ROTTERDAM 2021, R1: Andy d Haase 2-6, 7-6, 6-3

[Sallydaisy]

R1, Rotterdam - it'll be a battle of 33-year-old Wild Cards between Andy Murray and Robin Haase of the Netherlands. Andy leads the H2H 4-1 (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/andy-murray-vs-robin-haase/MC10/H756) of which 4-0 is in Grand Slam events.

However, Haase's lone win was at the same stage here back in 2008, 13 long years ago.

This was a match I (somewhat selfishly) witnessed with great dismay having travelled to Rotterdam and booked tickets for the whole week hoping that Andy would make the later rounds!!! On the plus side ... they'd mucked up my booking and as compensation I was given a 'loge' seat ringside every day.

[Jan]

When I saw the draw I felt like I'd time-travelled!
Time to avenge that defeat Andy!!

[goldfish]

I was at that match in 2008 too, cheering as loudly as possible on my own surrounded by Dutch supporters. Also had tickets for the next few days but got a refund for 1 evening so that I could drive back to Brussels during daylight. Have been to this tournament a few times as it was an easy journey from Brussels where I lived for 12 years. It was good being able to stand and watch from the top corridor if you needed to stretch your legs and the Dutch were always very friendly. Understanding how the tube tickets worked was quite a challenge the first time! I hadn’t joined the forum at that stage - pity as it would have been good to meet fellow fans.

[JAMES4578]

I did not see any of the matches with Haase live but I remember the 2008 match in Rotterdam, the 2011 clash at the Us Open was more memorable though- recall it beng so nervewracking for a while. Hopefully not quite the same this time but whilst could had a tougher draw Robin could still be a challenge!

[HoopGirl]

I hope Andy’s recovered from whatever ailed him last week. It would be great to have some wins here

[Sallydaisy]

Prime Video is up and running ...
:shades:

[Mandiemoo]

Good evening fellow Murray stars.

Prime video on, here we go!

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy to serve ... courts are playing slow apparently.
Just a nugget from Barry Cowan (not my favourite commentator).
Lee Goodall there to balance it out.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds to 15.

[Sallydaisy]

Such a shame to see that empty stadium, it's usually a really sociable event with up to 10,000 spectators and a great atmosphere.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy has 2 break points, 1 saved by an Ace from Haase.
And deuce ...
:shades:

Haase holds. 1-1

[Hawkeye]

Andy having an issue with the lights?

Good hold to start, followed by two break points, both lost.

[harriet]

good passing shot there, from andy

[Mandiemoo]

I hope these missed chances don't return to haunt..

Cmon Muzz!

[harriet]

this is annoying, my video is well behind your comments, so i'll just watch and write later

[Sallydaisy]

Haase breaks for a 2-1 lead.

[Mandiemoo]

Hmm......

Theres quite the fight brewing out there....

Cmon Muzz!

[Mandiemoo]

Hasse is playing fantastic, Andy is playing well.

Hopefully Andy can increase his level & Hasse may dip.

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

Haase holds for 3-1, edges up a point against Andy's serve but saved by a good 1-2.
Andy *0-15, 15-15, 15-30, 15-40 and that's because Andy just hit long a beautifully set up point.
2 break points.

[Sallydaisy]

There's the double break 1-4

[Hawkeye]

Hasse is playing fantastic, Andy is playing well.

Hopefully Andy can increase his level & Hasse may dip.

Cmon Muzz!All I see is Haase being steady and Andy making UEs.

[Sallydaisy]

Haase holds for 5-1. He's playing much better than Andy.
Bear in mind this is his home turf ... even without an audience!

[Mandiemoo]

All I see is Haase being steady and Andy making UEs.

I think we can both agree its currently going south for Andy tho....

[Jan]

Oh dear

[Mandiemoo]

At least there's no bread products this set!

Hasse serves for 1st set next

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

Haase takes the first set 6-2.
Andy is going to have go up a couple of levels to turn this around.
(and he has done so 4 times already in their meetings ...)

[Jane]

:sad:

[Mandiemoo]

Buckle up for set 2, going to 3 if Andy is to win.

Cmon Muzz!

[clancy]

I needed cheering up and this just ain't doing it; I feel very sad. x

[Sallydaisy]

Good hold by Andy from 0-30 to be 1-0 in the 2nd set.

[Hawkeye]

Andy ditches the cap...

[Sallydaisy]

Well, 1-1.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds to 30, seems to be finding his way a bit better.
2-1

[Mandiemoo]

The drop shot not really working against Hasse.

Hasse getting on top in the long rallies.

A tough hold, on serve 2-1

Cmon Muzz!

[Hawkeye]

So many nothing shots into the net...

2-2.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds to 15, 3-2 in the 2nd set

[Mandiemoo]

...takes back comment about drop shot...

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

Missed that half chance for a break ...
Haase holds so it's 3-3.
Andy serving, needs to keep holding serve and nab a break chance.

[Mandiemoo]

The net is not Andys friend today...

