DUBAI 2017 Semi Final: Andy v. Pouille - Friday 3rd March not before 3pm

[Hawkeye]

Andy plays Lucas Pouille not before 3pm GMT tomorrow in the semi final after Andy's marathon and Pouille's late finish.

[themass15]

Hopefully Andy will be fully recovered and Pouille will be nice and tired!

[Bardot]

Reminds me, the official reason given for Pouille & Verdasco withdrawing from the doubles yesterday was a Pouille "bicep strain". Brave Legionnaire for managing to play today. :rolleyes:

[lynne]

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

[LC the fan]

Hope you are fully recovered Andy.....really not sure that I am. Good luck in the semi, this title is yours for the taking.

[sir coolerking]

Pouille was on court for only 35 minutes less than Andy (a tie break then!!) but didn't finish till after 1.30am local time. They both have recovery issues but Andy often seems to play well after these matches (look at ATP Tour Finals against Raonic and Djokovic for example).

[anor]

Andy, you gave us a thriller yesterday but a boring straight sets win would be so satisfying today.:cauldron:

[Josephine]

Only difference is Andy played the equivalent of a full set (30 minute tie-break) without once sitting down or having 2 minute breaks - just a few slugs of water and a pause every so often.

[Pam]

All the best Andy!! I have to go out this afternoon but will try and follow on L. S.

[Stell]

I'm going for another win for Sir Andy.

[roytennisfan]

Cmon Andy ...it's a Frenchman....a good decisive win today please!

[roytennisfan]

1st semi now a Set all , looking like not before 4pm now

[JerryD]

I'm sure Andy would have recovered well and will be solid today. It was a long match, but he is so fit and getting the win makes it all easier to cope with. He has this one and hopefully can make it a shorter one, as much as I enjoyed yesterday's match, because he will want more rest ahead of the final.

[ljs]

Good Luck to Andy !!!

Hopefully i can see a bit of it before I have to go out

[Jan]

Just home - glad I haven't missed the start!
Good luck Andy!
:GBflag:

[Jane]

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

[lovetennis]

C'monnnn Andy, :knight:

[supergran]

Let's go Andy!!:knight:

[Bardot]

Andy wins the toss and elects to serve.

[Bardot]

Peter Fleming giving a comprehensive appraisal on the Kyrgios/Djokovic match based only on the score having watched none of it. Easy peasy punditry. ;)

[Teresa]

Really not sure I am psychologically strong enough for this one, after yesterday. My guts are churning already. Please get this done quickly Sir A:-)

[Josephine]

Good luck Andy!

[themass15]

Come on Andy: you're numerous Uno!

[Bardot]

ACE to hold. 1-0

[themass15]

Oops I meant numero!

[RosieBear]

C'mon Andy - front foot tennis from the get go. I know he feels his way in, but the flip side is that gives oppo time to settle. Mash him up Andy before he knows what's hit him! :swingin:

[Bardot]

Pouille serves 2DFs and helps Andy to break. 2-0

[Bardot]

Good hold given Andy only 38% first serves. 3-0

[Stell]

A bit of a one sided match, at the moment.

[themass15]

Come on Andy, this is the way we all like it!

[JAMES4578]

Andy certainly made the better start, got to keep Pouille down-come on!

[Bardot]

Pouille holds even though couldn't find a 1st serve until the last point. 3-1

[Bardot]

Couple of loose points and Pouille breaks back. 3-2

[Stell]

Back on serve.

[Alis]

A poor game from Andy to hand back the break.

[Bardot]

Pouille holds, humidity seems to be affecting both player's grips. 3-3

[themass15]

Andy determined to make things difficult for himself again

[RosieBear]

Understandably so, this is like pulling teeth. Bet everyone in the crowd is wishing they had tickets for yesterday instead. C'mon Andy, dig deep :cheer:

[JAMES4578]

A bit disappointing as let Lucas in and now 3 all, come on!

[roytennisfan]

Andy certainly making mistakes, Cmon Andy focus...get back on top

[Alis]

Andy not on his game at all at the moment - c'mon!!

[Teresa]

Rats.

[Alis]

Oh dear - 15-40.

[RosieBear]

Both players bit flat after previous matches, but sure Andy will grit his teeth and find enough. :cheer:

[Bardot]

A DF & Pouille wins 4 games on the trot. 3-4

[Jan]

eek I was hoping not to need the :sofa: today!

[Teresa]

Oh dear. Not what we or he wanted.

[scrapaddict]

3-0 to 3-4 - so many UE's and a DF - come on Andy

[JAMES4578]

Admittedly one great shot from Pouille but then a double-Andy needs to get back on track!

[Stell]

Pouille breaks. Sir Andy does like a bit tired.

[Bardot]

Looked like an eff off from Andy to his box at the changeover. ;) What happens on court stays on court. :big grin:

[Alis]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear - a double fault to hand Pouille the break. :facepalm:

[Alis]

C'mon Andy - break straight back.

[lovetennis]

Regroup Andy, c'mon now

[RosieBear]

Long way to go. Andy will dig this out. Think of all those lovely points waiting for you, Andy :cheer:

[Bardot]

"King of the Lobs". ADV

[Bardot]

DF from Pouille and back on serve. 4-4

[Stell]

A double fault for Pouille and back on serve.

[RosieBear]

Well done Andy :clap: Not a pretty match , just has to be the least worst player - keep going Andy :cheer:

[Bardot]

Great hold from 0-30. 5-4

[themass15]

Andy defo likes making things difficult for himself.

[Bardot]

The new graphics work perfectly when both players have the same numbers. ;)

[lovetennis]

Andy getting back on track :thumbup:

[lovetennis]

The new graphics work perfectly when both players have the same numbers. ;)

:shamed:and I still don't get what they are trying to show us.

[Alis]

After yesterday this is a bit like the dustcart coming after the Lord Mayor's show.

[Bardot]

ACE from Pouille to hold 5-5

[Alis]

:shamed:and I still don't get what they are trying to show us.

I don't know anyone who does!

[Alis]

Andy's getting really fed up with himself. C'mon, Andy!

[david1610]

Watching but not posting. Is this the hangover from yesterday? Andy started well but now it's a struggle! C'mon Andy!

[Bardot]

Good hold from 15-30, big serving when needed. 6-5

[Alis]

Two good serves in succession - that's better. Now a nice little break would be just the ticket.

[Stell]

First set or a tie break?

[supergran]

Do not want a tie break. Come on Andy!

[lovetennis]

Looking forward to a TB everyone? :red devil:

[JennieF]

Come on Andy! We only want two sets today otherwise you won't have enough in the tank for the powerhouse that is Verdasco!

[Bardot]

Wow, some point to save SP. Deuce

[Bardot]

What a pick-up from Andy. Deuce

[Alis]

Another chance - c'mon!

[JAMES4578]

Sp but great pick up from Pouille now fab from Andy and another error creates 2nd chance!

[Jane]

First set to Andy 7 - 5 :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Bardot]

Cracking pass to take the set. 7-5

[Jan]

:cheer:

[Alis]

Well, I'm not quite sure how he managed to win that set but well done Champ!

[themass15]

At last Andy wins the set!

[roytennisfan]

67 mins, long enough without a tiebreak! Well done Andy

[Stell]

First set in the bag.

[JAMES4578]

Awesome pass from Andy to finally take set 7-5, come on! A bit patchy at times but more of a challenge from Pouille this time and coming on strong when it mattered.

[supergran]

Brilliant!! Go Andy!

[JennieF]

WOW!! :yahoo:

[Bardot]

17 UEs to Andy and 20 to Pouille, it aint purrty but it'll have to do.

[david1610]

Phew! Now hold and break please! C'mon Andy!

[Bardot]

Good hold to begin the set. 1-0

[Bardot]

Brilliant return to break. 2-0

[JAMES4578]

Great returning to keep momentum going, hopefully no let ups this time!

[JennieF]

And this, folks, is why he's our No 1 !! Andy Andy!

[Bardot]

A hold with a sweet S&V and consecutive ACES. 3-0

[Stell]

Deja vu.

[roytennisfan]

3-0 solid ...now keep going Andy, no second stumble

[JennieF]

Short and sweet this set please.

[Bardot]

I'm getting worried, I'm beginning to understand the graphics. :shocked: It's a challenge like playing a quiz machine with only seconds to answer the question. Stats shouldn't be stressful. ;)

[AllyB]

Where's everyone watching?

[Bardot]

Net cord forces Pouille long. 4-0

[roytennisfan]

4-0 18 mins, much better

[Bardot]

ACE to hold, 1 more game. 5-0

[JAMES4578]

Andy pilling pressure on and surely not long before victory secured,definitely playing confidently now! Goes up 5-0, terrific.

[Bardot]

Pouille holds to love. 5-1

[JerryD]

Pouille on the board

[JennieF]

We're on our way!........Go Andy! Watch out Verdasco!

[Jane]

Andy wins and is into the final - great stuff :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[JennieF]

He is AMAZING!!

[roytennisfan]

Outstanding second set 6-1 well done Andy, increases his lead to over 2k points

[Jan]

:cheer::cheer:
Thanks Andy - no burnt dinners tonight! :thumbup:

[Bardot]

All about the first set as Andy cruised the second. Top man. :boogie:

6 is the most games Pouille has won against Andy, so there's that for him. :p

[david1610]

Well done. Very professional second set. Energy saved for the final! Well done!! ;)

[JerryD]

Well if you blinked you missed that game. Great play from Andy! Tough to come back after yesterday but he did :) he will beat verdasco tomorrow too :)

[RosieBear]

Well done Andy - different matches are impressive for difference reasons- got the job done like a true pro after yesterday's gruelling match.:bravo:

[JennieF]

Where's everyone watching?
I was on 'Cricfree' Ally.

[JAMES4578]

Two contrasting sets and Andy could possibly have been more convincing in early stages, however all that mattes is he finished strongly with some supreme shotmaking, well done!:clap::clap::clap::cheer::cheer: Into another final and sure he will step up again, though will be aware of the Verdasco challenge.

[JennieF]

Is the final tomorrow?

[Stell]

3pm, I believe.

[supergran]

Is the final tomorrow?

Yes. Well done Andy.:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

[lovetennis]

:dance::dance::dance::dance: job done Andy. Impressed with how he steadied the ship in the 1st after going off the boil.

[JAMES4578]

Where's everyone watching?

I've got Sky Sports like some others(though this week available on mix without Sports sub),others viewing via Tennis TV and likely some had dodgy streams on lol!

[Alis]

Had to go out after the first set but was pretty sure Andy would get the job done.:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo: Well played, Andy!

[themass15]

Good finish in the end by Andy. Needs to get the business done against Fernando tomorrow; unfortunately I will be out and won't see it.

[Pam]

Well done Andy!! Onwards!!! :knight:

[hfwardhouse]

Blimey. I went out with the dog after the first game of the second and missed the rest of the match! Oh well....well done Andy!

[anor]

Contrasting sets but very efficient, swift 2nd set gets Andy through to final without too much drama. Rest up, Champ because Verdasco is always a bit of a challenge despite the good h to h.

[WimbledonWestie]

Missed this but should be good for tomorrow.

[Teresa]

Excellent result. Saw in the park he had taken the first set, was then able to relax. I didn't think he would lose it from there.

[HoopGirl]

Great news to come back to!
Bravo Andy!
Hopefully another title tomorrow!

[LC the fan]

Some absolutely fabulous shots by Andy. Never in doubt of the end result but it came quicker than expected. Once Andy Susses-out how to outfox his opponents it's a one way street. Great result...another battle with Nando, another final

[Bardot]

The incredible half-volley pick up with back spin to save game point.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB722QiW12E

[patlowe]

Again today I had to watch Andy on catch up! Just finished. From the first set where he fumbled and futtered a little bit (hardly surprising given the effort from last night) but still managed to win it, to the second where he dished out a breadstick! What a contrast! How lovely to watch him as he gains momentum and piles the pressure on and you just know he is going to win. Yay! We have a final tomorrow with Andy in it, AND I will be able to watch it in real time! Happy days! Well done Andy! Look out Verdasco! :bravo: :cheer:

I'm off now to have my meal, back later to catch up on all the posts!

[ljs]

Yippppeeeee Great news to come home to !!! Had no doubt

[Bardot]

Learning from the Master. :shades:

Oleg S.‏ @AnnaK_4ever
There are 4 players aged 23 or younger in the ATP Top-20.
Sir Andrew Murray is 12-0 against them in matches, 29-3 in sets.
The 4 players are Thiem, Pouille, Kyrgios & A.Zverev.