DUBAI 2022, R1: Andy v Chris O'Connel,nb 3.00 pm Monday

[Sallydaisy]

Andy's first match will be against Q, Christopher O'Connell AUS, WR148 (CH111 in 2020).
It'll be their first meeting so H2H is 0-0..

[RosieBear]

Andy not before 3pm UK time tomorrow. Nice.

[Jane]

Players arrive on court. Best of luck, Andy :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Hawkeye]

4-4, Andy to serve. Less than 50% on first serve so far.

[Sallydaisy]

Andy looks as though he's got a cob on today. Had chance to break at 3-2* but missed his chances and he's clearly getting cross at O'Connell besting him in the rallies.
Down 2 break points at *15-40, 4-4.
Saved one.

And broken. O'Connell serving for the first set at *5-4 up.

[clancy]

The first set going the wrong way for Andy.

[Sallydaisy]

There's the break back. 5-5.
:shades:

[Hawkeye]

Tie break.

[clancy]

First set gone.

[Jane]

First set gone after tb (7-4) :crying: Oops! :smashed:

[Jane]

One set all!! :thumbup:

[clancy]

Has he calmed down a bit? - which Andy are we going to get in the decider??

[Sallydaisy]

2 break points go begging with O'Donnell at *15-40, 1-2 in the 3rd set.
Now has AD to level at 2-2.

And holds ...

[Sallydaisy]

Chunter, chunter ... but Ad Andy!
And he holds for 3-2.

[Sallydaisy]

4-4 in the 3rd set, Andy serving. 30-30
He's not winning the longer rallies ...

[exislander]

Phew! 5-4 after a huge battle.

[Hawkeye]

6-5, so another tie break at worst...

[Jane]

Andy gets the win... phew...well done!!! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

[Hawkeye]

:yahoo:

[RosieBear]

Well done Andy :clap: First set was a bit dodgy, but able to up first set % and cut out the UEs. The Australian has a very attractive game, especially the ohbh - turned into a nice match. Incredible pick up by Andy to generate match point - Speedy Gonzales Alcaraz would have been proud of that one - love seeing exceptional movement like that from Andy. Hopefully with a day off tomorrow he can string some Ws together. Keep going Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

:faint:

:lol:
So relieved he got through that one!!!
Next up in R2 is either Sinner or Dav-Fokina

[Jan]

Phew!!!

[patlowe]

How was that for a finish! He didn't half put us, and himself, through the wringer! Now the big question, can he get past r2! Certainly won't be easy. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this win! :clap:

[HoopGirl]

I only saw bits of this but Andy looked really frustrated with himself - is that a fair comment those of you watched it all the way through?

[RosieBear]

I only saw bits of this but Andy looked really frustrated with himself - is that a fair comment those of you watched it all the way through?

He definitely seemed frustrated at times, but mainly in the first set then settled down. His first serve was very low in the first set (48%) and his forehand let him down on key points. It certainly felt like a set that got away and Andy looked frustrated about it. He's usually just shouty but last few matches he's seemed to smash his racket more (not criticising, I don't care, just an observation) so I think maybe he's finding the adjustment process a bit frustrating. In the post match interview he said he didn't particularly enjoy the match but enjoyed the result which suggests he wasn't particularly happy with his performance but the 2nd and 3rd sets were pretty good with flashes of vintage Andy.

[HoopGirl]

He definitely seemed frustrated at times, but mainly in the first set then settled down. His first serve was very low in the first set (48%) and his forehand let him down on key points. It certainly felt like a set that got away and Andy looked frustrated about it. He's usually just shouty but last few matches he's seemed to smash his racket more (not criticising, I don't care, just an observation) so I think maybe he's finding the adjustment process a bit frustrating. In the post match interview he said he didn't particularly enjoy the match but enjoyed the result which suggests he wasn't particularly happy with his performance but the 2nd and 3rd sets were pretty good with flashes of vintage Andy.

Thanks - I just watched it in full and agree that his frustrations were mostly in this first set.
And indeed there were some beautiful breathtaking Murray shots!

[banskogirl]

Watched it late :cheer: well done Andy! A definite Murraycoaster!

And Judy in the box!

Now for the next round…..

[RosieBear]

Andy's words on the match and playing on for as long as he can:

“I mean I enjoyed the result. What went on in the middle, yeah not so easy.

I was very frustrated early on in the match, couldn’t quite find my game and he was dictating a lot of the rallies.

I managed to serve a little bit better as the match went on which helped me a lot and yeah, just managed to tough it out at the end.

I’ve spoken to a lot of ex-players that a lot of them have said keep playing as long as you can, nothing will replace it. Some have regretted maybe stopping a little bit too soon.

I still feel like I can compete at the highest level. It’s not easy obviously, physically it’s very challenging for me but winning matches like that is obviously very satisfying.”