ATP SYDNEY 2022, SF: Andy v Reilly Opelka,, Friday 14th January. 05.23

[Sallydaisy]

Andy will take on Reilly Opelka, a very tall, bomb serving, American in the Semi-final on Friday.
More to follow.

Not much more to put here
H2H is zero as they've never played each other before.

Opelka is 6'11" tall with a big serve and 2 tour titles.
Andy's been able to win against the hefty servers in the past so I hope he can remember how!


https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/andy-murray-vs-reilly-opelka/MC10/O522

[Sallydaisy]

Intriguing stat.

In 2017 Opelka qualified for the AO but lost in R1 in 5 sets to 5'11" David Goffin!

His game has developed considerably since then and he's now ranked #23.

[RosieBear]

Love this match up. Andy's record against players 6'5" or taller is astonishing. Andy also comes into this match well-rested, so all good.

[Hawkeye]

3rd up tomorrow after a WTA doubles and singles.

[Sallydaisy]

3rd up tomorrow after a WTA doubles and singles.
Another early morning start then ..... depending on the prior ladies match (n/b 02.30 UK).
So, might set the alarm for 04.30 and risk missing a few points.

[HoopGirl]

Love this match up. Andy's record against players 6'5" or taller is astonishing. Andy also comes into this match well-rested, so all good.

As someone who is 5’ the thought of seeing this really tall guy at the other side of the net is terrifying to me! I don’t know how Andy does this! But long may he continue!

[JAMES4578]

Not taking anything for granted but Andy tends to match up well against "giants" so here's hoping. Murray appears to have been showing impressive form in Sydney and regardless best result in ATP event for a while (even if today's match was curtailed)

[pabbers]

I'll never forget watching Karlovic at the Paris masters a few years back. He was on one of the lesser courts which are basically not much more than a leisure centre space.....2 rows of spectator seats one side and not many more the other, relatively low ceiling. Looked like his head might touch it and his serve was positively dangerous in such a tight environment!

[Gary D]

This'll be a test to find out his reaction speed is after all the time out. Jim Courier has said that it's his "1st step" that is so good.

[Sallydaisy]

Players are on court.
:GBflag:

[supergran]

Let's go Andy.

[Sallydaisy]

Love hold for Andy to start proceedings, 1-0

[Sallydaisy]

A reminder that you can watch the match here.
It's better on my phone than on tablet.

https://t.co/mjGpYc1YlQ

[Sallydaisy]

Another love hold for Andy who is serving very well.
All going with serve, Andy 3-2

[Jane]

A reminder that you can watch the match here.
It's better on my phone than on tablet.

https://t.co/mjGpYc1YlQ

It is perfect on my laptop :thumbup: :)

[Sallydaisy]

Andy holds again to lead, on serve, 5-4.
He started to get at the Opelka serve in the last game and had Ad so is clearly biding his time to take any chance for a break. I think we're heading for a tiebreaker.
:shades:

[Hawkeye]

Down an early mini break in the inevitable tie break...

[Hawkeye]

Make that 2 mini breaks.

[Sallydaisy]

Tiebreak, Andy serving first.
Opelka bike then held 2.
Andy *0-3, 0-4, 1-4.
Opelka well ahead now.

[Hawkeye]

Andy gets one back but it's *2-5.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy gets one back, serving next2-5
*3-5
*4-5 Opelka has 2 serves for the set

[Hawkeye]

Back on serve!

[Sallydaisy]

The big man misses one ... back on serve
5-6 and set point Opelka
*6-6 , solid Murray defence and it's all to play for

[Jane]

Ouch - that was hard!!:sad:

[Sallydaisy]

*6-7, Andy misses a shot and that'll be costly
1st set Opelka 7'6(6).
Oh so close for Andy after getting back into that tiebreaker

[david1610]

Sigh... first set to Opelka. Andy had done the hard work to get back even but a UE at 6-6 gave his opponent a set point on serve and...
Oh well. Hopefully he can continue to hold and has worked that serve out a bit more. Andy won more points in the set. C'mon Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

The stats say Andy won 38 points, Reilly 37. C'est la vie!

[Gary D]

One angry Scotsman......
I've never seen Opelka before, - not as boring as Isner as he doesn't serve outright aces. Intriguing contest.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy had a break point after a DF but Opelka saves it for deuce

[Sallydaisy]

Ad again for Andy, another break point

[Sallydaisy]

BREAK for andy!!!
He goes 2-1 up but now must hold all his own service games

[david1610]

Big servers can be cracked. C'mon Andy! Get those first serves in now! :)

[clancy]

Andy heard you - he's serving brilliantly! If he can break him once more it will really rattle him. x

[Sallydaisy]

Another break point chance for Andy, saved by Reilly for deuce.
Ad the big man, holds 3-4

[Sallydaisy]

Some classic Murray play going on now
And he LOBBED Opelka!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Set point Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

C'mon Muzzah!
Deuce .....

