find some aces... ah, the first of many we hope!
BP! C'mon ANdY!

[Sallydaisy]

Jeepers Andy, 4 break points wasted and Marin up 30-0 on your own serve.
Steady the ship please Muzzah.

[banskogirl]

Oh dear...Come on Andy!!!

[david1610]

Drat! 0-2.
Cilic is one of those players where I get nervous when he is in the lead and he starts to get confidence.
Let's try and get it back straightaway. C'mon Andy!

[Elenive]

No, no, no, no, NO that's not how you do it :sad:

[Sallydaisy]

Humph! Cilic now leads 2-0 instead of the other way around.

[Linda]

:sad: No early kitkat

Team Spain just lost their semifinal also :sad: :crying:

When Andy went 40-0 up at the beginning I thought it was a good sign but it seems not - I knew I shouldn't have started to watch this before going out as I will just worry now. :sad:

[banskogirl]

Way to go Andy!! :)

[Sallydaisy]

Andy breaks back and will serve at *1-2.

[david1610]

:crying:

When Andy went 40-0 up at the beginning I thought it was a good sign but it seems not - I knew I shouldn't have started to watch this before going out as I will just worry now. :sad:
At least he is a partial creature of habit, getting 0-40 again but this time breaking for 15.
Let's level the score. C'mon Andy!

[Linda]

That's better! :)

[Jan]

just home - come on Andy!

[Alis]

Neither of them seem particularly comfortable out there at the moment - just hope Andy finds his form quicker than his opponent!

[david1610]

Oh dear. Did the difficult bit.
Oh well. Try again please! C'mon Andy!

[Alis]

Another chance here - c'mon Andy!

[Alis]

Now hold please!

[banskogirl]

It's gone to be a long night..........

[david1610]

Let's play the second half of the set a bit tighter now.
C'mon Andy!

[david1610]

All presents gratefully accepted 3-3
A break would be very nice C'mon Andy!

[banskogirl]

Yes a service game held :)

[david1610]

Think Cilic was very clever there - Andy was really trying to come in on the second serves, and Cilic neutralised it.
Oh well. Still up to our boy. C'mon Andy!

[Alis]

Df - oh dear.

[david1610]

Just felt we saw a little bit more of the real Andy in that game. 5-4.
C'mon Andy!

[Alis]

Let's have a safe hold here please.

[banskogirl]

Aw I love Petch :)

[Hawkeye]

This is not fun.

[banskogirl]

Just felt we saw a little bit more of the real Andy in that game. 5-4.
C'mon Andy!

Yes Andy seems to have arrived!

[Elenive]

come on, just a few more points please

... set point!

[Jane]

Wey-hey - first set to Andy 6-4:clap::clap::clap:

[HoopGirl]

Thanks for the updates - am on holiday and no sky or five live tonight.
Keep the updates coming in - BBC stream very slow!

[Jan]

:cheer::cheer:

[Elenive]

:swingin:

[Alis]

Well done boy - now please find your form.

[JennieF]

Hellooo everyone. What's happening and should I get my laptop out to find a live stream?

[Bardot]

Great going Andy:dance: As tough as granite.

[banskogirl]

Hellooo everyone. What's happening and should I get my laptop out to find a live stream?

Oh yes! Great first set from Andy! Scoreline doesn't explain the breaks of serve though!

[david1610]

BPs Cilic 2/2 Andy 3/9.
Andy not playing lights out tennis, but a bit better at holding than Cilic.
I really hope Andy stays focused at the beginning of the second. If Andy can win the next set (and avoid a murraycoaster) and get off court quickly I think it will make a big difference to the SF tomorrow.
Let's break Cilic at the start. C'mon Andy!

JenniF - boot it up!

[Alis]

Early break - great stuff!

[david1610]

Andy breaks. Cilic perhaps thinking he has to go for too much and not hitting the lines.
Keep it going please. C'mon Andy!

[JennieF]

Thanks banskogirl. Now all I need is a live stream if anyone has one? :flowers:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy gradually taking command now, leading 6'4, 2'0 with Cilic to serve next.

[david1610]

Andy is doing a very good job of making Cilic look inconsistent and rather... ordinary. I was a bit worred before the match because I saw some of Cilic and Tsonga and Cilic was very consistent.
Would love a double break just to make sure.
C'mon Andy!

[JennieF]

Is there a livestream please?? Im getting frustrated here!!

[david1610]

Is there a livestream please?? Im getting frustrated here!!
I am watching on tennistv but there is normally one on lshunter.tv
C'mon Andy!

[Alis]

C'mon - easy hold here.

[Hawkeye]

http://lsh.streamhunter.eu/static/popups/142180965338150.html

[supergran]

Come on Andy!!

[Elenive]

Just keep holding!

[JAMES4578]

Andy stepping it up even if not his best tennis, whilst Cilic is faltering possibly thinking of the missed opportunities. Has to be said the start of the match was worrying but if Andy can now come through in straights should gain confidence for the semis.

[david1610]

Andy cross-court forehand... purrrrrr!

[JennieF]

http://lsh.streamhunter.eu/static/popups/142180965338150.html
Brilliant! Thanks Hawkeye! x

[Alis]

We need a hold here though.

[david1610]

30-30. Cilic seems to be hitting much harder, going for broke?
C'mon Andy!

[JennieF]

Oh Lordy. See what happens as soon as I start watching.

[david1610]

Andy got a time violation warning there!

[JennieF]

Come on Andeeee!!

[Alis]

C'mon Andy -don't let him back in.

[david1610]

Critical five-ten minutes. Cilic absolutely going for Andy's second serve there. C'mon Andy!

[banskogirl]

Sorry JennieF my stream is making everything else have time delay! Was too slow at reading your request for a stream ;)

[Elenive]

Oh no! :sofa:

Come on Andy HOLD!!!!

[Alis]

C'mon!!!!!!

[JennieF]

Nail biting.

[Sallydaisy]

That netcord is British ...

[Alis]

This game is becoming very important.

[david1610]

Would love an ace now. C'mon Andy!

[JennieF]

Sorry JennieF my stream is making everything else have time delay! Was too slow at reading your request for a stream ;)
No worries! :thumbup:Got one now. My word Cilic is giving Andy a hard time. C'mon Andy!!!

[Elenive]

Man, this game minds me of the final game of the Simon/Tipsy match, Simon needed a surplus of match points to finally win that game...

[Alis]

Phew!

[JennieF]

Yessss!

[Bardot]

Gutsy hold Andy:thumbup:

[david1610]

Phew! I think I will say that again. Phew!
Now both are tired so push on and try and get that double break and some breathing space.
C'mon Andy!

[banskogirl]

Yes an important point to win :)

[supergran]

Keep it up Andy!!! COME ON!!!

[Elenive]

Just 3 more now! 3 Holds, 2 Holds and a break, 2 breaks and a hold - don't mind which as long as it's one of them!

[Elenive]

BP!

[Sallydaisy]

Great shot down the line from Andy, really 'threaded the needle' ...

[Hawkeye]

Andy's first serve percentage down at 57%.

[JAMES4578]

What a relief, Andy finally holds after around 15 minutes, come on! Know he is sometimes criticised for droppers but one came at an opportune time. Post a bit late as lost connection! Pity Andy couldn't break again there but hopefully still in the driving seat.

[david1610]

I am glad Cilic has not served like that all the way through the match!
C'mon Andy!

[Elenive]

Andy's first serve percentage down at 57%.

Points won on his second serve have improved in this set to the first though (just about anyway: 4/11 for Set 1, 6/11 for Set 2)

[HoopGirl]

What's the score?

[Elenive]

Andy: 6-4 3-2, Andy serving

[supergran]

6-4 3-2 Andy serving

[supergran]

3-2 40 15

[supergran]

4-2 Go Andy!!!

[HoopGirl]

Thanks!

[Alis]

A break here would be very fortuitous.

[Alis]

Fantastic - now an easy hold for the match.

[david1610]

What a contrast in Cilic compared to the last service game!
Oh well.
Still some work to be done. Serve it out please! C'mon Andy!

[supergran]

5-2!! Go Andy.....all the way!!

[Bardot]

How good has Andy's return of serve been? Amazing how he gets the serves out wide back.

[banskogirl]

How a few points make the breathing much easier!

[JAMES4578]

Poor game from Cilic there and Andy surely home. Doesn't look like anyone's going to get a PS this time though.

[Elenive]

Looking very good for Andy now!

[Caro]

Hi everyone! Looking good .... :big grin:

[JennieF]

Is that right? Andy could be No 2 in the world??

[Alis]

C'mon Andy - don't give him any hope!

[Caro]

Is that right? Andy could be No 2 in the world??

Yes if he wins the tournament

[JAMES4578]

Is that right? Andy could be No 2 in the world??

Yes he will be if he wins the tournament. Petch going about Nadal being no 5 and a possible quarter final opponent in events when he is currently 4th!

[Alis]

C'mon!!!!!

[Caro]

C'mon Andy, don't let him get a break back!

[supergran]

Is that right? Andy could be No 2 in the world??If he wins this match and then the tournament.:lol:

[Alis]

Match point!

[supergran]

Oh hell!!!

[Caro]

What a point!!

[Caro]

As you say SG, oh hell!!

[JAMES4578]

Looked like Andy was on the verge of victory but now another bp!

[Caro]

Nnnoooo!!!!

[JennieF]

Got to wait a bit longer!

[david1610]

Oh well. I suppose that is what double breaks are for.
But do it now please. C'mon Andy!

[Alis]

Oh Andy! Well done Cilic.

[banskogirl]

Come on Andy!! Break and finish!

[JAMES4578]

Cilic really went for it and was rewarded, surely Andy still has a big enough lead to come through in straights.

[Hawkeye]

The winner will play at 7pm GMT again tomorrow.

OOP. (http://www.sonyopentennis.com/Schedules/Live-OOP.aspx)

[Elenive]

Yes he will be if he wins the tournament. Petch going about Nadal being no 5 and a possible quarter final opponent in events when he is currently 4th!

Yeah, I was looking into that earlier - Rafa is back at no.5 after this tourny since he will lose the 360 points he got from reaching the semies in Miami last year and Ferrer only got to quarters last year so he will gain 180 points or more if he beats Haas. Actually, if Berdych wins the tourny (no, no, no we don't want that!) then Rafa will be No. 6. Looking ahead to the French seedings, for Rafa to get back to No. 4 before then will mean he will have to win Monte Carlo and Rome, and then so well in Madrid (he only got 90 in Madrid last year... so a possible semi would maybe overtake Ferrer to put him back to No. 4, but still very doubtful as Ferrer didn't score too highly in the clay court season and he has some points to gain too). It's a tough ask for Rafa to get to No. 4 ready for the French, although he will know this and I read something from Boris Becker that Rafa will be thinking nothing but Clay and readying himself hard to make sure he wins these crucial events.

[david1610]

Please take this MP!
C'mon Andy!
Edit: Andrew Murray. This time please!

[Caro]

The winner will play at 7pm GMT again tomorrow.

OOP. (http://www.sonyopentennis.com/Schedules/Live-OOP.aspx)

Nnooo!! I am out tomorrow, was hoping for the late match.... Oh well Andy has to win this first

[Caro]

And still we wait ....

[JennieF]

Oh my goodness. Cilic fighting hard!

[supergran]

Now

[HoopGirl]

What's the score??

[david1610]

The winner will play at 7pm GMT again tomorrow.

OOP. (http://www.sonyopentennis.com/Schedules/Live-OOP.aspx)
Well they have Haas at 3 p.m. on the main court and, if he gets through, Haas playing doubles at 4:00 p.m. on the other court!

[Elenive]

6-4 5-3, Cilic serving (Adv to Andy)

[Caro]

Come on Andy, has to be this time surely

[JennieF]

The time Andy!!!

[Jane]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:Andy wins 6-4, 6-3 - well done:clap::clap::clap:

[Alis]

Yay!!!!!:boogie::boogie::boogie:

[Sallydaisy]

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

6'4, 6'3 and Andy is through to the Semi-Final in Miami.

[cazza99]

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Caro]

At last :cheer::cheer::cheer:

[JennieF]

Yes. Yes. Yes. !!!!!:dance::dance::dance:

[HoopGirl]

Hurrah!!
Thanks for the scores folks!

[ljs]

woohoo well done Andy !!!!!

[Elenive]

Hasn't lost a set yet, maybe he can take the title without losing a set :thumbup:

[david1610]

Great! Well done Andy. You have made the no. 11 and no. 19 ranked players look rather ordinary apart from the odd game.

[ljs]

trying to figure out what he wrote on the camera :rolling:

[banskogirl]

:dance: Woohoo Go Andy :)

[Jan]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

[Caro]

Am out tomorrow night then away visiting family for the weekend so will miss the rest if Miami :crying::crying: will have to be live scores for me ....

Hang on a minute sky saying they don't know what time Andy will play tomorrow ..... Hope it's 11

[supergran]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::cheer::cheer::cheer: It's serving for the match not breaking for the match. Just thought I'd mention Andy.:dance::dance:

[Bardot]

Brilliant win Andy!:yahoo: A tough match but he always had an answer to Cilic. :boogie:

"Hoots mon" on the camera?

[lynne]

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

[Sallydaisy]

Brilliant win Andy!:yahoo: A tough match but he always had an answer to Cilic. :boogie:

"Hoots mon" on the camera?
I thought it might be 'tout suite' but 'hoots mon' makes far more sense!

[banskogirl]

Oh I thought I would miss the semi! I go to Killarney early Saturday morning and thought the final would be Saturday.......yeah!

[JAMES4578]

Yeah, I was looking into that earlier - Rafa is back at no.5 after this tourny since he will lose the 360 points he got from reaching the semies in Miami last year and Ferrer only got to quarters last year so he will gain 180 points or more if he beats Haas. Actually, if Berdych wins the tourny (no, no, no we don't want that!) then Rafa will be No. 6. Looking ahead to the French seedings, for Rafa to get back to No. 4 before then will mean he will have to win Monte Carlo and Rome, and then so well in Madrid (he only got 90 in Madrid last year... so a possible semi would maybe overtake Ferrer to put him back to No. 4, but still very doubtful as Ferrer didn't score too highly in the clay court season and he has some points to gain too). It's a tough ask for Rafa to get to No. 4 ready for the French, although he will know this and I read something from Boris Becker that Rafa will be thinking nothing but Clay and readying himself hard to make sure he wins these crucial events.

Yeah realised I had slipped up there,whilst Rafa could get back to 4th for the French may be a tall order. Tough game but Andy finally wins,well done!:cheer::cheer::cheer::boogie: Pity you just missed out on a PS though.

[Jan]

off to visit our son tomorrow, so might not see any more of Miami...........

[Bardot]

I thought it might be 'tout suite' but 'hoots mon' makes far more sense!
Apart from the fact "hoots mon" doesn't make any sense. :big grin:

[patmoren]

Andy keeps winning in straight sets but I feel as though I have been through the wringer. Well done Andy semis await.

[ljs]

Apart from the fact "hoots mon" doesn't make any sense. :big grin:

means " hey man " or something like that

Im sad , I just had to look it up :rolling:

[Elenive]

Yeah realised I had slipped up there,whilst Rafa could get back to 4th for the French may be a tall order. Tough game but Andy finally wins,well done!:cheer::cheer::cheer::boogie: Pity you just missed out on a PS though.

So close, yet so far! Oh well, least we both got the first set right, and Cilic breaking Andy back at 5-2 making the final scoreline 6-3 gives ljs an extra point too so we did quite well really!

[JennieF]

Apart from the fact "hoots mon" doesn't make any sense. :big grin:
Hoots mon.....is a well known Scottish phrase!

[Hawkeye]

It's a braw bricht moonlicht nicht.

[Reef]

: It's serving for the match not breaking for the match. Just thought I'd mention Andy.:dance::dance:

Agreed, well done Andy but PLEASE work on serving it out - makes life a lot easier!;):thumbup:

[banskogirl]

Ok guys I'm off. See you all tomorrow night! :) Guid nicht!

[Bardot]

Andy gives such complete answers when interviewed, more than the likes of Marcus Buckland deserves.

"If I wanted to get to #2 I could play Houston, Munich, Barcelona....." Oh please Andy do. ;)

[JennieF]

'There's a moose (mouse) loose aboot the hoose (house)'

[david1610]

Andy gives such complete answers when interviewed, more than the likes of Marcus Buckland deserves.

"If I wanted to get to #2 I could play Houston, Munich, Barcelona....." Oh please Andy do. ;)
Don't stop there. Estor.... you know, that place in Portugal!

Pleased with the last two matches. Sometimes Andy wins and sometimes loses and sometimes his opponent wins or loses, and the last two have definitely been because of Andy winning.

Gasquest and Berdych. Minimum of three sets, preferably long tie breaks in each please!

[pabbers]

Great win! Bit nervous about the next one though whoever it is. Let's hope the GEM and Berdy run each other ragged.

As for what he wrote, I feel sure it was 'toot bon', as in 'tout bon' - 'all good'. Maybe he's anticipating Gasquet next.

[ljs]

all good , i like that !!!

[LC the fan]

Still think we haven't seen the ideal Andy yet. He has done enough
to win, thought about it and played clever when necessary but in the whole match there were probably only half a dozen '.great ' shots. I believe he is gradually coming up to his better play but what a pleasure it is to see him winning when slightly under par. Well done Andy, a convincing win....hopefully still with a bit in the tank

[Elenive]

Still think we haven't seen the ideal Andy yet. He has done enough
to win, thought about it and played clever when necessary but in the whole match there were probably only half a dozen '.great ' shots. I believe he is gradually coming up to his better play but what a pleasure it is to see him winning when slightly under par. Well done Andy, a convincing win....hopefully still with a bit in the tank

I was thinking that, he tends to look quite average (in comparison to his awesome form that is) in earlier rounds and then releases his best form only when he needs to, I guess to save energy. I can't remember him being all that good at doing that before, maybe it is something Lendl as taught him, or is it just coincidence?

[Linda]

Excellent news to come home to! :cheer:

[david1610]

I was thinking that, he tends to look quite average (in comparison to his awesome form that is) in earlier rounds and then releases his best form only when he needs to, I guess to save energy. I can't remember him being all that good at doing that before, maybe it is something Lendl as taught him, or is it just coincidence?
I think Andy's game is some ways has changed quite a lot under Lendl and I am not sure I can fully read how well he is playing because the style of play, whilst perhaps more effective, is not necessarily as creatively different from other players as his previous style was.

What has perhaps stayed the same is that his opponents get broken down. Perhaps he has gone from bedazzling to frazzling.

Both Seppi and Cilic got as far as they did due to being pretty consistent. Watching Cilic today was like seeing a different player to the one against Tsonga, or Seppi against Belluci. Andy made them so inconsistent.

What I did feel watching today is confidence in Andy's rallying. He was very consistent today and not hitting too many UEs unless he was not really in position to make his strokes.

I do not know as much about tennis as many on this forum but in his heyday I used to watch Roger glide through rounds of tournaments and get to the SFs, Fs without seeming to do very much (noticeable serving consistency apart) and wonder how he did that, whether his opponents were just in awe of him. What he was doing was just enough. Perhaps Andy is starting to fine tune this.

What is noticeable is how the forehand has taken over so much from the backhand.
It has also been noticeable that he is trying to come to the net more, but a few times has come in too soon, with approach shots that are not penetrating enough to set him up for the point.

Now whether this style of play is more enjoyable to watch or not might be a very interesting discussion to have sometime!

