Wimbledon 2021, R3: Andy v Denis Shapovalov. Friday 2nd July. 3rd on Centre

[Sallydaisy]

Andy Murray v Denis Shapovalov
H2H is 0-0. (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/andy-murray-vs-denis-shapovalov/MC10/SU55)

Yet another younger player who has never yet encountered Andy Murray on a tennis court - particularly at Wimbledon. For many in the age 20-30 range 'oor Andy has been an inspiration as one of the 'big 4' and Denis was just 6 years old when Andy turned pro in 2005.

The Canadian is currently ranked #12 (CH10 in 2020) and has been steadily climbing the rankings and building on his experience. He has 1 ATP Tour Title (Murray has 46 including 3 GS) to his name (Stockholm 2019, indoor hard) but has reached numerous SFs and 2 Finals. He reached the 2019 Paris Masters final and 4 other ATP Masters 1000 SFs, including 2017 Montreal, where he upset No. 2 Nadal as 18-year-old WC and became youngest ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist in series history.

He plays left-handed, has a big serve and once agan Andy will need to call on his experience of playing such opponents if he wants to proceed to R4.

Watch this space - Andy has already proved that he isn't done yet.
As he said himself on Twitter: "there's life in the old dog yet"
:maggie:

Can Denis teach the 'Scottie dog' a few new tricks???
:rusty:

[Hawkeye]

Andy needs to get under his skin so we can have another Denis DQ! :pirate:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy v Denis is the 3rd match on Centre Court on Friday.
First up are the ladies Muguruza v Jabeur (which could be a cracker!)
followed by Dan Evans v Seb Korda

[banskogirl]

I would love it if all these matches were fast. I have to go out and have no idea how I could record with the way BBC mess about!

[HoopGirl]

Hope Andy’s body has recovered from that epic on Wed night.
Anyone hear if he was out practising yesterday?

[Rosalind]

I'm not sure I've recovered from Wednesday yet. This must be a step up. Fingers crossed it is a happy result for us..

[Rosalind]

I would love it if all these matches were fast. I have to go out and have no idea how I could record with the way BBC mess about!

They are showing them all on the red button. Even if they have started you have the option to watch from the start or live. Past matches also there. Hope it works for you. If Wimbledon had finished for the day (unlikely with Andy haha!), go to iplayer, sport and you can find the matches like that.

[banskogirl]

They are showing them all on the red button. Even if they have started you have the option to watch from the start or live. Past matches also there. Hope it works for you. If Wimbledon had finished for the day (unlikely with Andy haha!), go to iplayer, sport and you can find the matches like that.

Thanks Rosalind, I did check bbc iplayer yesterday to see what they did and they had nothing on for hours. It's the hiding from the score part that's hardest! I didn't realise the red button would work that way, I was going to record red button 1 and 2 stations for the whole night!

[Sallydaisy]

I think we're in for a late night!!! Dan and Seb are a set apiece and if it goes to 5 sets (quite possible) Andy won't start until 8 or 9pm!
That'll be under the roof though ......
;)

[Sallydaisy]

Andy v Denis will be on very soon now that Korda has beaten Evans.

Buckle up folks!!!
:coaster:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy to serve. Play.
:shades:

[Hawkeye]

Aaaand the first slip... I question Andy's footwear.

[Hawkeye]

Andy caught at second slip... And is changing his shoes.

[Teresa]

I think this is going to be tough for AM. Shapovalov seems very powerful. Hopefully AM can work him out. He needs to do unto Shapovalov what he did long ago to Raonic.

[Teresa]

Ouch first break to Shap��

[Hawkeye]

Don't think the roof will save Andy tonight.

[Teresa]

Don’t think AM has anything left in the tank.

[exislander]

Oh ye of little faith!

[Sallydaisy]

Don’t think AM has anything left in the tank.
:cauldron: :flowers: ;)

[JennieF]

Is Andy beginning to get the measure of this remarkable young Canadian?

[JAMES4578]

Stirring fightback but could not take the bps this time, first set Shapovalov 6-4.

[david1610]

Well still needs 3. Close your eyes for a second This is a Davis Cup atmosphere, not sedate Wimbledon! C'mon Andy!

[JennieF]

Denis has had a good long rest while Andy has had to work his socks off.

[Sallydaisy]

Shapovalov took the first set 6'4.

However, he led 5'1 at one point but Murray had come back sufficiently to carve out break back points for 5-5. So, his fighting spirit has kicked in and, as we all know, when the H2H is 0-0, it takes time to work out how to play an 'unknown' opponent. Andy has a good record against big servers and hard hitters so let's see if his experience will help him here.

[Sallydaisy]

Repeat of the first set at the moment ...

You're right Jennie, Denis has had a day 'off' whilst Andy was winning a tough 5-setter on Wednesday. And, disregarding the resurfaced hip issue, the Canadian is also 12 years younger than Murray. I'm guessing fatigue will catch up with Andy IF this match goes long ... but he does have so much more experience on his side. Just lack of match practice is doing him no favours.

[Sallydaisy]

Shapovalov leads 4-0 in the 2nd set ...
:hmm:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds for 1-4. Same as in the 1st set.

[JennieF]

I actually think that Andy is just so happy to be on court playing real matches and is enough of a realist to know his chances are slim - especially considering his lack of match practice, his injuries, and with this new wave of bright young things in the ascendance. And we all know he’ll give it everything he’s got. Our braveheart.

[exislander]

When will it be time for the roof closure?

[Jane]

When will it be time for the roof closure?

At the end of this set

[Sallydaisy]

When will it be time for the roof closure?
At the end of this set apparently ...
... but that does depend on Denis closing it out in the next 10/15mins.
Any longer and they'll have to stop because they won't be able to see the ball.

[Sallydaisy]

2nd set Shapovalov 6'2.
The roof is closing, 10/15 minute break. The Canadian is playing a very consistent match so far and making it difficult for Andy to get a break of any sort.

You never know with Andy ...

[JAMES4578]

Shapovalov wins the 2nd more convincingly though Andy with chance to regroup, however chance of a great comeback more limited this time.

[lovetennis]

Going to be hard going now but let's hope the break to close the roof will give Andy time to regroup. Here they come

[roytennisfan]

Cmon Andy, moving under the roof has worked wonders twice

[Teresa]

I think his previous two matches have caught up with him. Not surprising as he isn’t match fit.

[Sallydaisy]

Sack the roof!!!!!
:lol:

[JennieF]

This is a tough watch.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds for 1-4 (again!!!)

[Sallydaisy]

:crying::crying::crying:

So sad for Andy but so proud of him too.
He fought to the last against a talented opponent.

He also showed that he can still play and win 5-set matches at a Slam. He doesn't give up and is a true warrior of his sport.

Muzzah went toe to toe against Shapo but was outplayed.

Rest up Andy, the Olympics are ahead.
:olympics:

We'll played Denis, a deserved winner.
:clap:

[lovetennis]

:crying::crying::crying:

So sad for Andy but so proud of him too.
He fought to the last against a talented opponent.

He also showed that he can still play and win 5-set matches at a Slam. He doesn't give up and is a true warrior of his sport.

Muzzah went toe to toe against Shapo but was outplayed.

Rest up Andy, the Olympics are ahead.
:olympics:

We'll played Denis, a deserved winner.
:clap:

Couldn't have put it any better Sally. He's proved so much to himself and everybody else this week

[RosieBear]

Shame but a top 10 win was always going to be a bridge too far right now, especially given previous exertions. The early slip didn't help matters either, clearly unnerved him and by the time he shook off the cageyness was left him chasing the match - sadly couldn't find high level consistently enough to wrangle control from an increasingly confident opponent but certainly encouraging signs for the future. All in all I think it's been a really fantastic tournament for Andy filled with loads of positives going forward. Think he'll have a great chance in Tokyo - best of 3 til the final plus all pressure on Fed and Novak.

Watching Andy at Wimbledon is one of the greatest pleasures in my life, incredibly grateful to have had another which was in its own way as unforgettable as other years. Thank you, thank you, thank you Andy.

And makes me feel better that at least DS has an awesome game, unlike snooze-inducing Korda who beat Dan

[Jan]

Totally agree with all these comments.
Beaten by the better player on the day. But such an achievement to get to R3 :clap:

[patlowe]

Aw well, it was good while it lasted. Kudos to Denis, he gave very little away (though I rather wish he had stuck with the hockey!) He gave a lovely interview afterwards. I am very optimistic about Andy going forward though. I'm not down hearted or sad at all, just encouraged by what we've seen this week. Lots more tennis to come this Wimbledon, and then we'll see what happens in Tokyo. Proud of all our brave and fighting Brits. :GBflag:

[JAMES4578]

Whilst a bit disappointing realistically thought this was probably a match too far at this point,whilst Shapovalov played really well in the circumstances. However if Andy had been able to extend this first further possibly the course of the match might have been a bit different. Think though the Otte match would have taken its toll and whilst it obviously provided great drama really needed a bit of an easier time,particularly as Dennis had a walkover. However Andy proved he still has the talent and amazing determination,though does not have the match fitness yet anyway. However positive signs as long as the body holds up.. In any case has provided us with some great entertainment again.

