MIAMI MASTERS 2013, SEMI-FINAL: Andy outguns Gasquet 6-7, 6-1, 6-2

[Sallydaisy]

MIAMI SEMI-FINAL: Andy Murray v Richard Gasquet

Winning this encounter would take Andy just one win away from replacing Roger Federer as WR#2. And if he doesn't lift the trophy he'll have defended 600 points from last year where he was the losing finalist.

However, before any of that can happen Andy has to get past a seriously in-form Richard Gasquet who tonight despatched Tomas Berdych in some style 6'3, 6'3. The Frenchman found unbelievable angles for winners and played some of his best tennis in a while giving the Czech player no quarter.

Andy leads their H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=G628) by 4-3 but the win/loss is rather skewed.
Andy is 4-0 in Grand Slams (over 5 sets) and 0-3 in Masters (over 3 sets).
On hard courts Andy's at a disadvantage with 0-2. However, those 2 hardcourt wins for Gasquet were in 2006 (Canada Masters Semi's) and 2007 (Paris Masters Quarters) so it's been a while since he's got the better of Muzzah on his favourite surface.

BUT over 3 sets Andy Murray has yet to beat Richard Gasquet - that needs to change.

Gasquet seems to be flourishing under the watchful eye of coach Sebastien Grosjean (the last Frenchman to reach the Semi-Final in Miami) and seems to have found a bit more steel to underpin his natural flair on court.

There's no doubt these 2 are likely to produce an interesting and entertaining match to watch but Andy is good at playing others with guile (and enjoys it) and the 4-1 H2H he has in the last 4 years is telling. On his game Gasquet could out-manoeuvre Murray but the British WR#3 has the means to work out a win.

This will be Andy's first night match in Miami (so might Gasquet have a slight advantage by playing tonight?) but with a bit of luck that'll mean the blimp won't be up in the sky! Noisy thing.

The match is confirmed as 23.00 UK time on Friday 29th March ... hope y'all can join in the fun!

[LC the fan]

I am surprised at that h2h, Andy seems to have had the upper hand so convincingly recently I expected it to look better. I've never worried when he has played Gasquet but this week we've had some breathtaking tennis from the Frenchman. Andy will have to be consistent and get him rattled which maybe not so easy these days

[lynne]

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

[patmoren]

Andy definitely played better yesterday so is on the up and should get the better of Richard. Needs a bit more consistently in his serve but was finding thwe lines really well in the second set.

[karanga]

Very best of luck, Andy.

Very best of luck to Laura and Lisa as well. Great to see Laura teaming up with a great exponent of the doubles game.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/sports/tennis/in-doubles-lisa-raymond-and-laura-robson-cover-the-age-spectrum.html?_r=0

[pabbers]

Well on last night's form I'd much rather Andy had been facing Berdy. On the other hand, IMHO Berdy was clearly below par - he could scarcely buy a first serve and so, although Gasquet played well and on occasions hit a magical shot, he was allowed to. Otherwise I really didn't think it was a particularly high calibre match. Still, Andy can't afford to turn up with less than his A game even if he doesn't have to use it in the end. Beware Reeechard's net play I'd say.

GOOOOOOOOOOOO ANDEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

[harriet]

i was very impressed with gasquet - poise, resoluteness, and terrific shot making. accuracy of his play, all balls sent back to the baseliine, pinning berdych behind the line. true berdych did not do much, but gasquet was so dominant. and he has a great record in 3 set format over andy. i quail!

[supergran]

I agree with you Pat. After watching the match and seeing how Gasquet is playing began to feel really nervous for Andy. His shot-making was brilliant but Berdy allowed him to be so as he made so many errors and didn't play well when it mattered. Andy will just have to come out firing on all cylinders. I'm sure he, or someone, has been keeping a close eye on Richy so he knows what he has to do. He needs to serve well and just play his A game. Go Andy!!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

[Jane]

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

[supergran]

Tricky Dicky tonight. Be careful Andy!!

[Alis]

I agree that Richard played well last night but he was allowed to - Berdy was abysmal. I'm pretty sure Tricky Dicky won't have it all his own way tonight.

