Australian Open - Magnificent Murray mauls Melzer

Eurosport - Sun, 25 Jan 16:04:00 2009

Andy Murray removed any doubts he was not a serious contender for the Australian Open title with a clinical 7-5 6-0 6-3 third-round demolition of Austria's Juergen Melzer.

Andy Murray, Australian Open 2009 - 0

The fourth-seed showed all of the composure, shot making and court coverage that has propelled him into the world's top four and made him one of the pre-tournament favourites.

"I thought I hit the ball really, really well," Murray said. "I took a lot of my chances. I made him do a lot of running and was very confident from the second set onwards."

The 21-year-old has already beaten Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on hardcourts in the past month and his confidence was no more evident when he sealed the second set with a nonchalant volley into the open court and continued walking to his chair.

Murray, who was taken to five sets by Melzer at the US Open last year, gave the Austrian no chance to repeat the experience with clever use of angles, audacious chips and drop shots and varying the pace of his returns.

"I just felt more confident going into the match," Murray said of his feeling before he went into the third round clash.

"I knew if I played well I felt like I could go on to win in three sets if I grabbed the first set.

"He's one of those guys that, when he's behind, he's dangerous because he doesn't think a whole lot.

"I think when it starts to get close against him and he starts thinking is when he starts to make more mistakes, like at the end of the first set.

"But when he gets ahead, you know, he can start serving well and he can get confident. The start was very important.

"I do think I played much better today than at the U.S. Open."

The victory secured a fourth round clash with Spain's 14th seed Fernando Verdasco, who thrashed Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-0 6-0.

"I haven't really seen a whole lot of his match," Murray said of the Spanish left hander.

"I think Stepanek, I don't know if he had something wrong with him or not, but he didn't look like he was particularly interested.

"Against Verdasco, I really have to use my head.

"I have a very good record against left handers. The only one I've lost to on the tour has been Nadal.

"I need to use my head, make him do a lot of thinking and moving (and) if I play like I did tonight, I can definitely win that one."

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Reuters

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  1. Eurosport Quote - Australian Open - 25.1.09 "Magnificant Murray Mauls melzer"

    My Quote - Australian Open 26.1.09 - "Magnificant verdasco Mauls Murray"

    From Isabelle T, on Mon 26 Jan 4:50PM

  2. Murray's attitude has cost him today. He will only win a grand slam event if he controls his temper and respects his opponents and anyone who doesn't want to hear his foul language.
    Please don't compare murray to federer until murray has actually done something in the grand slam tournaments. At the moment he is a talented spoilt brat who has the potential to be a grand slam winner

    From Russell M, on Mon 26 Jan 8:17AM

  3. murray was favorite for what?

    From rslessix, on Mon 26 Jan 8:04AM

  4. JEXBJ
    STILL STALKING ROGER FEDERER?
    JUST FOR THE RECORD AT MURRAY'S AGE FEDERER HAD NOT WON A SINGLE GS.
    I BET YOU HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR FIXATION PLASTERED ALL OVER YOUR
    ABODE DON'T YOU.
    DO GET A LIFE AND DO STOP PRETENDING TO BE A FEMALE NAMED JESS
    YOU ARE JUST SO PATHETIC YACHH.........

    From Nicholas, on Sun 25 Jan 11:59PM

  5. What's the point in debating????Federer won 13 GS, Murray 0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please stop worshipping Murray who hasn't done anything fantastic so far.His career is BLANK!!!He will win a GS,no doubt abt it,but just be realistic.../Regarding the english journalists,they are RI DI CU LOUS..."magnificent Murray",so pathetic and funny...

    From Jeremy, on Sun 25 Jan 9:03PM

  6. come give us a break with Murray . Magnificiant Murray lol u are so funny. When Nadal or Federer wins u writte just 2-3 lines but in case of Murray magnificiant come i am just sick of this we are not fair. And to be fair he is not so briliant, he will not be number 1 this year at least still Nadal or Federer so writte more aboute other players also, u know is not only Murray that plays at australian open.

    From DivaFlower821, on Sun 25 Jan 5:13PM

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    From , on Sun 25 Jan 1:53PM

  8. Russell M
    I think Andy Murray is just totally honest all the time.....

    From Nicholas, on Sun 25 Jan 12:37PM

  9. I hope murray wins the tournament (and have been impressed so far) but his annoying habit of whinging about his health or fitness smacks of making excuses in case he loses. His next opponent can only be more optimistic if he thinks murray is struggling

    From Russell M, on Sun 25 Jan 8:14AM

  10. I had no interest in watching the games at present....I found a hot place, you guys should try it ___Wealthy beauty co m_____a great place for rich people to meet their soul mates....

    From zjmdj001, on Sun 25 Jan 2:36AM

  11. LOZZA 33, are you having a laugh? it is people like you that others hate about england, grow up you clown and stop giving your country a bad name if thats possible!! c,mon andy you can do it, most of the brits are behind you.

    From Gary S, on Sun 25 Jan 1:44AM

  12. Lozza33
    I think It's past your bed time!

    From Nicholas, on Sun 25 Jan 1:37AM

  13. Carlos I think it just boils down to who is best on the day and who gets that little bit of luck.As regards Djokevic I feel his standard for what ever reason has dropped to much to be in contention for the title.One thing we all know It's going to get better and better with lots of late nights!!

    From Nicholas, on Sun 25 Jan 1:36AM

  14. Alcock,thats a good one,Murray Nadal both playimg there best on this surface,i pick Murray.Federer Murray,i go with Federer,even though he has lost the last few to him,The important one at the US was no contest. Its funny,its as if Djokovitch doesnt exist ! nobody talks about him.

    From carlos480bc, on Sun 25 Jan 1:26AM

  15. F*ck Murray, he's a Scot, not British - HIS choice. I support anybody who plays England. Murray, I support anybody whp plays you.

    From Loz, on Sun 25 Jan 1:17AM

  16. The interesting question is could Federer or Nadal beat Murray at his absolute best ?

    From Nicholas, on Sun 25 Jan 1:10AM

  17. just cant help to think, if he wasnt brittish would he be so praised. yes he a amazing but has proved nothing. yes he has beat rodger like 5 times but not when it matters. i am murrays biggest fan, yeti feel he not yet met the standards as rodger and rafa at there aboulote best. and again i feel he couldnt beat rafa or rodger when they at 100 per cent over 5 sets on any surface. i love you andy but i myhumble opinion, your not there yet

    From Michelle, on Sun 25 Jan 1:00AM

  18. Your right about those combinations,you can see him thinking two ,three, four shots ahead,a really mature mind on young shoulders.One of the commentators summed him up perfectly,when he said he was a combination of Llendl and McEnroe,a great comment i thought,because they are so different,huge bombs and consistent groundies mixed with soft hands and genius,Murray does seem to have it all.

    From carlos480bc, on Sun 25 Jan 12:15AM

  19. Totally agree Carlos. I thought Murray was excellent the other day against Granollers but people were damning him with faint praise. I guess I'm too easily impressed. One of the things that impresses me is the way he uses that variety in little combinations: the drop shot followed by the lob, the lob that forces a weak backhand overhead followed by the pass etc. The other guy probably knows he's been "had" from the first shot of the combination and Murray makes it all look so simple. Rusedski summed it up perfectly IMO, "the full package". As regards Stepanek, you're reading my thoughts. WTF happened to Stepanek? He beat Verdasco a week ago in the final of Brisbane (I think). Strange result is right. Cheers

    From rhymes450, on Sun 25 Jan 12:03AM

  20. And what happened to Stepanek,i expected the "worm" to do better than that,strange result.

    From carlos480bc, on Sat 24 Jan 11:28PM
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