ROLAND GARROS 2017, QF: Andy v Kei Nishikori. Wednesday 3.00 pm approx

[Sallydaisy]

Andy v Keith, as he's become known on this forum ...
;)

Andy leads their H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/players/fedex-head-2-head/andy-murray-vs-kei-nishikori/MC10/N552) by 8-2!
But it was at a Grand Slam QF (USO 2016) that Keith's last win came.
So Andy had better be on top of HIS game for this one!

[cazza99]

Kei had half of a 5 setter yesterday followed by a 4 setter today, so I wonder how well his recovery will be.

[lovetennis]

Thinking Andy's loss to Kei in the USO last year had more to do with Andy running out of steam after the Olympics, rather than anything Kei did. Confident Andy can beat him this week

[RosieBear]

Thinking Andy's loss to Kei in the USO last year had more to do with Andy running out of steam after the Olympics, rather than anything Kei did. Confident Andy can beat him this week

Love Keith, but in all honesty both his wins came when Andy was totally gassed; uso as you say, but also at O2 2014, after Andy had to play all those extra tournaments in order to qualify.

Big respect for Keith's game, but when Andy's fit and healthy I have no worries about this match up.

[themass15]

Hopefully Andy will be able to beat Kei with ease.

[scrapaddict]

I see Johnny Mac is predicting that Andy will get to the Final!

[Pam]

All the very best Andy!

You are a great warrior on the tennis court and in life.

I'm looking forward to this! :boogie:

[Caro]

Andy has got to be due a late match surely?! Thinking of myself here as I am at work. Thinking about it though, I don't think there are late matched so much in the 2nd week ... so this is yet another one I will miss. TBH I often don't get around to watching replays once I know the result. There always seems so little time during the week!

I have every confidence Andy will win this :swingin::swingin:

[Stell]

I read about that as well, scrapaddict.

[patlowe]

Andy has got to be due a late match surely?! Thinking of myself here as I am at work. Thinking about it though, I don't think there are late matched so much in the 2nd week ... so this is yet another one I will miss. TBH I often don't get around to watching replays once I know the result. There always seems so little time during the week!

I have every confidence Andy will win this :swingin::swingin:

Re a later start for Andy, I was thinking along those lines too Caro. As you say, unlikely now though. I reckon he will be second on tomorrow after a women's match and like today, with play starting at 2pm. (1pm here.) So my estimation is approx 3pm here when Andy will be on. (Providing they don't have to reschedule if any matches don't get finished today due to the weather!) I have to be out tomorrow but I will be rushing home like mad as soon as it's possible!
And I totally share your optimism about the result!! Let's go Andy!!

[patlowe]

Even with revised schedule, it looks like Andy's time will be more or less the same as first thought....provided they get the women's matches done tonight on Chatrier (which I think they will.)

[pabbers]

Think Andy likes to be there for Sophia's bedtime.
Re McEnroe's prediction..... I've accepted a bbq invitation for Sunday rather than risk jinxing him :lol: and just in case :cauldron:

[lynne]

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

[ljs]

Good Luck to Andy :jitterbug:

will be watching & cheering Andy on !!!!

[Jane]

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

[Jan]

Good luck Andy!
Hoping to be able to watch this one!
:GBflag:

[RosieBear]

Keep an eye on the schedule folks, - PCB retired against Rafa so Andy could be on a lot early than expected.

Edit: scrub that, they are keeping the women's match before Andy at the not before time (1pm) so Andy unaffected.

[themass15]

Andy needs to be his guard too today. Thiem winning shows upsets do happen.

[LC the fan]

Good luck Andy...keep up the improvement....you can do it all the way

[pabbers]

Mr P is my hero. He managed to find a steam for me half way through Monday's match when I'd given up hope of finding one. If anyone's keeping a eye on the ladies match preceding Andy's, I'd be grateful for a nudge on here when it finishes. We pay for our Wi-Fi by the yard in Portugal so I would prefer not to stream before necessary :thanks: in advance.

[pabbers]

I see the ladies have just finished.

[cazza99]

I see the ladies have just finished.

Was just going to tell you. They are showing the other women's match on TV in the UK which is still going, so hadn't noticed until just now.

[Jane]

Players on court

[Bardot]

Nishikori won the toss and elected to receive. It feels as if Andy's served first in every match he's played this year.

[Stell]

Many thanks for my birthday wishes to whoever sent me the email.

I went out, today, and have just arrived back for Andy's match. I also found out about Novak losing.

[harriet]

serving first is a good play in my book

[supergran]

Let's go Andy! Come on Champ!

[Stell]

1 - 0.

[Bardot]

Good hold. 1-0

[Bardot]

FH winner in the first game, nice.

[Stell]

1 - 1.

[Bardot]

Dropper disaster so far. 1-1

[Stell]

Two break points for Nishikori.

[harriet]

finding it hard to follow yellow ball on clay court, no colour contrast

[Stell]

Time warning for Andy, as he saves one break point.

[Bardot]

Andy puts Ramos on the hit list. :grrr: 1-2

[Stell]

Double fault 1 - 2.

[roytennisfan]

Poor service game, Andy gifts early break

[banskogirl]

Come on Andy!

[david1610]

Oops! Try and break back straightaway. C'mon Andy!

[dewster99]

Poor game. On drop shots I heard on tennis podcast that up til the last match andy hadn't missed a single BH dropper and had a 60 odd percent win ratio

[david1610]

I don't think the standing close on the second serve works as well as clay! C'mon Andy!

[Bardot]

Nishikori holds to love. 1-3

[pabbers]

Both playing lack lustre tennis so far and Andy can scarcely buy a first serve!

[Stell]

2 - 3.

[Bardot]

Good hold. 2-3

[pabbers]

Hallelujah Andy holds!

[Bardot]

Next warning is loss of serve, then loss of point, then it gets nasty and Ramos is clearly up for it giving a warning in only the 3rd game and on a windy day. :rolleyes:

[banskogirl]

Maybe umpires are trying to tighten up on Rafa so they feel they have to do it with the rest. Commentators surprised at how early Andy was warned.

[Bardot]

No slow start from Nishikori. 2-4

[Stell]

2 - 4.

[Bardot]

Nishikori not missing. 2-5

[LC the fan]

Maybe umpires are trying to tighten up on Rafa so they feel they have to do it with the rest. Commentators surprised at how early Andy was warned.
The point is he wasn'[t warned - at least no warning was heard - just a violation.

Early days....Andy will be OK

[Stell]

2 - 5.

[david1610]

Andy being schooled. Try to hit the ball hard is not working... Andy has to drag this out and make it a physical test but... how? C'mon Andy!

[LC the fan]

Have faith - Andy will sort this out

[dewster99]

Nishi unplayable on this form. Hoping for a dip

[harriet]

2 breaks down, kei certainly giving andy the run-around in this set

[pabbers]

Far too passive. Too many short balls. Where's his aggression and volleying? Nishikori is so fast.....makes Andy look leaden. Come on Muzzah!!!

[RosieBear]

Have faith - Andy will sort this out

:thumbup: Andy not up and running yet...but when he is..:battle:

[banskogirl]

Not sure it Kei so much as Andy not playing his best........yet :)

[themass15]

Andy going to have his work cut out to turn this around.

[Jane]

O u c h

[Stell]

Kei wins the first set, as Stan races away with the first set in his match.

[ljs]

Wow , a bit surprising , Andy not looking too good out there yet

[Bardot]

Nishikori holds to love for the set, tough. Ever since the warning from Ramos. :grrr: 6-2

[supergran]

Jeepers, what a set. Come on Andy, more aggression please.

[RosieBear]

Ugh. But far too early to panic; only worry if Andy plays well and still loses a set. Right, here we go Andy, fire up :swingin:

[Bardot]

Why does Nishikori need a break after only 34 minutes? :grrr:

[themass15]

Wish I shared other people's optimism.

[LC the fan]

Feeling quite relaxed because - should the worst happen - Novak is losing 2000 pts and Andy 1200. Stan and Rafa are 5000 behind so (unless I have worked it out badly) Andy will still be top seed at Wimbledon ???? is that right ?

And on to set No 2......................

[Josephine]

Both playing lack lustre tennis so far and Andy can scarcely buy a first serve!

Don't think Kei was lacklustre for one second! He is pushing Andy off the court at the moment. Playing very well. Andy doesn't seem to have a lot answers right now.

[pabbers]

Nishikori is not playing brilliant tennis. He hasn't needed to thus far.

[banskogirl]

Oh I heard a come on from Andy :)

[banskogirl]

Feeling quite relaxed because - should the worst happen - Novak is losing 2000 pts and Andy 1200. Stan and Rafa are 5000 behind so (unless I have worked it out badly) Andy will still be top seed at Wimbledon ???? is that right ?

And on to set No 2......................

The bigger the cushion the better for later in the year though, for Andy!

