Melzer served first and at 15-30 Boggo had a chance to press the Austrian into a mistake but Jurgen got it back to deuce before serving out to lead 1-0.
Boggo started off with a shaky service hold but he was just toying with us early on. From 30-40 in that first service game through a further 4 break point chances for the experienced Austrian, Alex kept hitting hard forehands which Jurgen eventually caved in with two forehand into the net to eventually handed the game to Alex.
Melzer started off well with a service hold to 15 with some good serving. You would be forgiven to think 'whats Boggo's next service game going to be like' but a very quick love hold for Alex seemed to settle him down. 2-2
Boggo had Jurgen 15-30 but two good un-returnable serves saw the Austrian go up 3-2. Another comfortable hold for Boggo to 15 was followed by the first break of serve when Boggo hit a clean winner down the line at 30-40 and the break was his. I was still thinking...when will Alex drop his level...another love hold for Boggo brought up and when the Austrian gave up a second break on the trot Boggo led 6-3.
The second set started off the same way the first did with Boggo facing break points. At 30-40 Boggo came up with some big serves and Melzer had not way past Boggo on either flank. 1-0.
Boggo continued his assault on the Melzer serve and was 0-40 before you could blink. A backhand winner and a good volley got it back to 30-40 Melzer again went long on his forehand and Alex was in dreamland at 6-3 2-0*
Boggo came under real pressure in the third game and even though Melzer took Alex to deuce he never got a break point chance and eventually on his 6th game point Alex took it to lead 3-0* Alex netted his FIRST backhand on the day at match time 51mins elapsed during that game. Melzer on the other hand seemed to think the next was 4' tall as he netted time after time.
Melzer held to love for the first time Boggo followed suit the very next game and we were at 4-1 with Melzer to serve. Boggo got it to 15-40 and within 2 points of 5-1.
Melzer woke-up.
You dont take Murray to 5 sets and get into the top 50 with no talent and the Austrian clicked.
He broke Alex to 30 and there were no more break points for either player and into the TB we went. For the first time Boggo's ground strokes let him down and Jurgen sealed the second set with a forehand winner.
"Writing on the Wall"
What happened next was really hard to take at the time but credit should also be given to Melzer as he raised his game four-fold and his forehand came to the good with repeated winners. Boggo was looking tired and the 3rd set was over before you could draw breath.
Could Alex come back from 2 sets to 1. The 4th set went even quicker than the third with Alex calling the trainer and looking very immobile towards the end.
So Boggo lost in 4 sets. The atmosphere was terrific and the crowd were right behind the British No 2. It was a shame it ended so limply.
