Murray levels it up for Great Britain! That was a fun match, rarely spectacular and certainly not flair-filled but a real slug-out at times, with Tsonga taking a no-holds barred approach whose effectiveness dwindled along with, seemingly, his fitness. If he could have added another point or two at 3-0 up in the second-set tie break, perhaps it might have been different....but Murray, despite not being at his very best, has come through and made a real Davis Cup tie of this now! Thanks for reading and enjoy your Friday night – stay with us for the rest of the weekend’s action.
Andy Murray wins! 7-5, 7-6 (12-10), 6-2
Murray serves for the match, then, and Tsonga misses his first return. Then Murray makes the save of the match when Tsonga really should clobber a volley away at the net but Murray, guessing correctly, gets a racket onto it and passes him thrillingly for 30-0! Soon enough Tsonga is wayward again and Murray has three match points. He just misses the first, Tsonga reading a drop shot correctly – was a drop shot the right call there? – and forcing him to err. Then Tsonga blasts a rapier-like return for 40-30! Fair play to him here. Remarkably, Tsonga saves the third too! Murray nets a presentable forehand and surely, surely he can’t throw this away? Tsonga predictably thrashes down another forehand return but it’s long, and Murray takes it on the fourth match point with an unreturnable first serve!
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Third set: Murray 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) 5-2 Tsonga*(*denotes server): Get Tsonga on that forehand and he’ll still cause trouble. He goes 15-0 up with a firm diagonal shot that Murray can’t return, and then a rare piece of subtlety sees an angled slice bring Murray towards the net and the ball, eventually, into it. Murray is wayward from the next serve and it’s 40-0, but he’s given a small window by winning the next point. For long as Murray nets on the forehand side, and that was spirited enough from Tsonga – who must break twice, starting now, to prolong this match.
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Third set: Murray* 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) 5-1 Tsonga (*denotes server): Absolutely nothing for Tsonga to lose on the Murray serve here, although he’s played that way from the beginning. A cross-court return on the first point isn’t bad but Murray picks up up low down and wins the point. It’s 40-0 soon enough, and the Tsonga fire seems to be on the way out now, and when Tsonga leaps to put far too much into a hopping second serve return then the game’s up and the match pretty much is, too.
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Third set: Murray 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) 4-1 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Murray has a chance here, going 30-0 up. Tsonga’s performance is engrossing but, by now, deeply flawed too. Murray puts him away at the second attempt on the backhand side to go 0-40 up and these may as well be three match points, surely. First one taken with his best backhand return of the match! Murray goes two breaks up!
Third set: Murray* 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) 3-1 Tsonga (*denotes server): Wide forehand to the left from Murray on the first point and plenty of “Allez, allez” from Tsonga. A couple of really aggressive forehands from Tsonga on the next point force a mistake and it’s 0-30 – no holds barred from him now. An ace from Murray closes the door a little and then Tsonga is too low with an attempted cross-court backhand....but he comes right up the court on the next point to force a break point, and you have to say this is fun to watch. Second serve from Murray...big chance....but Tsonga’s forehand finds the net and it’s saved. Another ace gives Murray advantage and he makes sure of what could be a crucial hold when Tsonga can only get a bit of frame on his next serve.
Third set: Murray 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) 2-1 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Tsonga must not lose this game and he’s still absolutely going for it, racing to 30-0 up. His injury earlier seems to have been something shoulder-related though, and a bit of the power seems to have faded. The placement is wayward as he lets Murray in with his 40th unforced error – Murray has made just 17 – but a fine cross-court forehand, dug up from the feet, gives him breathing space again. Two points later, he aces his way into the set.
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Third set: Murray* 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) 2-0 Tsonga (*denotes server): Tsonga finds a nice, deep return to force 15-15, but just can’t find the rhythm now and splays a backhand into the left tramline. He’s still going though and an unnecessary error on Murray’s backhand brings us to 30-30. Murray’s first – I think – double fault then hands him a break point! It’s duly saved, commandingly, as Murray forces a short return and gobbles up what’s left. Deuce. A good second serve towards the body leads to a jammed, long backhand from Tsonga and a miscued slice from the Frenchman into the net – after Murray had taken the pace off the first serve – confirms the break.
Third set: Murray 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) 1-0 Tsonga* (*denotes server): He’s up and serving now, but quickly goes 0-30 down (the second after Murray had challenged a serve called good) and probably wishes he wasn’t. An achievable forehand finds the net and yes, Tsonga is in big trouble now at 0-4o. He saves the first, moving Murray one side and hitting the other. He double faults on the second! Long, long way back for him now. Queen’s is bouncing perhaps more than Queen’s ever has.
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Tsonga is having a bit of attention from his trainer and is lying down on a towel. He’s had those two tumbles so could probably do with a little maintenance.
Don’t forget, kids, this is best of five. Hard to see past Murray now, even though this one is so close. He’s not played brilliantly but he’s doing enough against a very attacking Tsonga.
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Second set: Murray 7-5, 7-6 (12-10) Tsonga: Tsonga splatters down a forehand winner, chalk puffing everywhere, for an early mini-break and then places a superb volley beyond Murray to firm it up, also taking the next point for 3-0. Better from Murray to get on the scoreboard with a satisfying smash by the net, which has the effect of prompting a howl and some clenched teeth. Tsonga then goes wayward, which is lucky for Murray as he takes a fall of his own – the third of the match – in what could have been ankle-twisting territory. 3-2 Tsonga. A super, deep Murray return makes Tsonga jam one out of play and the mini break is overturned. 3-3! The next two points are exchanged with little event, before Murray edges 5-4 up by putting a second serve into Tsonga’s body and forcing an errant return. Tsonga plonks down an awesome second serve of his own and it’s 5-5. And another – 110mph! He is indeed going for it and Tsonga has a set point. It is saved and this set is all the sixes. Some big hitting from both in the next ends in a Tsonga error and it’s set point Murray, on Tsonga’s serve. That’s saved with a huge first serve. Another one at 136mph – phew! 8-7 to Tsonga, set point for him again. Saved again. Both men coming up with the right first serves at the right time. Murray underscores the point – can he take this one at 9-8? Nope. More white-knuckle serving from Tsonga. 9-9. Two more big ones apiece, 10-10. This is metronomic from both men....but it’s Tsonga who buckles! At 11-10 to Murray, a high return from the Briton stays on and Tsonga goes for too much on the forehand...it’s long! Murray wins the second set 7-6 (12-10)!
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Second set: Murray 7-5, 6-6 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Tsonga finds his net game to go 30-15 up, although his first volley had given Murray – who surely went too high – a chance to pass him. He bludgeons down the next two first serves and we have a tie break! All-out attack here for Tsonga?
Second set: Murray* 7-5, 6-5 Tsonga (*denotes server): An ace and a long Tsonga forehand get Murray’s nose in front. Tsonga when slickly sweeps a forehand past Murray, across court to his right, and he’s in this for now. 30-15. Then Tsonga, who had forced Murray out deep to the left and seemed to have done what was needed to level, falls short at the net. Chance missed, although getting down to some of those volleys isn’t really his thing, and he can’t keep the next serve in play. Are we in for a tie break or will (very) recent history repeat itself?
Second set: Murray 7-5, 5-5 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Not so passive there, an ace and a deep forehand that Murray can’t put much on getting Tsonga 30-0 in front. A superb second serve into the body and subsequent routine winner bring out a “Let’s go” from Tsonga and a first serve that Murray returns into the net yields a cry I didn’t really understand.
Second set: Murray* 7-5, 5-4 Tsonga (*denotes server): More fine play from Murray, volleying deftly to glance a decent enough Tsonga backhand across the court. He races to 40-0 and then to the game, a lacklustre Tsonga slice floating long and wide. The first time, really, that Tsonga has looked passive in a game.
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Second set: Murray 7-5, 4-4 Tsonga* (*denotes server): The atmosphere in Queen’s is...errr....eclectic. Heather Watson is among the more demure attendees and she watches Tsonga win the first two points of this one with an ace and a forehand winner. A third follows but then Tsonga double faults for 40-15 and people begin to stir a little. Then Murray hits one of the best shots of the match, a wonderfully-timed forehand with little backlift after the ball popped off the baseline. Can he force deuce? Nope. Important first serve, squishy backhand to the left of the tramline.
