Do you think that by toughening up physically you will make it in to the top 10 next season? 

You must be feeling the early benefits of physical conditioning ex. your serve seems improved, more power on forehand, fitness?

Count Zero wrote:

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edit - re read it.

-- Edited by Count Zero at 17:48, 2006-11-20

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those broadcast times - will it be the same program repeated?

i can probably record it and put it on a dvd for people (if i work out how to use my new HD/dvd recorder in time)

Count Zero wrote:

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those broadcast times - will it be the same program repeated?

i can probably record it and put it on a dvd for people (if i work out how to use my new HD/dvd recorder in time)

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Just to confirm the SKY is NOT broadcasting LIVE this year.

As posted above they will be showing hi-lights at various times later on that week.

Hence the reason that LIVESCORES will be provided via the event web site.

Media Information – For Immediate Release

23rd November 2006

MURRAY BROTHERS JOIN FORCES IN DEFENCE OF ABERDEEN CUP

Jamie Murray, Britain’s top ranked doubles player, will be hoping to catch the eye of Great Britain Davis Cup captain John Lloyd this weekend when he pairs up with his brother Andy, the British no.1, at the 2006 Aberdeen Cup. Jamie features in a five-strong Scotland side to play Greg Rusedski’s England team in the second annual clash against the auld enemy - beginning on Saturday evening.

The 21-year-old will play three times over the course of the weekend, starting with a singles match against England’s James Auckland on Saturday before teaming up with Andy in the men’s doubles and Elena Baltacha in the mixed doubles on Sunday evening.

The men’s doubles is likely to attract close scrutiny. The Murray brothers have been tipped as a potential Davis Cup pairing and Jamie is relishing the chance to team up with his younger brother after some promising outings on the ATP Tour this year.

“Last year’s Aberdeen Cup was the first time we’d played alongside each other in quite a while and we’ve since gone on to play together three or four times on the ATP Tour,” he said.

“It’s been good fun and we’ve played pretty well as a team. We managed to get to the final in Bangkok and the quarters in Tokyo. We lost the final in Bangkok on a final set tie-break and had some good wins to get that far so we were pleased with how we performed,” he added.

Andy and Jamie will face England skipper Greg Rusedski and James Auckland, Britain’s no.2 ranked doubles player, in the men’s doubles on Sunday evening.

“It’s a great chance for us. We’re up against a strong pairing in Greg and James so it’s a great opportunity to show what we can do.”

Jamie finished the year at a career-high world no.77 in the ATP doubles rankings and has decided to focus his efforts on this form of the game.

“My aim is to be one of the top doubles players in the world.  I want to be playing at the very highest level for years to come.  Doubles is definitely where I see myself making a career in the sport.”

Jamie and Andy are now Britain’s top ranked players in doubles and singles respectively. Their busy playing schedules have kept them apart for much of the 2006 season.

“I watch Andy on TV if I’m at home but, like him, I travel a lot so don’t get the chance to see him play that much. I spend very little time with him in fact.  I saw him a bit over the grass court season and when we played together in Tokyo and Bangkok, but that’s pretty much it.”

Jamie has been impressed by his brother’s extraordinary progress in 2006 though doesn’t believe that his game has changed markedly since he first burst onto the world stage last year. 

“His game style is pretty similar but he’s improved his first serve, it’s now bigger and more consistent so he’s getting more free points there. He’s still just as determined and fights unbelievably hard. 

“He’s had a great year – to finish in the world top 20 isn’t bad for a 19-year-old.”

Andy will be sporting a brand new, much publicised, haircut in Aberdeen this weekend after visitors to his website were asked to vote on their preferred style. A total of more than 13,000 votes were cast.

“He’s having it cut in London today,” said Jamie. “I’m excited, probably more excited than him actually!  I’m not sure what he’s planning to get done but I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

Jamie will be hoping to play a central role in Scotland’s defence of the Aberdeen Cup after last year’s 4.5 pt to 2.5 pt victory and is looking forward to a return to the Granite City.

“It’s good to be back. We had a great time last year and the event was a big success.  I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Aberdeen Cup takes place at the AECC Press and Journal Arena on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November.

Tickets are still available for purchase from the SECxtra Box Office on 0870 272 6600 or via the ticket office website: www.secxtra.com. Tickets may also be purchased from the Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122.

The Aberdeen Cup is sponsored by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Asset Management and FirstGroup plc.

For more information, visit www.aberdeencup.com.

- Ends –