The world No4 rallied from 5-2 down in the final set to edge into the quarter-finals with a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 win
Good afternoon and welcome to the conclusion of Andy Murray v Viktor Troicki. Team Murray were probably booking their Eurostar tickets back to London when he was two sets and a break down last night, but the world No4 somehow picked himself up off the canvas and had levelled up at two sets all – 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 – when they were hauled off for bad light at around 9.30pm local time.
So today’s finale is essentially a one-set shoot-out for a quarter-final against the unseeded Argentinian, Juan Ignacio Chela. If Murray carries on where he left off, surely there’s only going to be one winner (famous last words), as long as there’s been no overnight reaction to his ankle injury. After starting rather gingerly yesterday, it seemed to hold up, but whether that was the adrenaline kicking in remains to be seen.
The players are due on Suzanne Lenglen at 1pm by the way, so I’m off to get a quick sandwich …
Omen time Murray came back from two sets to love down on the same court last year, when he beat Richard Gasquet in the first round. I was on game-by-game duty then, if that’s any kind of sign. Plus when Troicki goes the distance he’s prone to get the jitters. This is the fifth time he’s been caught when two sets to the good, and he’s gone on to lose twice. Troicki talked a good game before the match, but I’m not sure he’s got the bottle to finish Murray off.
My googling for random Troicki facts wasn’t much of a success to be honest, apart from discovering he engages in a spot of part-time modelling. So if there are any Serbs reading this, any bits of trivia would be gratefully received.
On court, Troicki has had a pretty good time of it lately. Like Novak Djokovic, Serbia’s Davis Cup victory has inspired him to produce the best tennis of his career and while he hasn’t reached Djokovic’s lofty heights, he’s up to a personal high of 15 in the world rankings and he’s playing for a place in his first grand slam quarter-final.
Talking of Djokovic, his walkover against Fabio Fognini means there’s just one quarter-final in the men’s draw today, with Roger Federer up second on Philippe Chatrier against the home favourite Gael Monfils. First on Chatrier it’s the defending women’s champion Francesca Schiavone against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, while another former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will take on France’s Marion Bartoli after the conclusion of Murray v Troicki.
And the players are out and warming up, again both wearing their near-identical Adidas clobber, though Troicki has opted for green shorts today just to help the commentators out a bit. Murray apparently was out hitting on another court around half an hour ago. An unusual move so close to the match, but probably a good idea to warm his dodgy ankle up.
Oh and please don’t hold back on the emails. This could be over very quickly. But it’ll probably go 19-17 now I say that …
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 0-1 Troicki (* denotes next server)
What a first point. A 37-shot rally finally ends with Troicki darting a backhand down the line, which Murray can only prod long. The second point is just as good, as Murray comes up with a backhand pass. 15-all. Troicki delivers a delicate drop shot to nudge 30-15 ahead, but Murray puts away a backhand volley to level up at 30-all. There certainly doesn’t seem to be any problem with his ankle at the moment. Troicki then slaps a sloppy overhead into the net to give Murray a break point at 30-40, but Troicki holds his nerve to get it to deuce. The Serb then takes the game on his second advantage. A high-quality start from both players. “I’m hoping Troicki has some Sri Lankan heritage,” declares Dan Hare. “It’ll be over in a flash.”
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 1-1 Troicki*
A bit of danger for Murray at 15-30 down, but he reels off the next three points – the third with a crunching forehand – to level up. And a plea from Qasa Alom. “In between your coverage and 5live extra, I’ve just about got this covered – would appreciate a “shout count” though of how many times – and how soon – Murray begins to hurl abuse at his mother, gf, friends, the ball boys, his primary school teacher etc etc.” There has been one rant so far Qasa, but Murray spared his nearest and dearest and simply shouted at himself.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 1-2 Troicki
Thwack. Troicki goes 40-15 ahead with a thunderous forehand down the line, but Murray gives back as good as he gets and unleashes a backhand winner to get to deuce. Troicki brings up advantage with some clever play, before dumping a forehand into the net. It’s then Murray’s turn at advantage, but Troicki snuffs out the danger with a forehand winner. Deuce. Troicki then reels off the next two points to again deny Murray the break. After what I said about Troicki’s temperament, he’s looking pretty strong at the moment.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-2 Troicki*
Murray rattles off four quick points to take the game to love. Not that I saw too much of it as I was busy digesting Gary Naylor’s email. “I saw Gael Monfils at Wimbledon last year – he was every bit as wonderful a sight on court as on the telly. He doesn’t have Murray’s ranking nor his slam history, but I think he’s more likely to sustain a surge in form and win a
one-off slam like a Del Potro or a Krajicek. Murray just seems to find too many new ways of losing.” Thoughts to follow …
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-3 Troicki
Now it’s Troicki’s turn to get a quick game on the board as he holds to love. “WHAT’S THAT?” shouts Murray. I’m not sure, but in answer to Gary, yes Murray doesn’t quite have the flair or flamboyance of Monfils, though luckily he doesn’t have Monfils’s injury record either. Monfils has always threatened to make a major breakthrough at a slam, but so far one run to the semis is as got as he’s got. It would be wonderful to see Monfils reach a major final, he’s a great character to have in the game, but don’t be too down on Murray – I still think he’s got a slam in him, provided he makes a few adjustments.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-4 Troicki*
Bit of drama on the opening point. The ball boy thinks the point is over and comes on to court, Troicki still manages to put the smash away but the umpire calls a let. He’s got no choice really but the Serb is none too happy and pleads his case to no avail. Murray ends up winning the replayed point to go 15-0 ahead, but the game ends up going to deuce. And Troicki then brings up his first break point in the deciding set. Troicki hammers a backhand down the line and Murray can only net. First blood to Troicki.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-5 Troicki
Murray responds immediately to get to 0-30, Troicki then wins the next two points, but a tight shot from the Serb goes into the tramlines and it’s break point at 30-40. Murray scrambles into the net to pick up a drop shot but slips. Then it’s advantage Troicki. Murray looks to be in charge of the next point but Troicki soaks up the pressure and then digs out a backhand pass to take the game. Murray will now have to serve to stay in the tournament. Troicki got tight on occasions yesterday, can he see this through now?
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-5 Troicki*
A gutsy hold from Murray to love, cue a scream of “COME ON.” So it’s up to Troicki to serve for a place in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile now seems an opportune time to bring in Jon Horsley: “Murray doesn’t take the game seriously enough to win a grand slam yet. His attitude reminds me of that of Djokovic two years ago, or weirdly Mark Philippoussis. All the talent and not quite the maturity to deal with it. It makes me like him more as a man but despair of his grand slam chances.” Sure, he’d do well to spend a little less energy berating himself during matches. I also think he’s been a bit unlucky to run into players at the top of their game in the three major finals he’s lost. His defeat to Djokovic in Australia doesn’t seem so bad now in the context of what Djokovic has gone on to achieve. But the next few years are crucial for Murray, you don’t see many players winning their first major beyond the age of 24 or 25.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-5 Troicki
Murray backhand into the net. 15-0. Murray backhand long. 30-0. Two points from defeat. It’s then Troicki’s turn to come up with the unforced error. 30-15. A gutsy return winner from Murray. 30-all. Tight backhand from Troicki. 30-40. Break point. Troicki then dumps a drop shot into the net and we’re back on serve. Phew.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 5-5 Troicki*
Murray is really taking the ball on now. From 15-all, Murray thumps a cross-court winner and fires down an ace to get to 40-15. A little bit of fortune for Murray on game point, it looked like a mis-hit, and Troicki can’t get the ball back in play. And from 5-2 down it’s now 5-all.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-5 Troicki
Troicki seems to have completely lost his way now. From 0-30, he overcooks a forehand to hand Murray three break points. Murray can’t take the first as his return flops into the net, he can’t take the second either as he nets again, but it’s third time lucky as it’s Troicki’s turn to net. That’s four games in a row now for Murray and he’ll serve for the match. Cue a fist pump. Troicki meanwhile looks to the skies.
Murray wins 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5
A war of attrition on the first point ends in Troicki going for broke on a backhand and firing just wide. 15-0. Troicki then aims a forehand in the tramlines – his 20th unforced error of the final set – and it’s 30-0. Murray thumps a winner down the line to bring up three match points. But all three go begging. Deuce. Troicki goes long, and this time Murray wraps the match up in style with a backhand cross-court pass – one of his best shots of the final set. Murray looks pretty pleased with himself, as well he might. Troicki trudges off rather quickly.
So now only Juan Ignacio Chela stands between Murray and his first French Open semi-final. But with this match having stretched into a second day there’ll be no rest day to nurse his dodgy ankle, he’ll be back on court tomorrow. Murray’s beaten the unseeded 31-year-old in six of their previous seven meetings, including in the second round at Roland Garros last year, and a win would set up a likely semi-final against Rafael Nadal. Well that’s as long as Nadal gets past Robin Soderling, no certainty after the world No1′s subdued performances so far. Thanks for your emails, see you later. Bye.
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