[LC the fan]

I agree that Richard played well last night but he was allowed to - Berdy was abysmal. I'm pretty sure Tricky Dicky won't have it all his own way tonight.
Let's hope not. Andy should know enough to subdue him. Gasser does seem to be less temperamental just now but hopefully Andy can frustrate him.
Strange though that Andy has never beaten him in a 3-setter :nailbiter:
Best he puts that right tonight :clap: GO ANDY. ON TO NO TWO SPOT

[Elenive]

GO ANDY. ON TO NO TWO SPOT

:swingin:

I think it might be appropriate for one of these tonight :breadstick:

:big grin:

[pabbers]

Let's hope not. Andy should know enough to subdue him. Gasser does seem to be less temperamental just now but hopefully Andy can frustrate him.
Strange though that Andy has never beaten him in a 3-setter :nailbiter:
Best he puts that right tonight :clap: GO ANDY. ON TO NO TWO SPOT

Well I guess if things are going his way that's not surprising.

[david1610]

This month I have seen del Potro, Haas and now Gasquet playing really top tennis. One strange thought I had looking at Gasquet last night was "this is now a man, not a young man". He looked like somebody on a mission, and even after match point was minimal in his celebration, as if it was just part of the task in hand.

Put another way, I am not in ANY way expecting a garlic eating muppet tonight and I think Andy has to play at his best and think very carefully about strategy. This might be the best backhand he has met since he stopped using his own so much!

So taking nothing for granted.
C'mon Andy!

[tom]

This month I have seen del Potro, Haas and now Gasquet playing really top tennis. One strange thought I had looking at Gasquet last night was "this is now a man, not a young man". He looked like somebody on a mission, and even after match point was minimal in his celebration, as if it was just part of the task in hand.

Put another way, I am not in ANY way expecting a garlic eating muppet tonight and I think Andy has to play at his best and think very carefully about strategy. This might be the best backhand he has met since he stopped using his own so much!

So taking nothing for granted.
C'mon Andy!

Er..who is expecting a "garlic eating muppet", David, whatever that is?

I'm sure Andy is aware it will be a tough match. He never takes anyone for granted.

Come on, Andy!

[Linda]

Er..who is expecting a "garlic eating muppet", David, whatever that is?!

That's our standard pick'em nickname for French players (usually shortened to GEM). We have equally silly nicknames for most of the other nationalities too.

[tom]

That's our standard pick'em nickname for French players (usually shortened to GEM). We have equally silly nicknames for most of the other nationalities too.

Oh, dear.

[SamP]

Allez Muzza!

[david1610]

Oh, dear.
I am a regular on the forum but it took me a long, long time to work out what GEM was, so I decided to spell it out in my post. Oh dear indeed.
The point I was making was that any such stereotypical thinking ain't gonna help!
Gasquet needs to be considered in his own right.
I wonder if there is something this year about the courts and conditions in Miami that favours players with good backhands. Gasquet and Haas are both excellent in that regard.

[ljs]

That's our standard pick'em nickname for French players (usually shortened to GEM). We have equally silly nicknames for most of the other nationalities too.


oh do tell what it is for the Canadian(s) :lol: ( hope its not Canucks )

[tom]

I am a regular on the forum but it took me a long, long time to work out what GEM was, so I decided to spell it out in my post. Oh dear indeed.
The point I was making was that any such stereotypical thinking ain't gonna help!
Gasquet needs to be considered in his own right.
I wonder if there is something this year about the courts and conditions in Miami that favours players with good backhands. Gasquet and Haas are both excellent in that regard.

But who would be guilty of such "stereotypical thinking", David? Not Andy, that's for sure.

[david1610]

But who would be guilty of such "stereotypical thinking", David? Not Andy, that's for sure.
In fairness to myself, I think you should address your comment to the forum as a whole!

[tom]

In fairness to myself, I think you should address your comment to the forum as a whole!

I don't think it's unfair to ask you a question about something you said! But I haven't sent you a private message, David, so
anyone on the Forum can see this and respond if they want to.

[hfwardhouse]

The stereotyping is part of pickem history - those players who are termed as GEM's are those French players who regularly let us down - we pickem, they lose, we don't pickem, they win .... Andy has been known to be referred to as a HEM .... when he was having one of his off days! Gasquet has always been one of the prime candidates for GEM .... this current winning streak is something he does occasionally. Hence we pick him .... I'm not sure if you've ever done pickem Tom but if you followed it, you would know and understand the frustrations when the players let you down!!!!

There is no malice intended, it is purely for fun.

[Linda]

Thanks Jane - I was just trying to compose a post to explain all that - but you've explained it all much better than I could.

