Andy Murray and Scottish tennis

[maryb]

Ah well, Andy and Marat out now. Roll on Wimbles 2007!

[iman]

Brad gilbert is andy new coach!!!!!!


Brad Gilbert will concentrate on building up Andy Murray's strength when he starts work as the Briton's coach.
The American, who was appointed by the Lawn Tennis Association on Wednesday, expects to start making significant progress after the US hardcourt season.

"There's no magic pill to take that makes you a better player," Gilbert told The Times.

"Andy needs to become physically stronger, and over the next year that will be a big focus for us."

He added: "The best time to make changes will be after the Open; it's hard to make any real big impressions when he is going straight into tournaments."

The player will have his opinions and I hear Andy's are pretty strong

Brad Gilbert

Gilbert helped guide both Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to the top of the world rankings and looks like being a hard task-master with 19-year-old Murray.

"If Andy Murray isn't an early-morning person, that's going to change," said Gilbert.

"The standards I set are those I learnt from my only coach, Tom Chivington from Foothills College in Los Altos, California - you put in an honest, hard day's work every day.

"It doesn't mean you are going to win every time but it sure gives you a better chance. Every day you want to be that little bit better.

"And it can never be the coach's way or the highway; the player will have his opinions and I hear Andy's are pretty strong. I'll certainly have mine and it's about where we meet."

[davis]

The new ATP player vignette for download:

www.megaupload.com/?d=3C8MOPQS

He names cutting his own hair as his biggest flaw?! Hm...

[iman]

BBC report on Murray vs Clement

Andy Murray missed out on a second ATP Tour title when he lost the Legg Mason Classic final to Arnaud Clement.
The 19-year-old Scot, seeded eight, was twice a break up in the first set but ended up losing it in a tiebreak.

Murray, who called for the trainer in the second set, then went off the boil as Frenchman Clement broke twice.

The 11th seed went on to win 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to inflict Murray's first defeat under coach Brad Gilbert, although the Briton moved up to 31 in the rankings.

Despite breaking in the opening game of the match, Murray never looked comfortable in the sapping 90-degree heat in Washington and was troubled by a blister on his right hand.

The blister on my hand was quite difficult for me but it definitely wasn't the reason I lost

Andy Murray

His 28-year-old opponent, who had beaten Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin on his way to the final, started slowly but once he settled into a rhythm, Clement always looked the more likely to win.

Murray called the trainer out after going 2-0 down in the second set but refused to blame his defeat on the discomfort he was feeling.

"I never had a blister before and I don't like to play with tape on my hands," he said. "When the blisters burst, it was hard to hold my racket.

"It was quite difficult for me but it definitely wasn't the reason I lost. I played a very good player. He had a great tournament."

Murray rallied briefly at the end of the second set and had two break points when Clement served for the match at 5-2.

But the Frenchman saved them both and clinched the championship on his first match point for the fourth title of his career - but the first outside of his native country.


Despite the disappointment of losing the final, Murray had a successful first week with Gilbert, not dropping a set until meeting Clement and the American coach was upbeat about his new charge.

"Clement raised his game and Andy was a little bothered by the blisters," said Gilbert.

"I'm pleased overall but a little disappointed with today. Hopefully it won't linger."

[iman]

Well done to murray for making it to the finals and not dropping a single set till the match against clement................. thats pretty good going!!!
it looks like brad gilbert is having some kind of effect on Murray!!!

[maryb]

Early days yet. But I agree that Gilbert will have an effect on him by sharpening up his game and making him more aggressive on court. The boy's got to realise that unless he has the fitness of Rafa, he ain't going to be able to indulge himself in 30 stroke rallies every time. Basically, do everything that his previous coach tried to drill into his head.He's young. He'll learn.

Brill he got to the final though. Was hoping that Marat was getting there too - very unlucky in the tiebreaks. That would've have been fantastic to get them both playing in a final. Ah well.

[sabz]

A BIG CONGRATS TO ANDY FOR HIS FIRST ATP MASTERS SERIES SEMI FINAL!! ;D

Murray gets milestone Masters win

Andy Murray reached his first Masters semi-final with a 6-4 6-7 (0-7) 6-3 win over Finn Jarkko Nieminen in Toronto.
The British teenager struggled with his first serve during a gruelling match, but hit more classy shots than his opponent, who is ranked in the top 15.

Murray was the dominant player in the first set and served for the match in the second before capitulating to an ugly whitewash in the tie-breaker.

But he rallied to take a 5-2 lead in the decider and eked out a fine win.

The positives outweighed the negatives for Murray, even if his serve was erratic.

But the Scot showed more ambition than his opponent when it mattered most and produced a string of fine winners when given very little margin for error.

