MADRID 2013, Quarter Final: Andy goes down to battling Berdych 5'7 , 4'6.

[Sallydaisy]

This promises to be a challenging Quarter Final for Andy, less than 24hrs to recover before he faces Tomas Berdych!!!

Their H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=BA47) is 4-4 with Berdy 2-0 on the clay so this really will be tricky for Muzzah!!!

Friday 10th May, not before 19.30hrs UK time.

[xenon21]

Both andy and Berdych are on 401 career wins! Hope andy can beat Tomas to number 402 #alwaysbelieve

[Alis]

Andy will be at a distinct disadvantage with so little recovery time.

[patmoren]

Andy needs to bring his A game to this one. I have a nasty feeling that Berdy is going to win it.

[harriet]

aren't they going to play each other in dubs teams in the queen's charity jamboree? need to keep it social today, not as if andy needs the ranking points at the mo

[david1610]

Apart from the drama, the victory last was not insignificant as it is one more top twenty victory for Andy on clay, and he has not had that many of those since 2010 (I did not look back earlier than that).
In the last four years (including this one) he does not have a single straight sets victory against anyone in the top twenty.

He has no victories at all against any one in the top ten, so a positive result tonight, especially given the problem of recovering from last night, would be a big step forward for Andy on clay, but I think we should be hoping rather than expecting.

The next step is getting that top ten victory on clay. Tricky. But if the real Andy turns up and gives it his best shot, then hopefully he can make progress on clay!

C'mon Andy!

[Jane]

Wishing Andy all the very best of luck:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::)

[pabbers]

Will be supporting him all the way (have to record this) but I don't really hold out much hope given the lack of recovery time and Andy's performances on clay.

[harriet]

should be quicker than last night, requring more explosive tennis which might be more mentally relaxing than the subtle duels the players fought in every game last night when andy played Simon

[LC the fan]

I did wonder if Andy would be moved to the second match so that he had a full 24 hours but I suppose a schedule is a schedule.
His comments last night were his difficulty with the change in ball bounce in the night match so maybe he'll have a bit more 3experience of that than Birdie...Every little helps

Think we are all being a bit negative. OK its a tough one but Andy is a tough guy. Perhaps we're all preparing ourselves not to be disappointed

[david1610]

Think we are all being a bit negative. OK its a tough one but Andy is a tough guy. Perhaps we're all preparing ourselves not to be disappointed
Just trying to be realistic
Andy's record on all surfaces:
W L Titles
Hard 282 78 .783 22
Clay 48 31 .608 0
Grass 61 14 .813 3
Indoor 92 28 .767 9
Outdoor 307 98 .758 17

Clay worse than the others.
(Trivial fact: played his first clay (and only one that year) match in 2005 against Stan and lost in straights in Davis Cup.)
2006 Best clay result beat Monfils (ranked 29)
2007 No good results and it was on clay that Andy injured his wrist and was out for three months
2008 Best clay result beat Tursonov (ranked 31)
2009 Much better beat Cilic (ranked 13) at RG, Robredo ranked 17 and THE ONLY TOP TEN WIN EVER Davydenko in straights when Davy was ranked 9. (I seem to remember that was their second match of the day as there was a backlog of matches to clear up).
2010 - 2013 I analysed in another post and there were essentially about four or five wins against top twenty players, none of them in straights.

2009 seems to have been his best clay year.
Beating a top ten player on clay tonight would be huge for Andy. He has only done it once before.
Realistically hoping but not expecting.

[lynne]

Tough one Andy....but as usual....The Very, Very Best of Luck Andy!!!!:thumbup::thumbup:...#alwaysbelieve!

[ljs]

Not gonna see much of this one :sad:

its our anny 2day and we are going out for dinner , hope I get back to good news !!!!

Ohh
I see its on at 2pm my time so right after this match then ??
yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!

