Davis Cup day 1: Murray v Dolgopolov

Sheddie · administrator

Davis Cup day 1: Murray v Dolgopolov

Sheddie · administrator

Excerpts from the Telegraph's preview:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2006/09/22/sthodg22.xml

Draw ceremonies are done a little differently at Davis Cup ties in Ukraine, with one local journalist yesterday informing Andy Murray in deadpan English during the press conference that he was "looking very serious", which prompted a giggle of disbelief from the teenager, and with those attending offered vodka as a late breakfast.

Still, Murray was indeed being very "serious" about one thing ahead of the tie, which starts today, in that he believed the British team should be capable of defeating Ukraine by five rubbers to none, and that he would be more than a little disgruntled should they even lose one match on the clay court in this Black Sea holiday resort. Only 5-0 will satisfy Murray, who does self-confident just as well as the Ukrainians do throat-burning liquid breakfasts.

The tie is to be played at the Odessa Lawn Tennis Club, which is not quite as salubrious as it sounds, with conkers regularly dropping on to the clay, surrounding buildings which are a few years past their best, and with temporary seating which will only hold around a thousand spectators.

With play on two of the three days starting at 10.30am local time, which is 8.30am UK time, there had been some concerns that Murray, who has not always been at his best in the mornings, might have some difficulties here. Not so, Murray countered. He said that he was the first player down to breakfast yesterday. Maybe the training days he spent after the US Open at the Californian house of Brad Gilbert, his energetic coach, have had an effect.

Coaches were one of the talking points last night, what with Lloyd assisted here by Gilbert and Peter Lundgren, an amiable Swede who coached Roger Federer to his first Wimbledon title in 2003 and who has been working more recently with Marat Safin. Lundgren suggested he might be interested in a long-term position as head of men's tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association. These are busy times for British tennis. First, though, Ukraine have to be dispatched.

Sheddie · administrator

From the Independent:

"Murray, who said the clay courts were pleasingly quick, went to Gilbert's home in California to work with his new coach after going out of the US Open. "I've worked on some things with Brad and I'm really looking forward to putting them into the matches," he said. "I feel that I'm already playing much better."

That will delight Lloyd, who said Britain were "too good" to drop down a division. "We've found ourselves in a position where we shouldn't be, so we have to get the hell out of it," he said. "We all know the importance of this match." "

From the Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5205-2369166,00.html

NEITHER will strike a ball this weekend for the country paying their bills, but every British shot, every British move will have the imprint of Brad Gilbert and Peter Lundgren on it.

Spending a few minutes glimpsing the final detail of preparations for a Davis Cup tie of paramount significance was to appreciate how much times are changing.

t was appropriate that Gilbert, perenially clothed in black, should be prowling the Odessa Lawn Tennis Club, a stone’s throw from the Black Sea. Whether it be whispering in the ear of Andy Murray or cajoling Jamie Baker to trust himself on his overheads, the American was instinctively involved.

Lundgren, the Swede, fed balls and fed the mind in a manner that Roger Federer and Marat Safin have found so appealing.

Gilbert and Lundgren will take a back seat today behind John Lloyd, the new Great Britain captain, when a Europe/ Africa zone one relegation play-off begins in the shade of a parkland venue that Lloyd has described as being on a par with Gidea Park, in Essex. This is a million miles in status and symbolism from the transformation in British tennis of which Gilbert and Lundgren are the most noteworthy embodiments.

The draw for the opening day places Greg Rusedski in conflict with Sergiy Stakhovsky, the Ukraine No 1, followed by Murray against Aleksandr Dolgopolov, a 17-year old who rose 23 places to No 352 in the Indesit ATP world rankings last week, an elevation founded on some sterling performances on the Futures circuit, with five tournament successes since March.

With his matted hair and spotted complexion, he could pass for a waif, but, like everything else when it comes to British tennis, we should beware innocent impressions. Asked to pose with Murray, the Ukrainian beamed, while it was all the Scot could do to purse his lips. A couple of Ukrainian journalists beat a path, wondering why Murray looked so miserable. What could one say? These are not the surroundings that bring out the best in the British No 1, but loosened up on court ten minutes later, with Gilbert for company, he was good nature personified.

Given that after his fourth-round defeat by Nikolay Davydenko in the US Open in New York this month, Murray had said that he was not at his best in the morning, it was only right to ask how happy he was to be playing the second singles today after a 10.30am start, local time.

“Actually, I was the first player down to breakfast this morning,” he said. “I’ve been getting up at 6.30 a lot of mornings recently. Everyone has their preferences and mine is always to play at night rather than first thing in the morning.

“I feel I’m playing better than I was at the US Open. I’ve spent a couple of weeks at Brad’s home near San Francisco. It’s been very relaxing, I didn’t leave the house that much. He’s got a tennis court, a gym, I’ve been working hard. It’s not about pumping weights. I want to get my body right and that’s what I’ll be spending most time on at the end of the year before we set off for 2007.”

Even in the short time since the US Open, Murray’s definition has improved. There is a meanness about him that bodes well for Britain for the next three days, when so much depends on how he meets the challenge. There are plenty of pitfalls to avoid here, not least a profusion of stray dogs, a choir of which have woken Lloyd at 5.30 every morning.

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

I imagine they will starting pretty soon - they must be at least a couple of hours ahead, and I read somewhere that they are having to start early in case the matches are long and it gets dark....

Is this being televised?

timmoore46 · Admin:moderator + Club Coach

stevemcqueen wrote:

I imagine they will starting pretty soon - they must be at least a couple of hours ahead, and I read somewhere that they are having to start early in case the matches are long and it gets dark....

Is this being televised?

Play begins at the following UK times:

Friday (22/9/06): 7:30am
Saturday *23/9/06): 8:30am
Sunday (23/9/06): 7:30am

The matches are being shown on BBC Interactive, so just remember to push the red button.

So Feedblitz 'Andy Murray News' says...

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

anyone know when this match is going to start?

I'll be able to provide updates like last match but not full point by point detail so if anyone else wants to step up, feel free!

Sheddie · administrator

Murray serving first:

15-0

30-0: D return goes into the net

40-0: Backhand return from D goes long

Game: D smashes a forehand down the line, but Murray whips a clean winner cross-court with a forehand

1-0

D serving:

15-0: backhand into the net 30-0: Backhand return long 30-15: Superb backhand return down the line from Andy who moves into the net and puts the volley away
40-15: D dominates the point, hitting a forehand down the line and then smashes a cross-court winner Game: Good return from Andy but D hits a forehand down the line and then another forehand winner

Murray serving:

0-15: D smashes a forehand return down the line, Murray barely gets a racket on it

15-15: dropshot

15-30: Murray puts a backhand wide

30-30

30-40:

Deuce

Murray holds after saved 4 bps

Sheddie · administrator

Andy then breaks for 3-1

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

ok. play has started and no one is commentating so I'll step into the breach!

first game AM to serve, wins to love

second game D to serve (could this guy have any more 'o's in his name?) wins it to either 15 or 30, didn't see.

third game. AM serving. saves 4 break points but holds.

GB lead 2-1 on serve.

sorry there's not more info I was distracted for those games.

edit: ok UBF's is commenting, good and I'm behind (using sky plus) well done Andy!!

-- Edited by imoen at 13:19, 2006-09-22

Sheddie · administrator

Andy holds for 4-1 despite putting a smash well long

Missed those two games

Sheddie · administrator

D holds for 4-2

M serving:

0-15: Backhand long 15-15: Murray forehand down the line and D nets

15-30: Backhand cross-court return winner from D off a 2nd serve

30-30

40-30

Deuce: dropshot

Ad D: Backhand winner down the line

Deuce: D nets

Ad D: Backhand winner down the line

Deuce: Backhand wide off 2nd serve

Ad D: Murray goes long

Deuce: Murray dropshot, D gets it, Murray attempts a pass and D puts one of the easiest volleys of the day well long

Ad Murray: D return well long

Game

5-2

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Andy holds after saving another 4 break points. so far he's served two love holds and two saving 4 bps.

his opponent is only 17 years old and has some good talent, a couple of bh down the line winners that remind you of Murray. He hasn't been playing the big points well though (ie the break points) and that's where he's failing. it'll come with experience though and I think he has great potential for the future. However, that is based on only one set and I'm not exactly an expert so could be wrong.

Murray leads 5-2 with a break. A break here would be good please Andy.

(by the way, his first serve percentage is as usual and he's already taken a tumble diving for a ball. he's serve-volleyed a little which is nice to see and come to the net with some exellent volleys, particularly one where he read and cut off a down the line winner, sending the volley winner into the open court)

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

5-3 D holds but from deuce.

Andy is playing great, agressive tennis, coming to the net on a lot of the points. One in that last game he raced, diagonally forward across the court to hit a running-forhand-cross-court-volley-winner!! he's also hit a couple of lovely drop shots.

if the pattern continues this should be a love service hold from Andy to take the first set. I hope it does!

Sheddie · administrator

D serving:

30-30: M hits a lovely drop volley in at the net

40-30: M nets after long rally

Deuce: M bh cross-court return right on line, punches away fh volley winner

Ad D: decent return, M at net, cross-court bh pass from D

Game: dropshot

5-3

M serving:

15-0: Big cross-court forehand, D nets

30-0: D bh return into net off 2nd serve

30-15: M serve-volleys, doesn't do enough with 1st volley and D passes him down the line with a bh

30-30: M nets dropshot

40-30: D return wide

Game and 1st set: M powers a fh winner down the line

6-3

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Andy takes the first set!

he finished the set with a first serve and then trademark winner down the line. bouncing away to his chair!