Qatar Open:
Second round:
A Murray (GB) v P Petzschner (Ger) *
6-2 1-1
 |
606: DEBATE
|
|
By Sam Lyon
|
SECOND SET
Murray 6-2 1-1 Petzschner
Rapid-fire from Murray as he mixes in a bit of serve-volley on his way to a hold that would only have been more comfortable if it had been wearing slippers.
Murray 6-2 0-1 Petzschner
He needed that - PP stares down the barrel at 15-30 but produces a couple of sublime winners to hold the second-set opener. It's a bit of a shame for PP - he looks two parts Stefan Edberg, one part my mate Dave - a man who makes the kids who knock up in my local Clayhall Park look like Grand Slam contenders.
FIRST SET
"The German appears to be a dud afterall... A walk in the park for the mercurial Scot."
AJ fae Fife on 606
Join the debate on 606
Murray 6-2 Petzschner
Ah Christmas... I miss it already. January sucks doesn't it? Well, unless you're Andy Murray that is. The Scot looks well on course to continue his unbeaten start to the year as he holds to 15 with a couple of forehand winners to seal the first set without really breaking sweat.
Murray 5-2 Petzschner
Murray is still to completely find his range on his ground strokes, but a couple of ambitious drop shots too many from PP bring up two break points for the Briton. PP looks good in saving the first but then wraps up a wayward volley in a big shiny ribbon, and gifts Murray the break. Wasn't Christmas, like, two weeks ago? Maybe they do things differently in Germany...
Murray 4-2 Petzschner
PP is certainly happy to go for his shots but the trouble, for him and his supporters anyway, is that they are coming off only about 50% of the time. That, combined with Murray's serve clicking into gear, help the Scot hold to 30.
Murray 3-2 Petzschner
Murray might be well advised to steer clear of PP's forehand out there after the German kerplunks a couple of winners past the Scot that are accompanied by jet streams and a sonic boom - a good hold.
Murray 3-1 Petzschner
Bosh. Three aces and that's that for the hold for Murray.
"So much for the double bagel - shall we settle for a jammy doughnut and a cup of tea?"
Fungus the Bogeyman on 606
Join the debate on 606
Murray 2-1 Petzschner
First blood to Muzza. A real mixed bag from PP as he goes from the ridiculous to the sublime - and back again - in the pace of one game. He punches a relatively simple forehand volley wide to hand Murray double break point, but the German recovers well - aided by a couple of booming first serves and some excellent work on his forehand - to keep himself in it. Six deuces follow, but Muzza eventually breaks at the fifth time of asking when PP goes long with a lob.
Meanwhile, we've just heard that Nikolay Davydenko will miss the Australian Open because of an injury to his left heel. The Russian was the last man to beat Murray - at the Masters Cup in November. InterestingÂ…
Davydenko out of Australian Open
Murray 1-1 Petzschner
Bit rusty on both sides, that game, PP missing a couple of backhanders down the line to gift Murray a couple of easy points and the Scot holds easily enough to 15, despite missing a bit of snap in his forehand.
"Clearly we are talking double bagels in every match (for Murray). Anything less would be a total let down, which hopefully our fine press would expose mercilessly."
philosophicalarfster on 606
Join the debate on 606
Murray 0-1 Petzschner
And it's a determined hold from PP, despite some typical flashing passing shots from Murray. Both players look to find their range from the back of the court, but PP is not afraid to approach the net and it brings some success as he takes the opening game after twice being pegged back to deuce.
1305: Right then, before you can say 'build-up, shmild-up', we're about to get under way... Muzza wins the toss and elects to receive...
"Depends how Murray's back holds out today, as hes had some niggles recently. I'll go 6-3, 7-5."
jamieslucky7 on 606
Join the debate on 606
1302: Before we get all complacent, though - is it a bit late for that? - PP had a decent win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the first round and is on a decent run of form over the last couple of months. I'm still going for a straight-sets Muzza win, mind.
"My money's on a 6-3 6-3 win for Murray. Don't see any real problems with dispatching with Petzschner with relative ease, and I'm sure Murray won't be playing at his best for the whole game."
marcusmerehay on 606
Join the debate on 606
1258: With the players due to start in the next five minutes or so, a bit of background on Petzschner (who, for my sanity, will be referred to as PP from now on). He is a 24-year-old German, ranked 66 in the world, right-handed and has just the one career title and $690,389 (£460,000) career earnings to his name to date.
This pair have never met before but widespread opinion is that PP should have few weapons to trouble the in-form Murray. Which is quite clearly a huge kiss of death, so apologies for that.
"Murray, straight sets, 6-3 6-1, 64mins."
Gareth via text
1255 GMT: So, we're barely seven days into 2009 and already the hype and expectation surrounding Britain's finest - Andy Murray - is bordering on lunacy (or is it?).
While most of us were welcoming the return to work in 2009 with all the excitement of a kid who has been told by his parents he has just been signed up for Saturday school, Muzza was launching into the new season with wins over Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on his way to the World Tennis Tournament exhibition title in Dubai.
And now, with less than two weeks until the start of the Australian Open, many are tipping the young Scot for a bumper year in the Grand Slams.
First, though, he faces Philipp Petzschner in the second round of the Qatar Open. Any bets on how long this one will last?
Join the debate on 606
No comments:
Post a Comment