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Quarter-final latest:
A Murray (GB) * v S Stakhovsky (Ukr)
3-4
* Denotes server
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606: DEBATE
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By Mark Ashenden
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FIRST SET
Murray 3-4 Stakhovsky
Staks is playing a steady game and despite losing his service game earlier, he's settled down and looks comfortable at the net and baseline. Murray had a chance at 30-30 and he looks grumpy and Staks takes full advantage, taking the game after wrong-footing the Scot. A closer inspection of the Ukrainian and I notice at least three days of facial hair growth. Call me old fashioned but the very least you can do is have a shave before a quarter-final. If that was me, my mum would be dragging me off the court without any tea.
Murray 3-3 Stakhovsky
Murray looks like a man who's greased his wheels because he's back on the move again and wins his service game to love.
"Looks like game on for Andy. Still wondering if gaining an extra 4kgs of weight was such a good idea He doesn't seem to have the same quickness around the court!"
yummymummyfridays on 606
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Murray 2-3 Stakhovsky
Bit better from Murray and a cheeky forehand chop forces Staks deep and he takes the first point. Back comes Staks with his elastic arms and an amazing drop-shot pick-up takes him to 30-15. A cracking backhand lob from Murray gets him back in it and a sensational forehand pass on the run gives him the advantage. Both players are really mixing it up and yet another drop shot gives Staks the game. Great game that one.
Murray 2-2 Stakhovsky
Murray serves a couple of crackers and strolls to a 40-0 lead but then a magical backhand from Stacks gets a point back. And Murray puts on his sloppy hat and it goes to deuce. The Brit looks as though he's got Christmas pudding in his boots and is not moving around too smoothly. Staks grabs the break back. Wake up Andy.
"If Andy beats Fed this week, it has to make him favourite for OZ Open does it not? Assuming he wins tonight of course. Discuss"
BairnWalker on 606
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Murray 2-1 Stakhovsky
Murray's scampering all over the place and this is not going to be a walk in the park. Staks is wearing a hideous light blue shirt but there's nothing wrong with his tennis. Another fantastic cross-court drop shots takes the opening point but a wild backhand takes it to 30-30. And then a double fault hands Murray a break of serve. Strange end to the game that.
Murray 1-1 Stakhovsky
Murray's booming serve takes him 30-0 up but a cracking drop shot from Staks gets him right back in it. One good serve soon after wraps it up though.
Murray 0-1 Stakhovsky
A steady opener for the serving Stakhovsky (it's going to have to be Staks from now on) and after one minute Murray is one down.
1811: How did Feds hang on to that one? Cruising it in the first set and then it all went to pot. But fair play to the great man. Coolness personified in the tie-break.
1755: The Murray train keeps rolling on. Spain's Albert Montanes. Germany's Philipp Petzschner. All beaten by the world number four this week and next up is Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky.
My famous colleague Caroline Cheese tells me they have played each other twice and Murray is 2-0 up. Four years ago in the US Open junior final with the Scot winning 6-4 6-2. Next was in 2006 on the clay of the Davis Cup with Murray taking it 6-3 6-2 7-5.
It's game on and a place in the semis is up for grabs with the boy Federer awaiting. Feds had a scare but any thoughts on Gael Monfils crushing Nadal or Murray or the number of scarves you got for Christmas will be well received.
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