Doha: A Murray v R Schuettler

Andrew · Junior player

Doha: A Murray v R Schuettler

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Andy 4-1*

He started disputing a line call in that last game, seemed to lose concentration a little to go down to Ad to Schuettler, but pulled himself together and came through to hold

Andrew · Junior player

Coasting to the finish line now at 5-1, who's up next? :)

Andrew · Junior player

Well that was a strange old match really, but with the right result in the end.

But those drop shots, oh please stop it.

wolf · Tennis legend

1-6, 6-0, 6-1!

Next up is Thomas Johansson.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i think thomas johansson next

seagull · Hall of fame

ToJo is up next.

Played him at Queens a couple of years ago and lost 7-6, 6-7, 7-5...think that was the match where he kept cramping up and falling over?

Has to fancy his chances as ToJo has had problems with his vision over the last 18 months

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I enjoyed the second and third sets much more than the first!

Could we appoint somebody on Team Murray with the special task of boxing his ears when he overdoes the dropshots? biggrin

helki · Futures qualifying

Had to be out all afternoon furious

with the occasional access to a radio. Cripes! I nearly had a dickie fit when I first heard the score. Praise be,

the guy pulled it round. Less of these traumas Andy

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Was a bit worried at 1-6 I have to say, but a great comeback from Muzza!

ToJo will provide a stern test I think. He's back fit and strong for the new year and his first two rounds seemed fairly clincical.

Murray for the title!

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

The second set in particular saw some of Murray at his best but the first was just painful to watch. It was partly Schuettler playing out of his skin, but a lot of it was Andy making unforced errors and poor shot selection, and generally playing very passive tennis. The kind of tennis he always falls back on when he's not comfortable out there.

Then someone switched on the light and Andy started playing some really fabulous shots, lots of attacking tennis. His net game is outstanding now, the result of training with Louis Cayer I guess. He's always had good touch but now seems to have confidence with it and he pulled off some lovely volley winners, one in particular will stick in my mind for a while, he was facing the wrong direction, had to jump a foot in the air to reach it and still managed to find the perfect placement in the corner, it was beautiful!!

So long as Andy doesn't have another moment tomorrow like he did in the first set he should take Johannson in 2 I think. I've watched some of both ToJo's matches this week and whilst he has been on form, the scorelines have a lot to do with his opponents form as well, Andreev had one of the worst matches I've ever seen and Berrer just never had the belief.