So revenge time for Andy...such a different player from 12 months ago...strong, maturing and able to change tact during matches to good affect....just like he done against Verdasco last night.
So Andy may drop a set but will still progress to the 4th round and hopefully play Nadal.
Andy may have lost to Chela last year 6-1 6-3 6-3 but he did get some revenge at the TMS Paris with a 7-5 6-0 gubbing....in the loss to Chela his 1st serve % was barely 50%....when Andy won in Paris it was over 60%.
Comparing their stats so far this year both sets of service stats are pretty similar but on the returning side Andy is clearly ahead...
Well, its better having a horse pulling a wagon going forward! It's entirely possible the horse might put it's nose down and eat! and at the end of 8 hours you've gone 300 yards! *LOL*
I think this will be a tight encounter but im gonna go for andy in 3. Good thing that it isnt in the heat of midday. THe commentators also reckon that if hewitt is beaten by GOnzalez (very possible), a potential match between Nadal and Murray would take place in the night session which bodes well....
Rain has prevented play from starting on all courts, expect the "indoor" Vodafone and Rod Laver.
No word of when play might start on other courts.
Word is that Andy's game may be switched to the Vodafone court (same starting time as before, provisionally)
Match will be on BBC interactive, and British Eurosport. Won't (I think) be on Eurosport International, but if moved to Vodafone, then on Eurosport.com (subscription). Also available on betfair.com (thanks to whoever first mentioned that site). Not sure about BBC 2 yet.
P.S. If anyone hasn't tried the betfair site, I can confirm that whilst you have to register, there is no requirement to deposit any money, or give any credit card details. (Dare I suggest that for any under 18's, they give a false date of birth. No, that would be wrong of me!!!)
It would be like playing in a green house. That is not good.
Depending on what the script is in terms of where Andy is playing and whether the air-condition really is knacked I guess the match could go either way. Hot and humid conditions would make his life much more difficult. I fancy Andy to win in four but he needs to serve well. If he does serve well he should be too classy for Chela.
Thankfully for all, air conditioning restored on Vodafone after brief problem. Still looks very uncomfotable out there.
Grosjean looks like he's melted in the heat. Having been two sets up, lost third and is flagging in the fourth. At times both look like they are playing on a hot tar court.
Still no definitive word if Andy's game is going to be moved (and still no play on other courts, inc. MCA)
I'm off to bed for a quick sleep/ night time siesta, hope to hear from you all in five hours time.