A rarely spotted UE from Hasse, then a df

Deuce.... very costly net error for Andy

3-3 on serve

[Sallydaisy]

Haase had Ad but Andy really fought to save the break point.
He's moving extremely well around the court - needs to just hold serve

Back to deuce.

[Sallydaisy]

Ad Andy ...
Deuce ...
Ad Andy with a whopper of a forehand crosscourt

Andy holds for 4-3. Really getting into it now.

[Mandiemoo]

Not getting that 'killer instinct' feeling from Andy, where he used to climb all over the opponents 2nd serve & force the break.

...when the lob fails, time to worry...

I swear the net has taken against Andy.

A tough hold for Andy. On serve.

[JAMES4578]

Andy certainly digging after some worrying play early on , a break there could have been fatal. However needs a bit extra to this to a decider.

[Mandiemoo]

Commentator jinx alert....

Both playing good tennis, stays on serve.

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

4-4, a must hold game for Andy.

I hope he can make it 3 sets even if he then loses because this IS the sort of matchplay he needs under his belt

Shame about that missed dropsh*t.
;)
*15-0, 15-15

[Sallydaisy]

:phew:

That game had it all BUT Andy holds for 5-4.
Really needs to work out how to break Robins' serve ...

Have to say that they're playing some pretty enjoyable tennis though.
:tennis:

[Mandiemoo]

Its certainly closer in this 2nd set, would like a few less ino the net.

Deuce again on Andys serve....

A Hasse UE just at the right moment!

Hold, phew

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

30-30 ... is this a little glimmer?

[Sallydaisy]

5-5 and again Andy MUST hold serve.

I'll be watching Only Connect and University Challenge on catch up ...
:shades:

[Mandiemoo]

On 1st point, Hasse saves himself with a shot that would have gone long in any other match!

Andy searching for the key to unlock Hasse serve.

To 30 is as close as Andy got. On serve still

[Sallydaisy]

Hold for Andy 6-5. Heading for a tie-break.

[Mandiemoo]

Don't know about match fit, I'm not Murraycoaster fit! Ooh my nerves!!

Theres the "Cmon" we know & love

So its 6-5 to Andy with Hasse to serve

Cmon Muzz!

[JAMES4578]

With expectations not so high I am calmer now on a Murraycoaster, hopefully a real comeback! oh well TB it is, come on Andy!

[Mandiemoo]

Feel like the net has been as much an opponent as Haase.

Tie break time, time to see how your nerves are doing.

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

Tie-break to decide the 2nd set (and match). Andy to serve:
*1-0
2-0* with a Murray lob ... a mini-break
2-1* Andy hits the return into the net and beats himself up for missing.
*3-1
*4-1 2 good serves from Andy
4-2*

[Hawkeye]

4-1*, just a single mini break, but so far so good...

[Mandiemoo]

A lob on 2nd point in tb - you love to see it!

Next point, Andy smacking his racquet!

Andy 4 - 2 Haase

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

Change of ends ... Andy could do with a break and 2 holds
:shades:

5-2* there's the break ... now for 2 service holds. Please.
*6-2 and 4 set points ...
*7-2

Andy takes the 2nd set 7'6(2)

[patlowe]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[Sallydaisy]

And we have a 3rd set on the ...
:coaster:

[Jane]

:cheer::cheer:

I had forgotten how exhausting this could be

[Mandiemoo]

At 5-2, pray for 2 good serves!

Wowsers volley! 6-2
Forced his way to 3rd set!

Cmon Muzz!

[JAMES4578]

Convincing breaker from Andy with Haase not so strong, confidence built after that great lob for 2-0. Hopefully keeps momentim going,

[Mandiemoo]

Observation: many players get worn down by the number of times Andy gets the ball back whereas Haase is just absorbing it.

Andy makes life hard & gets broken for 0-2

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy to serve, 0-3 with a single break of serve in set 3.
He does better when he keeps the points shorter ...

[Mandiemoo]

Still looking for a way to break Haase serve....
Andy hungry for results & the racquet get a whack on the court!

Deuce but goes long.... adv Haase, who holds

0-3

Cmon Muzz!

[Teresa]

Only just remembered this was on. Sounds like I have missed a lot of stress. Come on AM.

[JAMES4578]

Gone a bit awry, though had chance in that game- needs focus here to habe shot of tuning this around - come on!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds, 1-3. Needs to find that vital break of the Haase serve.
Actually he now needs at least 2 breaks and 3 would be rather good.

[Sallydaisy]

3 break back points ... *0-40
1 saved

But Andy has broken back and now MUST hold his own serve to level the set.

[Mandiemoo]

Just 1 kit kat & a hold to get back on equal terms.

Would be hard to forgive not taking 1 of these 3 bps

SHOT!

Break recovered, now to hold!

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

:oops:
Time violation warning Andy, but he has Ad on his own serve.

Andy holds for 3-3.
:shades:

[Mandiemoo]

Teeth clench as Haase gets 15-30

Unclench for passing shot from Muzz!

Clench again for Deuce

Wow 2 great serves to hold 3-3

Cmon Muzz!

