1/16/12 7:28 PM | Kelli DeMario
World No. 4 Andy Murray will begin his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title, as he faces young American Ryan Harrison. The players are set to contest their first meeting late Tuesday afternoon.
Fourth seed Andy Murray enters into the Australian Open with momentum, having captured the championship title in Brisbane. The 24-year-old recorded his 22nd championship victory with a straight-set ousting of Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Murray has advanced to the final in 2010 and 2011, falling short to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. The Scot will be making his seventh appearance at the tournament.
World No. 77 Ryan Harrison returns to action following a round of 16 finish in Auckland. The 19-year-old is bidding for his first win at the Australian Open.
Prediction: Murray in straight sets.
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This Harrison kid can play. He was outstanding against Ljuby and Starkovski during USO 2010; beats the red hot Raonic at IW last year before losing to Fed. I like Harrison and Tomic among the new kids on the block.
luckystar , 1/17/12 5:04 AM
Harrison's playing some good tennis. Can he sustain this explosive style through the match though? If he can, we could be in for a surprise.
samprallica , 1/17/12 5:14 AM
Incredible rallying. 41 shot rally and Harrison's winning all the long ones.
samprallica , 1/17/12 5:21 AM
harrison is really making an impression on me.
rfzr , 1/17/12 5:23 AM
Set 1 ship it
ts38 , 1/17/12 5:24 AM
Common Andy.
Take this in Four
Lovemurray , 1/17/12 5:40 AM
That first set was unbelievable. Murray's serve was totally off, just no rhythm. Harrison has some real potential. I was thinking of him and Raonic as the future of tennis.
However, Murray has restored order by taking the second set. His serving has improved quite a lot and now he seems to be hitting some of those signature shots that we are used to seeing from him. I wonder if Harrison will be able to keep up with him. Will he get tired? Will his form drop?
No matter what, Harrison has done a great job in taking a set off Murray. He is improving each time I see him.
It's great to see Ivan Lendl on the sidelines as Murray's new coach, watching his match.
Nativenewyorker , 1/17/12 6:18 AM
Good match, well played both guys. Harrison predictably ran out of steam, but he is one to watch out for in future.
samprallica , 1/17/12 7:46 AM
Only saw the last few games..Thank goodness! Looks as if he had his usual slow start and probably more nervous than usual against a top 100 player...as opposed to the other three's opponents.... Job done!
Come on!
deuce , 1/17/12 7:50 AM
Murray always starts slow, it's expected of him. Honestly, Harrison is a tougher opponent than the two Russian opponents of Fedal and Lorenzi for Nole. Harrison is young and energetic and he moves fast, unlike Lorenzi who can volley well but can't move well. Fed's opponent has big serves but can't get his first serve in most of the time. Rafa's opponent plays decently well but too inexperienced. The top four are the top four so all four safely through to the second round. Ferrer also has an easy day at the office. Let's see how Tsonga plays later on.
luckystar , 1/17/12 8:04 AM
It is fair to say that Murray had the toughest first round opponent. Harrison is no qualifier. I thought he could give Murray some trouble, maybe take a set. But Murray got going and started playing like his usual self. Harrison did get tired as the match wore on and the outcome was inevitable.
It's a shame that he had to play one of the top four. That's the price of being ranked so low. He has some real talent and is one to watch.
Nativenewyorker , 1/17/12 9:04 AM
Harrison put up a decent fight and came up with some good shots... but UE crept into his game. Harrison, together with Tomic, Raonic and Dimitrov are players to watch for the future.
Bonker , 1/17/12 9:10 AM
I didn't think for one minute that Harrison would beat Murray, he is not that good, not yet anyway, IMO.
nadline , 1/17/12 11:27 AM
cont'd
Well not unless Murray had one of the lapses players suffer from from time to time.
nadline , 1/17/12 11:29 AM
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That may be a tricky match for MAndy, and perhaps a good test of his coaching relationship with Ivan.
Best of luck to him.
mara002 , 1/17/12 1:52 AM