That match in numbers
No real surprises here. Murray had 28 winners to Zverev’s 23, 20 unforced errors to his opponent’s spiralling 43 and won six break points to none, stepping up where it counted and never truly giving the German teenager an opening. That’s about it from us here but thanks for joining me for the live action from Margaret Court Arena.
Murray pays tribute to his plucky opponent
“It’s obviously tough conditions today,” says the Scot as he starts his post-match interview. “It seemed like all the games were going to deuce” he adds, paying tribute to Zverev. “He hung right in until the end...He’s one of the best young players in the world and he’s going to be around for a very long time. He made it very tough for me.”
He says it’s about sustaining this level throughout the tournament and says he’s hopefully learned from lapses in the past. “I’m hoping my phone hasn’t been buzzing in my bag,” he jokes when discussing impending fatherhood. With that, he signs the camera lens and trots out of the arena for a well-earned shower.
Andy Murray beats Alexander Zverev in straight sets!
Third set: Murray 6-3 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray wins 6-1, 6-2, 6-3
In the blink of an eye Murray threatens to close this match out, climbing into Zverev’s tiring serve to set up a couple of break and match points. But the German fights back again, stringing together a couple of big serves and then a resounding ace down the middle to claim the advantage. But he can’t hold out much longer and rather fittingly, nets to hand the Scot the game, set and match. Murray’s through to the second round in straight sets!
Third set: Murray 5-3 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
It’s far hotter out there now than it was at the start of the match, with the mercury currently pushing 30 degrees and the temperature on court no doubt a lot hotter still. Zverev has a gilt-edged chance to make it 30-0 clawing into Murray’s serve but nets when the court was open for a winner. Zverev’s up to 40 unforced errors now to Murray’s 20. It’s really mattered out there. With a brisk venture to the net to put away the volley, Murray holds.
Third set: *Murray 4-3 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
Zverev threatens to unravel a little at the start of this service game but does push a nice sliced serve across court to claw his way back to 15-30 and then darts in to the net to retrieve a drop shot and level it all up. He’s certainly not rolling over. Again the Zverev service game drags on forever, so long in fact that Murray stops to change his racquet. The one it replaced must be worn out. Finally Zverev holds and it was another determined effort to do so.
Venus Williams, meanwhile, has legged it.
Deja vu: Still no press time for Venus. Guess she flew the coop and will take the fine, like after her R1 loss in Paris last year. #AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 19, 2016
Third set: Murray 4-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
Perhaps a little agitated by the way his opponent is stringing this out, Murray gets both ruthless and a little lucky when he clips the net with a forehand to establish a 40-0 lead but Zverev rolls his wrists over a classic around-the-net forehand winner before conceding a cheap game. He’s giving the crowd something to watch here, the youngster.
Third set: *Murray 3-2 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
The end is nigh for Zverev, but he’s never giving up on rallies or letting his opponent relax, unleashing an overhead smash after saving a couple of likely winners with mad scrambles at the baseline. The German is not without his chances here and after looking like he’ll wilt again, finally holds serve. Good on him.
Reader Angela Macdonald-Smith has some evidence for the defence. “I think you’re being a little hard on Andy’s singing quartet of fans!” she says. “Sounded like ‘Andy Murray is the best on earth’ from where I’m sitting on MCA!” I stand corrected.
Updated
Third set: Murray 3-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
He might be edging towards an inevitable first-round victory here but Andy Murray is still muttering at himself and shaking his head when he belts an unforced error into the net to make it 15-15 on serve. A few points later he sets up two game points with an inch-perfect backhand drop shot, on which he imparted the ideal amount of slice. Murray holds with ease.
Third set: *Murray 2-1 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
Zverev sets off on another service game and as he does so I might as well update you on progress elsewhere. Aussie Sam Groth has taken down Adrian Mannarino in four sets and Milos Raonic has easily accounted for Frenchman Lucas Pouille in a straight sets win. Up 5-0 in the fourth against Diego Schwartzman, John Millman has actually gotten the win with his opponent retiring. With that, we’re back at deuce on Zverev’s serve and there’s plenty of to and fro for the advantage before Murray clips a backhand wide to concede.
Third set: Murray 2-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
So the blokes singing the terrible pun-based Andy Murray songs? There’s four of them and they’re each wearing a t-shirt with a giant letter on the front to spell ‘A-N-D-Y’. I’m sure the object of their affections is thrilled for their presence. From 40-15 down Zverev somehow claws his way back to deuce and then a break point with a rasping forehand winner. The crowd is full of appreciation for his endeavour but Murray fights back to hold from a Zverev error.