[Sallydaisy]

What a SHOT for that point - Andy Murray!!!
:worship:

Haase *30-15, 30-30 ...

C'mon Muzzah!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Break point ...

:peace:

[Sallydaisy]

Deuce ... drat!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy breaks for 4-3 up, serving next. MUST hold.

[JAMES4578]

Given a bit of help from Haase but Andy really buckling down , looking like he has more stamina at this point- keep it going!

[Hawkeye]

Love hold! One game away...

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds for 5-3 and is one game away from R2.
He still has to win it though and Haase is still in it.

Haase serving to stay in it *15-0, 30-0, 30-15, 30-30

MATCH POINT!!!

[Teresa]

That was a nifty hold. Haase not a happy bunny. Match point.

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

Andy battles back to win the match 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.
Into R2 where it just gets a lot tougher.
But he really started to work hard for those points and Haase faded.

[Mandiemoo]

O.M.G

Cmon Muzz!

[Teresa]

Well done. I shall enjoy watching that tomorrow properly.

[Jane]

:yahoo: :yahoo: :cheer: :cheer: Well done Andy

[pabbers]

Yesssssssss!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Most encouraging is his movement around the court, Haase surely gave him a good workout and perhaps that's also what is needed at this point in his return to the tour.

[Sallydaisy]

Summed up nicely by the Tennis Podcast on Twitter (https://twitter.com/TennisPodcast):


Classic Murray-in-almighty-scrap mode - grumpy, grouchy, gritty, victorious.

[pabbers]

I felt quite dejected in the first set. The net seemed too high again and Andy was passive. My goodness what a turnaround. Some great play. He doesn't look remotely physically hampered. Just needs more matches.

[patlowe]

:clap::clap::clap: Classic Andy! Firstly finding his way into the match, then getting stronger and stronger and finally taking control. Gripping stuff. Andy was not leaving that court without a win. So happy for him.

[jackie55]

I couldn't watch it live, can you get replays on Amazon

[RosieBear]

Fantastic! Really encouraging, quality win. Andy got stronger, served better and finished more sharply as the match went on - that's what we want to see rather than strong starts followed by fading away. Haase was super in the 1st set and Andy did a lot of running, but his movement looked great so that's another positive. Worth missing the start of Unforgotten for. :bravo: Andy :clap:

[pabbers]

I didn't mind his mutterings either. They didn't feel slumpy and negative, but, rather, keen to gee himself up.

[Mandiemoo]

I couldn't watch it live, can you get replays on Amazon

Yes, they leave the matches up for a few days after

[patlowe]

That was a nifty hold. Haase not a happy bunny. Match point.

Ha!Ha! Teresa, Haase is Dutch for rabbit!

[JAMES4578]

Great fightback from Andy, was tough but he found a way, well done!:clap::clap:

[clancy]

That's cheered me up no end ! Well done, Andy! So happy for him and all
of us! x

[Sallydaisy]

That was a nifty hold. Haase not a happy bunny. Match point.

Ha!Ha! Teresa, Haase is Dutch for rabbit!
http://www.emofaces.com/png/15/emoticons/rabbit.png
:lol:

[HoopGirl]

Terrific! Could see him improve as the match continued.
A pleasure to see him play like that and even more to see him win!

[themass15]

Great win by Andy. Onwards and upwards!

[Genbrit]

Most encouraging is his movement around the court, Haase surely gave him a good workout and perhaps that's also what is needed at this point in his return to the tour.

I agree and I think that is what he needed. Hopefully his recovery is good but enjoyed that comeback.

[Mickey]

Andy said before the match that mentally he needed a boost. This win will surely have done that. He became physically and mentally stronger as the match progressed, against an opponent playing at a very high level. This is the start of his comeback.

[Jan]

Brilliant news!! I couldn't watch. Just had an eye on the score. Then had a meeting at 3-3 in the second set
Pleasantly surprised to see the result and read commentary on here! :knight:

[WimbledonWestie]

Haase always been a tricky customer - he's responsible for some of my grey hairs after a few rollercoasters in New York. Almost like he played Andy in - great to see Andy figure him out and move so well. Don't think empty stadiums work well for him (well, I doubt it does for most players but he definitely misses the crowd energy). It was just like the old days - a wee Murraycoaster to start our week. Well done Andy!

[banskogirl]

Andy said before the match that mentally he needed a boost. This win will surely have done that. He became physically and mentally stronger as the match progressed, against an opponent playing at a very high level. This is the start of his comeback.

Oh Mickey, he deserved that boost so much!

Feels like forever since he's had one and after all the :coaster: lately this felt like a light at the end of the tunnel!!
Glad I waited until my grumpies had gone to bed, I was punching the air like it was a slam :band:

Mike Dickson "In its own way a fairly remarkable win for Andy Murray in Rotterdam, beats Robin Hasse 6-3 in the decider. First main tour win since the US Open and possibly a significant turning point."

Hoping Andy feels good today and is ready for the next round. Whatever the outcome this week this felt like a beginning..........

[suttontennis]

Andy will play Rublev, who beat Giron 7-6,6-3