These will be posted here later and on britishtennis.net.
Depending on who plays and how long the first match goes on for I may not be here to watch the 2nd one...my late flight has been cancelled and i have been put on a flight at 6.45pm...so will wait and see !
6-4 6-7(0) 2-6 Result means the first Dutch point of the Tie
Jamie Murray did not disgrace himself in a 3 set loss to world number 141 Robin Haase. Murray had the game but maybe not the belief to beat Haase today. At times Murray's volleys were brilliant often putting them deep into baseline corners.
The first set went with serve easily unti game 7 when Jamie had to face his first break points but with the help of his first backhand winner down the line he hald for 4-4. That seemed to give Murray confidence and he broke Haase to 15 in the very next game. Murray served out the set to 15 and deserved the one set lead.
1st set Stats : JM 2 aces, 2 DF - RH 3 aces, 2 DF.
Haase stepped things up and the start of the second set but it was Murray who forced 2 break point chances in game 3 but Haase hit 2 fantastic forehands to take the game for 2-2. Murray faced his first break points of the match in game 6 when he found himslef at 0-40. He saved them all with good first serves and crisp volleys and took the next 5 pts to level at 3-3. Haase found no problems when serving and it was Murray again in game 10 who faced 2 more break points and 4 deuce points but again he dug deep to level it at 5-5. At this point I began to feel that Jamie was starting to doubt he could keep his performance up. Two service games 1 to love and the other to 15 brought up the tie breaker and my fears were not unfounded when Haase cruised through it 7-0.
2nd set Stats : JM 0 aces, 2 DF - RH 2 aces, 2 DF.
Jamie's head was down and was broken immediately at the start of the set but all credit to Murray as he forced 3 BPs in the next Haase service game and when Haase prevailed to go up 2-0 the writing was on the walls. Another break of serve for Haase and then a service hold to love for a 1-5 lead. Murray made it 2-5 but has served out for the match to 30 and the Dutch point was secured.
Funny how people interpret a match differently. I saw it completely differently to you lol, but that's what makes sport great.
In my opinion, Jamie left absolutely everything on the court today. He threw all he had at the match and once again showed how much he loves playing in front of a big crowd supporting him. As a singles player, he's never been in the same league as someone like Haase who won a challenger a couple of weeks ago.
I got the feeling from the very start that Jamie knew he couldn't rally with this guy from the baseline and rushed the net on nearly every single point. I thought it was very clear how little he plays singles. Most of the shots he came in on were barely even approach shots. A few times he dumped the ball midcourt and still raced to the net. I think he quite rightly realised this was his only chance of winning. He faced break points in 3 out of 5 service games in the first set (if i remember rightly) and in my opinion his spirit and the crowd brought him through that first set. The second set was quite similar. He hung in on serve, rushing the net and trying to unsettle Haase on his groundstrokes and force him into mistakes. I got the feeling as we came to a tie break that either Haase would win 7-0 or 7-1 or that if Jamie could keep it close he might win a close one.
He got off to a bad start and the rest is history. I think once Haase found a few good passing shots he made them almost every time. Jamie's net rushing was relentless trying his best to stop his opponent from finding a rhythm. For a set and a half it worked but once Haase found his range the third set was a stroll.
In summary, Jamie was great today imo. He took a set off a guy he will probably never earn a place on the same court as in competition. You are right about his volleys, his serves and volleys are his strength, hence his doubles ranking. He played to his strengths and it so nearly came off for him. His lack of singles matches was clear to see, as he regularly came in on the wrong shots, also I thought he left quite a few balls that landed in and tried to smash a few that were going out. He did the same in the doubles yesterday. I think that's just something that comes with experience.
I was very impressed with Jamie this weekend. A superb debut and I really think we have a doubles specialist who thrives in the Davis Cup environment. Just need to find him a partner now
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Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