[JAMES4578]

Feel this is a tough ask for Andy,not only is Berdych tough for him on a clay court but of course he has less recovery time after that battle with Simon yesterday. Murray will certainly need to step it up and of course if he has a perfect day he could find a way through but my expectations are not that high. Andujar trying to serve the match out for a 2nd time and he puts out Nishikori 6-3,7-5 but Nadal will surely bring him back down to earth. So Andy willl be on soon, disappointed for Kei though.

[ljs]

I agree James , hoping he gets off to a good start tho , that may be key

[traveller7]

Needs to start strong tonight no breaking in first games.

[Sallydaisy]

I think I'll miss this - I have a client meeting at 8pm and am just setting off.
:sad:

Go for it Andy!!!
:swingin:

[ljs]

cant help but feel happy for Andujar :) entered as a wild card , and makes the semis :cheer:

[JAMES4578]

A pity Sally,hopefully Andy will be in top form.

[hfwardhouse]

Got to go and pick up the car after its very expensive mot today so will miss the match too.

[Jan]

Good luck Andy!
Please let this finish earlier than yesterday!

[supergran]

Just to lighten the mood. Son & daughter-in-law have brought me home for the match. Since 5 we have been at the Wake and I have brought wine home which I hope will sustain me throughout Andy's match. Left husband there with friends who were all gobsmacked that I was leaving the party to watch Andy. Son and d-i-l have to get back to Bury so they were pleased that I wanted to get home. Actually son was amazed that I was leaving the party. I do like to be different sometimes. Anyway, enjoy the match, Go Andy!!!

[supergran]

let's go andy, let's go!!!!

[ljs]

here we go:jitterbug:

[traveller7]

Come on Andyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[traveller7]

Much better start from Andy good to see
Looking very tanned!

[Linda]

I think that Simon may actually have done Andy a favour by giving him all that extra clay court practice!

[tom]

Brad believes in Andy!

Brad Gilbert ‏@bgtennisnation 6m
i dont no why but leaning Muzzard and Jo-Willy tonght

[ljs]

wow , some good stuff

[ljs]

Andys rising to this challenge so far

[KnightOwl]

Only managed to watch first two sets yesterday as I had to get up early - uncomfortable stuff at times - this is looking much better so far though...

[traveller7]

Yes a break for Murray nice keep it up!

[david1610]

Wow! Just joined a couple of games ago. Bit of a difference from the first set last night!

[Linda]

Wow! KitKat! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[JAMES4578]

Andy in fine form thus far and great play to take the break!

[hfwardhouse]

Saw up to the kitkat and now having to watch Would I Lie to You .... having Mum here when there's tennis on is NOT working! And we're just heading off for the car :crying:

COME ON ANDY!!!!

[Jan]

had to pop out for 15mins. Nice to see the kitkat. Now please hold Andy!

[ljs]

Saw up to the kitkat and now having to watch Would I Lie to You .... having Mum here when there's tennis on is NOT working! And we're just heading off for the car :crying:

COME ON ANDY!!!!

I just hurried my mom out the door :lol:

[KnightOwl]

Bother! Berdy breaks back... :sad:

[traveller7]

and immediate break back shame

[Jan]

oh boo. Come on Andy

[ljs]

what was Andy saying was impossible ??????

[KnightOwl]

"playing like this" it sounded like - whatever that means!

[JAMES4578]

what was Andy saying was impossible ??????

Sure he said "impossible to play like this" Long game and whilst Berdy was on form Andy let it slip somewhat.Andy's failed to take 2bps here.

[traveller7]

4 deuces and 4 break points for andy

[ljs]

4 bp's now missed :(

[david1610]

5-5 C'mon Andy!

[ljs]

TB eeeekkkk

[Hawkeye]

Probably not the first tie-break of the evening the way this is going...

[Jan]

:sofa: time

[traveller7]

oh no tiebreak not going his way at all

[Jane]

OMG - Berdy takes the first set 7-6 :crying::crying:

[traveller7]

And the first set is gone bummer

[Alis]

Oh dear - that wasn't in the script.

[ljs]

:sad: that was some good tennis tho must admit

[david1610]

Oh dear. Last night will start hurting now. Object lesson unfortunately in the consequences of not taking any of the BPs.
Still playing well. Just has to play the big points better, as the commies just said.
C'mon Andy!

Edit: I mean, of the last four - yes he took one earlier!

[Linda]

Unlucky in the tb, but this was a very encouraging first set - miles better than yesterday! Vamos! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[JAMES4578]

Berdy got the better start in the breaker and Andy just couldn't find a way back,hopefully he can raise the level to stay in contention.

[themass15]

Come on Andy:sofa:

[Elenive]

Well there's two more sets left :)

[ljs]

James ... you predicted 7-6 for Birdy in the 1st set ... oh clever one :lol:

[david1610]

OH dear. C'mon Andy! I hate it when Berdych is in front, as I find so many things about him the antithesis of why I like Andy, and end up thinking "you brute"....

C'mon Andy.

[supergran]

Barry Cowan is getting on my nerves. Come on Andy!!

[Madeline]

What on earth? My broadband went down and then somebody came to the door, with the tb just starting. I come back and Andy has lost not only the tb but his service game!

[Alis]

Barry Cowan always gets on my nerves and Lief Shiras isn't much better.

[ljs]

Break :swingin:

[traveller7]

phew broke straight back come on

[Madeline]

Phew!

[traveller7]

phew that was well done

[Alis]

Well held that man!

[david1610]

Well done Andy. Now keep the pressure on... so often he just needs that one extra point to hold or to break....
C'mon Andy!

[Bardot]

Barry Cowan always gets on my nerves and Lief Shiras isn't much better.
Neil Harman and Jonathan Overend on 5Live are not much better and they never stop. ;)

[cazza99]

Stuart Fraser ‏@stu_fraser 5m


A possibility if this goes long that Tsonga v Wawrinka won't start till after midnight. Still before dinner time in Madrid i think.

[david1610]

Now would we want Andy winning ugly or playing astonishing shots at times but not winning....tricky.

Loving some of Andy's tennis. Often just one point away each game from dominating.

C'mon Andy!

[Jan]

hmm this is a sloppy game

[david1610]

Where did that come from? :(

[traveller7]

poor game there

[Sallydaisy]

Oh bother. A bunch of errors from Andy and Berdy has a break again in the 2nd set.

[Alis]

Drat!

[JAMES4578]

From was 2-1 and bp Andy down a break again after poor game, looking tough for him now.

[david1610]

Worrying.... Andy seems to have lost his range a bit (last night effect?)
Must hold serve this time ...

[Madeline]

Things seem to be going rather pear-shaped.

[traveller7]

running away with this now

[david1610]

Hanging on.... but a hold is a hold.
C'mon Andy.
Tennis brain over tennis brawn any day!

[DaveArneRiise]

Still very much in it. Berdych could get tight here...

[traveller7]

nice kitkat now please

[KnightOwl]

I'm getting a bad feeling about this...

[traveller7]

serving to stay in match

[Sallydaisy]

Classy dropshot from Andy there.
:thumbup:

Not sure he can get back into this ... that clay H2H of 2-0 to Berdy is 'cos the Czech is bred on the clay and Andy is not. Tbh, I'm not over worried if he goes out here in the QF; he can get off to Rome where the conditions are much more like those of Roland Garros.

[traveller7]

nice ok break now please

[ljs]

my feelings too Sally

[JAMES4578]

Well Andy holds easily enough but unless Berdy falters feel Andy is going to have to produce something special to turn this around.

[ljs]

Looks like a PS for u James

[Jane]

Berdy wins 7-6, 6-4:crying::crying:

[Jan]

Berdy played well - congrats to him

[traveller7]

Shame but not wholly unexpeccted
Will be interested to see Berdy live at Queens now in the doubles!

[Sallydaisy]

Berdy wins the match 7'6(3), 6'4 ... but Andy has made it back to World ranked #2 and can zoot off to practice in Rome which starts on Sunday!!! I think he looks more comfortable on clay and hopefully he can do well next week.

There is no way Federer can get back to #2 for a while .....
;)

[Bardot]

Strikes another day off the countdown to Queens calendar. ;)

Andy played his best tennis of the week tonight and probably should have won the first set but fair play to the Berd.

[Linda]

Andy definitely showed great improvement on clay tonight, onwards to Rome.

[lynne]

Andy definitely showed great improvement on clay tonight, onwards to Rome.



Ditto Linda!!!:thumbup:

[xenon21]

Hard luck Andy! He played so much better than yesterday. Didn't quite take his chances though of which he had many. Berdych played very well

HAve every belief that Andy will improve even more before RG. #alwaysbelieve

[patmoren]

Much better clay court tennis from Andy, he had his chances but wasn't to be. Looking forward to Rome to see if the improvement continues.

[Alis]

I don't think Andy will be too disappointed about that loss. He's had a good workout in Madrid and played some great tennis. He has his number 2 ranking back and has more time to prepare for Rome - all positives!

[JennieF]

Wasn't able to follow the match so logged into Forum when I could for news. Andy had three tough matches and some good practice on clay. He definitely looks more comfortable than he used to on this surface. So - off for an early start in Rome, and some recovery time and taking with him the great news he's back at #2 ! All my toes and fingers crossed for Rome! Go Andy!!

[JAMES4578]

Disappointing but thought it would likely be a tough ask. Just a pity Andy couldn't keep the momentum going in the first and didn't capitalise on some of the chances. Just wasn't consistent enough and a few lapses cost him but Berydch a formidable opponent for him on this surface. Andy certainly improverd from Monte Carlo and hopefully he can maybe have a better run in Rome.

[david1610]

Happy for him to lose tonight playing some of the tennis he played rather than winning because Berdy played badly - because in the end this week has been good preparation for RG!

[supergran]

Not read every post as was on twitter but just as I thought he'd win last night didn't think so tonight. Nothing against Andy....just thinking about the surface, his opponent, and perhaps his late night. So before reading your posts just saying that I was not bitterly disappointed. Lots to do yet with Andy...and clay. So he's got Rome and RG where we know he has performed well. I'm rather chilled about the clay court season as I suspect some of you are, so just hope he's healthy and raring to go for the grass season.

[AllyB]

Disappointing result, not so bad performance.

[pippadaisy]

just saw a little of the match tonight
would agree with the general concensus not too bad a run and time to rest up and recover for rome
also had the feeling berdy would take this, but not too unhappy about it
and back at no2 not a bad result overall :thumbup:

[hfwardhouse]

What I saw of the match Andy played so much better than last night. I didn't expect him to win but hoped he would. It has been an encouraging tournament. Roll on Rome!

[supergran]

Good night all.

[Madeline]

. . .so just hope he's healthy and raring to go for the grass season.

I wouldn't dare post this on any other board, I would be accused of making excuses, but am I the only one who thinks Andy did not look very well this week?

Any way like others, I'm not too disappointed. I hoped he would win but did not expect it, but I was delighted that he was playing so much better than previous matches.

[Manaus]

Shame he lost but sounded like a good match. As long as he keeps improving that's the important thing and well done on getting back to #2. :thumbup:

[Mickey]

I wouldn't dare post this on any other board, I would be accused of making excuses, but am I the only one who thinks Andy did not look very well this week?

Any way like others, I'm not too disappointed. I hoped he would win but did not expect it, but I was delighted that he was playing so much better than previous matches.I thought he looked very pale at the start of the week, and he admitted that he was sick after Monte Carlo, so that could be the reason he was lethargic in his first 2 matches, but I do think he played some wonderful tennis last night.

[Alis]

I felt Andy played the better tennis in the first set - it was just unfortunate that he didn't manage to capitalise on the break points. It was a lot to ask him to come out and play at his best after less than 24 hours. Stan will have the same problem today.

[pabbers]

Didn't expect him to win but found I had more hope during the match than originally envisaged. A very heartening improvement in his performance last night. He played some stunning tennis at times but at others there were too many UEs and basically Berdy was just solid but not amazing.

Onwards to Rome.