Andy Murray - New World Ranking: 67

After progressing to the quarter-final in Basel, Andy Murray has risen three places in the world rankings to 67.

Last year, Murray predicted he would be in the top 100 by the end of 2005. Despite receiving criticism in some quarters for being overly optimistic, it appears that even Murray on that occasion underestimated his abilities.

Emilio Sanchez Praises Murray

Emilio Sanchez and Sergio Casal run the tennis training centre in Barcelona where Murray developed his formidable ground strokes.

This compelling interview featured in The Independent describes exactly how their training has benefited Murray's game.

Source:

http://sport.independent.co.uk/tennis/...

Andy Murray is Defeated By The Eventual Winner in Basel

Actually, as you're probably aware, this defeat to Gonzalez happened on Friday evening. When Murray wins, I can't wait to log-in and post the details. Posting about a defeat, however, is nowhere nearly as much fun.

Although I suspect that posting about Murray's defeats will occur with decreasing frequency as time goes by.

As is often the case when Murray is defeated, it takes a determined effort from his opponent. Gonzalez needed three sets to beat Murray 6-4 3-6 6-1.

Gonzalez went on to win the tournament last night, beating Marcos Baghdatis, 6-7 6-3 7-5 6-4.

Click the links below to read the BBC's report on these two matches.

Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/...

Andy Murray News is Number One

A Google search for the term "Andy Murray News" puts this website in the number one position out over six and a half million competing pages.

http://www.google.co.uk/search...andy+murray+news

No guarantees, of course, that it will remain there, but not bad for a website that's only been around for one month.

The search term "Andy Murray Tennis" ranks this site at number three out of over two million.

http://www.google.co.uk/search...andy+murray+tennis

Andy Murray - A Profile

Thank you to Mercedes for posting a comment asking for biographical information on Andy Murray. Here for your reading pleasure are some facts taken from a variety of sources.

Born: 15th May 1987 in Dunblane, Scotland.

Height: 6 ft, 1 inch (although this could increase over the next 2-3 years).

Weight: 150 lbs (again, as Murray fills out, you can expect this to change).

Parents: Judy & Will

Siblings: 1 brother - Jamie (also plays tennis and currently ranked 968 in the world)

Favourite Surface: Clay

Favourite Venue: US Open - Flushing Meadows

Misc Facts:

Murray started playing tennis at the age of 3.

Murray was a pupil at Dunblane Primary school at the time a gunman killed 16 pupils and a teacher in 1996.

One of only two British players to win a Singles title at the Orange Bowl World Championships (Under 12's).

At the age of 15, Murray moved to Spain to work on his game full-time. This would explain his partiality to clay courts.

In 2004, Andy and his brother, Jamie, reached the semi-final of the US Open Juniors Doubles Tournament.

The same year, Murray won the US Open Juniors Singles Tournament.

Murray is Britain's youngest ever Davis Cup player when he played against Israel at the age of 17.

Sources:

http://www.atptennis.com/...
http://www.itftennis.com/...
http://www.andymurray.com/

Andy Murray Through to Qtr-Finals in Basel

Andy Murray beat Tomas Berdych 6-4 2-6 6-4 last night in another tight, 3-set match.

Berdych had six break points in the first set and failed to take any of them. Murray had one and took it to break Berdych and win the first set.

Murray was then broken twice in the second set, before proving stronger in the final set.

Between the match against Henman and this match, Murray has shown great mental strength to lose the second set but finish strongly in the third. It remains to be seen whether Murray can maintain this level of fitness and concentration over a 5-set match, but the signs are good.

Murray's next opponent is Chilean, Fernando Gonzalez (17). Seeded 4th in the tournament, Gonzalez is yet to drop a set in Basel, although Murray will surely prove a tougher opponent than those previously faced.

In Murray's words:

"To beat Gonzalez I'll probably have to play my best ever match."

Murray and Gonzalez are due on court tonight at 6:00 pm (UK time).3

Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1...

Andy Murray Vs Tomas Berdych in Basel

This evening, Andy Murray will play his 2nd round match against Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic.

Berdych, ranked 52 in the world, came through the first round against George Bastl, but needed three sets to do it.

Elsewhere in the tournament, the number 1 seed, Guillermo Coria, has already fallen to the Spanish player, Alberto Martin.

Intriguingly, if Andy Murray was to progress to the final, he could face David Nalbandian the player who knocked him out in the 2nd round at Wimbledon. But remember, if the match at Wimbledon had been a best of 3 set match as it is in Basel, instead of a best of 5 set match, Murray would have progressed.

Andy Murray Beats Tim Henman In Basel, Just...

Well I hate to say I told you so, but...

Andy Murray won in 3 sets, 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) in a little under 2 and a half hours.

In truth, neither player played to their best, both looking at times like the tension of the encounter was restricting their game.

Andy Murray started comfortably, whereas Tim Henman looked like a player who had only played a handful of games after coming back from injury.

Andy broke twice to race to a 4-0 lead in the first set. The set went by serve after that and the set finished 6-2 in Murray's favour.

Henman raised his game in the 2nd set and broke early, taking a 3-1 lead. Murray also raised his game, however, and broke back to level things at 3-3. Another trade of breaks followed as both players looked erratic, 1st serve percentages well below 50% and too many unforced errors.

At 4-4, a breakthrough, as Murray broke Henman and found himself serving for the match. More unforced errors followed to co-incide with some superb play from Henman as he saved the match and then went on to win the next two games. 7-5 to Henman, one set all, and Henman threatening to take control.

The third set went by serve with neither player looking likely to break. With Henman serving first, Murray found himself serving to save the match twice at 4-5 and 5-6. The twelfth game in particular was a tense affair as Murray got to 40-0, only to be pulled back to deuce. But Murray held on to force a tie-break decider.

Again Murray started strongly, taking the first 3 points. Henman pushed back but never really recovered from the mini-break and at 6-4, Murray finished a long rally with a controlled volley into the back of the court.

The celebration was respectfully muted, but if anything Murray looked a little dazed maybe even shocked that he has beaten yet another high-ranking player, and a player he has looked up to for so long.

The match was every bit as close as the pundits suggested it would be and Murray can now look forward to a good run in this tournament. With the pressure off, Switzerland could prove to be a happier hunting ground for Murray than his recent experience in the Davis Cup.

Andy Murray Vs Tim Henman - Rnd 1

Andy Murray will face the British number 1 in the first round of the Basel tournament in Switzerland, on Wednesday.

Given the recent talk of Murray eventually replacing Henman as the British number one, this will certainly attract a lot of interest.

It's hard to say who will win. It's equally hard to say who is under the most pressure.

Defeat for Murray would not be too huge a blow, but after all the hype surrounding his rise to fame it could be something of a body-blow to lose to Henman who has struggled with his form of later.

Of course for Henman, defeat now could likely have the media talking of retirement coming sooner rather than later.

Neither player will want to go out in the first round of a tournament that Henman has won on two previous occasions.

So my predictions for tomorrow? I forsee a closely fought game that will eventually be lost by whoever succumbs to injury first ;-)

Of course I jest. I predict a victory for Murray... just.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1...

Andy Murray's Successor

I know that the world moves quickly in the 21st century, but after about six months of Andy Murray's senior career some are already picking out his successor.

Poor Murray has gone from unknown, to hot tip, to rising star, to household name to old news, all in less than a year.

I am, of course, exaggerating a little, but it's hard to read the story of ten year old Jonny O'Mara without a touch of scepticism mixed in with a healthy dollop of admiration.

"I want to be just like Andy," says Jonny. "He has got Scottish grit, and I know that because I have played with him. On court he's a bit feisty, but off court he is great. Nothing is going to stop me. I am not a loser at all."

Perhaps I should hedge my bets and register jonnyomaranews.com now.

Source:
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=2132022005

Andy Murray to be Key Figure in 2012 Olympics?

Andy Murray will be 25 when the 2012 Olympics come to London and, theoretically could be nearing his peak.

There are few current sports men or women who will still be active in 2012 that are currently seen to be prospective stars so it is hardly surprising that Murray is being talked about in this capacity.

http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/...

Murray & Rusedski to meet in Aberdeen Cup on November 26-27

As Henman continues to decline with injury, the battle to be the number one GB player will likely be contended between Andy Murray and Greg Rusedski. Murray has time on his side, but won't be content to wait until Rusedski retires to claim the no. 1 spot.

Tickets are on sale now and cost £35 for adults and £17.50 for concessions.

Sources:
http://www.secctickets.com/
http://www.lta.org.uk/...
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/...

Murray Out For At Least 10 Days

Andy Murray's physio has recommended a 10-day break which offers a reassurance that the injury is not a serious one.

Andy has also suggested that he will rest for longer if there is any risk of doing further damage.

Despite various news sites claiming Murray's next target is qualifying for the Madrid Masters, this seems unlikely given that qualification begins on October 13th, only five days after withdrawing from the tournament in Belgium.

www.sportinglife.com/tennis...

Injury Ends Andy Murray's Belgium Tournament

Andy Murray lost the first set to Xavier Malisse 7-5, before retiring after pulling his left hamstring.

Hoepfully the injury isn't too serious as the report below seems to suggest that Andy could have played on, but chose not to at the risk of increasing the damage.

After Andy's rapid rise in the world rankings, a tough Davis Cup encounter and his first ATP Tour final (against Federer no less), some might feel that a rest is overdue.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/...

Andy Murray to Follow in Henman's Footsteps?

Well, "no", is the obvious answer as about the only thing they appear to have in common is the ability to play tennis with some ability.

Different playing styles, different look, different temperment...

This tongue-in-cheek article in the Guardian is actually rather funny and reveals an astonishing lack of cynicism.

Note to Murray: 10 ways to avoid being Tim Henman

Andy Murray Through to Qtr-Finals in Belgium

The BBC report below makes the game sound rather tame, but this is still a good victory for Andy Murray and, importantly, it came in straight sets.

7-5, 6-3 was the final score with Murray only being broken once on his opening game.

Next up is the number 2 seed, Xavier Malisse who will be playing before a home crowd. Malisse is 42 in the world and should prove a challenging opponent.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1...

Andy Murray Eases Through First Round in Belgium

Ivo Heuberger lost in straight sets to Andy Murray, 6-4 6-4.

Although Heuberger broke Murray once in the first set, at 1-4 down, the swiss player was always behind.

Next up, is french player, Gregory Carraz. The players have already met twice at the senior level with the score, 1 win a piece.

http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis...

Andy Murray Denied Wild Card for Madrid Masters

For the second time this year, Andy Murray has been denied a wild card to a major tournament and will have to qualify if he wants to enter.

Wildcards have been handed to spanish players, Alberta Costa (102) and Fernando Verdasco (38). The third wild card will be given to one of the three players: Alberta Martin (ESP) (59), Nicolas Massu (CHI) (47) or James Blake (US) (33).

After coming off such a superb performance in Thailand it is disappointing for Andy Murray not to have been granted a place, but with the exception of Alberta Costa, the short-listed players are all ranked higher in the world and the decision should not be viewed as a snub.

Today Andy Murray will play his first match in the Ethias Trophy in Belgium. His opponent is the Swiss player, Ivo Heuberger (192).

Source:
http://sport.virgin.net...

Andy Murray's Mother & Manager

In the movie Wimbledon, Sam Neill plays a father and manager in a stereotypically focussed and dour way.

If the character had been written as a female part, the stereotype would likely have been an overly-fussy mother with a tendency to embarrass her child prodigy.

Judy Murray, Andy Murray's mother and manager, manages to demonstrate at least half of this profile in her latest column in The Telegraph. Judy reveals snippets about Andy's conversations and state of mind that are interesting to his fans, but probably a little embarrassing for him to have made public.

Read a little deeper however, and it's warming to notice Judy's obvious affection for her son and a philosophy for his career that takes into consideration his emotional development at least as much as his tennis.

Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/...
http://www.protennisfan.com/...

Andy Murray Loses In Thailand Final - But Shows His Promise

Federer winning in straight sets 6-3, 7-5 comes as no surprise to anyone, but Murray showed his potential making the world number one play near to his best to attain victory.

A nervous opening service game by Murray saw two double faults and Federer took an early 3-0 lead. Murray settled down and showed good composure as well as a fine repetoir of shots. The biggest let-down was the first serve percentage that was again in the low 40's.

Federer had to overcome a few deuce games on his serve, but held on fairly comfortably in the end to win 6-3.

Murray was again broken in the first game of the second set but, refused to fold, breaking back and levelling the set at 3-3.

At 5-5, Federer stepped up his game and broke Murray's serve. Murray refused to give up and managed to find a break point, but Federer held on to take the final set 7-5.

In truth, Federer never looked in danger, but Murray showed that he is no push-over at this level and his potential for the future continues to grow.

Andy Murray Reaches The Final In Thailand

Last week Federer said he was sure that he would play Andy Murray in a tennis match at some point in the future. It's doubtful he expected it to come only a week later in the Thailand final.

Murray only gained entry to the tournament as a wildcard after Tim Henman pulled out with a back injury, but is unlikely to have to rely on wildcards to gain entry to tournaments after his performance over the last five days.

Paradorn Srichaphan who has been as high as 9th in the world two years ago is an experienced player and was today, playing in front of a home crowd as the Thai number one.

Andy began slowly in the first set with a first serve percentage of less than 50. Although still able to find a couple of break points in a first set that lasted over an hour, Srichaphan held on for the tie-break and won it a comfortable 7-3.

The second set went with serve until, at 6-5, Murray found himself with three break and set points. He took the game at the first break attempt to win the set 7-5.

In the third set, at two games all, Srichaphan began to struggle with his own fitness, ironic after much of the criticism levelled against Murray by cynical journalists. Murray lifted his game again after that and took the next four games.

The final score was 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-2.

Even if, as expected by most, Andy loses to Federer tomorrow, his world ranking will move into the 70's, possibly as high as 69.