US Open R2 - Felix AA d Andy 6'2, 6'3, 6'4

[Sallydaisy]

Andy came through a tough 5-setter to earn his place in R2, taking 4hrs & 39mins to beat Nishioka of Japan. His next opponent Félix Auger-Aliassime also had a very tough first-round in New York, beating Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-7(7), 7-6(6), 7-6(6) in 3h 51m.

At least they have tomorrow off to recover before battling it out for a place in R3.

They've never met before so the H2H is 0-0. (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/andy-murray-vs-felix-auger-aliassime/MC10/AG37)
Yet another youngster whose game Andy has to figure out in order to win.
;)

It's fair to say the Canadian, aged 20, also has younger legs than Andy but as we all know (and if you didn't before tonights' match you do now!) Andy doesn't give up no matter who the opponent.

:sirandy:

[Jane]

Just had a look at tomorrow's OOP and Andy's match is on after Serena, who is due on at midnight(UK time)!!!

[clancy]

Woke up without the alarm at one, tea and toast, dogs with an early treat (my treat will be watching Andy) - who else is all set?

[Hawkeye]

That's me up...

[Hawkeye]

Players on court.

[lovetennis]

I'm here. Had a couple of hours snooze (sorry Dan). Go Andy

[david1610]

C'mon Andy! :)

[Hawkeye]

Andy broken in his first service game, first serve pretty much AWOL, and Auger-Aliassime hitting through Andy at the moment.

[david1610]

Kind of expecting this in the first set. Hopefully Andy wins a few games and starts to work Félix out. C’mon Andy! :)

[supergran]

Game Murray....Come on Andy!

[Hawkeye]

Wow, my stream must be a couple of minutes behind, only just got there!

[david1610]

I watched Félix earlier this year and he started so well but then his game fell apart so I still think if Andy can settle into the match, he can sow some seeds of doubt. C'mon Andy! :)

[david1610]

Well held in the end! Just missing more of those good first serves that give easy points and without which, everything is harder. Andy also hitting some UEs. However, so is Félix - lots of power, but not always under control.
And Andy definitely gone up a gear. C'mon Andy! :)

[Hawkeye]

5-2*. Andy hits his first winner for 15-0.

[Jane]

Ouch!! First set gone!!

[Hawkeye]

Andy broken, first set to the Canadian.

[david1610]

Oh well. Pity about the second break as I thought Andy was making the match much more competitive. Just hope he can find a couple more good first serves on average per service game so rather than fighting to get level, or to deuce, he can be one or two points ahead. Then if he can hold he can start to make inroads on Félix's serve and, ultimately, confidence. C'mon Andy! :)

[supergran]

Now for 2and set. Andy needs a good start and let's hope he gets one.

[david1610]

Andy holds relatively easily, precisely because of those good first serves. C'mon Andy! :)

[david1610]

3-3 on serve but Andy just holds to love for the first time. C'mon Andy! :)

[Hawkeye]

Big chance to go 0-30 up there blown.

[david1610]

Andy is broken to go down 3-5. Some shots not going over the net. Aargh. He was doing really well in this set. Oh well. Break back? C'mon Andy! :)

[Hawkeye]

And now FA-A breaks and will serve for the second set.

[supergran]

Andy falling short in rallies. Dare I suggest a kitkat?

[Hawkeye]

Well, time for another comeback...

[exislander]

Well he knows he can last 5 sets but...........?

[david1610]

Second set to Félix, who certainly seems to serve out well. Hope Andy's serve can be strong in the third and he gets a look in at his opponent's serve. Oh well. C'mon Andy! :)

[supergran]

2nd set gone. So are in for a Murraycoaster?

[lovetennis]

Andy definitely better in the 2nd set. Let's see if he can take it up another notch

[JAMES4578]

Andy closer in the 2nd but with it all to do and Felix fairly strong thus far, 1 all in 3rd.

[david1610]

Andy holds 2-1. C'mon on Félix, give Andy a look on at least one service game! ;)

[Hawkeye]

And there's the break.

