The first meeting between Tommy Haas and Andy Murray proved to be an absorbing encounter, fluctuating one way then the other until finally, deep into a third set tiebreak, Andy produced a fierce first serve, took the short return and sliced an approach shot deep into his opponent's backhand corner, then watched as Haas' passing shot landed just long.

This was a play in several parts. In the opening scene Haas dictated the play with heavy serving and aggressive groundstrokes. Murray played cautiously, changing the pace, looping a few forehands, slicing some backhands, the odd moon ball in an attempt to disrupt Haas' rhythm. A double fault from Murray brought up the first break point but Haas' aggressive forehand landed wide. At 3-3 Haas saved a couple of break points taking every opportunity to come forward while Murray hoped for an error from his opponent. Frustrated at failing to take his opportunities, Murray's next service game was a shocker with a forehand unforced error and two double faults gifting Haas the first break of the match. Tommy promptly served out the set 6-3.

So to the next scene. Haas still forcing the play but this time three aggressive forehands landed narrowly wide to concede the early break. Up 40-30 on serve Murray injured his ankle trying to cut off Haas' pass. A long delay while the trainer came on to treat the injury and see if Andy could continue.

Resuming it seemed inevitable that Haas would take control. But while Murray was restricted in movement, he was playing with much more freedom, taking control of the points, trying to make things happen. In contrast Haas struggled to work out how he should play during Andy's service games. Tommy held his own serve comfortably throughout the rest of the set but despite reaching 30-30 a couple of times he failed to create a single break point opportunity on the Murray serve. An emphatic service game, including a beautifully constructed point featuring a lob that landed on the line, followed by a drop shot and then a pass for a winner, closed out the set 6-3.

Into the third set Haas' second service game seemed to be the key to the match. Murray came up with a fierce return of a 2nd serve to reach 15-30 then Haas' aggressive backhand landed wide for 15-40. Haas saved both break points through forcing play, Murray reluctant to do anything more than keep the ball in play. Another two break points came and went as Andy failed to take advantage of 2nd serves each time. Then with Haas at game point he took Murray's moon ball on the volley, striking it miles out of court, then double faulted and finally attacked the net only to see a running Murray come up with a forehand pass down the line for a winner.

Murray held without much trouble until 4-3 when he paid the price for a terrible start to the game with a backhand unforced error and a shocking volley into the net. While Andy was playing more aggressively at this point, he hadn't quite found his touch, failing to do enough with several shots, presenting Haas with the opportunity to hit passing shots. One break point was saved but Haas took the second to level at 4-4.

An extraordinary game followed in which the tension seemed to get to both players. A double fault, a trademark Murray backhand down the line winner, terrible drop shots, unforced errors under no pressure, this game had everything. Murray had break point on four different occasions, while Haas needed four game points before he finally held. After so much drama the next three service games were easy holds to take the match into the tiebreak.

Haas' backhand unforced error wide gave Andy the first point and he soon established a 3-1 lead. But Tommy wasn't the only one struggling with the pressure of the situation. Murray lost his nerve attempting to smash Haas' high defensive lobs, finally dumping one in the middle of the net. Up a mini-break at 3-4 Haas hit his backhand wide but saw Murray make an unforced error for 4-5. Murray held his first point on serve but passive play cost him the second giving Tommy match point. Haas promptly struck his forehand long but aggressive play behind a second serve took him to a second match point. This time Andy dominated as he won both his serves for his first match point. Haas' forehand saved that one taking the score to 8-8. Tommy's second serve was returned aggressively by Murray who dashed to the net to strike a high backhand volley that Haas reached only for his lob to go long. This time match point on Murray's serve. A fierce first serve produced a short reply that Andy sliced deep into Haas' backhand corner then watched as the german's pass landed just long.

There really was nothing between the players. Haas even managed to win more points in total. In truth his aggressive play might have made him a more worthy winner yet once again Murray demonstrated what an amazing player he is. This wasn't the dream display full of heavy serving, big groundstrokes, immaculate returning and beautiful touch shots. Nor did he play the break points well, taking just 2 of 13 on Haas' serve while winning 3 of 5 on his own. But it was full of courage, a willingness to keep competing right to the end, to continue asking questions of the inform Haas. In the end Andy held his nerve marginally better than Tommy could manage and that was the difference.