RESULT: Andy Murray Vs Andy Roddick - Semi-Final - Morgan Keegan Championships (Memphis) 2007
I had a really busy weekend so, although I found time to watch some tennis, I didn't get enough time to post the details.
Murray defeated Koubek in a convincing 6-3 6-2 performance (growing into the tournament as per San Jose) and setup a semi-final against Andy Roddick.
Before I get into a blow-by-blow of Murrays defeat, I have to say that the thing that struck me most about this match was how quiet Murray seemed. As far as I could tell, there was no shouting at Brad, no frustrated ourbursts. Even when Murray raised his game and then gifted the advantage back to Roddick, Murray seemed to just accept it.
Now I'm all for Murray getting control of his temper and frustrations and if this was a conscious effort to be more restrained, then credit to him. But I couldn't help wondering if there was something distracting Murray on Saturday. There was nothing in the post-match interviews about this so I'm left to wonder.
Murray certainly started slowly, losing his opening service game and making a handful of unforced errors. By contrast, Roddick looked really fired up and determined to reverse last weeks defeat.
No break points for Roddick to save at all in the first set and although Murray managed to hold his serve, Roddick served out a comfortable 6-3.
Murray still looked out of sorts hitting an amazing three double faults in the first game of the second set. Somehow he managed to hold his serve.
Then things began to turn. Murray started to turn on the style and Roddick started to look edgy. Looking and failing to find quick winners and starting to look harrassed on his own serve.
At 4-3 down, Roddick was broken and Murray had a chance to serve for the second set and take control of the match. Inexplicably, Murray was suddenly 0-40 down on his own serve and inevitably, Roddick broke back.
Just like that, the match was lost. Roddick got back all of his confidence and seemed to sense that victory was there for the taking.
At 5-5 in the second set, the match really took off with both players slugging it out with some great tennis. Murray held to go 6-5 up and Roddick allowed Murray one last chance to get back into the match. Roddick went 40-0 up, but Murray played some awesome tennis to get it back to deuce and then advantage.
A set-point to Murray... but gone in a flash as Roddick thundered down another ace (he managed 15 over the two sets).
The tie-break was on and Murray picked a point off Roddick serve to go 4-1 up.
Once again, Murray surrendered the advantage with some sloppy serving. Roddick went on to win the next six points in a row and took the tie-break 7-4.
Credit to Roddick to come up with the big serves when it was needed and he looked pretty solid for most of the match. But Murray must feel some disappointment at not squeezing Roddick a little more when he had the chance.
It could be my imagination, but I can't help feeling that Murray has a little bit too much respect for Roddick. After defeating him in San Jose - I can't lip-read - but it seemed like Murray was apologising to Roddick for something when they shook hands at the net.
There were times when Murray almost looked a touch embarrassed when he thundered a passing shot beyond Roddick.
Probably my imagination since it's hard to believe that Murray lacks ruthlessness on the court.
On a related but more positive note, it was pleasing to see Murray apologising in a gentlemanly manner on the couple of occasions when a net-cord fell to his advantage. No such apology was forthcoming from Roddick when he got the same good fortune.
So there we have it. A disappointing exit (it seems the more Murray wins, the more heart-breaking it is when he loses), but certainly much to be positive about.
1) Eight victories in a row. It was the Australian Open against Nadal when Murray was last defeated (seems like aaages ago).
2) After four tournaments in 2007, Murray has won one, been runner-up, reached the semi-finals in another and reached the fourth round in a Grand Slam. Great stuff!
3) Murray is looking harder and harder to beat. Even with a below-par performance, Roddick had to play to near his very best to achieve victory. But for one or two points, the match could easily have swung the other way.
4) This month last year was one of the high points and Murray had a lot of ranking points to defend. Impressively, Murray actually picked up some ranking points over the last couple of weeks to maintain his ranking of 13.
Murray will be taking a break next week to prepare for the Masters Series event in Indian Wells. Anything better than the second round and Murray will pick up more ranking points. A semi-final appearance would net an extra 200 ranking points!
On a seperate note - I try and avoid talking about other players too much so as not to dilute this blog, but I must just congratulate Andy's older brother Jamie who has now won back-to-back tournaments in the Doubles. Now at 44 in the Doubles rankings, Jamie is most definitely going places.
So, Murray fans of the world have a chance to catch their collective breath. But next week the push to break into the top ten begins in earnest. Some are saying by the end of April. The more positive are saying by the end of March.
Whatever, the next couple of months are going to be very exciting indeed. I believe Murray is about to take another big step...
Murray defeated Koubek in a convincing 6-3 6-2 performance (growing into the tournament as per San Jose) and setup a semi-final against Andy Roddick.
Before I get into a blow-by-blow of Murrays defeat, I have to say that the thing that struck me most about this match was how quiet Murray seemed. As far as I could tell, there was no shouting at Brad, no frustrated ourbursts. Even when Murray raised his game and then gifted the advantage back to Roddick, Murray seemed to just accept it.
Now I'm all for Murray getting control of his temper and frustrations and if this was a conscious effort to be more restrained, then credit to him. But I couldn't help wondering if there was something distracting Murray on Saturday. There was nothing in the post-match interviews about this so I'm left to wonder.
Murray certainly started slowly, losing his opening service game and making a handful of unforced errors. By contrast, Roddick looked really fired up and determined to reverse last weeks defeat.
No break points for Roddick to save at all in the first set and although Murray managed to hold his serve, Roddick served out a comfortable 6-3.
Murray still looked out of sorts hitting an amazing three double faults in the first game of the second set. Somehow he managed to hold his serve.
Then things began to turn. Murray started to turn on the style and Roddick started to look edgy. Looking and failing to find quick winners and starting to look harrassed on his own serve.
At 4-3 down, Roddick was broken and Murray had a chance to serve for the second set and take control of the match. Inexplicably, Murray was suddenly 0-40 down on his own serve and inevitably, Roddick broke back.
Just like that, the match was lost. Roddick got back all of his confidence and seemed to sense that victory was there for the taking.
At 5-5 in the second set, the match really took off with both players slugging it out with some great tennis. Murray held to go 6-5 up and Roddick allowed Murray one last chance to get back into the match. Roddick went 40-0 up, but Murray played some awesome tennis to get it back to deuce and then advantage.
A set-point to Murray... but gone in a flash as Roddick thundered down another ace (he managed 15 over the two sets).
The tie-break was on and Murray picked a point off Roddick serve to go 4-1 up.
Once again, Murray surrendered the advantage with some sloppy serving. Roddick went on to win the next six points in a row and took the tie-break 7-4.
Credit to Roddick to come up with the big serves when it was needed and he looked pretty solid for most of the match. But Murray must feel some disappointment at not squeezing Roddick a little more when he had the chance.
It could be my imagination, but I can't help feeling that Murray has a little bit too much respect for Roddick. After defeating him in San Jose - I can't lip-read - but it seemed like Murray was apologising to Roddick for something when they shook hands at the net.
There were times when Murray almost looked a touch embarrassed when he thundered a passing shot beyond Roddick.
Probably my imagination since it's hard to believe that Murray lacks ruthlessness on the court.
On a related but more positive note, it was pleasing to see Murray apologising in a gentlemanly manner on the couple of occasions when a net-cord fell to his advantage. No such apology was forthcoming from Roddick when he got the same good fortune.
So there we have it. A disappointing exit (it seems the more Murray wins, the more heart-breaking it is when he loses), but certainly much to be positive about.
1) Eight victories in a row. It was the Australian Open against Nadal when Murray was last defeated (seems like aaages ago).
2) After four tournaments in 2007, Murray has won one, been runner-up, reached the semi-finals in another and reached the fourth round in a Grand Slam. Great stuff!
3) Murray is looking harder and harder to beat. Even with a below-par performance, Roddick had to play to near his very best to achieve victory. But for one or two points, the match could easily have swung the other way.
4) This month last year was one of the high points and Murray had a lot of ranking points to defend. Impressively, Murray actually picked up some ranking points over the last couple of weeks to maintain his ranking of 13.
Murray will be taking a break next week to prepare for the Masters Series event in Indian Wells. Anything better than the second round and Murray will pick up more ranking points. A semi-final appearance would net an extra 200 ranking points!
On a seperate note - I try and avoid talking about other players too much so as not to dilute this blog, but I must just congratulate Andy's older brother Jamie who has now won back-to-back tournaments in the Doubles. Now at 44 in the Doubles rankings, Jamie is most definitely going places.
So, Murray fans of the world have a chance to catch their collective breath. But next week the push to break into the top ten begins in earnest. Some are saying by the end of April. The more positive are saying by the end of March.
Whatever, the next couple of months are going to be very exciting indeed. I believe Murray is about to take another big step...
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