DUBAI 2022, R2: Andy v Jannik Sinner, day & time tbc

[Sallydaisy]

Jannik Sinner came through a tough match yesterday evening against Dav-Fokina.
Next up he faces Andy Murray!
;)

Muzzah leads their H2H by 1-0 (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/andy-murray-vs-jannik-sinner/MC10/S0AG) after a 2 sets win in Stockholm last year.

[Hawkeye]

They are first up tomorrow, so 10am GMT I think?

[Jane]

Players approaching the court on a nice grassy walk-way. Best of luck, Andy :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Jane]

Ouch - Sinner takes the first set 7-5:sad:

[clancy]

Thought he was cruising to a tie break. We all knew it would be tough; good to see him in a happier frame of mind. x

[JAMES4578]

Tight first set but unfortunately Andy could not keep Sinner at bay in the crucial moments and not the best start in the 2nd.

[Teresa]

I hadn’t realised he was playing again. Had a manic few days. I wish he was able to string a few wins together. It would do wonders for his confidence.

[harriet]

where are you watching this? is it an ATP500 OR 250?

[Hawkeye]

Double break after a 5 deuce game, Sinner serving at 4-1.

[Jane]

where are you watching this? is it an ATP500 OR 250?

An ATP500 on Amazon Prime

[Hawkeye]

Now 5-1, so this will be over shortly. So, to get a run of wins together, is it better for Andy to stop accepting wild cards to tournaments where he wins 1 or 2 matches, or to step down a level and work his way back into the big tournaments? Does he get more points for a first round win at a 250 or 500 than winning a Challenger?

[JAMES4578]

Looks like it is all over now ,though the Italian showing some great shotmaking but Andy giving too much away. Holds for 2-5 though.

[Hawkeye]

5-2, so Sinner will have to serve it out.

[Sallydaisy]

:sad:

Sinner wins 7'5, 6'2.

[Jane]

:crying: Sinner wins

[clancy]

Sad for Andy. x

[patlowe]

Here we are again! Has to be said, Sinner was good! It was all going sort of ok till 5 all in the 1st set, then it went all wrong. Kind of a pattern emerging here, much as I hate to admit it. We'll keep on hoping and Andy will keep on fighting. If he still believes, then I will keep on believing.

[clancy]

Really thought he would take the first set to a tie break. Folk are still saying his movement seems fine but he seems pre-occupied with something. Can it be put down to the change of racket or something mental?

[exislander]

Now 5-1, so this will be over shortly. So, to get a run of wins together, is it better for Andy to stop accepting wild cards to tournaments where he wins 1 or 2 matches, or to step down a level and work his way back into the big tournaments? Does he get more points for a first round win at a 250 or 500 than winning a Challenger?

I think there is no simple answer - depends on the level of event as points vary accordingly. It looks like he would have to reach the final of a Challenger at least.
I found this on the points system. https://www.stevegtennis.com/atp-tennis-ranking-points/

[RosieBear]

A shame Andy couldn't take his chances in the first set when he had Sinner at 0-30, but what really hurt Andy was the brutal first round against the qualie, O'Connell. He should have nailed that first set and the match in straights, but it got extended. Efficiency has never been his strong point - creative, versatile, talented, without doubt - but always the tendency for matches to be longer than they should be. Hopefully he can improve - Challengers can be great to build wins and confidence so maybe we'll see Andy enter a few.

[banskogirl]

Aw pity :crying: he really looks as though he’s going for the shots and they’re really off. Hoping that is the racket change and it just clicks! If so practice in challengers might be best?

[RosieBear]

I hate to say it but I'm concerned for Andy. It's reminiscent of his horrible 2015 season ( beating Novak in Montreal aside) when he had a mental block after his back surgery comeback. He only snapped out of it in the 2nd half of 16 when he reunited with Lendl. I don't know how he's going to get himself out of it this time. I'm not hoping for another '16 surge - time has moved on - just hope he can find a coach who can help him consistently find his current best because it's so sad to see Andy struggling on court when he works so hard.

[Elizabeth]

Oh for Lendl to come back!!!!

[HoopGirl]

I hate to say it but I'm concerned for Andy. It's reminiscent of his horrible 2015 season ( beating Novak in Montreal aside) when he had a mental block after his back surgery comeback. He only snapped out of it in the 2nd half of 16 when he reunited with Lendl. I don't know how he's going to get himself out of it this time. I'm not hoping for another '16 surge - time has moved on - just hope he can find a coach who can help him consistently find his current best because it's so sad to see Andy struggling on court when he works so hard.

Yes this is definitely mental. And he needs help with it quick. Every loss just feeds into this cycle of self doubt

[HoopGirl]

Though he says he is playing because he loves it I think he’s playing because he loves to win and feels he can play better and prove doubters wrong. It’s different from - I love to play so I’m gonna just play as best I can.
He’s different than he was - he’s had a big operation no one else has come back from and his body has changed. And his mind has changed too. Maybe there’s all sorts of internal mental conflict going on - I want to win/ but it’s so damn hard to keep doing this.
I’ve no idea and tbh maybe Andy can’t even articulate it as it’s all on a subconscious level.

I don’t feel he has a lot of time left to address this though and the fact that he has no coach is very worrying. I’m assuming he has some sports psychology help - I notice he’s just started mentioning that he was weak mentally.
That at least is good. If he recognises the problem he’s more likely to get the right help

[banskogirl]

I’m taking positives from the fact that he doesn’t think it’s physical and PERHAPS it is the racket, we know that was never going to be easy, and that’s why he thumping them to pieces