Got there about 11.30 due to tube issues for John...expected Andy to be winning comfortably due to the sheer number of massive roars emanating from court 1 (you could hear them from the station)...but to our surprise he was 3-5 down and about to lose the 1st set.
One of the things I love about centre and court 1 is that no matter how high you're sitting, you still get a great view, unlike at the US Open where the views on the show courts are crap if you're high up. I was gate 43, row W...directly opposite the am.com lot on the other side of the stadium (I think)....as I could see the "Sue Barker for queen" banner over there.
Unfortunately directly behind me were a load of overexcitable hormonal girls (13-16 Id guess) who kept squealing "we love you Andy" and "will you marry me Andy" after every point........they grew a little disappointed as their hero appeared indifferent to their cries of passion and indeed seemed to be getting gradually more apopletic on court.......so naturally out of chivalry I offered to stand in for him if they wanted.
For some reason they all completely vanished (and never returned) after the 5th set. I can only imagine they got lost in the ice cream queue.
I have to say, I love the Greg Rusedski fanclub, they are just class...their man retired 6 months ago but they still turn out in force to support his prowess in the commentary box and wave excitedly. I wondered who was shouting "we love you Greg" till I spotted them. Even funnier is that most of them are 50+ ladies mostly with greying hair, who still dream of sharing their bed with him at some point. Maybe its something to do with the Canadian accent and women of a certain age " title="" /> I am being rather mean here though as they are a great bunch and even though I only met them briefly they enlightened me on several aspects of life....I never knew before today that anyone called their cats Greg and Rus.
Tennis-wise: We're effectively in the world group now which is FANTASTIC...first time since 2003, I can just see Murray and Boggo lifting the trophy next December to the sound of "Boggo's coming home" echoing around the stadium. Ok we're duffing up the Croatian reserve team this weekend but who cares, let 'em 'av it lads !
Personally I thought that Andy played ok in patches today against a dangerous opponent, he was probably only at 60% form-wise and he still should have wrapped it up in 4 sets which is encouraging given Cilic's recent form. During 1st and 2nd sets he was way too passive in the rallies, his length was around serve-box line - mid-court most of the time and Cilic took full advantage, the guy has a great backhand and he kept pulling the trigger. I really thought Andy was going 2 sets to love down but at 5-4 in the second, he asked for more noise and OMG " title="" />....the result would have done a pop concert proud......as a result Cilic became stone-deaf for the next few games and didn't fully recover his hearing and balance until he was 3-6, 6-4, 5-0 down...well thats what I assume going by my own experience at the time ! Seriously though, Andy definately upped his level in the 3rd: much more aggressive, starting to take control of points, finding the range with the trademark backhand down the line, cutting out the errors and also starting to work Cilic out tactically....his big weakness is the low balls to his forehand. I thought he'd do it in 4 but got off to a dire start in the 4th...seemingly losing his serving rhythm completely for 3 service games and double-faulting a lot. He still hit back to 2-3*, just the 1 break down and had a point to level at 3-3...he won it but a dire overule allowed Cilic to escape and hold for 4-2. Andy lost his focus, got broken again and we were into a 5th. Luckily he returned to the form of the 3rd set....some superb serving helping to wrap things up.
I was impressed with Andy's volleying at the net today, that was the big plus for me...showed some excellent touch and anticipation. Even though he struggling to impose himself aggressively on the rallies for most of the match, the retrieving behind the baseline was often sublime. A little surprised he didn't use the dropshot more...the turf seemed very lush and skiddy....Cilic used the dropshots effectively so many times, they just died.
Tim was never really troubled....Karanusic is a decent player but has yet to threaten breaking onto the ATP tour...good serve, very good returner and a solid forehand but strangely for a Croat he has his best results on the clay, has qualified for a few French opens in the past. He did look uncomfortable on the grass at times today. Great to see some classic Henman chip-charges and serve-volleying for possibly one last time in singles...the usual sublime net touch.
Looks like Peter Lundgren is back in the LTA fold after the infamous booze-gate events of June, he was there in the camp with Bogman, Bloomers and Baker.
Surely its gonna be Jamie and Tim in the doubles tomorrow to wrap up the tie
Had a quality day...met up with John throughout the afternoon, the company was good Roll on days 2 and 3
Good stuff the shedman. I'm in my B & B room stealing someone's wireless. Woooo lol, where were you today?
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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
" title="
" /> I am being rather mean here though as they are a great bunch and even though I only met them briefly they enlightened me on several aspects of life....I never knew before today that anyone called their cats Greg and Rus.
" title="
" />....the result would have done a pop concert proud......as a result Cilic became stone-deaf for the next few games and didn't fully recover his hearing and balance until he was 3-6, 6-4, 5-0 down...well thats what I assume going by my own experience at the time ! Seriously though, Andy definately upped his level in the 3rd: much more aggressive, starting to take control of points, finding the range with the trademark backhand down the line, cutting out the errors and also starting to work Cilic out tactically....his big weakness is the low balls to his forehand. I thought he'd do it in 4 but got off to a dire start in the 4th...seemingly losing his serving rhythm completely for 3 service games and double-faulting a lot. He still hit back to 2-3*, just the 1 break down and had a point to level at 3-3...he won it but a dire overule allowed Cilic to escape and hold for 4-2. Andy lost his focus, got broken again and we were into a 5th. Luckily he returned to the form of the 3rd set....some superb serving helping to wrap things up.
Roll on days 2 and 3
