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By Tom Fordyce
BBC Sport at Wimbledon |
Murray 6-5 Hajek *
That's gone down well - rapid-fire hold from Murray, whose first serve has been pretty solid bar that break. A grey-haired pensioner in the crowd puts up a small black umbrella, instantly obscuring the court from the person seated behind and drawing an irritated tap on the shoulder.
That's gone down well - rapid-fire hold from Murray, whose first serve has been pretty solid bar that break. A grey-haired pensioner in the crowd puts up a small black umbrella, instantly obscuring the court from the person seated behind and drawing an irritated tap on the shoulder.
* Murray 5-5 Hajek
A whole heap of guts, that's what. At 15-30 bums shift to the edge of seats, but a crunching ace down the middle sees off the danger. Another thumping first serve - Murray just about reaches it, but it's nothing but a top edge that flies high into the pale blue sky before falling to earth by the furled covers.
A whole heap of guts, that's what. At 15-30 bums shift to the edge of seats, but a crunching ace down the middle sees off the danger. Another thumping first serve - Murray just about reaches it, but it's nothing but a top edge that flies high into the pale blue sky before falling to earth by the furled covers.
Murray 5-4 Hajek *
Hello - Murray is suddenly playing with loose-shouldered freedom, going up on tippy-toes to pummel a backhand cross-court - fetch that, my Czech friend. Another aggressive backhand, and he's turned the tables here - now Hajek must hold to stay in the set. What's Jan the Man got in his locker?
Hello - Murray is suddenly playing with loose-shouldered freedom, going up on tippy-toes to pummel a backhand cross-court - fetch that, my Czech friend. Another aggressive backhand, and he's turned the tables here - now Hajek must hold to stay in the set. What's Jan the Man got in his locker?
* Murray 4-4 Hajek
Slapdash sliced returns again from Murray, but he'll have a chance of a break-back here as Hajek muffs an attempted drop-volley into the net. First serve from Hajek - way long, and the unfortunate line-lady wears that in the chops. Barely a blink from the old girl - old-skool lip-stiffery. Second serve - oooh, attempted pass bites the net-cord. He'll have another chance now though after a solid angled volley at the net - more aggression, barrelling forehands into either corner, switching to a forehand slice like a table-tennis player, but that's a splendid touch from Hajek - cunning little dropper that leaves Murray chasing warm summer air. Was that wide from Murray? Didn't look to be, and the umpire will over-rule. Break point again - Murray steps in with a double-handed backhand and beefs it down the line for a clean winner. He's broken back, and the crowd whoop with delight.
Slapdash sliced returns again from Murray, but he'll have a chance of a break-back here as Hajek muffs an attempted drop-volley into the net. First serve from Hajek - way long, and the unfortunate line-lady wears that in the chops. Barely a blink from the old girl - old-skool lip-stiffery. Second serve - oooh, attempted pass bites the net-cord. He'll have another chance now though after a solid angled volley at the net - more aggression, barrelling forehands into either corner, switching to a forehand slice like a table-tennis player, but that's a splendid touch from Hajek - cunning little dropper that leaves Murray chasing warm summer air. Was that wide from Murray? Didn't look to be, and the umpire will over-rule. Break point again - Murray steps in with a double-handed backhand and beefs it down the line for a clean winner. He's broken back, and the crowd whoop with delight.
Murray 3-4 Hajek *
At least the Murray serve is still ticking along in full fig - crasher flat and fast out wide, and Hajek wouldn't have reached that with a barge-pole. Murray's not been in vintage form in the build-up, of course - he hasn't won a title all year, and that's the first time that's happened to him in five cracks at Wimbledon - and he needs to at least tweak the tactics here to calm the nascent wobbles.
At least the Murray serve is still ticking along in full fig - crasher flat and fast out wide, and Hajek wouldn't have reached that with a barge-pole. Murray's not been in vintage form in the build-up, of course - he hasn't won a title all year, and that's the first time that's happened to him in five cracks at Wimbledon - and he needs to at least tweak the tactics here to calm the nascent wobbles.
* Murray 2-4 Hajek
Strangely muted returning from Murray, taking the pace off the ball with slices and blocks rather than dashing into the attack. It's playing into the Hajend haks - I beg your pardon, the Hajek hands - allowing the czech-wearing Cap (I mean the cap-wearing Czech - I'm having a nightmare here) to take control. Lovely forehand out onto Murray's backhand to take him out of play; delicate sliced drop-volley to polish things off. Very quiet in the crowd - they're rather stunned by this unexpected plot.
Strangely muted returning from Murray, taking the pace off the ball with slices and blocks rather than dashing into the attack. It's playing into the Hajend haks - I beg your pardon, the Hajek hands - allowing the czech-wearing Cap (I mean the cap-wearing Czech - I'm having a nightmare here) to take control. Lovely forehand out onto Murray's backhand to take him out of play; delicate sliced drop-volley to polish things off. Very quiet in the crowd - they're rather stunned by this unexpected plot.
Murray 2-3 Hajek *
Crash - ace number four from Murray, marmalised down the middle - mind your midriff, Mr Line Judge, that'll bruise - and Hajek's radar goes awry. Slicer out into the tramlines, forehand slapped long. "Umbrellas, please!" barks the umpire to the scampering ball-boys, and Murray sinks into his chair at the change-over to glug thirstily from an out-size plastic bottle.
Crash - ace number four from Murray, marmalised down the middle - mind your midriff, Mr Line Judge, that'll bruise - and Hajek's radar goes awry. Slicer out into the tramlines, forehand slapped long. "Umbrellas, please!" barks the umpire to the scampering ball-boys, and Murray sinks into his chair at the change-over to glug thirstily from an out-size plastic bottle.
* Murray 1-3 Hajek
Scorching out there, the shadows cut sharp on the striped green turf, the patrons glugging down Pimm's and sucking the life out of leftover slices of cucumber. Stick a slice on your forehead - old trick courtesy of my gran. Possibly better for the back garden than the rarefied environs of SW19. Murray has a glimmer as Hajek goes long with two lusty forehands, but the underdog gets lucky with a desperate stretchy pick-up of a Murray dropper that sits on the net-cord, has a look around and casually drops dead an inch into Murray territory. Break held.
Scorching out there, the shadows cut sharp on the striped green turf, the patrons glugging down Pimm's and sucking the life out of leftover slices of cucumber. Stick a slice on your forehead - old trick courtesy of my gran. Possibly better for the back garden than the rarefied environs of SW19. Murray has a glimmer as Hajek goes long with two lusty forehands, but the underdog gets lucky with a desperate stretchy pick-up of a Murray dropper that sits on the net-cord, has a look around and casually drops dead an inch into Murray territory. Break held.
Murray 1-2 Hajek *
Uh-oh - more cavalier flourish from the Hajek forehand, scampering Murray out wide and then sizzling the winner back the other way into the lush green spaces. He'll have two break points - wallop, one saved with an acer down the middle, but Hajek's in the next point - angler cross-court, fetched back on the stretch by Murray, cunning sliced dropper - Murray's back on his heels, and he's struggling to reach this - nope, flicked into the net. Hajek's stolen the break away, and dread buzz of consternation fills the stands around Court no.1.
Uh-oh - more cavalier flourish from the Hajek forehand, scampering Murray out wide and then sizzling the winner back the other way into the lush green spaces. He'll have two break points - wallop, one saved with an acer down the middle, but Hajek's in the next point - angler cross-court, fetched back on the stretch by Murray, cunning sliced dropper - Murray's back on his heels, and he's struggling to reach this - nope, flicked into the net. Hajek's stolen the break away, and dread buzz of consternation fills the stands around Court no.1.
* Murray 1-1 Hajek
A white towelling wristband on the left Murray forearm, a red one on the left. A little nod to events in South Africa? They'll be spitting in the streets of Glasgow tonight. Sweet backhand combo from Murray, top-spinning onto the line with kick before drilling a flatter one into the corner, but Hajek runs round his forehand to cream a joyous drive away to seal the game.
A white towelling wristband on the left Murray forearm, a red one on the left. A little nod to events in South Africa? They'll be spitting in the streets of Glasgow tonight. Sweet backhand combo from Murray, top-spinning onto the line with kick before drilling a flatter one into the corner, but Hajek runs round his forehand to cream a joyous drive away to seal the game.
Murray 1-0 Hajek *
Solid first serve from Murray, and when Hajek booms his return long the first point is greeted with the sort of cheer you'd expect for a 90th minute overhead kick winner in Port Elizabeth tomorrow afternoon. Another big first serve - 132 mph, I'd estimate with the naked eye (trained on the speed-gun) and he's cantered through that service game. Ideal.
Solid first serve from Murray, and when Hajek booms his return long the first point is greeted with the sort of cheer you'd expect for a 90th minute overhead kick winner in Port Elizabeth tomorrow afternoon. Another big first serve - 132 mph, I'd estimate with the naked eye (trained on the speed-gun) and he's cantered through that service game. Ideal.
* denotes next server
1600: You'd like to know more about Jan Hajek? You mean the world no.90, the 26-year-old from the Czech Republic who has only ever won one match on grass in his entire professional career and who has never beaten a player in the world top ten in his three previous meetings? Don't mention it.
1557: Murray decked out in neat white tennis polo and long shorts with a touch of baggy - Venus might have an outfit inspired by Tina Turner, but this combo is more Richard Carpenter.
1554: Here come the players - whoops and applause for the Great British Hope (TM) - the camera phones are out, the mobiles to ears as people try to get their mates at home to spot them on telly. Try keeping that mobile out - the cameras will be all over you when the stewards are wrestling you to the ground.
1551: Andy Murray's never lost his opening match at Wimbledon - what's that? I've put the mockers on him? Behave. Players due on court shortly.
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