ROME 2021 DOUBLES, main thread

[Sallydaisy]

ROME DOUBLES DRAW - quite a few British players!

[1] Cabal/Farah v WC Fognini/Musetti
ALT Arevalo/Middelkoop (out Fucsovics/Ruud, wrist) v Evans/N.Skupski
ALT Behar/Escobar (out Zverev/Puetz,calf) v Kontinen/Roger-Vasselin
WC Ceccchinato/Travaglia v [4] Koolhof/Rojer

[4] Granollers/Zeballos v Molteni/Schwartzmann
ALT Tsitsipas/Tsitsipas (OUT: Khachanov/Rublev) v Kubot/Skugor
Gonzalez/Martin v Klaasen/McLachlan
Gille/Vliegen v [5] Ram/Salisbury

[8] Krawietz/Tecau v Cilic/Melo
Purcell/Saville v ALT Broady/A. Murray (Auger-Aliassime/Hurkacz)
Peers/Venus v Krajicek/Marach
de Minaur/Struff v [3] Dodig/Polasek

[6] J.Murray/Soares v Demoliner/Medvedev
WC Sonego/Vavassuori v Mannarino/Paire
Bopanna/Shapovalov v Daniell/Oswald
Bublik/Garin v [2] Mektic/Pavic

[Sallydaisy]

Rome Doubles update:
IN: Arevalo/Middelkoop (ALT, will play against Evans/Skupski),
Behar/Escobar (ALT, will play against Kontinen/Roger-Vasselin)

I've edited the first post above.

[Jane]

Jamie and Bruno warming up. Best of luck, guys! :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

Broken in the first game!
:nailbiter:

[JAMES4578]

Back on track, now up 4-3- come on!

[Sallydaisy]

Broken in the first game!
:nailbiter:
But they broke back and it's now on serve with DemMed *0-30, 3-4

And break again, serving for the first set 5-3.
I have to go out ...

[Jane]

First set to Jamie and Bruno ....6-3 :thumbup:

[JAMES4578]

Certainly turned it around,bps at start of 2nd but Demoliner/Medvedev hold. Had break at 4-3 but pegged back.

[Jane]

tb time :sofa:

[Jane]

One set all. Now for the dreaded mtb :sofa:

[JAMES4578]

Did not go to plan there, hopefully can do ot in the mtb!

[Jane]

Oh dear - they lost 4-10 in the mtb - gutted for them!!! :crying: :crying:

[JAMES4578]

Demoliner/Medvedev got a run going from the middle of that mtb, somewhat frustrating that Murray/Soares could not respond. Not many wins for Jamie lately but hoprfully will get going with Bruno in the weeks ahead.

[Sallydaisy]

Rome Doubles update: (https://twitter.com/OtherLists)
OUT: Khachanov/Rublev
IN: ALT

Krajinovic/Lajovic would still be guaranteed a spot but Krajinovic probably already left; next would be Albot/Basilashvili (but Albot withdrew from Q), then Brkic/Cacic and Tsitsipas/Tsitsipas.

[Stell]

Good to see Andy Murray will be playing with Liam Broady against Purcell and Saville in the first round.

[Sallydaisy]

Rome Doubles update:
IN: Tsitsipas/Tsitsipas (ALT, will play against Kubot/Skugor),
Broady/A. Murray (ALT, will play against Purcell/Saville)

[patlowe]

The Andy and Liam in Rome news has made my day. So delighted for both of them (and for me too!)

[RosieBear]

Great news. Definitely a more forgiving resumption than the qualies of Roland Garros. Cannot wait to see Andy back on court, so :excited:

[JAMES4578]

A bit of a welcome surprise,exciting that Andy is in a competitive match again and doubles to start with is a good move.

[banskogirl]

Good to see Andy Murray will be playing with Liam Broady against Purcell and Saville in the first round.

You say this so calmly Stell :jitterbug::yahoo::cheer:
I just want to see Andy playing and think the doubles in Rome is a good way to start back :party:

[Stell]

When I saw that Andy and Liam would be playing together, I was very pleased for Andy, after his groin problem, to see him back playing again.

[jaysee]

Andy & Liam 5th match on Court 4 - it appears to be on TennisTV's schedule, let's hope they show it!

[Jane]

Players have just arrived on court - best of luck, guys!!:thumbup: :thumbup: :GBflag:

Match on Prime

[JAMES4578]

Unfortunately Evans/Skupski were out of luck/ best form - going down 6-3,6-2 to the alternates Arevalo/Middelkoop.

[Sallydaisy]

The match prior to Andy/Liam has just gone to a MTB.

[Jane]

Andy and Liam arrive on court - best of luck, guys :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

Purcell/Saville on court ready for action.
Andy/Liam have just arrived on court.
Can't believe we're seeing Andy Murray back out there to play!

[Sallydaisy]

Broady serving first.
Ozzys hit the lines, Liam managed a DF so 0-30.
early doors ...
:peace:

[Sallydaisy]

:oops:
Broken first game.
Ozzys are a proper team, ranked #47 in the Doubles Race.
Brits a scratch pair ...

[Sallydaisy]

1-1, 2 DFs from Purcell (the least experienced of the 2 Ozzys)

[Sallydaisy]

Brits hold 2-1

[Jane]

Less chat from the commies would be good!!;)

[Sallydaisy]

Ozzys serving *4-3 with the break.

[jackie55]

Less chat from the commies would be good!!;)

I agree:grrr:

[Sallydaisy]

5-5 after the Brits broke back to love!
:shades:

[JAMES4578]

Great game and hopefully Andy/Liam can keep the momentum going!

[Sallydaisy]

Well played the Ozzys, taking it 7'5, but it's only the first set ...
:shades:

[JAMES4578]

Just edged out in the end, however still all to play for- come on guys!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds ... 1-0, was down *15-40

[Sallydaisy]

Ram/Salisbury underway - moved to Court 6.

[Sallydaisy]

Brits v Ozzys = 4-4 at the moment.
Andy got broken in game 5 but the Britboys broke back.

Andy serving again now.

[Jane]

tb time
:sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

6-6 in the 2nd set, tie-break for the set (or match).

Andy to serve first:
*1-0 great volleys from Andy
1-1*
1-2* Purcell holds his 2
*2-2
*3-2 great serving from Broady
4-2* mini-break to the Brits
4-3* Ace from Saville
*5-3
*6-3 and 3 set points to take this 2nd set
6-4*
6-5* Broady has to serve this out ...
:sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

1 set all ... MTB to decide it

[Jane]

One set all mtb time
:sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

Here we go, Purcell to serve:

*1-0
1-1*
2-1* Rats, Andy dropped a serve
*2-2 Brits broke back immediately
*3-2 over to Liam ...
4-2* hmmm
5-2* oh dear
*5-3 that's one back ...
*6-3 a lot of work to do for the Brits if they want to win this ...
6-4*
6-5* good pickups from the boys, they're still just one break down.
*6-6 and another mini-break back.

[Sallydaisy]

C'mon Andy and Liam!!!
:GBflag:

[Sallydaisy]

*6-7 and that's put the Brits ahead BUT only if they hold 2 serves!
6-8*
6-9* what a shot from Broady!!! 3 match points!

[Jane]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::GBflag::GBflag::GBflag: Brilliant !!

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo:http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/smileys/yahoo.gifhttp://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/smileys/yahoo.gif

Andy Murray at his digging best back on a tennis court.
They win 5'7, 7'6(6), 10'6

[exislander]

Oh wow they did it!!!!!!

[RosieBear]

Brilliant! Andy straight back to winning ways. He looked fantastic- super agile and sharp as a tack at the net. And big credit to Liam - some great clutch play and stayed strong despite being heavily targeted for obvious reasons. Onwards! :cheer:

[JAMES4578]

Such a gutsy win and Andy/Liam had to dig deep but won a few key points, great stuff!:cheer::cheer: Glad Andy will have more time on match court and he was pretty impressive overall. obviously good for Liam too!

[Sallydaisy]

Next up for Murdy is #8 seeds Krawietz/Tecau who are a VERY experienced pair.
4th match on Court 2 where play starts 9am UK time tomorrow Thursday 12th May.
So, Andy around 2/3pm?

[clancy]

Brilliant ! I was only following on FS so appreciated these posts. As they got close, I shrieked out loud and my snoozing dog jerked round as if to say ''haven't heard that in a long time!''I bet Andy enjoyed being in a competitive match especially after expecting to be just a practice partner.So happy for him. x
ps a real boost as his birthday looms (is there a card to sign?)

[Jan]

Great news!!

[patlowe]

I soooooo enjoyed that. Didn't they do so well to pull that one off! Very uplifting. I'm walking on air again. Long may it last.

[patlowe]

Oh wow they did it!!!!!!

That is exactly what I shouted at the screen when they won!!

[Sallydaisy]

5th seeds Salisbury/Ram also through to R2 after beating Gille/Vliegen 6'3, 2'6, 12'10.

Next up for them will be Klaasen/McLachlan.

[JennieF]

Wowee! Smiling from ear to ear to see Andy competing again! Well done Andy and Liam for this first win in Rome! Onward we go! :cheer:

[cazza99]

Andy and Liam 4th on court 2 tomorrow.

