SAN DIEGO 2021, R1: Andy d LL Kudla - Nishikori withdrew

[Sallydaisy]

Andy will take on Kei Nishikori in R1 at San Diego.
It's the 12th time they've met with Andy leading the H2H by 9-2 (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/andy-murray-vs-kei-nishikori/MC10/N552).
;)

They've both been around on the ATP Tour for a number of years, with varying injuries that have hampered both at different times in their careers.

Kei is currently ranked #54 (CH-4, 2015) whereas Andy is #113(CH-1, 2017) and 3 years older. Andy won their last 2 encounters (RG 2017 and ATP Finals 2016) although Nishikori clocked huge win at the US Open 2016 in 5 sets over the newly crowned (for the 2nd time) Wimbledon Champion.

So, anything could happen ..... fair to say Andy knows how to play Kei.
:thumbup:

[exislander]

Nishikori has been replaced by lucky loser Kudla.

[banskogirl]

Yip, no Kei :( but ready for Andy!

[clancy]

Just up, worried when I saw Andy/Kei cancelled on fs but already up against LL. Trying to get my eyes open wider! x

[exislander]

First set 6-3 not perfect but ok

[clancy]

Thank you, 1st set in the bag.Is his serve not yet functioning? (a bit like my brain at this hour)

[Jane]

Missed most of the first set - what happened to Kei?

[exislander]

Missed most of the first set - what happened to Kei?

They said lower back injury.

[exislander]

Double break, will serve for match at 5-2.

[Jane]

Andy wins - well done :cheer::cheer:

[exislander]

First serve poor at start of match, much better by the end.

[clancy]

And he makes it in 2 quick sets. Hope he played well. A change for Andy to get an easy 1st round. Back to sleep now (my dog hasn't stirred). x

[HoopGirl]

Great news to wake to!!

[RosieBear]

Very annoying - set my alarm for what should have been an interesting clash with Kei only to see poor Kei had to withdraw. Went back to sleep, to be honest. Will try again for the match against Ruud, that's another interesting one. Andy can totally do it if he takes his chances but that's a big if - he needs so many matches to feel confident, always had - but hopefully he's getting there.

[Jan]

Good news! Well done Andy!

[patlowe]

Right, I've rejoined the world again after cutting myself off till I had seen the replay of Andy's match. What a treat and as I'm confined to barracks at the mo (injured arm, can't get out to golf), it was a great way to pass the morning. Andy played a very self contained, controlled match. Serving brilliantly, we were treated to many "wow" moments...lobs, returns, passes, just so uplifting to see him produce the tennis of 'yesteryear'. And well done Denis Kudla for showing up when he wasn't even on site when asked to play. But, one thing that did raisie my BP a bit was the on court announcer introducing Andy as the "English man"! I'm sure he would have heard it! So now Ruud, a very different proposition, but Andy will be up for it. :clap::clap:

[banskogirl]

Agree to all of that Pat, I watched the first set and loved it. Andy looked so much more comfortable and even though it was a LL it might well have been much harder a few weeks ago. Some lovely shots and looked raring to go! I’m pretty exhausted today after watching on delay with Prime at about 2:30….

[lovetennis]

I had to watch the replay too. Certainly Andy's 1st serve was ropey in the first games but oh my, it definitely warmed up. I cringed at the on court announcer too. Hopefully someone will have had a word before tonight's match. Will have to watch that on replay too