ATP TOUR FINALS 2016, SEMI-FINAL: Andy's through!!! Beats Raonic 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 9

[Sallydaisy]

Andy has yet another tough match ahead of him in his bid to remain World #1.
Milos Raonic is his opponent being the runner-up to Djokovic in their group.

Andy leads the H2H 9'3 including wins in Finals this year at Queens and Wimbledon and 3 other wins at the AO Open and Masters in Monte Carlo and Cincinnati. The last 'win' was actually a w/o in Paris 2 weeks ago when the Canadian withdrew with an injury at the Semi-Final stage.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/playe...rray/R975/MC10 (http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/players/fedex-head-2-head/milos-raonic-vs-andy-murray/R975/MC10)

[patmoren]

Good luck Andy will be cheering from the poolside!!!

[Hawkeye]

This solves my "Do I or don't I go to Greenock?" headache.

[AllyB]

A day beside the sea on the Costa del Clyde then home to watch Novak v Kei - what's not to like!

[Hawkeye]

All of the above.

[RosieBear]

Go Andy - sadly I cannot watch but am totally confident of another tremendous performance. Andy is going to place his number 1 ranking in an iron grip - his will is greater than anyone else's skill. Two more Ws, Andy - I know you can do it :superman:

[JerryD]

Certain Andy is going to be great tomorrow. I do love milos and he had some good play here but he won't trouble Andy. When milos does lose he can still be happy with his play here and with his year end ranking. He will have achieved the goal he set himself. I'm not nervous at all for Andy, just excited like a kid at Christmas!

[banskogirl]

The last 'win' was actually a w/o in Paris 2 weeks ago when the Canadian withdrew with an injury at the Semi-Final stage.

[/URL]

I'm beginning to think Milo's injury is a pain in the neck called Andy!

[Rosalind]

I will be there again to shout on for Andy. Just couldn't resist! And when is Andy playing in a tournament so near that I can go home to sleep! Come on Andy! But I also want to say just as loud : Come on Kei!!!!
:excited:

:battle:

[themass15]

Me too. I will be there tomorrow in the afternoon and then back to mine to sleep.

[lynne]

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

[JerryD]

See you there tomorrow guys !!

[Sallydaisy]

Argh! Am meeting a friend for lunch in Shaftesbury so will probably miss this.
:sad:

[Stell]

I'm hoping for win number 23 for Andy today.

[AllyB]

Should see this today but got a badly planned family meal arranged for Sunday afternoon.

I'm hoping for win number 24 for Andy tomorrow.

[roytennisfan]

Good luck Andy, Milos can be dangerous but Andy anything like that first set yesterday will see him home, needs to get more serves in than in the second set yesterday and hopefully a straight sets win and the big one tomorrow

[Jane]

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

[Bardot]

Has Raonic withdrawn yet? :p ;)

[goldfish]

Has Raonic withdrawn yet? :p ;)

Hehe - my concern is that Kei withdraws. He looks exhausted. Can't see him being much of a challenge for Nole. However an easy win could give Novak some false confidence.

[rimarli]

Has Raonic withdrawn yet? :p ;)

Just what I was wondering. I am also wondering what happened to the muscle tear which was to take 10 days to recover? How can he have practised with such an injury. Once again he is saying how he is going to beat Andy by taking advantage of the pressure our Andy is under. As if Andy has never faced such pressure before, Queeds final and Wimbledon for instance. I do feel that Djokovic is under more pressure and Andy was not expecting this to happen before next year. Djokovic is desperate to gain the No 1 spot again as can been seen in his dreadful behaviour even when he is winning.

[rimarli]

I have just realised one of Raonic's motivations for winning this has disappeared as he is confirmed as No 3 after Stan lost yesterday. I wonder how this will affect his performance coupled with his fear of Andy.

[Josephine]

No idea but on the other thread Bardot is saying Kei can still be No 3 if he wins tournament.

[rimarli]

I didn't realise that so that no good then.

[LC the fan]

Quietly confident about this one - Andy knows what is at stake and how to beat Raonic - but inevitably nervous as well. Suddenly I have become a Kei fan( although I was mumbling a few choice words about him on Wednesday) A fit and motivated Kei definitely has the game to beat Novak and it seems fairly easy to get under his skin these days.

Either way I am visualising Andy with that trophy tomorrow :trophy:

[lovetennis]

Confident about this one too. Andy pretty much has Raonic's number and I think he's inclined to fold playing Andy like he did a few days ago against Djok. I put my faith in Andy gettng to the final a few weeks ago by buying a ticket for the final. Pretty sure my gamble will pay off

[Stell]

Milos and Andy walk out. What is Judy wearing?

[Bardot]

Andy won the toss and elects to serve.

[Stell]

Andy wins the coin toss and elects to serve.

[Bardot]

Dumusois in the chair.....

[Stell]

Barker suggests Andy Murray: the movie. Who would play him?

[lovetennis]

Dumusois in the chair.....

oh joy, how long before we get a rubbish decision?

[JennieF]

I'm so excited....with everything crossed !! Andy to win in straight sets!! Go go go our man! :GBflag:

[Teresa]

Guts churning. He should win, but I always get very anxious. Hoping for a Raonic choke -a-thon.

[LC the fan]

Guts churning. He should win, but I always get very anxious. Hoping for a Raonic choke -a-thon.
Seconded !

[Stell]

1 - 0.

[Bardot]

Love hold, nice. 1-0

[supergran]

Good hold. COME ON ANDY!!!!

[JennieF]

I wonder who Roast Lamb is shouting for? ;)

[Stell]

1 - 1.

[Bardot]

Raonic holds to 30. 1-1

[mickeypops]

Raonic holds to 30 for 1-1.

[Stell]

2 - 1.

[Bardot]

Another love hold. 2-1

[mickeypops]

2-1. Yet to drop a point on his serve, impressive so far.

[Stell]

2 - 2.

[Stell]

Still waiting for Castle and Henman to talk rubbish.

[Alis]

Back to deuce - c'mon Andy!

[Stell]

Good second serve by Andy to save a break point.

[Stell]

3 - 2.

[Alis]

Well held Andy!

[Bardot]

Huge 2nd serves, saves BP. 3-2

[mickeypops]

Good hold for Andy there, saved a BP. 3-2.

[Bardot]

Raonic returning serve incredibly well.

[lovetennis]

Good hold Andy.

[Bardot]

4 huge serves and it's a love hold. 3-3

[Stell]

4 - 3.

[Bardot]

Replies with a love hold. 4-3

[Bardot]

Andy on 90%(dropped 1 point) second serve points won compared to 71% first serve points.

[Stell]

Castle announces a win for Marcus Willis.

[Stell]

First double fault for Milos.

[Stell]

4 - 4.

[Alis]

Raonic is playing very well.

[Stell]

Andy gets a warning.

[Bardot]

Dumusois. :grrr:

[lovetennis]

Dumsois at it again

[Alis]

Is this the umpire that Andy has had problems with already this year?

[JennieF]

It's started. Referee :grrr:

[Stell]

Milos is also going over 20 seconds, but has received no warning.

[Alis]

Don't get distracted Andy.

[Stell]

A second break point.

[Alis]

Well done lad!

[Stell]

Saved!

[Alis]

Dumusois. :grrr:

I thought it was him. Andy don't get distracted - get mad!

[Stell]

A third break point.

[Alis]

Focus, Andy, focus!!

[Stell]

Saved again.

[LC the fan]

That makes me so angry because Milos has been fiddling around, changing rackets and generally taking his time ! Grrrr.
He was dreadful when playing Novak who was really getting cross. Always out last, a 10 minute toilet break after the first set GRRRR

[Stell]

A fourth break point.

[Alis]

C'monnnnnnn!

[Stell]

Saved yet again.

[Alis]

That makes me so angry because Milos has been fiddling around, changing rackets and generally taking his time ! Grrrr

What's the betting that it was something about timing that Raonic whispered to the umpire at the net?

[supergran]

Dumsois:grrr::angry:

[Alis]

My nerves are already in shreds - c'mon!

[lynne]

What's the betting that it was something about timing that Raonic whispered to the umpire at the net?

That is what they are all saying on twitter about Milos!...who is to know...I was brought up that whispering was bad manners....but there you go!

[Alis]

This one Andy - c'monnn!

[Stell]

5 - 4.

[Bardot]

Some hold, saves 3BPs. 5-4

[mickeypops]

That was a tough, tough hold. Well played Andy, 5-4.

[Alis]

Well held, Andy - now break!

[Teresa]

My nerves are already in shreds - c'mon!
Mine were in a fragile state before this began, but the lad has held. Good man.

[JAMES4578]

Certainly a challenge thus far but at the end of the day Milos couldn't breakthrough and hopefully Andy can put more pressure on-come on!

[Bardot]

Dumusois was the umpire Andy almost hit in Cincy when he kicked the ball away after a point.

[LC the fan]

Often happens that after a long game failing to break you can lose your own service. Good Idea for Milos to whisper to himself

[Stell]

5 - 5.

[Teresa]

5:5 - he hasn't quite found his timing yet has he?

[Alis]

Okay - no joy there - just hold and break!

[Stell]

Two break points.

