Eurosport - Fri, 26 Jun 13:52:00 2009
World number three Andy Murray booked his place in the third round of Wimbledon with a clinical 6-2 7-5 6-3 win over Ernests Gulbis.
Murray rarely looked troubled by the young Latvian and wrapped up the win with a stunning cross-court forehand winner after just 88 minutes.
"Gulbis had a chance to break at the start, but after that I relaxed and then served really well for the rest of the match," said Murray. "I didn't give him many opportunities and I felt very comfortable."
The third seed was forced to defend break points in just the second game of the match but came through unscathed before breaking in the third game when Gulbis slapped a forehand long of the baseline.
The Latvian looked increasingly out of his depth as the set went on and a shocking backhand volley which he dumped into the bottom of the net gifted Murray a second break in the seventh game.
In contrast Murray looked untroubled and quickly wrapped up the first set with an inch-perfect drop shot that completely confounded his opponent.
Gulbis did begin to find his rhythm in the second set, particularly on his serve as he approached an 80 per cent first serve success rate.
But Murray was content to bide his time, eventually breaking in the 11th game when Gulbis dumped another forehand into the net, before sealing the set with an ace down the centre of the court.
The third set was one-way traffic once again as Murray lifted his performance up a level, breaking in the third game with a cross-court, backhand passing winner.
Murray then broke again in the ninth game with the forehand passing shot winner from the baseline to set up a third round clash with Serbia's 30th seed Viktor Troicki, who battled past Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain 6-7(5) 6-0 1-6 6-3 7-5 .
Comment 154 - 173 of 173
"andy will have to beat Gonzalez,and this time he will have to dictate"
lol no
"people will say he is garbage and all that if he looses in the semis,but it would be a great result in my opinion.If you improve on the previous year ,how can it be a failure"
uh, horrible logic. please tell me how can a quarter final be a great result for nadal in RG next year?
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That sounds weird saying Fed is the underdog!! Same to you - enjoy the tennis ahead. Cheers!
Heidi, maybe you are!
But the underdog nowadays is Federer, he's number 2 and Nadal number 1:)
All the best, enjoy
Yiannis: I get what you're saying about the pauses for reflection etc, however on the flip side of the coin, the other people who behave like this are politicians and people who are not really saying what they believe to be true, only what they want people to hear. As I can't chose between their tennis, I am choosing on personality and also I like the underdog (typical Brit!!). Hey, I'm moody! Maybe I'm a genius and I just don't know it yet...!!!
He doesn't seem fake to me at all, he just looks like he's thinking and analysing what he's about to say, fast. As intelligent people will do when journalists are trying to make them say something that they later take out of context and make it provocative in order to sell. You might see this as fake, arrogant, whatever. Nadal is a simpler kind of guy, he doesn't look like he dares to speak his mind as much as Federer, instead he always goes for the humblest and less provocative answer just to ne on the safe side. If you find this more likeable, genuine, natural, good for you:)
But besides all that, most geniouses are more "moody" that us normal people...
Well done Andy Murry, isn't he mint! I watched him yesturday and he seemed to be in control of his own game, playing some wicked shots. There also seems to be an air of quiet expectation from us Brits to his chances of winning the championship. We have been so disapointed with Henman and Rudeski, even though they gave everything to win, that we, well I am, just enjoying seeing him win the rounds. I really hope he wins and becomes Wimbledon champ, but I won't slag him off if he doesn't.
Siskra: it's funny that having read your last posting, it made me realise that the reason I never know who to choose between Nadal and Federer is because of what you said - I have doubts about Fed off court. I think he is very fake in interviews - fake smile, etc so I don't believe what he says. And ultimately, because of that, I think that's why I cheered on Rafa last Wimbledon - he's such a great guy with great tennis so he's got everything. And people say Murray's miserable - have they ever taken a real look at Fed? He's mega moody.
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You are right Jimmy, it's all about our preferences. I am Nadal's fan, because I like his passion, determination and GATS on the court, as well as his modesty and maturity of the court. I also like Federer but ONLY on the court, I have serious doubts about him of the court. Finally I don't like exaggeration, bowing and "servility" towards all type of so called perfection. But, we all different and every opinion should be accepted and respected
Well, siskra83, since the money doesn' to go in my pocket I don't really care who wins or where he comes from. I have a few favorites, but only because I like the way they play. I don't like Fed as a person but I like to see him play (without waistcoat, preferably). And I like Nadal a lot also. And many others. That's all. I don't see why i should support Murray because he is British. I want to watch a spectacular game, not a game where Murray is in constant agony lest he lose a point.
Jimmy, I agree with you that Murray's "monotonous " play with lack of passion and risk doesn't "force" many of us (me included) to root for him. Comparing him with Gonzo, Andy is less "watchable ". On the other side, attractive Fernando usually exaggerates and due to it, he is self destructive (overdose of water is not healthy, too)
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Scott, I agree that all he needs is a break, but then it's also all his opponent needs and what everyone else needs. What's clever about winning only on your serve? As for beating Blake, even I could beat Blake the way he's been playing recently and my ranking is in the lower thousands. Blake got to the final because Roddick had an injury. I' d really like to see Murray waiting for Roddick to make a mistake and not taking any chances. You don't win Wimbledon by capitalizing on your opponents errors. You have to force them to make those errors. And yes, maybe he plays exactly as he should, since he's been winning so far, but what I am saying is that this kind of game is neither exciting nor enjoyable. That's why I am saying it's a joy to watch Gonzalez, who is all over the place, charging like a bull and giving it all he's got.
Rob I take it you are English he maybe arrogant he maybe is glum on court but he will always be better than Tim Henman (Who I liked and I am scottish) so dont support him if dont want too but if you want BRITISH tennis to get better he is our best hope
Come on Andy do the country proud
if by magic u mean waiting for ur oponnent to hit the net then u hit the motherload. Murray's game is a shame to all wimbledon legends strating with Fred Perry and finishing with Fed. He plays soo defensive it makes u sick. How can anybody watch his game and say it's magic??? U could say it's consistent or inteligent maybe but magic??? Where's the magic when all u do is to return the ball and hope the other makes a mistake.Looks at the statsGulbis who lost clearly made more winners than Murray even if he lost in straight sets. When Murray will playa guy who has a decent procentage at unforced errors he will lose. U can't play like this on grass it's just wrong.
Its a long way to Tiperarri - lets see when his arrognace in the match will undo him.
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