Second set: Murray* 7-5, 4-3 Tsonga (*denotes server): Tsonga’s forehand comes up with the goods to put him 0-15 up. Then it deserts him, with a wild cross-court attempt. The pair exchange points again, in reverse order, and then Murray puts down his second successive first serve and Tsonga can’t return it. A Tsonga backhand is then called long and that turned into a harmless hold after a bit of French excitement upon the first point.
Second set: Murray 7-5, 3-3 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Another tumble from Tsonga as he readjusts for a fairly routine Murray backhand causes concern. Wrong footwear? He looks wearied rather than pained this time, but that’s certainly not the case when he then double faults for 0-30. Then Murray pulls him right out into the corner and finishes him off with a backhand into the open court. It’s 0-40 and Murray needs to take this chance to level the set. He ends a decent rally prematurely to lose the first of his three break points. The second is returned into the net. But the third is taken, with a fine forehand return that outfoxes Tsonga and forces him to hit long. Murray breaks back!
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Second set: Murray* 7-5, 2-3 Tsonga (*denotes server): First attempted lob of the match, offered by Tsonga, but it sails long. A forced error and an ace brings Murray to 40-0 and he could certainly do with getting his service games done with an economy of fuss so that he can concentrate on breaking back. He’s not overly troubled by losing the next two points, eventually forcing Tsonga to go long.
Second set: Murray 7-5, 1-3 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Beautifully-placed forehand to Tsonga’s right after what may have been our longest rally yet, and we have 15-15. It’s not been a match especially given to nuance, but it’s certainly a spectacle. Tsonga’s first serve is motoring again now and he thwacks the next one down for 30-15 before, after a Murray return from the next one that he should dispatch with easily enough, he nets for 30-30. Maybe not – this time Tsonga aces down the middle. But maybe yes! Deuce as a Tsonga forehand goes straight and long. Two straightforward enough points later and Tsonga slams the door.
Second set: Murray* 7-5, 1-2 Tsonga (*denotes server): Murray digs out a big backhand to make Tsonga net for 15-15. Couple of grey clouds overhead, literally and perhaps figuratively, but the latter clear a little with three unreturnable first serves in a row.
Second set: Murray 7-5, 0-2 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Tsonga rattles out big first serves for the first two points. The third isn’t a lot more interesting: 40-0. And now that’s an emphatic hold – his easiest for a long time.
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Second set: Murray* 7-5, 0-1 Tsonga (*denotes server): How does Tsonga approach this now? Same devil-may-care hitting? He’s played well but the first serve became less consistent as that set wore on and it did for him. He and France might see this game as a bit of a bonus ball though, so why not hit out? He hits in on the first point with a booming forehand winner – 0-15. Backhand winner now! 0-30. This might answer my question. Then a ball hangs up beyond the baseline from a mishit Tsonga return, held by the wind, and Murray can’t get his sights right and hits long. 0-40! Tsonga’s first break points, but he loses the first after a long, tense rally. He wins the second – Murray goes long and Tsonga is right back in this now with an early break!
First set: Murray 7-5 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Tsonga will hope for a more comfortable hold this time. His second serve has been far better than Murray’s and, when the Briton returns one inadequately, he belts the ball past him. But....two points later a couple of careful, if not earth-shattering, backhands from Murray do punish the second serve and bring up 15-30. Another chance for him here....and now two break points, attacking a cautious-looking first serve and forcing a forehand error. And he takes the first one, Tsonga stretching to volley into the net! Murray wins the first set 7-5!
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First set: Murray* 6-5 Tsonga (*denotes server): I know who I’d increasingly have my money on out of these two as the set progresses. He drop-shots for 40-15 and Tsonga, in going for it, slips over just beyond the baseline and winces in pain. He’s ok but that was a bit of a hard tumble. Recovery complete with an emphatic smash at the net and then well, what do I know? Tsonga attacks a sluggish second serve and, two shots later, finds a winner for deuce. Two points and an incorrect Tsonga challenge later and Murray sorts things out.