[angiebabez]

Don't think Kei was lacklustre for one second! He is pushing Andy off the court at the moment. Playing very well. Andy doesn't seem to have a lot answers right now.

Agreed!!!

[Josephine]

Nishikori is not playing brilliant tennis. He hasn't needed to thus far.

I think he was playing pretty well! What on earth more could he do? 2 breaks and not remotely threatened.

[pabbers]

At last a good first serve

[Stell]

1 - 0.

[Bardot]

Djokosmash! 1-0

[Stell]

Also, Nadal has overtaken Djokovic in the rankings.

[Mandiemoo]

Andy needs to get sharp quick, he is doing all the running. Good to hold start of second set, now let the kit kat commence

Cmon Muzz!

[Bardot]

Andy won the first set at the US Open 6-1.

[pabbers]

I think he was playing pretty well! What on earth more could he do? 2 breaks and not remotely threatened.

Andy is very passive. Just pushing the ball back. He's allowing himself to be pushed too far behind the baseline.
Last shot for example.... high and loopy so it's murdered

[dewster99]

Andy pushed kei off the baseline in that game and still came off second best in the rally. He's just so aggressive off every shot, andy can't get on top in the rally

[Jan]

Not sure if I can watch this. Kei so good.
:sofa:

[Bardot]

Nishikori holds to love, looks like he's playing brilliantly to me. 1-1

[Alis]

How long can Kei keep this up I wonder. C'mon, Andy, just keep with him.

[themass15]

Kei playing far too well for my liking.

[pabbers]

Andy needs to go up a gear and Kei I needs to have a little lapse!

[themass15]

If only!

[RosieBear]

Whether it's down to Andy's play or Kei's brilliance can all agree the current situ ain't working. Hoping Andy, master of variation, can find something different to throw Kei off. Slice him, dice him Andy - just get him off that baseline.

[Stell]

Another warning for Andy.

[Bardot]

That is ridiculous. Ramos is &*%£. :grrr:

[themass15]

Andy getting rattled won't help.

[Bardot]

"let's go!!!". Adv

[RosieBear]

"Let's go"

[Stell]

2 - 1.

[dewster99]

Pathetic from Ramos

[Bardot]

Up yours Ramos. :big grin: 2-1

[banskogirl]

OOOOOOHHHHH!!! Yes come on Andy!!!:grrr::thanks: Carlos Ramos!

[Stell]

Agree with you, Bardot. The warning was ridiculous, but Andy had gone over the legal time limit (again) for serving.

[harriet]

loss of serve! andy certainly didn't take that lying down

[david1610]

Let's hope that time warning fires Andy up and he starts to boss the points. The way Ken is playing, he is not going to win waiting for errors from Ken, but at the same time Ken is soaking up Andy's attempt at pace. Boss the points please! C'mon Andy!

[pabbers]

Yup that penalty has got Andy fired up and may have distracted Kei :cauldron:

[Alis]

Andy getting rattled won't help.

Actually it just might!

[supergran]

It fired him up. Come on Andy!!

[RosieBear]

Yeah, watch and learn Rafa, that's how you deal with a time violation from Ramos :thumbup:

[Stell]

Two break points for Andy.

[Stell]

3 - 1.

[Bardot]

DF, thank you. 3-1

[RosieBear]

Well done Andy, let's go :cheer:

[pabbers]

Well well, well

[david1610]

Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Andy!

[RosieBear]

Andy eyeballing Ramos :laugh:

[Bardot]

When will Ramos give the point penalty? :rolleyes: 15-30

[Stell]

Break point for Kei.

[Stell]

Saved.

[Bardot]

Great 2nd serve. Deuce

[Stell]

Another break point for Kei.

[Bardot]

Not a great 2nd serve. BP

[Stell]

Saved again.

[RosieBear]

Kiss that Scottish net :love::phew: come on Andy!

[Bardot]

Saves 2BPs & holds, tough. 4-1

[Stell]

4 - 1.

[RosieBear]

Well done Andy, tough cookie :clap:

[pabbers]

At last a couple of free points on serve!

[harriet]

good hold, fighting spider cam as usual

[Bardot]

Andy's comment to ratty Ramos about the loss of serve, "I've been on tour so long and I've never seen that!".

[JimmyG]

When will Ramos give the point penalty? :rolleyes: 15-30

I thought all subsequent time violations were also just a fault for the server, no point penalties.

[RosieBear]

Come Andy, love Keith but his head can go down - he's a confidence player, undermine it :cheer:

[Stell]

Two break points for Andy.

[Stell]

One saved.