[david1610]

Andy broken in the third set 2-3 Félix did three drop shots in the game and Andy could not hang on. I would love Andy to at least break his serve once though. C'mon Andy! :)

[supergran]

Come on Andy. Please break back..

[JAMES4578]

Andy broken on 4th break point and the one on the defensive for the most part, Felix easily holds for 4-2-come on!

[supergran]

It seems like this might not be a repeat of Tuesday's match.

[exislander]

Felix too good tonight for a tired Andy.

[Teresa]

Just woken up. Sad for AM.

[david1610]

A small crumb of comfort. I think my Portuguese commentator said at the start that the previous match meant that Andy joins Roger as the only players in the modern era to come back from two sets down in a five setter, ten times!

[JAMES4578]

Yes looks like Felix going to be too strong tonight; though Andy has not recovered sufficiently from the long opening matcch.

[JAMES4578]

Andy getting few returns in play this set, needs to produce now and hope Felix has a few nerves.

[Jane]

Of course I'm sad that Andy has been beaten tonight, but also so pleased that he is able to be competing in the second round of a major tournament, and that there is plenty more to come.

[lovetennis]

Andy just too tired to make enough impact but credit to Felix for a great match. Good night all

[david1610]

That was one of those matches where Andy would have found it difficult to break his opponent and therefore defeat him at any time in his career. Although we would like the dream to continue, no shame in losing in that match. Well done Andy! :)

[supergran]

A bit sad but Felic A-A was excellent tonight. Well done toAndy for playing and getting to the 2nd round in a Grandstand tournament. So proud of him and really hope he'll continue to improve. Great to watch him this week.

[Teresa]

Well fought, but as far as I am concerned by far the best outcome for him. It’s amazing he has come back to playing at all.

Well done our Scottish warrior.

[JAMES4578]

Not to be, a few rallies in last game but Felix had the answers. Still Andy showing us some good tennis this tournament, if only he had spent a little less time on court against Nishioka. Mind you hopefully can move forward though there is a challenge ahead. Felix though was up for the task today and credit to him. The young Canadian certainly was impressive!

[Sallydaisy]

Over and out for Andy.
:crying:

Felix wins 6'2, 6'3, 6'4 and deservedly so IMHO. he played exceptionally well throughout and got the job done. Hope he goes a lot further.

Andy just seemed tired, not surprisingly after his 5set comeback in R1, and couldn't find a way past the Canadian. He's got a few matches under his belt in NYC and can now regroup ahead of RollyG and any other autumn events to be played in Europe.

[Sallydaisy]

Excellent stats for FAA:
* 24 aces
* 2 double faults
* Did not face a break point
* 89% first-serve points won
* 52 winners to 30 UEs

https://mobile.twitter.com/CCSMOOTH13/status/1301727880666320898/photo/1

https://mobile.twitter.com/CCSMOOTH13/status/1301727880666320898/photo/1

[patlowe]

Stayed up to watch the match, but was way too tired to post then. A few thoughts now. Felix was amazing. Andy's energy levels were low. But I'm not in any way sad or depressed. That amazing first round match vs Nishioka was enough Andy for me to keep me happy till he plays again. It's just so good he is back playing in a slam again. Waited so long for it, and under the circumstances, it was well worth the wait. The fact he could play and win a bruiser of a match then come back out and play the next round is pretty miraculous imo. So well done Andy and well done Felix. A lovely young man. Now fingers crossed Dan can successfully finish the business today, and it'll be his turn to face Felix.

[RosieBear]

I didn't stay up but the scoreline and comments here match my expectations. Felix is a sublime talent and Andy not yet back to full fitness. So many positives to take from Cincy and the Open. Wonderful to feel the rush of watching Andy again* - no feeling like it in this world. On to the dirt!

* P.s Sally, you really must change your location in your profile!

[Rosalind]

Just caught up. Felix excellent. A star of the next 10 years. Am just enjoying watching Andy and tennis in general again.

[Sallydaisy]

* P.s Sally, you really must change your location in your profile!
Ah, but that refers to seeing Andy play LIVE ... and I really have no idea if that'll happen what with Covid restrictions etc. Maybe 2021.
:peace: