Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (men's)

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (men's)

indiana · Tennis legend

I don't know what expectation Andy has of himself here.

But it will be a long time since he has had such little burden of pressure and expectation from outwith. He's now won Slams, he's won Wimbledon, and he is returning from back surgery with very little match play in the last 4 months.

Just going to see how the first week rolls and then see where we are...

...or at least that's what I'm telling myself !

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

don't know if it's somewhere else but:

L128: (4) Andy Murray WR 4 def. Go Soeda JPN WR 112 (CH 47 in 2012) 6-1 6-1 6-3

Now, that's neat and tidy . . .

Plays Vincent Millot next who, at 27, has just won his first ever match in a GS MD, and in 5 long sets. Don't think Andy is going to be too troubled . . ..

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

I also notice that John Isner retired from his round 1 match today when 2 sets down to Martin Klizan. I wonder if that was an injury or whether he simply couldn't cope with the heat.

If it was an injury, that could have Davis Cup repercussions.

steven · Tennis legend

L64: (4) Andy Murray WR 4 v (Q) Vincent Millot (FRA) WR 267 (CH 147 in 2011)

Also, potential R3 opponent López is now the only other seed left in his 1/8th of the draw after Isner retired last night and Kohli withdrew, which means one of Klizan, (Q) Rola, Przysiezny or our old friend (LL) Robert will make it to R4!

Spectator · All-time great

Injury. But he says he will be fit for DC. Somewhat concerning from a GB standpoint is the performance of the second-tier US men: Rhyne Williams (from the live scores - didn't actually see the match) must have played quite well v JMDP; Jack Sock up against Kamke. They just have so many in the 50 to 150 range - some of them clearly very gifted, some less so. After the lack of progress in qualies of the GB men, it's a bit scary.

steven · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
I also notice that John Isner retired from his round 1 match today when 2 sets down to Martin Klizan. I wonder if that was an injury or whether he simply couldn't cope with the heat.

If it was an injury, that could have Davis Cup repercussions.

It was an ankle injury - the British journos were getting excited on Twitter last night (a bit unseemly, but there you go ...) - Isner said he hopes to be ok for DC though.

"Isner, 28, said he first felt pain in his ankle and shin area in the offseason. It pained him enough that he pulled out of his final match at the Hopman Cup exhibition in Perth earlier this month.

Isner said he felt torn between competing as scheduled at Auckland last week or resting, which would have meant little preparation heading into Melbourne.

He decided to give it a go, and while the pain persisted, he went on to win a second title on Saturday against Chinese Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu.

"The while thing in Auckland was bizarre," said Isner, who was furiously icing his foot after every match. "I never expected to win that tournament."

"This whole trip really just been kinda swimming upstream a little bit," he added."

...

"The American said he believed the foot problem was possibly a "compensation" issue related to a left knee injury that forced him out of last year's Australian Open.

"I feel like I will get over it," the former University of Georgia standout said. "Doesn't concern me as much as like some knee issues I've had in the past."

Isner said an exam in Perth showed no structural or bone damage and that he expects to play for the first-round Davis Cup tie against Great Britain Dec. 31-Feb. 2 in San Diego."

The extracts are from: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/aus/2014/01/13/john-isner-australian-open-foot-injury-martin-klizan/4467739/

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Thanks Steven. I really do need to keep up with the gossip, don't I.

Also, it appears that the Americans (or at least the USA Today journalists) are expecting some long matches in the DC. After all, why else would the tie start on Dec 31st and go on all the way to Feb 2nd. wink

Spectator · All-time great

No fifth-set tiebreakers in DC ... and Isner does have past history ...

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Well that's not going to make the Aussies or the TV companies very happy. Nadal takes the first set off Tomic 6-4, who pomptly retires.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Well that's not going to make the Aussies or the TV companies very happy. Nadal takes the first set off Tomic 6-4, who pomptly retires.

Yes, bit of a damp squib (not that it's Tomic's fault if he's injured but all the same . . .)

And Lleyton gone too . . . cry

At least the Aussies got their two young 'K's through . ..

Tennis36 · Masters Series Champion

Suprised no ones mentioned how well Andy's played ! First two sets were best I've seen in a long time, winner after winner . He served superbly throughout the whole match aswell

philwrig · Hall of fame

Very encouraging from Andy, fully concentrated, didn't want to be on court any longer than he needed to be in those horrendous temperatures, and played well. Draw very kind now.

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Tennis36 wrote:
Suprised no ones mentioned how well Andy's played ! First two sets were best I've seen in a long time, winner after winner . He served superbly throughout the whole match aswell

Yes I agree, he wasn't playing against the best in the world but he was doing everything he needed to get himself back a level where he can beat the best in the world. I was concerned going into this match about his comments on how the match fitness missing was in the shot selection and playing big points well areas - I could almost see him working through those things in the match today and whilst it won't fully be tested until he meets someone dangerous that is a very positive sign.

I'm still not convinced he's as much of "a contender" as the Eurosport commentators would have me believe but I do now think he has a good chance of reaching the semis at least which is one round further than I thought before - I'm hoping by the end of next week he has proven to me he can and will win the thing

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, very encouraging and he was happy with his back. He actually said he felt freer than he'd done in 18 months.

I'm still just more holding a watching brief for the first week anyway before I maybe get rather more interested. But it's a nice introduction with Lopez ( who he owns ! ) in R3 now the only seed he can play before the quarter finals.