[Alis]

Drat and double drat!

[Stell]

5 - 6.

[Bardot]

Yikes! 2 loose shots & a DF. 5-6

[Alis]

Oh dear, oh dear - c'monnnn Andy!

[lovetennis]

Nooooooooooo

[Linda]

:sad:

[Teresa]

Triple rats.

[JAMES4578]

Not great game and to cap it all drops serve on a double, come on Andy!

[Josephine]

Raonic playing better right now. Andy looks tired.

COME ON ANDY!!

[dewster99]

Not able to watch but seems Milos is dictating so far. Hopefully he chokes like against Nole

[JennieF]

:sofa:

[Alis]

Andy's not on top of his game and Raonic is playing well - that's it in a nutshell really.

[JennieF]

One saved.

[Teresa]

The extra day off is showing. 3 set points. The effort to get to this point, might have been so great, that it's payback time now.

[JennieF]

Two saved! Attaboy!

[Jane]

:crying::crying::crying:

[Stell]

Raonic wins the first set.

[mickeypops]

Milos serves it out to take the first. Drat. Can't say that he hasn't played the better tennis though, to be fair.

[JennieF]

:doh:

[Linda]

:crying:

[Teresa]

First set to Raonic:-(

[Bardot]

We've been here before Andy and remember Raonic lost to Berankis not that long ago. 5-7

[Alis]

Okay - that wasn't in the script but Andy has lost the first set to Raonic before and won. All is not lost.

[Stell]

We all know it'll be Djokovic vs ? in tomorrow's final. I can't see Nishikori winning it.

[JAMES4578]

Expected a tight opening set but not the way I thought it'd go and certainly not the manner, however Andy can certainly step up-let's go!

[hfwardhouse]

Aaaaargh following on livescores. It's not on the radio either :grrr:

COME ON ANDY!

[Alis]

That's better.

[Bardot]

Good hold. 1-0

[Teresa]

Good hold.

[Alis]

Well held. C'mon crowd - it's now that you need to get behind him.

[dewster99]

Seems a real struggle for Andy to hold whereas Milos is breezing through his games

[Alis]

A break here could be a game changer.

[Teresa]

His timing seems out today, I do wonder if has chosen today just to catch up with him?

[Jan]

This is so tense
:nailbiter:

[Alis]

Andy missing so many shots he would usually make with ease. He definitely needs a break here to change the momentum.

[Alis]

Df from Raonic - that helps.

[Stell]

Another double fault for Milos.

[Alis]

Raonic is making quite a few faults here - if only Andy could get a break, the whole match could change.

[Stell]

Break point for Andy.

[Alis]

First break point for Andy - c'monnnnnnn!

[dewster99]

BP :sofa:

[Stell]

Saved by Milos.

[Alis]

What was that???????

[Stell]

A second break point for Andy.

[Alis]

Another bp - don't waste it Andy.

[Stell]

Saved again.

[Alis]

I don't believe it - what on earth is going on?

[Teresa]

Deuce:-(

[Alis]

Back to deuce - c'monnnnnn!

[Alis]

Has Andy hit the wall? C'mon Andy, safe hold and then try again.

[Stell]

1 - 1.

[Bardot]

As Andy said himself, you get so few chances against big servers you've got to take them when you can. He didn't, twice. 1-1

[mickeypops]

Both players tense and misfiring a little now.

[Hawkeye]

Those two break points were... disappointing.

[dewster99]

That could've been a match changer

[Teresa]

It looks like he has run out of steam to me. Sad, but not totally unexpected.

[JAMES4578]

No way should Raonic have held there,Andy not exactly firing but he can find a way-come on!

[Stell]

Break point for Milos.

[Stell]

Saved.

[Bardot]

Brave dropper. Deuce

[supergran]

Come on Andy. I know you are tired but fire up. COME ON CHAMP! #ALWAYSBELIEVE

[Stell]

Another one for Milos.

[Stell]

1 - 2.

[Bardot]

Tough from here. 1-2

[Teresa]

Taken. A match too far today. I think this is the Cincinatti Final all over again.

[Hawkeye]

That might be that.

[Alis]

How often does that happen - a player fails to break and then loses his own service.

[JAMES4578]

Andy fighting but looking weary, tough battle now at set and break down.

[dewster99]

All the efforts of the last couple of months catching up on him today I reckon. Looks like we're relying on Kei

[Bardot]

Let's not forget Queens, down a set and a break......

[Alis]

It's not over yet, guys - Andy might still find his mojo. He was down a set and a break to Raonic at Queens remember.

[JennieF]

A bit of a haul now :sad: Still hopeful though. :thumbup:

[lovetennis]

Nice shot of Angie

[Stell]

Three break points for Andy.

