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2/15/08 11:53 PM | David Cox
Andy Murray moved to one win away from his 7th ATP final with a 7-5, 7-6(5) last 8 win against Nicolas Mahut this afternoon. In doing so he incurred the wrath of a vociferous and rather unsportsmanlike Marseille crowd who gave Murray a sound booing as the players shook hands.
The key today was the Scot’s serving which was consistently excellent, finding the mark with 14 aces and he allowed Mahut just 1 break point in the entire match. As predicted, Mahut was really looking to pressurize the Murray second serve - chip-charging or going after it with big forehands. However, he was rarely allowed the chance.
The first set was as tight as anything, high quality attacking play from both men. It was always going to require a moment of brilliance from one player to separate them and it came with Mahut serving to stay in the first at 5-6. The Frenchman played a great point and was looking to finish with a fairly routine smash but Murray read the direction and out of nowhere, ripped a lunging forehand down the line from several feet behind the baseline. It was an inspired shot which gave him 15-30 and provided the impetus to break two points later.
Mahut came out fighting in the second, earning his only break point of the match, but shanked the return. With both serving so well, a tiebreak was inevitable but it looked like Murray might wrap it up a little earlier when he forced two match points at 7-5, 5-4. However Mahut came up with an ace, then the Scot pulled a forehand just wide and it went to the shootout.
Mahut had the early minibreak but went for too cute an angle on a simple drop volley and Murray was back into it at 2-2. It went with serve till 5-5 when the pressure finally told, Mahut netting a very tight volley and a good serve sealed Murray’s place in the last 4.
Good serving and good mental focus from Murray
The crowd...
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Did you know that... Nicolas Massu won a gold medal in both singles and doubles at the 2004 Olympic games.
janhavi, Nov 21, 2008 1:53 PM
janhavi, Nov 21, 2008 5:53 AM
james007, Nov 21, 2008 3:46 AM
Avalaine, Nov 20, 2008 9:06 PM
james007, Nov 20, 2008 8:03 AM
gordana, Nov 21, 2008 9:50 AM
tennisfan2, Nov 12, 2008 4:24 AM
elle, Nov 10, 2008 2:11 AM
Andy Murray
Nicolas Mahut
Open 13
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