Dubai Championships
Second round:
A MURRAY (GB) * v A Clement (Fra)
3-2
* Denotes server
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606: DEBATE
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By David Ornstein
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FIRST SET
"This looks like being yet another breeze for Scotland's No1"
AJ fae Fife on 606
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Murray 3-2 Clement
Worryingly for Clement, he is rarely picking up points by actually winning them himself. A couple of Murray errors put him on course for the game and he comes through when Murray nets. Still, a game is a game and he's still very much in the first set.
"Murray has learnt from his wrist injury how to protect himself. He'll look after his ankle and win this match."
Larry-the-lamb on 606
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Murray 3-1 Clement
Murray loses the opening point but levels when he gets the batter of his French opponent in a battle of the drop shots. Clement loves getting into rallies and opens up 15-30 but Murray turns on the afterburners and fights his way through with no shortage of power and guile.
* Clement has taken of his sunglasses. My colleague Pete tell me it's because the high levels of humidity mean the 31-year-old needs to towel his face down non stop, Rusedski-style, and having to remove his sunnies each time would get annoying.
Murray 2-1 Clement
We have a break of serve, ladies and gentlemen. And it's gone to the British number one. It was set up by a trademark crosscourt backhand winner and sealed - to love - when Clement double faulted. Clement needs to cut out the errors and show a little more variety or this could be over quickly.
"Murray looks to be struggling with his ankle still. He's a bit "hobbly". I'm not convinced he'll see the match out."
MarcusInKensington on 606
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Murray 1-1 Clement
The fearless Clement is more than happy to take Murray on from either the baseline or at the net. He passes the Scot to gain 0-15 but then a Murray ace followed by an exquisite lob turn the game around. Murray passes Clement but goes long the following point. At 40-30, Murray sends down his second ace but he has difficulty shaking off a stubborn Clement.
The Frenchman displays an array of attractive groundstrokes from the baseline and forces two Murray errors to bring up break point. But he fires long and nets to put Murray on top and the young man from Dunblane levels at 1-1 when Clement again goes long.
Murray 0-1 Clement
Murray starts positively by earning himself the first point but Clement, at just 5ft 8ins, looks sharp around the court and takes himself to game point.
Murray is clearly feeling his ankle but battles back to earn break point. An impressive serve-smash combo from Clement takes us back to deuce and Murray goes wide and then nets to wrap up the opening game.
Some locals break into a chant of, "Let's go Andy, let's go".
"I back Muzza to beat Clement today, but to come unstuck against Gasquet tomorrow. The ankle still seems troublesome."
Steve in Grimsby via text on 81111
1619: Both players return to their seats before the off. I owe Clement an apology. His sunglasses are medically perscribed and he literally has to wear them. Sorry, Arnaud.
Arnaud to serve.
"Any news on that dodgy ankle, 'Orny? That's the only way Andy's going to lose this one."
Matt in Aberdeen via text on 81111.
1617: "If Murray loses I'll eat Clement's bandana!"
Anon via text on 81111
Sounds sweaty and horrible to me.
1615: The players are out on the court knocking up. Clement is wearing sunglasses (yes, in the evening?!?) and a yellow bandana, Murray a royal blue top and white shorts.
"A real chance for andy to make further progress this week, and keep the pressure on Djokovic for the world number three spot"
luckythebrave on 606
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1612: If you haven't heard by now, Murray is carrying an ankle injury. The 21-year-old has been grimacing with pain on court for a good couple of weeks now but he soldiers on and made it past Sergiy Stakhovsky in round one on Monday.
Murray was leading 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 5-3 when Stakhovsky retired hurt. Clement beat Germany's Rainer Schuettler 1-6 6-3 6-3 to book his place in round two.
"I'm feeling hungry today Mr Murray. I'll take two bagels, and make it snappy."
iceklan10 on 606
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1610: Murray and Clement have met twice previously and, before you think the British number one should walk this one, Clement holds a 2-0 head-to-head advantage over the Scot.
The 31-year-old's victories came at the 2005 US Open and in Washington a year later. Both results were, of course, on hard courts. Much like the surface at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai, I might add.
"On paper it could be a tricky match, but it's being played on a hard court and not paper. I'm predicting a double bagel today for the 'Pride of Britain'."
MarcusInKensington on 606
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1607: The winner of this match will play Richard Gasquet, who has just left court after overcoming Italy's Simone Bolelli in three sets of outstanding tennis.
It was something of a marathon, going to a deciding tie-break and pushing Murray's match back by over an hour, but Gasquet showed more than a few touches of his undoubted class to come through against a hugely improved Bolelli.
Murray and Clement should be out in not to long at all.
"I smell an upset"
SingleBackHand on 606
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1603: The Champions League may be back in full swing, England are putting the final touches to their preparations for the fourth Test against West Indies and the Six Nations returns this weekend.
But what about Andy Murray's bid in the Dubai Championships, I hear you ask...
Whether or not this is the top priority of your sporting week, welcome to our coverage of Murray's second-round meeting with wily Frenchman Arnaud Clement - it could just be a belter.
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