[Sallydaisy]

2nd set Andy 6'4.
Keep it going Muzzah!

[Jane]

One set all :thumbup:

[david1610]

And that is the second set. Well done. 81% first serve percentage! C'mon Andy!

[Gary D]

81% serves in! Has Murray ever hit that % before?

[Sallydaisy]

81% serves in! Has Murray ever hit that % before?
He has a new bat apparently, that might be helping!
And it's likely his new coach has brought some ideas to the table

[Sallydaisy]

2 net errors from Reilly and Andy has 2 break points

[Sallydaisy]

Humph!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Lob from Murray, hot dog no sauce from Reilly
Deuce
Ad Reilly
Finally held it, but Andy nearly got him

[Sallydaisy]

1 all, 3rd set

[Sallydaisy]

We could be in for another tiebreaker

[david1610]

Opelka giving fewer chances... 3-2 on serve.... meanwhile ....
Djokovic's visa has just been cancelled (again) by the Australian immigration minister. C'mon Andy1

[Sallydaisy]

Help!

[Sallydaisy]

Deuce. Don't panic!

[david1610]

Phew! 3-3 saved a BP. Let's hope that was Andy's mini wobble. Underarm serve? C'mon Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy has 2 break points
Both saved
Reilly holds and has the edge 4-3

[Teresa]

Hiding as usual over this. Haven’t been a stressed for long time. Paws crossed. The dog gets far less ice cream these days……!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Andy with 2 break points

And he gets the break!!!

[Teresa]

Can he hold and serve it out? Come on AM?

[Sallydaisy]

So, Andy to serve for the match at *5-4.
Just another great service game please Muzzah

[Sallydaisy]

:sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

Andy's into the Final!

6'7(6), 6'4, 6'4
His serving was excellent, and we saw
the battling braveheart we all love to watch!

[Jane]

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

[david1610]

Well done Andy! :) :) :) :)

[Hawkeye]

:yahoo:

[clancy]

Brilliant!! So chuffed for him! He can still make my heart race faster than it should! x

[Gary D]

He has a new bat apparently, that might be helping!
And it's likely his new coach has brought some ideas to the table

Correct about the bat, & you could be right about de-Witt. Might also be because Opelka is not a good returner, so less concern about what's coming back. ??

[Teresa]

Excellent a love hold to take it. He had that look in his eye.

Who would be the best match up for him tomorrow, Dan or Karatsev?

[Sallydaisy]

Whoever he plays, Andy Murray's final in Sydney is scheduled for not before 8:00 GMT on Saturday. It will be live and for free on @TennisONEApp and at http://tennis.one

[supergran]

So thrilled and happy for Andy.

[Sallydaisy]

Bit of a stat before I get some much needed breakfast!

Andy Murray has never lost a match to a giant (2007-2022):
8-0 vs #Isner
7-0 vs #Karlovic
1-0 vs #Opelka

tie-break record against them: 12-7,
different times - the same method applied

[Guerkins2]

What a great start to my day!!!!

[RosieBear]

Great win, well done Andy. Shame the first set slipped away because apart from the serve Andy's another class in every department. But the walkover against Goffin a bonus. Bring on the final, every confidence in Andy :cheer:

[patlowe]

That was one highly enjoyable match. So good to see Andy in control again, serving well and producing some magic. Opelka was a good test for him, it's so heart warming watching Andy working out how to get the job done against a tricky opponent. I'm just floating along in a cloud of utter bliss that our man appears to be right back where he belongs and has the respect, love and support he so richly deserves. Proper sportsman and good human! :GBflag::clap::clap:

[banskogirl]

Yes Andy! You beauty!

and then I raced off to work with a huge grin on my face


:cheer::swingin:

[Jan]

Fab-u-lous!!! :GBflag::knight:

[HoopGirl]

A great win - am sorry to have missed that but the most important thing is that this is a hugely significant moment!

Go Andy. Proud of you!

[JAMES4578]

A tough one but once again Andy mastered a big server again and by all accounts his skill and variety shone through, regardless a great tournament but hoping he can take the title! May be early days but positive signs in te partnership with De Witt.

[Genbrit]

I agree with all of you. It was like old times, I even forgot about the hip!!! :knight:

I watched via the Tennis One site streamed to my tv via my laptop. Had no problems, picture was superb. Thanks Sally. :thanks::thumbup::bravo: