woohoo, great set from al, 1st sp saved with an ace, but al stuck in there, got a chnace at a 2nd serve and took it. lets hope he can serve as well 2nd set, def in with a chnace here.

Some info on Mirnyi:

Nicknamed the "beast from Belarus" the 29 year old right hander is one of the world's best doubles players. Currently ranked 3 in the world [he was no 1 in 2003], he's won many Grand slam titles including the recent French Open. Singles-wise, he's ranked 52 and has been as high as no 18. He was impressive at Queens last week, beating Thomas Johansson and Danielle Bracciali before losing to eventual champion Lleyton Hewitt in a 3rd set tiebreak. Other than that, his best result this year was reaching the quarters of the Hamburg masters series event.

His main weapon is a massive first serve, similar to that of Karlovic. Mirnyi's delivery isn't particularly fast but it's superb placement, variety and bounce [from his massive height] make it difficult to read and return. Mirnyi mostly serve-volleys which is why his game is at its most effective on grass or indoors. From the baseline he doesn't have any real weapons to hurt opponents, his single-handed backhand is something of a weakness and he makes most of his errors of there. His forehand can be a dangerous shot, he tends to go for broke on it a lot of the time.

both openeing games are held to 30.

 

Alex holds to love

Is this game being broadcast on the Nottingham radio ?

so far max hasnt hit too many 1st serves, however as i say that he hit 4 and wins all 4 to take the game. i think al really needs max to miss a few for a serious chnace to break, or hang in there for a TB. at least al serving 1st, if he can hold will put the presuure on max again later.

-- Edited by Count Zero at 12:31, 2006-06-20

a df at 40-30 lets max back in it at duce.

Bog holds on for 3-2