[banskogirl]

Wowee! Smiling from ear to ear to see Andy competing again! Well done Andy and Liam for this first win in Rome! Onward we go! :cheer:

Me too Jennie :big grin: even getting to see Andy play had me grinning and emotional but the win was Cheshire Cat stuff and more! Every win feels like that now :clap: tired this morning though, watched when the others went to bed!

They looked like they were having a great time too and Liam was great!

Go Andy!

[Teresa]

Well that was a nice surprise when the result flashed up on my screen yesterday. I enjoyed watching it on catch up.

Looking forward to today’s.

Well done to Andy and Liam

[Stell]

I agree, Teresa, as I was surprised about their win. But, it was a very nice one.

[HoopGirl]

Gosh I have been positing in the wrong place! I wondered where you all were!

Super match. Thrilled to see him in action. Thought he looked better and better as it progressed.

A real treat!

[harriet]

just getting underway on Amazon prime.

[Jane]

On court and warming up!! Best of luck Andy and Liam!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :GBflag:

[Sallydaisy]

Argh, I'm in the queue for my 2nd jab!!!
Will have to watch on catch up.
Hope they have a good match.

[exislander]

A break each so back on serve 1-2

[Jane]

Liam to serve.... 1-2

[Jane]

3-3

[harriet]

break each way, broady to serve at 3-4

[harriet]

kravitz/tecau serving for set now

[Jane]

Ouch - lost first set 3 - 6!! :sad: Come on guys!!:thumbup:

[harriet]

which they win 6-3.

[harriet]

andy broken again, 2-3 down, not serving well (yet)

[harriet]

kraw/tecau have to serve it out for the win

[Sallydaisy]

K&T serving for the match at 6'3, 5'4 ...

[Jane]

:crying: :crying:

[Teresa]

:sad::sad:

[harriet]

went down 3-6, 4-6

[themass15]

Not to be today. Wonder what Andy will do next.

[Sallydaisy]

Fun while it lasted and Andy had more match practice than he expected.
And he can still produce some magic on court (although perhaps a little more yesterday).
;)

They were beaten by an in-form regular pair who are 12th in the Race.

[patlowe]

Andy and Liam not quite getting off the back foot today, but 2 bonus matches we were not expecting and 2 matches for Andy to test how he is, so what's not to like.

[clancy]

Was always going to be hard against the experienced doubles partnership; had hoped that Andy would get a match in on his birthday but not to be. Great to see him back where he belongs - on a tennis court! x

[JAMES4578]

Was going to be a challenge and could not put the experienced Krawietz/Tecau under enough pressure. Not to be but still seen some quality from Andy/Liam (even if not at quite the same level today) Certainly was enjoyable seeing Andy back on a tennis court anyway!

[harriet]

from the beeb https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/57103275

[Stell]

Krawietz and Tecau have been doing very well, recently, so I believed it might be a struggle for Andy and Liam. I hope the two matches have helped Andy.

[Sallydaisy]

ROME DOUBLES Quarter-Finals:

ALT Arevalo/Middelkoop d [4] Koolhof/Rojer 2'6, 7'6, 10'5
[2] Mektic/Pavic d Mannarino/Paire6'4, 6'2Peers/Venus d [8] Krawietz/Tecau 7'6, 7'5


To play on Court Pietrangeli:
[4] Granollers/Zeballos v [5] Ram/Salisbury

[Jane]

Ram/Salisbuty win - 7-6, 3-6, mtb 10-2 Well done!!:thumbup::thumbup:

[JAMES4578]

Good win,well done Rajeev and Joe!

[Sallydaisy]

Salisbury/Ram take the first set in their Semi-Final v Arevalo/Middelkoop.
On serve in the 2nd.

[Sallydaisy]

Well done Joe and Rajeev, into the Rome Final with a 6'4, 6'4 win.

[JAMES4578]

Great Joe and Rajeev are in final, well done!

[themass15]

Super

[Alis]

Brilliant!:cheer::cheer::cheer:

[Sallydaisy]

Mektic/Pavic take the first set 6'4.

[JAMES4578]

Ram/Salisbury up 3-2 in the 2nd , hopefully can tke this to the mtb-come on!

[Sallydaisy]

Another Masters title for Mektic/Pavic!!! 6'4, 7'6(4)
:trophy:

They were just absolutely on top of their game today.
Joe and Rajeev did all they could but it wasn't quite enough.

[JAMES4578]

Not to be but Joe and Rajeev gave it their best shot though Mektic/Pavic just a bit stronger , did deserve the win. Still a good tournament for Ram/Salisbury!

[RoastLamb]

I reckon Team Croatia will be taking home the Olympic Gold medal this year.