I'd forgotten about Andy being a HEM! :lol:

[david1610]

I don't think it's unfair to ask you a question about something you said! But I haven't sent you a private message, David, so
anyone on the Forum can see this and respond if they want to.
Is there any chance that you may have been prejudging (which is what stereotyping is) by using the word "guilty" - bit of a loaded question if you ask me!

[Sallydaisy]

I think there's a list in one of the Pick'em threads ... all very tongue-in-cheek of course.

[Linda]

Yes, I seem to recall a list - after this match I will have to try and find it - as I can't recall whether there was a nickname for Canadians (see question above).

[ljs]

probably because theres not enough of them Linda :shamed: LOL

[Linda]

A bit like us then, ljs - I don't recall any roast beef eating muppets, either!

[JAMES4578]

Nicknames for pick'em certainly not to be taken too seriously! Anyway to get back on topic Haas got something going again but failed to win a game from 3-1 up so Ferrer in the final and hopefully against Andy.

[Sallydaisy]

Lol James, I think Ferru v Haas posts need to go on the main thread!!!
;)

[tom]

The stereotyping is part of pickem history - those players who are termed as GEM's are those French players who regularly let us down - we pickem, they lose, we don't pickem, they win .... Andy has been known to be referred to as a HEM .... when he was having one of his off days! Gasquet has always been one of the prime candidates for GEM .... this current winning streak is something he does occasionally. Hence we pick him .... I'm not sure if you've ever done pickem Tom but if you followed it, you would know and understand the frustrations when the players let you down!!!!

There is no malice intended, it is purely for fun.

Thanks for the explanation. I am glad there is no malice intended and that it's just fun. But....

[tom]

Is there any chance that you may have been prejudging (which is what stereotyping is) by using the word "guilty" - bit of a loaded question if you ask me!

No. Why do you think that?

[pabbers]

'But' seems to invite more of the same discussion. Doesn't seem to be much point as it's been clearly explained. Perhaps it's time to move on and talk about the tennis.

[david1610]

There have been lots of reports that one of the reasons Andy and Ivan get along is that they both share quite a black sense of humour.
I doubt very much if all their banter would pass a politically correct test. But I would not want to accuse them of being "guilty" of something as a result.

"If the Way cannot be laughed at, it is not the Way". Tao Te Ching.

[pabbers]

OK I'm holding a wooden spoon.......to whom shall I award it or might it be better to desist and get back to the real sport, ie tennis;)

[tom]

There have been lots of reports that one of the reasons Andy and Ivan get along is that they both share quite a black sense of humour.
I doubt very much if all their banter would pass a politically correct test. But I would not want to accuse them of being "guilty" of something as a result.

"If the Way cannot be laughed at, it is not the Way". Tao Te Ching.

Was that in response to my last question, David? Before 'pick 'em' was explained to me, I thought you were suggesting that
some of us - maybe even Andy - were taking tonight's match for granted.

As for being 'politically correct', is that what you think I am? Even though I
accept that no malice has been intended in the 'pick 'em' descriptions, I am uncomfortable with comments based on
stereotypes of nationalities. Some people doubtless laugh them off, but they can sometimes cause offence. I think they are best avoided, particularly in a public forum. If that makes me 'politically correct', so be it.

[david1610]

Tom - On another type of forum I would be happy to continue the debate with you, but we have been politely reminded that this is a tennis forum.

Do you think Andy will use his backhand more tonight - whether intended or not - as a counterfoil to Ritchie's backhandP

[tom]

Tom - On another type of forum I would be happy to continue the debate with you, but we have been politely reminded that this is a tennis forum.

Do you think Andy will use his backhand more tonight - whether intended or not - as a counterfoil to Ritchie's backhandP

That's my understanding, too: a tennis forum - for fans of Andy Murray, but where we can admire players of
all nationalities.

And, when I joined in this conversation, I thought it was a discussion about tennis.

I have made my points 'politely', too, David, and I hope people will consider them.

As for tonight's match, I expect Andy to call the shots, and i think it will be Ritchie who will struggling to find the imagination
to respond to Andy's variety - serving, forehand, backhand, some volleys and even drop shots!

[cazza99]

tevegtennis ‏@stevegtennis 2m

LOL - Gasquet started warming up for match vs #AndyMurray - Check this photo out.. pic.twitter.com/27RkQEbIDo
link to picture - https://twitter.com/stevegtennis/status/317763129582972928/photo/1

[Linda]

:lol:

[cazza99]

DavidLaw ‏@DavidLawTennis 1m


Live commentary of Andy #Murray vs. Richard #Gasquet coming your way in half an hour on 5 Live Sports Extra. @bbc5live @bbc5lsx @BBCSport

[Elenive]

That's my understanding, too: a tennis forum - for fans of Andy Murray, but where we can admire players of
all nationalities.


Yes, but I'd say most of the members here (if not all) support lots of the other players too! I happen to quite like Gasquet as it happens and quite alot of the French guys, love Tsonga. Rafa is well adored on the forum!! Though there might be a few players here or there we dislike and would rather see lose we still have a great deal or respect for their ability, I'm not too keen on Federer but I appreciate what he has done for the game.


That's our standard pick'em nickname for French players (usually shortened to GEM). We have equally silly nicknames for most of the other nationalities too.

:shocked: I had always wondered what GEM actually meant!

[Jan62]

Oh dear, hope I'm going to be able to stay awake for the match. Yawning already! Question is - to wine or not to wine?? Might need the magical properties to help Andy through against Gasquet, on the other hand a glass or two might just send me off to sleep. Dilemma. Although I'm sure I can hear the bottle of Sauvignon in the fridge calling out to me..... :)

[pabbers]

Got a shocking cold which has gone to my chest so I deffo need something to keep my eyes open for this, other than matchsticks (not very digestible!).

[Linda]

I like lots of players of other nationalities too, especially the French and Spanish players. Also some others eg Monaco, Dolgopolov.

[KnightOwl]

I've gone for coffee for now....but I have Sauvignon on stand-by :big grin:

[Linda]

I have no wine. I am wineless. :crying:

[pabbers]

I've gone for coffee for now....but I have Sauvignon on stand-by :big grin:

Wise girl......just wondering how a wine would be after a Lemsip...........:ill:

[pabbers]

I have no wine. I am wineless. :crying:

Oh, Linda.........stop w[h]ining........:getcoat:
Must remember to keep an eye on the time cos I'll have to move to the sofa to watch the match.

[KnightOwl]

:laugh:

[Linda]

Just pouring myself a glass of water :sad:

[Jan62]

I have no wine. I am wineless. :crying:

Oh no. What a terrible state of affairs........ would send you some down the wires if that were only possible.

[ljs]

already had a glass of wine with dinner , now I need a coffee to stay awake :rolling:

[KnightOwl]

Just pouring myself a glass of water :sad:

Here... :wino: - best I can do, Linda - sorry :sad: it's not even white....

[supergran]

I will wait until midnight as I have been very good today with my fasting and abstinence.:halo::halo:

[ljs]

your going to have a glass of wine at midnight SG ?? Is that your sleeping pill ?

[supergran]

I have no wine. I am wineless. :crying:Sorry....don't understand....how could this happen?

[Elenive]

Who needs wine when one has :chocegg: !

:big grin:

[Linda]

I deliberately didn't get any wine for this evening 'cos it's Good Friday but I never thought that I could get a bottle and open it at midnight!

[Sallydaisy]

Wise girl......just wondering how a wine would be after a Lemsip...........:ill:
Lemsip with whisky ... cures a cold in no time. Or at least it feels that way if you get the proportions right.
:whistle:

[supergran]

your going to have a glass of wine at midnight SG ?? Is that your sleeping pill ?No, as I'm sure the match will last longer than an hour.:)

[ljs]

Who needs wine when one has :chocegg: !

:big grin:


amen to that :lol:

[Linda]

I'd much rather have :wino: than :chocegg: any day!

[supergran]

I deliberately didn't get any wine for this evening 'cos it's Good Friday but I never thought that I could get a bottle and open it at midnight!Well only 'cos I'm watching Andy and I will probably finish it on Sunday.

[Linda]

Ooh the TennisTV programme is starting! :cheer:

[supergran]

Right...LET'S GO ANDY. LET'S GO!!

[david1610]

Current temperature 22 ºC, humidity 48%. Sounds really good!
C'mon Andy!

[Manaus]

First match I can watch this week, come on Andy! :cheer:

[Elenive]

I'd much rather have :wino: than :chocegg: any day!