[Stell]

5 - 1.

[Bardot]

Get in! 5-1

[dewster99]

Awful leave!

Incidentally just timed nishikori on last 2 points. 26 and 28 seconds respectively

[Stell]

"Surely that is the end of the second set" remarks Petchey. I was wondering when he would talk rubbish.

[RosieBear]

Mwaha - what a leave by Keith to gift double break :laugh: leave and hope rather than play, now that's a sign Andy's eroding his confidence :thumbup:

[harriet]

kei leaves a ball, and it drops in! andy to serve at 5-1 for set2

[Jane]

Yesssss - second set to Andy - 6 - 1 :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Stell]

Second set to Andy.

[supergran]

Andy playing much better since the time violation. Typical of him and his cussedness. Gets the second set 6-1.:clap::knight::GBflag:

[Bardot]

Nice Andy, nice. 6-1

[harriet]

set all, 2-6, 6-1

[dewster99]

Got a match at 6 andy so if you could at least get this set before half 5 that'd be good

[HoopGirl]

Well done Andy!
Great way to convert that interaction with Carlos Ramos and get the second set!

[Jan]

I'm breathing again!
:knight:

[Bardot]

I thought all subsequent time violations were also just a fault for the server, no point penalties.

You're right, google says it changed in 2012. Bet Ramos was miffed. ;)

[RosieBear]

Well done Andy - absolutely brilliant to win set convincingly even though sniffer dogs couldn't find his first serve. Keep going Andy!!! :cheer:

[david1610]

Mm. Even before the stimulus of the time violation, Ken had started introducing one or two more UEs.
Very important Andy keeps the same focus and intent during the third (and whatever!). C'mon Andy!

[pabbers]

Ok got my wish. Andy up a gear and lapse from Kei. A set apiece. What next?

[ljs]

much better set from Andy :cheer:

( meanwhile Wawrinka is looking pretty incredible against Cilic )

[Bardot]

Nishikori stops the rot. 0-1

[themass15]

Andy needs to maintain this level. Kei isn't finished yet.

[banskogirl]

Carlos Ramos needs to go shopping for some sweets.................

Too good to hurray mints.............

[Alis]

Much better from Andy but I'm not sitting comfortably .................... yet!!

[Stell]

1 - 1.

[Bardot]

Good serving. 1-1

[Bardot]

Comfortable hold for Nishikori. 1-2

[JAMES4578]

Well Andy was in bit of trouble but got fired up after that dispute with umpire and really went up a gear, whilst Kei went walkabout somewhat. However looking like a tighter 3rd, hopefully Andy can keep pressure on!

[Bardot]

Nishikori has always had good stats on 2nd serve points won.

[Stell]

Stan wins the second set 6 - 3.

[LC the fan]

Andy doesn't seem to be play quite so comfortably - he's n ot moving as smoothly as he was against KK

[Alis]

Andy doesn't seem to be play quite so comfortably - he's n ot moving as smoothly as he was against KK

Agreed - he's definitely not as comfortable out there today.

[Stell]

2 - 2.

[Bardot]

Dropper working. 2-2

[banskogirl]

That's it Andy, keep Kei's head down like Rosie said!

[david1610]

Stan wins the second set 6 - 3.

For good or bad, Andy and Ken seems to be the only truly competitive QF.

Break would be nice now please. C'mon Andy!

[pabbers]

Whatever the outcome, Andy has turned up.

[Stell]

Come on Andy, I love deja vu.

[Stell]

Three break points for Andy.

[Stell]

One saved.

[Stell]

3 - 2.

[Bardot]

FH long & the break. 3-2

[harriet]

andy breaks for 3-2, or rather kei dropped his focus

[RosieBear]

That's it Andy, keep Kei's head down like Rosie said!

Well that will certainly help :) Make hay before he bounces back Andy. Hold pdq :cheer:

[Stell]

Two break points for Kei.

[david1610]

Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Andy!

[Stell]

First one saved.

[RosieBear]

Thanks again​ Ramos :shamed:

[Stell]

Ramos on Andy's side?

[Bardot]

What happened there? 3-3

[roytennisfan]

Oh Andy, coughed that break back, 3 poor shots, Cmon Andy get going again

[Stell]

3 - 3.

[RosieBear]

Oh Andy...that was not the time...oh well, on we go!

[Hawkeye]

Ah well, if you are going to get broken, do it from a break up.

[david1610]

Let it go. Don't change the momentum. Focus and break again. C'mon Andy!