Third set: *Murray 1-0 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
He’s lacking in polish and nowhere near the physical equal of his cyborg opponent, but Zverev is at least having a decent crack today and never timid in unleashing his array of shots. Unforced errors hurt though and here he whacks down his 6th double fault of the match. Murray opens up break point and creams that double-handed backhand of his down the line for a resounding winner.
Andy Murray takes out the second set!
Second set: Murray 6-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 2-0
Murray pummels another big ace across court to make it 3 for the day (Zverev’s managed 3 also) and it’s 30-0. But I tell you what has been a bit odd today? The amount of smashes that Murray is missing. Well, not even missing, just not quite ever winding up on. I’m just picking faults where I shouldn’t, I guess. He closes out this service game to take the second set. It’s a cakewalk for the Scot.
Second set: *Murray 5-2 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 1-0
There’s another match of note taking place now as Zverev resumes on serve – Aussie John Millman is 5-0 up in the fourth set after losing the first two sets to Argentinean Diego Schwartzman. I’ll keep an eye out on that but in the meantime, Zverev holds his serve! “Andy Murray is a place on earth” sing those muppets from earlier. That doesn’t even make sense.
Updated
Johanna Konta has defeated Venus Williams!
Second set: Murray 5-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 1-0
As Murray continues to go through the motions I’m here to tell you that Johanna Konta has completed her remarkable upset of 8th seed Venus Williams, taking it out 6-4, 6-2 to stun the crowd on Rod Laver Arena. I can’t quite hear what she’s saying as she conducts her post-match interview but the beaming smile says it all.
Murray has got a minor fight on his hands here too with his young opponent winning a break point but the Scot slams a big first serve down the line and Zverev can’t get it back in court. It’s a prolonged tussle from there with Murray labouring on his serve and sending down a double-fault, but he closes it out with a swift first serve down the line.
Second set: *Murray 4-1 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 1-0
If you’re wondering, Zverev’s first serve is coming down at 209 kmph, a decent clip but perhaps not the weapon he’d have hoped it would be in this match. At 30-15 on his second serve the thumps another forehand long and seems a little agitated that his plans aren’t quite coming together under the pressure of such a big match. Murray works his way to another break point and on Zverev’s second serve he whips another superb cross-court winner on the forehand. The Brit is looking sharp now.
Second set: Murray 3-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 1-0
He’s having the odd wobbly moment with his ball toss here but Murray recovers well to curl a wonderful cross-court forehand past a fully-stretched Zverev to make it 15-15. It’s not all he’s got but Zverev’s hustle wins him a break point here and a brief nervy moment for Murray. The Scot holds firm with a strong first serve and the German is flinging his racquet around after netting a forehand to give up game point, which he also squanders with a heavy backhand.
Elsewhere Venus Williams has broken Johanna Konta’s serve to stage a comeback of sorts. It’s 5-2 in the second and 30-30 on Konta’s serve.
Second set: *Murray 2-1 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 1-0
This is better from Zverev. At 15-0 he works Murray around the court nicely and then charges the net to set up a volleyed winner. That’s soon 40-0 and Murray engages in some subtle gamesmanship by making the German wait with his next serve loaded. It’s in vain though – Murray rotates into a big forehand but cracks it wide to cough up a love game. And Johanna Konta now leads Venus Williams 5-0 in the second!
Second set: Murray 2-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server) Murray leads 1-0
Murray’s really flexing his muscles now, hammering his first serve down the line in such a manner that the youngster can barely lay his racquet on it and then at 40-0 Murray pushes Zverev wide with a slashing forehand to close out another brief service game. He could conserve a lot of energy for coming rounds here.
Second set: *Murray 1-0 Zverev (*denotes next server) Murray leads 1-0
As Murray takes the first point of Zverev’s service game there’s more drama on Rod Laver Arena, where Brit Johanna Konta leads Venus Williams 6-4, 4-0 !!! Yes, you read that correctly! That is a boilover of significant proportions. Back here on Margaret Court Arena, Murray gets an early break of the Sverev serve. That’s a little more expected at this point.
Andy Murray takes the first set!
First set: Murray 6-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server)
Zverev is wearing the pained expression of a young man who believes the gods are out to get him but he sets the crowd on fire by chasing down everything Murray gives him in a rally to claim what seemed an un-winnable point. He’s dashing, sliding and throwing himself around with plenty of energy but the errors take a toll in this Murray service game and the Scot soon has a couple of set points and only needs one, with the German cracking a cross-court backhand wide.
First set: *Murray 5-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)
Having set down and refreshed himself, Zverev returns with an ace to get some confidence back but he’s soon making a hash of a rally in which he held control, haring about the court and chasing until Murray puts him out of his misery. At 15-15 the German whips a lovely forehand winner hard and flat down the line but for each eye-catching moment like that Murray’s able to put him back in his place with superior groundstrokes.
Another ace gives Zverev an opportunity to hold but soon he’s defending a break point after clubbing a cross-court forehand long and then a volley wide. A few unsuccessful line reviews later he’s coughed up another break. Welcome to the big time kid.
First set: Murray 4-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server)
Murray’s really winding up now and as he does so a bit of Zverev’s inexperience begins to show as he unfurls a big top-spin forehand return but entirely misses his opponent’s swerving serve. A fresh air shot! Murray cracks a big ace down the line to close out the game and maintain his buffer.
First set: *Murray 3-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)
As Zverev’s second service game gets under way Johanna Konta holds serve to take the first set 6-4 against Venus Williams! Boilover on the cards? Murray sends an unforced error into the net and then Zverev goes up 30-15 with a forehand smash after a colossal forehand had out-positioned the Scot. But Murray re-asserts himself on the contest, bossing his way to a break point and then pressuring the German into an error to claim the break.
First set: Murray 2-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server)
Murray gets moving again with a nice top-spin forehand winner across the line and as he establishes a 30-15 lead it’s worth noting some far more dramatic action happening over on Rod Laver Arena, where Brit Johanna Konta leads 8th seed Venus Williams 5-3 in the first set! More on that as it’s at hand.
At 30-30 Murray benefits from an unforced error when Zverev cannons a forehand into the net and seconds later the Scot has closed out another efficient if not dominant service game. He’s being pushed here by the 18-year-old.
First set: *Murray 1-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)
Finally Zverev reappears from his chair and when Murray nets a forehand he’s holding a 40-15 buffer, finishing off his service game with an emphatic smash at the net. That took a while but we got there in the end.
(Injury delay) First set: *Murray 1-0 Zverev (*denotes next server)
We get an early glimpse of Zverev’s improved physical prowess when he skips out to a 30-0 lead on the back of strong first and seconds serves, respectively.
Then there’s a highly unconventional delay as Zverev takes a seat to deal with a nose bleed. Murray’s briefly amused by it but then starts pacing around to try and keep himself warm as the German tips his head back trying to stem the flow. Then a doctor appears, which seems a little rash, but Murray busies himself practicing his serve. It’s all a bit strange. I’ll be back with more tennis when there’s some of it to describe.
Someone tell Zverev you're not supposed to tilt your head back when you have a nosebleed, please.
— Tom Perrotta (@TomPerrotta) January 19, 2016
First set: Murray 1-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)
Aaaand we’re off. Murray serves first and after a brief rally cracks a rusty forehand past the baseline, surveying the aftermath in mild disbelief. But he’s back on the horse immediately with a cracking first serve down the line and then a cross-court backhand winner to make it 30-15. At 40-15 following a mid-tempo rally, Zverev clubs one long to concede. There’s some muppets in the crowd singing a tribute song to the tune of Lou Bega’s ‘Mambo Number 5’. Go away, please.
A closer look at that Zverev headband
Because early-career fashion mistakes are forever. He’s wearing a red one today, to paint the full picture for you. We’re two minutes from play now.
Andy Murray is in the house!
And as both players enter Margaret Court Arena, I can’t help but again be taken by Alexander Zverev’s likeness to Owen Wilson’s ‘Hansel’ in Zoolander. I think it’s the flashy headband. What else can I tell you? It’s 26 degrees celsius currently here in Melbourne with 44% humidity, so the conditions are certainly not as taxing as those faced in recent years. Both players are now heading out for their warm-up hit. Murray wins the toss and elects to serve.
Preamble
Hello tennis fans and welcome to our coverage of Andy Murray’s first hit-out of the Australian Open, a far from straightforward assignment against the bulked-up Alxander Zverev, an 18-year-old German whose work with Murray’s own former strength and conditioning man Jaz Green is currently reaping huge dividends, as Kevin Mitchell notes here.
We know what we can expect from the second-seeded Brit but what about 83rd-ranked Zverev? Well, he’s 6’6” on the old scale – almost two metres tall – and boasts a booming first serve. He’s experienced in these Melbourne conditions having taken out the junior boys title a few years back and has a rather one-sided Hopman Cup clash against Murray behind him and also a loss to Nick Kyrgios in that tournament. Whether things will play out any differently today remains to be seen, but he’s certainly got power in his still-maturing frame.
Related to all this: the corporate bookies are really making their presence felt in the lead-up to this encounter. I’m issuing a high level #banter alert.
Andy Murray plays his 1st round match in the #AusOpen at around 1.15am this morning against Alexander Zverev. pic.twitter.com/zRYw3YS8eJ
— William Hill Betting (@WillHillBet) January 18, 2016
Updated
Russ will be here shortly. In the meantime, check out Kevin Mitchell’s latest dispatch on the tennis match-fixing scandal and some more reaction from Owen Gibson.