[Bardot]

The forum decides to go belly-up as Andy breaks to love. 2-2

[Hawkeye]

Fired up at last!

[JAMES4578]

Given some help but Andy seems more energised,at least he has a shot!

[mickeypops]

That's MUCH more like it! 3-2 now.

[Bardot]

Love hold. 3-2

[Stell]

I feel a Queen's final coming over me.

[JennieF]

Brilliant.

[Linda]

Amazing change in Andy. Come on!

Forum is extremely slow . . .

[lovetennis]

BP c'monnnnnn

[Linda]

Amazing change in Andy. Come on!

Forum is extremely slow . . .

[supergran]

#Always believe #Never give up Come on Andy!

[LC the fan]

Has he finally remembered who he is...much better

[Bardot]

So close. Deuce

[Stell]

I bet McEnroe wished he could have Hawkeye when he was playing.

[Stell]

3 - 3.

[Bardot]

Shame. 3-3

[Alis]

Okay - just hold and then break, Andy.

[LC the fan]

What a pity - that game could have changed the match. Try again Andy

[Bardot]

What a pick up from the baseline. 30-30

[JAMES4578]

Certainly pity and Andy hasn't been serving great this game,however now 40-30 after fab pick up and holds for 4-3.

[Stell]

4 - 3.

[Bardot]

Strong hold. 4-3

[Alis]

Well held, Andy, now break and hold - simples!

[Stell]

Andy beat Tim in Basel in 2005.

[Alis]

Raonic has found his serve again - rats!

[lovetennis]

Servebot has resurfaced

[Bardot]

Normal service resumed by Raonic, love hold. 4-4

[Stell]

4 - 4.

[Alis]

Safe hold and try again Andy.

[Alis]

I don't think I've ever seen Andy make so many mistakes - c'monnnnn!

[Alis]

Just hold!!

[Stell]

5 - 4.

[Bardot]

Good hold. 5-4

[mickeypops]

Phew, 5-4.

[Alis]

Well done - now's the time to strike - we need some Murray magic!

[goldfish]

Need nervous Milos now - c'mon, you can do that for us.

[Bardot]

How many times does Andy have to say "towel" before a ballkid hears him? :big grin: You'd think they'd be ready with it by now. ;)

[Jan]

:nailbiter: again

[Teresa]

I am not enjoying this at all. It's far too stressful.

[Stell]

Pity the notes don't say "Raonic will give you the second set because the crowd and us want it".

[Alis]

Is Milos tightening up??

[Alis]

He is ............... isn't he?

[lovetennis]

ooooo is Milos feeling the pressure?

[Alis]

That was such an important point and Andy missed it - what a pity!

[Stell]

5 - 5.

[Bardot]

Aargh two chances from 0-30. 5-5

[Alis]

Not to be - regroup - hold and then break!

[JAMES4578]

Looked really good chance at 0-30 but still with it all to do, come on Andy!

[lovetennis]

Blooming heck, I am stressed out

[Alis]

Blooming heck, I am stressed out

Me too - I might just have to go walkabout!

[Alis]

What was that?

[dewster99]

Andy has let Raonic off the hook so many times in this set

[Alis]

C'monnnnnnn Andy!

[Alis]

Great serve - another one of those please.

[Alis]

How lucky was that?

[lovetennis]

How lucky was that?

Too lucky grrrr

[Alis]

Why can Andy never find his first serve in the Ad court?

[Stell]

6 - 5.

[mickeypops]

I am not enjoying this at all. It's far too stressful.

The old Murraycoaster is back with a vengeance today!

[Bardot]

Tough, tough hold. 6-5

[Alis]

Phew! Now for the break.

[lovetennis]

One more chance to break the Servebot, or it'll be a must win TB :sofa:

[supergran]

Oh gawd looking like tb

[Stell]

Tie break.

[Bardot]

Raonic holds to 15. 6-6

[Alis]

A tie break it is then.

[Linda]

:sofa:

[Stell]

"Come on" shouts Andy as he wins the first point.

[LC the fan]

This I just cant watch. I'm with you folks - keep me informed

[Alis]

First blood to Andy.

[JAMES4578]

Russian roulette for Andy to stay in contention, come on- early mb for 2-0!

[Stell]

3 - 1.

[Alis]

Brilliant!

[Stell]

4 - 1.

[Bardot]

Brilliant half volley. 4-1

[Alis]

One of these two Andy pleeeeease.

[Bardot]

Raonic's 2 points are both aces. 4-2

[Stell]

No challenges remaining for Andy.

[LC the fan]

I do hate tie breaks anyway, especially Andy ones, especially THIS one