Doha R2: Andy vs Mensik - Wed not before 1 pm

[cazza99]

Andy vs Mensik is on Wednesday not before 1 pm. Previous match is not before 11.30, so Andy's match could easily be a bit later.

[exislander]

Comms mentioned Andy had 8 tour level wins before this young lad was born! 1-1 to start.

oops 2-1 Mensik broke!

[Jane]

Andy broken and now down 1-2

[exislander]

Windy conditions - Andy better from one end rather than the other?

[clancy]

Now at 5-4 so Mensik can take the 1st set here. Only following on fs again but the games seem to be very quick. But Andy hanging in there. Oh to be 18 again. x

[Jane]

5-5

[clancy]

And our star has levelled at 5-5, perhaps getting to grips with his game. Obviously the knee isn't bothering him. x

[exislander]

Andy had 3 break points took the second so 5-5. It is windy.

[exislander]

Tiebreak.......

[clancy]

Sadly Andy lost it on the final couple of points of the tie break. On to 2nd set.

[exislander]

The set that got away!!!

[clancy]

Are we heading for another tie break in the 2nd set?

[exislander]

Yes! 1 set all!

[clancy]

Brilliant - Andy takes the 2nd set on the tie break! All to play for in set 3. And he serves first! Looked away and he's lost the 1st game! Ugh Andy! x

[exislander]

It was a nasty fall but he seems ok.

[clancy]

What ??

[exislander]

From 2-5 to 5-5!

[Jan]

Another TB :sofa:

[clancy]

A tale of 3 tie breaks, if only the 1st had ended differently ........

[exislander]

Oh so nearly!

But this lad is so good.

[JAMES4578]

After all that! Andy mind you showed some fighting spirit but ultimately could not prevail- disappointing though signs of progress this week. Mensik though has weapons and was strong enough in the closing points.

[Stell]

I've read after Andy failed to break Menskik's serve, he said "this game isn't for me anymore".

[pabbers]

Yes I lip read him saying this game isn't for me any more but then he went on to win that set and I think his tennis in the last 2 matches has been the best I've seen for ages...... far more explosive and aggressive. Just needs to get used to playing like that again more often. That's what got him to the top of the game and I think he'd retreated back into his old defensive shell.

[HoopGirl]

Shame shame shame

[clancy]

Rublev has gone a set down to Mensik 4-6.

[Jane]

Mensik wins 6-4, 7-6 - clearly Andy was a greater challenge!! :thumbup:

[clancy]

And the new kid on the block eases past Rublev in 2 sets (2nd set another tie break for him)!

[exislander]

Maybe this will be another event where the player who beats Andy goes on to win the title?

[JAMES4578]

Mensik havng a great run, whilst was very tight with Andy think he found a higher level against Rublev.

[HoopGirl]

Hope that encourages Andy!

[cazza99]

Once again Andy was beaten by someone going deep into a tournament. Mensik is now in the final. Andy won more games off Mensik than any other player and Monfils was the only other apart from Andy so far to get a set off him. Wouldnt surprise me if Mensik wins the tournament.

[JAMES4578]

Would have been good if Mensik had taken title but he lost out to Khachanov 7-6(14-12), 6-4. Still a great run for him and had he taken the tight 1st set might have been different.

[HoopGirl]

Hopefully that will give Andy some comfort