[Guerkins2]

I think we would have all taken Andy getting to round 3 at the start of the week. It seems to me that as long as he can remain injury free, we will be seeing him playing tennis for quite bit longer. I am so happy about that :yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

[Rosalind]

I think we would have all taken Andy getting to round 3 at the start of the week. It seems to me that as long as he can remain injury free, we will be seeing him playing tennis for quite bit longer. I am so happy about that :yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

I agree. That's a nice positive comment too. The first two matches were wonderful. Today he was playing one of the excellent next gen and it was just too much but I think he would have beaten many others still in the draw at this stage.

[suttontennis]

Andy's post match comments give food for thought.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/57703444
I agree, winning two matches is a positive. Playing on the surface that most helps his game and is easy on the body (except for falls), is one thing. Playing slow indoors, or lightning quick hard courts that are so hard on the body, and playing consecutive days is another. Plus, he's going to need a lot of wild cards to avoid qualies. As he says, is it worth it if every 3-4 weeks he gets another slight injury. He's a long way off top 20 competitive. Last night could easily have been 1,1,1 or worse.

[Teresa]

It was great to see him play, and playing three potentially 5 set matches was positive, but only he knows whether he can improve his stamina any more. The hip combined with age has cost him that vital few percent advantage.

I still wish he would play doubles, the senior tour or coach.

At least he has played Wimbledon again. That’s been in doubt for years.

[Stell]

I just hope he was pleased about getting to the third round, considering all the injuries and the matches that he's played this year. Marion Bartoli has said she remains optimistic about him and I do as well. I've heard he wants to think about his future and hopes to be back at Wimbledon next year. But, I think it will get easier for him over time if he gets the matches. I hope he does do well at the Olympics.

[HoopGirl]

Trouble is Andy isn’t happy with how he played - as can be seen from the link you posted.

He didn’t expect to beat Denis but he did expect it to be more of a battle.

And what he’s saying in his post match is much less emphatic about the future than previous comments

I hope he gets some more consistent play and sees the improvement he wants

[RosieBear]

I'm not overly concerned by Andy's circumspect comments. In theory he probably wouldn't expect to have beaten Shapo all things factored in, but he's a fiery competitor to his core and *any* loss stings so immediate comments are likely to be gloomy. Give it a week or so and I think Andy will be seeing a lot more positives about his Wimbledon participation which has shown is that if his body holds up and he can get sufficient matches then there is genuine reason to be optimistic.

[banskogirl]

What a wonderful week of unexpected bonuses from Andy :knight: what an amazing fighter he is. I have to also admit to how quickly I forgot this and expected him to go all the way! At what point in this fortnight would I not have been disappointed?

He has been brilliant and as Rosie says I think he will feel much more positively about it in a few weeks time. I was disappointed and still feel that the match could’ve changed completely if he’d won the game in the first set but what is the point in ‘ifs’.

I was glad in the chat afterwards, when J Mac was saying how we can’t expect more when Andy can never be 100% again after his op and Claire B reminded him of what Andy has achieved while in so much pain that he was never 100%

I am excited now to see what the future holds for our hero, bring it on :cheer:

Well done, you are amazing !

:hug:

[RosieBear]

I'm not overly concerned by Andy's circumspect comments. In theory he probably wouldn't expect to have beaten Shapo all things factored in, but he's a fiery competitor to his core and *any* loss stings so immediate comments are likely to be gloomy. Give it a week or so and I think Andy will be seeing a lot more positives about his Wimbledon participation which has shown is that if his body holds up and he can get sufficient matches then there is genuine reason to be optimistic.

And here we are a week or so on ;) ....From Stuart Fraser on Twitter:

"Had heard that Andy Murray was more positive about his grass-court season once the dust settled after his downbeat press conference. Seeing how both his conquerors - in particular Matteo Berrettini this afternoon - have performed since might also give him a little more hope."