[Linda]

I suppose Andy is doing what Fed and Rafa have always done, that is conserve their best tennis for the end of the tournament - they are both often playing well below their best in the first rounds. I suppose Lendl has taught him to do that and it's the right thing to do. Although, as I think you're saying in your last sentence, it would be more enjoyable to watch Andy (or anyone else) playing their best rather than doing 'just enough'. However he's not only there to entertain us - he's there to win tournaments.

[ljs]

I was thinking that, he tends to look quite average (in comparison to his awesome form that is) in earlier rounds and then releases his best form only when he needs to, I guess to save energy. I can't remember him being all that good at doing that before, maybe it is something Lendl as taught him, or is it just coincidence?

I dont think its coincidence

[LC the fan]

I do miss those 'magic' backhand shots down the line. Haven't seen one in the last couple of tournies. Andy seems to favour going cross court -with pretty good effect but I loved that adrenalin rush that always followed. I suppose he has stopped flamboyancy for consistency. If it proves to be a winner.....well, do we care ??

[Elenive]

Great answer david. Interesting comparison with how Federer conserved his energy years ago for the important matches. I do agree that for Federer his advantage even before the match was of his reputation and form intimidated the other players, with Andy although that is there I would argue that it is definitely not as strong since Andy has proven that he can be beaten, whereas Federer at that time didn't have Nole or Rafa coming after him, even Potty, as Andy does today. Also I think Andy, although having put this conserving energy tactic in action for a while, is only starting to really take control of it and effectively gage his opponent's form (obivously from the court, but also now he's been around quite a while he will know the other player's form/abilities well) and therefore set his game pace just a little above theres, and then obviously if it rises he will rise his higher

In terms of whether these matches are enjoyable or not I agree with Linda, he is playing to win the trophy, not to make exciting or even 'artistic' tennis. However by playing in a boring to watch style he is conserving his energy for when he collides with one of the top guys, THEN we will see the awesome tennis. So really he is doing us a favour by playing in this boring style because it means he will be able to play better and show a better performance to us when he gets to the big matches, if he played amazing tennis in the opening rounds, yes it would be fun to watch but his opponents wouldn't be able to match this like the other top guys would. Although we sometimes get exciting early round matches, it is all about the latter rounds for the awesome tennis, and in that view it is a shame Haas knocked out Nole, but then again in the view of Andy winning it is great ;)

[MurrayAOne]

bedazzling to frazzling

A good phrase to use. Something temporary about 'bedazzling'. Something permanent about 'frazzling'....let's go with the frazzle.

[MurrayAOne]

Now whether this style of play is more enjoyable to watch or not might be a very interesting discussion to have sometime!

It would indeed! There is, however, something about the way Andy plays that I always find enjoyable regardless of the means with which he gains a win, so that would always be my standpoint! I really enjoyed tonight's match. As you say Andy's rallying was consistent. I enjoy this style of play because he is more in control. The flair is still there though and always will be.

[Sallydaisy]

The winner will play at 7pm GMT again tomorrow.

OOP. (http://www.sonyopentennis.com/Schedules/Live-OOP.aspx)
Aaaah, that is in local time not GMT.
Andy v Dicky or Birdy is at 19.00 local which is 23.00 UK time.

Friday, March 29, 2013STADIUM Start 12:45 pm (16.45 UK time)







[1] Sara Errani (ITA)

Roberta Vinci (ITA)
v


[WC] Lisa Raymond (USA)
Laura Robson (GBR)
WTA




Not Before 15:00 (19.00 UK time)





[15] Tommy Haas (GER)
v


[3] David Ferrer (ESP)
ATP




Not Before 19:00 (23.00 UK time)





Richard Gasquet (FRA) OR Tomas Berdych (CZE)
v


[2] Andy Murray (GBR)

ATP

[Hawkeye]

Brain freeze!

[JAMES4578]

I think Andy's game is some ways has changed quite a lot under Lendl and I am not sure I can fully read how well he is playing because the style of play, whilst perhaps more effective, is not necessarily as creatively different from other players as his previous style was.

What has perhaps stayed the same is that his opponents get broken down. Perhaps he has gone from bedazzling to frazzling.

Both Seppi and Cilic got as far as they did due to being pretty consistent. Watching Cilic today was like seeing a different player to the one against Tsonga, or Seppi against Belluci. Andy made them so inconsistent.

What I did feel watching today is confidence in Andy's rallying. He was very consistent today and not hitting too many UEs unless he was not really in position to make his strokes.

I do not know as much about tennis as many on this forum but in his heyday I used to watch Roger glide through rounds of tournaments and get to the SFs, Fs without seeming to do very much (noticeable serving consistency apart) and wonder how he did that, whether his opponents were just in awe of him. What he was doing was just enough. Perhaps Andy is starting to fine tune this.

What is noticeable is how the forehand has taken over so much from the backhand.
It has also been noticeable that he is trying to come to the net more, but a few times has come in too soon, with approach shots that are not penetrating enough to set him up for the point.

Now whether this style of play is more enjoyable to watch or not might be a very interesting discussion to have sometime!


Great answer david. Interesting comparison with how Federer conserved his energy years ago for the important matches. I do agree that for Federer his advantage even before the match was of his reputation and form intimidated the other players, with Andy although that is there I would argue that it is definitely not as strong since Andy has proven that he can be beaten, whereas Federer at that time didn't have Nole or Rafa coming after him, even Potty, as Andy does today. Also I think Andy, although having put this conserving energy tactic in action for a while, is only starting to really take control of it and effectively gage his opponent's form (obivously from the court, but also now he's been around quite a while he will know the other player's form/abilities well) and therefore set his game pace just a little above theres, and then obviously if it rises he will rise his higher

In terms of whether these matches are enjoyable or not I agree with Linda, he is playing to win the trophy, not to make exciting or even 'artistic' tennis. However by playing in a boring to watch style he is conserving his energy for when he collides with one of the top guys, THEN we will see the awesome tennis. So really he is doing us a favour by playing in this boring style because it means he will be able to play better and show a better performance to us when he gets to the big matches, if he played amazing tennis in the opening rounds, yes it would be fun to watch but his opponents wouldn't be able to match this like the other top guys would. Although we sometimes get exciting early round matches, it is all about the latter rounds for the awesome tennis, and in that view it is a shame Haas knocked out Nole, but then again in the view of Andy winning it is great ;)

Good points here,I think that Andy is trying to play consistent or "steady" tennis in the early rounds and perhaps not going for anything too spectacular, however he'll raise his game as the occasiopn demands it. Sometimes when he's not at the top of his game early on it may be best not to take too many risks. However, still don't think I would describe some of his matches as "boring" as such since he always has the variety but of the course the most exciting matches are generally against the top players. Whilst it's a pity we won't see another battle with Andy and Nole in a big event it should maximise Murray's chances. At the end of the day Muzzah is always striving to win as effectively as possible.

[pabbers]

Brain freeze!

Brain??????? :getcoat:

I've noticed that Andy's style has changed too. I commented to Mr P during IW that he seemed to be playing with less variety - we saw very little of the slice. I think the match last night contained the greatest variety of shots I've seen during his recent matches. His variety is something I've enjoyed and it HAS brought him success to date, so I just hope Lendl isn't going to change his style wholesale - I was rather hoping for the tweaking of existing skills and the addition of some new ones (such as more volleying). Whilst I agree he's there to win matches, it would be a shame if his play became uninteresting and just more of the same, especially, as I said, since what he has doing to date has already very successful. Mr P has abandoned some of the recent matches because they were "boring". Now as die hard fans, we won't do that but I do think it's a shame if some of his more transitory public start to view things that way. Personally I started to follow Andy because of his style of tennis not just because he is British or winning. Conversely, I didn't follow Tim Henman as his tennis didn't grab my attention.

[Golden Lady]

Loving the thread title :thumbup: and loving the result! Cilic looked so nervous at times, I'm sure I saw his legs shaking at one point.

[pabbers]

Loving the thread title :thumbup: and loving the result! Cilic looked so nervous at times, I'm sure I saw his legs shaking at one point.

What legs? Ah you mean those sticks he stands on..........;)