Doubles Defeat for Andy Murray in Barcelona

This was a new doubles partnership for Andy Murray with Justin Gimelstob (99) and they started off well in their first round match against Paul-Henri Mathieu and Gael Monfils, taking the first set 6-4.

However, they lost the next set, 4-6 and then lost the concluding "champions" tie-break 6-10.

Source:
BBC SPORT - Early doubles defeat for Murray

Andy Murray Defeated by Ferrer

This was a good performance by Andy Murray against a tough opponent playing on a favoured surface.

It might be true to say that a more ruthless tennis player would have finished off the match when the opportunity arose, but this would overlook the hard work and skill that took Andy Murray to within one service game of finishing the match.

Comparisons are being made with last week's defeat in Monte Carlo, but this was a much tougher opponent who had to dig deep to beat Murray in 3 sets - 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.

Andy Murray may play later on today in the Doubles tournament.

Sources:
BBC SPORT - Ferrer ousts Murray in Barcelona
Channel 4 - Andy Murray loses in Spain

Murray Wins 1st Match in 6 Weeks in Barcelona

Wildcard, Marcel Granollers-Pujol (291) should have been a breeze to defeat, but it took Andy Murray 3 sets to win 4-6 6-4 6-2.

A combination of factors worked to make this a struggle for Murray. Gusting winds, a reduced training schedule after recovering from injury and illness and a lack of practice on clay.

After losing the first set and going a break down in the second, things were looking ominous. But as is so often the case, Murray raised his game and won four of the next five games to take the second set.

An potentially epic last set drifted away as Granollers-Pujol took a medical break at 1-0 down, suffering from cramp in both legs.

Having some experience with the condition, Andy Murray may have felt some sympathy as, at times, Granollers-Pujol was reduced to playing almost on one leg.

Next up is the number 5 seed, David Ferrer (12). A tough game, certainly, but Andy Murray is never happier then when he's fighting against the odds.

Sources:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...
http://sport.independent.co.uk/tennis...
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news...

Andy Murray & Tim Henman Lose in Qtr-Final in Monaco

After qualifying automatically when their opponent's retired through injury, this was a good opportunity for both players to gain some experience playing together.

Nenad Zimonjic and Fabrice Santoro are the third seeds, but were given a real match by the GB combination.

After winning the first set Murray/Henman got an early break in the second. Sadly, Zimonkic/Santoro forged their way back into the match and took the second set.

The third set is apparently played a tie-break and Murray/Henman eventually lost 8-10.

6-3 3-6 8-10 was the final score.

Sources:http://sport.scotsman.com/tennis
http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis...

Murray Confused By Cramps

As you're probably already aware, Andy Murray lost his opening match in Monte Carlo 6-4 6-7 5-7 to Jean-Rene Lisnard.

A lack of fitness did seem to be a problem as Murray has not played any tennis of significance since his ankle injury and virus - Murray also expressed confusion over cramp in the third set,

"I just don't understand why I get cramp because I don't feel tired at all. Going on to play, I didn't feel `I don't want to go out there'.

"I felt fine enough to play. But when your legs cramp, you just can't do anything. I don't quite know what it is."

It's worth noting however, that Murray had no problem breaking his opponent and did so in every set of the match. If only Murray could gain some consistency in his first serve, his own service games would be far less fragile.

Murray later played doubles with Tim Henman and went through after their opponents, Tomas Berdych and Jarko Nieminen, retired after five games. Murray and Henman were leading 3-2 at the time.

Thank goodness for San Jose, otherwise this really would have been a disappointing year. Andy Murray fans may be disappointed by his early exit in another tournament, but San Jose holds out hope that Andy Murray is just physical fitness, mental fitness, a more consistent first serve and a new coach away from another resounding success.

Ok, I know that reads a little sarcastically, but I fully expect Andy Murray to win another tournament very soon, probably when we least expect it.

Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1...
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport...
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/sport...

Andy Murray & Mark Petchey

I heard the news on the weekend that Andy Murray had split from his coach Mark Petchey and it came as quite a shock. It seemed to me that, in football terms, this is like a chairman sacking his manager, despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Maybe, I'm getting a little over-excited, but my first instinct was to wonder if this was connected to the recent Davis Cup where Murray played despite medical advice to the contrary and ended his doubles game with a well-publicised outburst.

All the news stories cite a simple difference of opinion on how Murray should develop his abilities. Maybe we'll have to wait until Andy Murray or Mark Petchey write their memoirs to get the full story.

The link below offers some interesting opinions on what the differences may be that led to the split and also points out something that occurred to me yesterday - Murray's finest perfomance to date came in San Jose when he beat Roddick in the semi-final and Hewitt in the final , but Petchey was absent.

It will be interesting to see how Murray gets on today as he faces wildcard, Jean-Rene Lisnard (154) from Monaco, in the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Source:
Guardian Unlimited - Murray sacks coach Petchey over difference of tactical opinion

GB Lose Davis Cup Match and Fined for Murray's Outburst

GB's defeat in this Davis Cup match can be put down to Andy Murray being far less than 100% fit - but his poor behaviour on the court suggest there is more wrong with Murray than a dodgy ankle and post-viral fatigue.

It may be normal to lose your temper once in a while, but using foul language, especially toward a match official is out of line. Refusing to shake the umpire's hand at the end of the match also suggests a disappointing lack of courtesy.

After the match, Murray said, "It's a tough one because you see footballers swearing after every single foul that gets given or every time the ref makes a bad decision,".

That may not have intended to be a justification, but the comment only highlights the poor manners and standards that are prevalent in the world of sport.

I sincerely hope that, in the future, Murray takes a conciliatory position towards this kind of incident and doesn't simply try to shrug it off as "one of those things".

Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1...
http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...

Andy Murray WILL Play in Davis Cup

Andy Murray has decided to play in Britain's Davis Cup tie against Serbia and Montenegro, despite medical advice recommending otherwise.

Murray is still exercising caution, however, by sitting out of the opening singles matches. Greg Rusedski and Arvind Parmar will play the opening rubbers.

Murray is then scheduled to partner with Rusedski in the Doubles match on Saturday at 1pm.

Depending on other results and his physical condition, Murray may then play the final rubber on Sunday.

Sources:
http://sport.independent.co.uk/tennis...
http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport...