Must be playing tomorrow. Alessio Di Mauro - 29 yr old Italian, currently ranked 94, has played mostly in Challengers and International Series this year. Did however beat Wawrinka and Stepanek in Monte Carlo, so not a pushover. Tim beat him in two pretty close sets in Rome this year.
The pundits reckon it will be a push-over for Andy, but that is the most dangerous type of opponent Andy faces!! Let's hope Brad can get Andy over this sort of barrier! Good Luck Andy!
At least we get a chance of some sleep tonight! *LOL*
Yes, it is all very well playing his best against players ranked above him, but the higher he himself gets in the rankings, the fewer of them there are - and the more lower-ranked players to cause him grief!!
I think the fact that DiMauro killed him last year might play in Andy's favour because he'll probably have a point to prove to himself and Di Mauro which should keep him focused. I'll go with Andy in 3, although it could be 4 more realistically.
US Open, Flushing Meadows FRIDAY SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY Arthur Ashe Court (1600 BST) R FEDERER Swi 1 v T Henman GB MS A SUG'YAMA Jpn 28 v J HENIN-H Bel 2 WS T Gabashvili Rus v J BLAKE US 5 MS
US Open, Flushing Meadows FRIDAY ORDER OF PLAY
Grandstand Court (1600 BST) C Moya Sp v P Mathieu Fra MS A Di Mauro It v A MURRAY GB 17 MS V ZVO'REVA Rus 33 v E D'TIEVA Rus 4 WS S Kuz'ova Rus/ v A Prousis US/ WD A Mauresmo Fra A Yelsey US Not before 0030 BST R Sweeting US v O ROCHUS Bel 26 MS
The guy has played 8 matches on hard court since the start of 2000. Even an unfocused Andy should win comfortably. I'm normally pessimistic, but this should be a cakewalk.
Madeline wrote: So, probably some time after 6pm for Andy?
Maybe I'll treat myself to E2.99-worth of livestream from Eurosport. . .
I think that eurosport will be showing Armstrong. They said they couldn't show the Brits live in Round 1 as it was part of the contract not to do so. They will probably show highlights tomorrow. (They did that for the Round 1)