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. daveymacd1 the coment you are on about is bad but what­ you put is just as bad no need for any of this

    can­ wee keep to the sport please and not they type of­ comments you and other`s keep on about

    good luck­ to anndy

    From kenneth h, on Sat 24 Jan 1:34PM

  2. It is so sad to read the comments about Andy Murray­ from the English.
    Henman was your God and never won­ anything Andy is British even if he dosent want to be­ and is so much superior than anything that ever came­ out of England.
    Keep it up Andy at least the Irish­ respect you

    From martinr, on Sat 24 Jan 1:30PM

  3. go andy son go shovel all the dross back down the­ doubters throats

    From Murray, on Sat 24 Jan 1:26PM

  4. go andy son go shovel all the dross back down the­ doubters throats

    From Murray, on Sat 24 Jan 1:22PM

  5. Buzz

    no need for the coment and if you are just­ saying this because of other`s makeing coments about ­ murry then you are just as bad as them

    keep the­ coments to the sport and away from the gutter to hate­ some one becasue of where they where born is just daft­ no mater if they live in manchester liverpool england­ or scotland we are here to talk about sport and not­ give abuse about other`s with in the uk

    i see Lard­ and the coment made but thats not what all scousers­ think or what all pepple in england think as far as i­ can see

    From kenneth h, on Sat 24 Jan 1:18PM

  6. he is having some luck at te moment, the more i want­ him to lose the better he is getting,even his injury­ has gone,which i was hoping would see him off so we­ dont have to here about this @#$%.still time yet.

    From jack, on Sat 24 Jan 1:15PM

  7. Regarding the commentary on Eurosport: Peter Fleming­ (useless cliches without insight), Greg Rusedski­ (interesting and good), Frew Macmillan (bizarre­ references to past players of no consequence, and­ strange links to odd literature- madman). The rest-OK.

    From webbski, on Sat 24 Jan 1:09PM

  8. To First L, comment 24. This may sound childish but it­ isn't, when I say that I am not the a***h***, YOU­ are.

    From webbski, on Sat 24 Jan 1:01PM

  9. Melzer is a poor player. Let's see what Murray will­ do when he'll face Verdasco, a good player. Just­ wait, you morons.

    From IlDoctore, on Sat 24 Jan 12:58PM

  10. I like the guy but, please, the way eurosport­ commentators go about him is absurd. He's only the­ favourite (not A favourite, they say is THE favourite­ candidate to win) in the mind of eurosport, who have­ suddenly gone all regional and ultra patriotic.­ C'mon, this isn't serious.

    From catalina, on Sat 24 Jan 12:43PM

  11. To webbski: You are an a***h***. Murry will win the­ Australian open and i hope you cry to death!

    From mike, on Sat 24 Jan 12:34PM

  12. quick point about comment 19.
    the fact that tennis is­ so inaccessible in the UK, bad, bad weather so outdoor­ court use is (limited to about half the year at most­ imo), makes it all the more surprising that a­ "decent"(genuine world class) tennis player­ has emerged from he UK.

    ;)

    From Kenny M, on Sat 24 Jan 12:28PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Lose soon Murray, please. Hopefully that will happen­ when you play someone good. I don't care that you­ are Scottish, or ugly, the reason I want you to lose is­ that you are ungainly, and boring in the Eastern­ European female tennis style.

    From webbski, on Sat 24 Jan 12:24PM

  14. This is good stuff and he is ONLY 21!

    From JJ, on Sat 24 Jan 12:17PM

  15. Origins to one side, this kid has the determination and­ athletic ability to be a slam contender, I reckon his­ best is still two or three years away.
    When Britain­ starts making tennis more accessable to the not so­ priveledged kids then we'll see more players with­ Murray's hunger and determination start to emerge­ as champions of this popular spectator sport.
    Keith­ Wilson London

    From kwilson_57, on Sat 24 Jan 12:05PM

  16. comment 8 and comment 15. totally agree.

    jealousy, is­ a sad thing, and being a nice guy for the cameras­ won't win you tournaments.

    I'm sure andy­ murray, can't care less about the members of the­ british public that don't support him...

    From Kenny M, on Sat 24 Jan 12:00PM

  17. Nice one Murray :)

    Can't wait for wimbledon this­ year.

    From Steve, on Sat 24 Jan 11:58AM

  18. LOl at comment 14...you should have got outta ya pit­ earlier

    From JJ, on Sat 24 Jan 11:49AM

  19. Well done Andy,keep up the great tennis, you might just­ win this, i see a lot of jealousy on this page, never­ mind always remember that word FREEDOM!

    From Gary S, on Sat 24 Jan 11:48AM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Nadal is playing right now and eurosport are­ broadcasting ANYTHING ELSE but tennis (some minor­ downhill skiing contest). Thank you, eurosport! I hope­ Nadal wins the AO and Murray loses sonn, 'cause­ we've had ENOUGH!!!

    From vd, on Sat 24 Jan 11:47AM
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