[harriet]

andy hands the break back, ugh! awful net volley went way wide

[Stell]

3 - 4.

[Bardot]

Nishikori holds to love. 3-4

[RosieBear]

Ah well, if you are going to get broken, do it from a break up.

It's not just the break tho. Keith flying again :sad: C'mon Andy you need break him in every way including his spirit. Let's go!!!

[Jan]

What! I leave for a few minutes and the break is gone.
Come on Andy!

[david1610]

Eek. Boring holds the rest of the set please!
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Andy!

[Alis]

Oh, c'mon Andy - you may have to win ugly today - just keep holding and you'll get more chances. I have to take the dogs out - hopefully, Andy'll have this set in the bag by the time I come back!

[Stell]

4 - 4.

[Bardot]

Now he holds to love. :p 4-4

[Jan]

Nice hold, but I could do with a "heart in mouth" emoticon!

[Bardot]

All first serves from Nishikori. 4-5

[themass15]

Come on Andy, you know you can beat Kei. Crucial game coming

[Hawkeye]

It's not just the break tho. Keith flying again :sad: C'mon Andy you need break him in every way including his spirit. Let's go!!!You are such a Negative Nelly. I often wonder how you make it out of bed in the morning. :pirate:

[Bardot]

Brilliant serving for a love hold. 5-5

[RosieBear]

Seriously classy hold :worship:

[david1610]

40-0 Focus. Don't let it slip as you sometimes do! C'mon Andy!

[RosieBear]

You are such a Negative Nelly. I often wonder how you make it out of bed in the morning. :pirate:

:big grin::love:

[Stell]

Stan wins the match 6 - 1 and is now waiting for Andy.

[Stell]

6 - 5.

[Bardot]

Sweet break. 6-5

[RosieBear]

Yes!!! Now CRUSH him Andy!!!! (:shamed:)

[Jan]

Now HOLD please.

[harriet]

break for 6-5, andy serving for set 3

[dewster99]

Please hold.

[roytennisfan]

Bad start 0-30 Cmon Andy, next 4!

[Jan]

:nailbiter:

[RosieBear]

First serves, please, please, please....

[Hawkeye]

2 break points.

[Stell]

Tie break.

[Bardot]

Deeply disappointing. 6-6

[roytennisfan]

All pressure on Andy now

[dewster99]

Whyyyyy?! I need to go now!

[RosieBear]

Uh oh. Oh well, who doesn't love a tiebreak when they already feel sick with nerves :nailbiter: ....here we go Andy, back yourself because you can do this!

[david1610]

Let it go. Never mind.
Focus. Safe tiebreak. C'mon Andy!

[Stell]

1 - 0.

[Stell]

2 - 0.

[Stell]

3 - 0.

[RosieBear]

Come on Andy dig deep :cheer:

[Stell]

4 - 0.

[Stell]

5 - 0.

[Jan]

surely...

[LC the fan]

We haven't quite got the ruthless Andy that we had earlier in the week but he can hold this breaker

[Stell]

6 - 0.

[Jane]

:phew: Third set to Andy :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Hawkeye]

That's gotta hurt! :big grin:

[Stell]

Andy wins the third set 7 - 0.

[Bardot]

A bagel TB. 7-6

[Stell]

Should be a warning for Kei, knowing Ramos.

[Jan]

That's our man!!!!
No let up please Andy.
:GBflag:

[roytennisfan]

All pressure on Andy now

Got that completely wrong! 7-0 lol, now a strong hold please Andy

[RosieBear]

Well that painless! (well, not for Keith). Come on Andy, focus and bury the match.

[lynne]

:phew:

[Bardot]

I'm sure those racquet throws are not in the Boy Scout Code of Honour. :p

[harriet]

failed to serve it out for the set, but wins the tb to 0, kei looking really sad. and andy serving first in set 4

[pabbers]

So 2 breaks to Kei first set. Second 2 breaks to Andy. Third....2 breaks each. Fourth??? And they're both playing well at the same time.

[JAMES4578]

Bit of topsey turvey and edgy 3rd set, however Andy far the stronger in the breaker and hopefully keeps momentum!

[Stell]

Break point for Kei.

[Bardot]

Still a long way to go it would seem. 0-1

[roytennisfan]

Oh no, a sixth df and more poor serving 0-1

[Stell]

0 - 1.

[pabbers]

Sigh

[david1610]

Sign. Hold and a break would have been... saving energy for Stan.. and now... the quarter final is open again.
C'mon Andy!

[clancy]

Kei playing very well again, Andy hasn't got this in the bag yet.