:faint: :surprised:

:love: :chocegg: especially at this time of year! Family trip to the shops tomorrow to buy our eggs ;)

[Jan62]

Best of luck Andy. Nice and straightforward would be lovely, thanks in advance :)

[david1610]

Wasn't it Miami where Ritchie went out and, er, had his "incident"? No wonder he toned down his celebration last night...

[Linda]

Yes, it was! I assume he now avoids the Miami nightclubs!

[Elenive]

Incident? What was that?

[harriet]

listening to 5live, they are so impressed with laura robson's game today

[david1610]

Incident? What was that?
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4329491

[Linda]

Incident? What was that? He was banned because they found a minute amount of cocaine in him in a drugs test. He said he got it by kissing a girl in a nightclub.

[david1610]

Hit the ground running! C'mon Andy!

[david1610]

He was banned because they found a minute amount of cocaine in him in a drugs test. He said he got it by kissing a girl in a nightclub.
As immortalised in the song "I kissed a girl. I spiked it"..... sorry Katie Perry...

[Elenive]

He was banned because they found a minute amount of cocaine in him in a drugs test. He said he got it by kissing a girl in a nightclub.

Oh dear!

[traveller7]

Come on andy you can do it.

[Linda]

This looks like being an extremely long match . . .

[Manaus]

Long service game for Andy, BP for Gasquet, hold!

[david1610]

Hope Andy doesn't get into a "my backhand is better than yours" ego thing. That was one of the things I was thinking of when I asked about the backhands earlier...

And it led to the break.... :(

[Elenive]

Come on, step it up Andy.

[Manaus]

Nuts, broken. Come on Andy!

[Linda]

Good grief, that was an amazing shot by Richie! Unfortunately it gives him the break :sad:

[Jan62]

And RG gets the early break. Cooler temp tonight for Andy, let's hope he's just got to adjust his game to the conditions. Richard looks up for this though. C'mon Muzz.

[KnightOwl]

Gotta say Gasquet's backhand is pretty special, though - unfortunately!

[Elenive]

Backhand!!

[Linda]

:shocked: and another amazing one

[david1610]

I think Andy had better start hitting to the forehand!

[Sallydaisy]

Gasquet 3-0 up. Best settle in for the long haul on this one.
:p

[Manaus]

Ouch pretty one sided at the moment.

[Elenive]

0-3 down, not the start we wanted but there's plently of time

[KnightOwl]

Eeek - I think it's time to STOP hitting to his backhand!!

[supergran]

OMG...not happy.

[Jan62]

Impressive stuff from Richard so far. Lendl assumes his usual pose, chin on hand. Andy needs to get himself into this, early days and still feeling his way in.

[ljs]

what i wanna know is why isnt he david ? doesnt make sense to me , trying to wear Richards backhand down is not a good strategy imo

[JAMES4578]

Gasquet on fire right now, Andy needs to get going!

[KnightOwl]

That's more like it!!

[Elenive]

Andy just needs to get all of his game out to upset Gasquet's form!

[traveller7]

Anyone got a livestream please?

[ljs]

http://lsh.streamhunter.eu/static/popups/142309965338160.html

[Jan62]

Yay. 1-3 now. Is that a bit of fire in Andy's eyes??

[Manaus]

Gets on the scoreboard, now time to build on that and get a break next.

[david1610]

what i wanna know is why isnt he david ? doesnt make sense to me , trying to wear Richards backhand down is not a good strategy imo
Did you see that interview years ago when Andy was asked if he could take anybody's shots whose would he take and he went through the shots and when it came to backhand said he would choose his own. He has always been proud of it and that was what was in the back of my mind earlier. I saw Ritchie last night and he hits tons of brilliant backhands.

Anyway, at least 0-3, now 1-3 is going to stop the pattacake tennis pretty early! C'mon ANdy!

[KnightOwl]

what i wanna know is why isnt he david ? doesnt make sense to me , trying to wear Richards backhand down is not a good strategy imo

It's worked for him before - doesn't necessarily mean it will work again though...

[Elenive]

The first point in the match Gasquet has lost a point on his second serve!

Although there haven't been many second serves yet!

[Manaus]

Much better from Andy, 3BPs! Take it Andy!

[KnightOwl]

Great stuff from Andy here - I think he's woken up :clap:

[Linda]

Back on serve!

[Manaus]

Easy peasy, Andy breaks back. :thumbup:

[Madeline]

That's more like it!

[david1610]

Great stuff from Andy here - I think he's woken up :clap:
I think he just tactically went from "show me what you've got" to "I'll show you what I've got"!

[Sallydaisy]

Ha!!! Mr Murray is in the house! Breaks back to serve next at *2-3.
:dance:

[JAMES4578]

Andy comes up with some magic of his own and breaks to love,should give Ritchie something to think about!

[cazza99]

:phew:

[ljs]

guess i spoke too soon , what do i know

[Madeline]

Sometimes I think Andy needs to get behind to get him motivated.

[Elenive]

Actually, going back to the topic we were discussing last night, in terms of conserving energy it seems like in the first few games Andy was merely getting to know Gasquet's current form, now he's done that he knows what he needs to do! A lovely break!

[traveller7]

Good to hear, livestream link wont work on my tablet :(

[Elenive]

Good to hear, livestream link wont work on my tablet :(

I've decided to go for 5live tonight, it's alright tonight.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_radio_five_live_sports_extra

[Manaus]

Back level, double break now. :thumbup:

[david1610]

Actually, going back to the topic we were discussing last night, in terms of conserving energy it seems like in the first few games Andy was merely getting to know Gasquet's current form, now he's done that he knows what he needs to do! A lovely break!
I think Andy does indeed like to see what his opponent "has got" on the day. I think he very quickly realised that Ritchie is playing so well that the answer is ... a lot and the strategy is now going to be not allowing him to dictate things by Andy himself dictating. This could be a long match. C'mon Andy!

[traveller7]

I've decided to go for 5live tonight, it's alright tonight.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_radio_five_live_sports_extra
Thank you.

[Jan62]

Yes! Andy seems to be awake again, this is shaping up very nicely

[Sallydaisy]

Even Muzzah clapped that Ritchie backhand!

[Sallydaisy]

4-3 and on serve in the first set as Gasquet holds.

[david1610]

Already 4-3. Nice boring hold please. C'mon Andy!

[KnightOwl]

Wow!!!

[david1610]

Is that Rob the previous website administrator just behind Andy's box?
OK 4-4 Like the controlled aggression. C'mon Andy!

[Aussie Andy]

Hi everyone. :wave:

Come on Andy! :yahoo:

[Sallydaisy]

Hi everyone. :wave:

Come on Andy! :yahoo:
Helloooooooooooo to you too! Long time no see.
:wave:

[david1610]

Best tennis in the last fifteen minutes that Andy has played this month?? C'mon Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

Is that Rob the previous website administrator just behind Andy's box?
OK 4-4 Like the controlled aggression. C'mon Andy!
Yep, he's in the black t-shirt and sat just behind Kim so with Team Murray.

[ljs]

wow that was utter control from Andy :cheer:

[Manaus]

Another 3BPs! Keep it up Andy!

[Elenive]

Best tennis in the last fifteen minutes that Andy has played this month?? C'mon Andy!

Great time for it, means he can serve for the set :)

[Linda]

Wow!

[Sallydaisy]

KITKAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:dance:

[Manaus]

5-4 Andy and serving for the set! :clap:

[KnightOwl]

Andy's looking better and better - really seems to have worked out what he needs to do....

[Madeline]

I'm feeling much happier now.

[Jan62]

Kit kat. This is very entertaining, especially now Andy is really firing.

[david1610]

Great time for it, means he can serve for the set :)
"Murray has played some very intelligent tennis in the last fifteen minutes" Tennistv commie.... I rest my case :)
Nice boring hold please. C'mon Andy!

[Aussie Andy]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say Andy will be in the final. As the winner.

[hfwardhouse]

Yippeee kitkat!!

[ljs]

what was Gasquet so angry about ? time violation ?

[david1610]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say Andy will be in the final. As the winner.
Somebody get that superstitious potion icon on here quick please!

[Sallydaisy]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say Andy will be in the final. As the winner.
:cauldron:

[Elenive]

:cauldron:

Ah! You beat me to it Sally :sad:

[JAMES4578]

Maybe Gasquet has dipped slightly but some crushing winners from Andy to break again there,what a transformation!

[Manaus]

Uh-oh BP, hold Andy!

[KnightOwl]

Andy's looking better and better - really seems to have worked out what he needs to do....

Then again....

[ljs]

yikes :(

[Manaus]

Horrible time for a DF Andy! :sad:

[Elenive]

Eww, what an awful serve

[Jan62]

Oh what???? DF???? Wasn't expecting that.

[Sallydaisy]

Tricky Dicky breaks back denying Andy the set points ... 5-5.

[banskogirl]

Ok Andy come on!

[david1610]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say Andy will be in the final. As the winner.
Even if you think it don't write it..... please!

Ok, do it again. C'mon Andy!

[JAMES4578]

oh no Andy faltered and 5 all, just got to regroup-come on!

[Madeline]

No sooner had I said I was feeling happier than I remembered how often recently he has dropped his serve when serving for the set.

Ah well - break straight back, Andy please!

[Aussie Andy]

Somebody get that superstitious potion icon on here quick please!

:thumbup: ;) Was waiting for that. Good to be back. I've been keeping up with Andy's match results but haven't been able to follow them for a while.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy just lost focus for 2 points and let Ritchie back in; has to keep up the pressure on the Frenchman.

[Elenive]

Haha there seems to be a 'little pocket of Gasquet supporters' infront of the 5live commie box :laugh:

[Aussie Andy]

If Andy loses I'll never forgive myself. :crying: Even if it was fun causing the forum to panic. :red devil:

[banskogirl]

Some of the muppet's shots are quite good at the minute!

[KnightOwl]

Ok, the forehand's not too bad either....

Getting sticky here, Andy - c'monnn!

[Manaus]

Must hold game for Andy to stay in the set. :sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

Gasquet holds to lead 6-5 in the first set; Muzzah needs to hold now and then gun for it in the tie-break.

[Elenive]

looks to be a :coaster: time tonight

[david1610]

C'mon Andy!

[hfwardhouse]

Some of the muppet's shots are quite good at the minute!

Which muppet are you referring to?!

[Aussie Andy]

Come on Andy, come on, please! Forget what I said. Focus...

[JAMES4578]

Haha there seems to be a 'little pocket of Gasquet supporters' infront of the 5live commie box :laugh:

Well suppose Richie has his fans but hopefully far more for Andy!Not got radio on, watching on TV and at least no castle tonight! Often I am supporting Gasquet but certainly not in this match up! Andy now must hold to take us to a breaker,hopefully he'll step it up on the big points.

[Elenive]

Tiebreak!

[Manaus]

Dreaded TB time. :sofa:

[KnightOwl]

Great serving - tie-break time... :nailbiter:

[david1610]

Is it just me or does Andy seem to be playing particularly well from the court end he just served from? In which case hope he can turn around well in front in the TB.

C'mon Andy!

[Aussie Andy]

TIEBREAK! :sofa:

[JAMES4578]

so it's Russian roulette,hopefully will produce the magic and get the momentum back.

[Manaus]

Crud, mini break to Gasquet. :sofa:

[Aussie Andy]

1 -all

[Aussie Andy]

2-1 Gasquet

[Elenive]

Andy's first serve % is looking OK today, 72% so far

[DaveArneRiise]

Andy only won 33% of points on his second serve.

[Linda]

oops

[Aussie Andy]

3-1 Gasquet :grrr:

[Aussie Andy]

4-1! Aaaaah!

[JAMES4578]

Andy under pressure here at 4-2 down, must try and make something happen!

[Sallydaisy]

Tie-break and Gasquet to serve first:

*1-0
1-1* rally ends with a Murray error
2-1* and first blood to the Frenchman
*3-1 as Andy hits into the net
*4-1 Brilliant play from Gasquet ... Andy needs to win 6 straight points to take this set!
4-2* Well, there's one of 'em. 5 to go.

[Aussie Andy]

4-2! Come on Andy, GO!

[david1610]

Let's get the MB back. C'mon Andy! Next four points please!

[Elenive]

Okay, now get the minibreak

[Manaus]

3SPs for Gasquet. :sofa:

[Elenive]

Oh no :sad:

[Aussie Andy]

4-3! Yes, keep it up, go for it!

[KnightOwl]

Unfortunately, Gasquet is producing some sublime tennis in this tie-break - c'mon Andy!!

[JAMES4578]

Richie coming up trumphs with voleys and has 3 sp's, come on Andy!

[Jane]

:crying::crying:

[Aussie Andy]

OWWW! Gasquet up 6-3!

[Elenive]

Gasquet wins first set 7-6(3)

[Madeline]

:grrr:

[Linda]

Set Gasquet. :sad: He didn't read my FTM, Andy was supposed to take the tiebreak :sad: Will have to do it in 3 now

[Manaus]

1st set gone. :sad: Going to have to go all the way.

[Alis]

Oh dear!

[Jan62]

Aaaggh. Andy, what was that? You were serving for the first set, DF and lose the TB. Come on! Focus please. Well played ritchie though.

[Sallydaisy]

4-3* Good play from Andy, he really needs to get a break back here (or even 2!)
*5-3 eep
*6-3 credit to Gasquet for the amazing shots he's playing
7-3*

First set to Richard Gasquet 7'6(3) ... he upped his game again in the tie-breaker and played wonderful tennis to win it.

Onto set 2 ... what can Andy do?

[KnightOwl]

:grrr: gonna have to do it the hard way now....and he was serving for the set just a few minutes ago :crying:

[Aussie Andy]

Gasquet takes the tiebreak 7-3. Right. I am going away to have breakfast and repent.

[Elenive]

I blame Aussie Andy :grrr:

:cauldron:

[DaveArneRiise]

Amazed that people on here seemed to think Gasquet beat Berdych the other night due to the latter being off form. Gasquet was sublime. Not surprised he's seized initiative in this match!

[ljs]

Gasquet takes the tiebreak 7-3. Right. I am going away to have breakfast and repent.

:lol:

[Hawkeye]

Well, to be fair he was handed the initiative.

[JAMES4578]

Bit of a poor end to the breaker there though Gasquet had some breathtaking shots. Still feels a set that slipped away, though of course Andy can find a way back.

[david1610]

Both are playing too well a lot of the time for anyone to get on top and dominate for the whole match.

I think this is going to come down to Andy's concentration on the important points. And seeing if he can do anything about his second service win percentage.

C'mon Andy!

[supergran]

Come on Andy!!!!

[Alis]

C'mon Andy - you can do this.

[Manaus]

Gasquet apparently handed the racquet he used in the 1st set to the ballboy and told him to have it ready for the 3rd set.
What? :confused:

[david1610]

The silver lining - and I think it is a BIG one - is that Andy played the kind of tennis for fifteen minutes of controlled aggression that I had been hoping to see after the training spell with Ivan.

1-0 Let's have a break now. C'mon Andy!

[ljs]

Gasquet apparently handed the racquet he used in the 1st set to the ballboy and told him to have it ready for the 3rd set.
What? :confused:

yes , that was strange wasnt it

[Linda]

yes , that was strange wasnt it

What's strange about that?

[david1610]

Let it go... focus on a nice boring hold. C'mon Andy!

[banskogirl]

Gasquet apparently handed the racquet he used in the 1st set to the ballboy and told him to have it ready for the 3rd set.
What? :confused:

It's muppet language :)

[Alis]

Where is his first serve?

[ljs]

What's strange about that?

how does Gasquet know hes gonna need a racket for the 3rd set ???

[david1610]

He is definitely finding it harder to get the ball over the net on this side of the court. C'mon Andy!

[Jan62]

Andy getting frustrated. Please just focus Muzz.

[Alis]

That's better.

[Linda]

how does Gasquet know hes gonna need a racket for the 3rd set ???

He has to be prepared in case there is!

[Alis]

Focus Andy!

[supergran]

Oh hell. Concentrate Andy and get the ball over the net.

[david1610]

Think this is a very important game. C'mon Andy!

[Alis]

Good - now break.

[Jan62]

Phew. 2-1

[david1610]

Well done Andy! This is that quietish time early in the second and where Andy is not hitting the ball fantastically but the good news is Gasquet does not seem to be either.
If he could sneak a break and a hold and build on that.... C'mon Andy!

[ljs]

He has to be prepared in case there is!

maybe hes assuming Andys gonna win the 2nd set ;) still seemed strange

[Elenive]

:clap:

[Alis]

Little glimmer!

[banskogirl]

My stream has just gone off :( think it's telling me to go to bed! Have to get up early for our trip down south. see you all in a week! Will be checking the score in the morning, expecting Andy to turn this around!

[Alis]

Bigger glimmer!

[Alis]

Great - now hold!

[Elenive]

:coaster: time

[Linda]

Andy breaks! :cheer:

[Manaus]

Gets a break! :cheer: Now needs to consolidate, don't let Gasquet in!

[david1610]

Lucky but ..... we'll take it.
Now focus on every point in this game. C'mon Andy!