It looked as if Murray's chance had passed when he limply handed over his serve and hard-earned initiative at 5-3 in the second set.

Nieminen, who was showing signs of fatigue after a hard win on Thursday, sprang back to life to run away with the ensuing tie-break.

Murray could have lost his way at that point, but showed maturity to outlast the seasoned 14th seed.

He will next face Richard Gasquet in the last four, after the Frenchman brushed aside 13th seed Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-1.

Murray was pleased with his performance, but had reservations.

"To be fair I thought I was in control of most of the match. I felt like I was making him do more of the running," he said.

"I was 6-4, 5-3 up serving. Every time I serve for it this week, I've lost my serve.

"I'm obviously disappointed I didn't finish it off in two, but it was a good effort to keep it together mentally in the third set.

"I came in well on his second serve. I got good depth on the return and covered the net. I used the drop volleys well."

[iman]

GOOD NEWS FOR MURRAY AS HE GOES UP TO 21 IN THE WORLD RANKINGS

Andy Murray has risen to 21 in the latest world rankings after his run to the semi-finals of the Toronto Masters.
The 19-year-old Briton, who lost to France's Richard Gasquet on Saturday, was ranked 132 this time last year and started 2006 at 64 in the world.

He will be seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time at this month's US Open.

Murray will take on Tim Henman in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, with Roger Federer the likely opponent in round two.

Henman has moved up one place in this week's rankings to number 59, while Greg Rusedski slips a huge 55 spots to 127.

[Annie]

watched him play in Toronto, I must say I was very impressed, there is a lot of thought into the game and he has really progressed.... Gilbert might have been a very right pick

[alsl]

Isit fate or what...he must be bored of playing Tim and vice versa..now to Tim 6-4 1-1

[iman]

Murray beats henman!!!


Andy Murray claimed his second win in a week over Tim Henman in a fluctuating contest at the Cincinnati Masters.
Murray is on a fine run of form after reaching the final in Washington and then the semis in Toronto, where he beat Henman along the way.

But it was Henman who started stronger, taking the first set 6-4 before Murray took the second by the same score.

Henman was a break up in the decider but Murray broke back twice to complete a 4-6 6-4 7-5 victory.

Murray has now won all three of his encounters with Henman.

Afterwards Murray said that Henman's style of play suited his game.

[Annie]

Tim

[jewell]

I saw that match. Tim should have won it but he let Andy off the hook far too many times. Sadly it's becoming a recurring part of Henman's game these days.

[iman]

oh my god how did this happen andy murray has beaten federer 7-5, 6-4

i am gob smacked!!!

[iman]

Murrays big win!!!

Andy Murray pulled off the biggest win of his career, beating Roger Federer 7-5 6-4 in the Cincinnati Masters.
The teenager became only the second player to beat Federer this year, and it was the first time the Swiss had lost before the final for 18 events.

Federer was far from his fluent best, but an inspired Murray took full advantage, breaking serve seven times.

The Scot has struggled to serve out in recent matches, but had no such trouble as he completed his straight sets win.

One of the big strengths of Murray's game is his refusal to bow to anyone on a tennis court, no matter how big his reputation.

I played a pretty perfect match but for a few games at the end of the first set

And he was the aggressor from the start against Federer, who had only been beaten by world number two Rafael Nadal in 2006.

After squandering a glorious opportunity at break point in the opening game, Murray made amends on Federer's next service, pressuring the Swiss to miss with an attempted pass.

It set the pattern for an intriguing match as Federer struggled increasingly with his form under fire from fierce Murray ground strokes down both flanks.

The 19-year-old's backhand was particularly effective and was responsible for securing him a second break after Federer had briefly broken back.

Murray wobbled when serving for the set at 5-4 and his first serve percentage hovered at a lowly 40% all game.

But he immediately created another chance to serve out and duly did so with a booming ace at set point.


Federer was magnanimous - if frustrated - in defeat

Amazingly, the second set followed the pattern of the first, Murray applying pressure on almost every Federer service game and breaking at the first time of asking.

Locked at 4-4, the Briton hit another purple patch, painting the lines to breach Federer's serve for a seventh time.

And he sealed the biggest result of his fledgling career in fitting fashion with a fizzing backhand pass before sinking drained into his chair, towel over face.

"Obviously this was pretty special - I wasn't expecting it to happen today," said Murray afterwards.

"I don't think Roger played his best match, but he has such a reputation that other players think they have to hit the lines.

"I played a pretty perfect match but for a few games at the end of the first set."

Federer, who has been flawless on the American hardcourts for years, saw a run of 55-straight wins broken.

And he also missed out on equalling Ivan Lendl's record of reaching 18 consecutive finals.