First set: Murray 5-5 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Steely stuff from Tsonga so far but can he hold his nerve here and stay in the set? The crowd are ‘boisterous’ enough for me to think we’re at the cricket, but a tight return from Murray means they aren’t thrown an early bone. Tsonga then donates one though, backhand-volleying wide when he appeared to have moved Murray around enough. 15-15. Two points later, something a little more meaty: a Tsonga backhand wide of the left line. 30-30. Then a Tsonga forehand into the net – our first break point and a set point for Murray! It’s saved after Tsonga goes for a big forehand that Murray can’t quite salvage. Deuce. A makeable forehand from Murray then goes into the net and Tsonga is almost out of trouble. Weirdly, he tosses the ball up for his second serve and completely hits through fresh air! Surely a fault? No? Anyone got a better interpretation? Apparently not, but another forehand goes long and we’ve deuce again. A deep Tsonga backhand into the corner gives him another chance to close it out. Nope – second-serve return from Murray, volley into net from Tsonga. Then Tsonga rediscovers his first serve twice, and finally finishes it with an ace.
First set: Murray* 5-4 Tsonga (*denotes server): Nicely-constructed first point from Murray, which ends with a lifted, close-range backhand past a committed Tsonga. The Frenchman nets his next forehand and you sense he needs to avoid going for too much on that side – he’s hit some excellent, deep shots that are panicking Murray but a couple of errors have crept in of late. Another does too, when he half-volleys out for 40-0, but the dark blue-clad Murray slices into the net to prolong things. Not inordinately – an ace wraps it up.
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First set: Murray 4-4 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Murray can only apply frame to Tsonga’s first serve, and can only perfunctorily return the next one, Tsonga swatting away for 30-0. Tsonga needs that beefy forehand to stay consistent if he’s to keep up this afternoon and it lets him down to give Murray a glimmer at 30-15. He rediscovers his range for 40-15 and a chalk-sparking ace sees things out.
First set: Murray* 4-3 Tsonga (*denotes server): A crisp Murray backhand gets this game off on the right footing, before Tsonga glides a winner beyond him with a second-serve return. A little chip n’ charge towards the net yields no reward for the Frenchman when said chip drifts out, and then Murray thuds a serve beyond him. 40-15. Then a Tsonga drop-shot is easy meat to the Murray forehand and those red/white/blue bedecked mavericks in suits get excited again.
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First set: Murray 3-3 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Tsonga has perhaps hit the ball slightly better so far. That opinion doesn’t change after the first point of this game, when he snaffles up a short Murray return. Men in appalling Union Jack suits celebrate when he then bludgeons a forehand wide for 15-15; their joy is, terribly sadly, dampened when Tsonga makes light work of the next two points. Murray can’t make a backhand pass down the line on the run after a cute but regulation Tsonga volley, and we are three apiece. Yet to ignite, this one.
First set: Murray* 3-2 Tsonga (*denotes server): Murray comes into the net quickly on the third point and forces an ambitious backhand from Tsonga, that goes wide. 30-15 becomes 30-30 when, after our longest rally yet, Murray nets an attempted cross-court forehand. First real impact anybody has made against serve, but Murray’s next one is unreturnable. Then he double-faults – his second serve going very long – and we have deuce. Tsonga wastes a presentable backhand opportunity for break point and Murray has a chance to get out of his first minor spot of bother....which he does, with a backhand that seems to spin off his frame and outfox his opponent into jabbing into the net.
First set: Murray 2-2 Tsonga* (*denotes server): A Tsonga second serve skips up and forces Murray to go wide for 15-0. The next serve whistles past Murray for 30-0. A third, slice out wide, flies away for 40-0. Tsonga not messing around power-wise, here, and when Murray does return a first serve it hops high, again, onto his backhand and skews out.
First set: Murray* 2-1 Tsonga (*denotes server): The first real rally ends with Murray passing Tsonga right up against the right tramline. In the blink of an eye it’s 40-0 and a Murray slice just clips the net enough to prevent Tsonga getting enough purchase to trouble the scorers further. We stay with serve.
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First set: Murray 1-1 Tsonga* (*denotes server): Tsonga thuds down a 137mph ace...but no, he doesn’t, because Murray again appeals correctly. It was out. His next one isn’t, and he’s on the board with 15-0. A skewed Murray return and an emphatic forehand swipe later, and it’s 30-0. Tsonga finishes the next two off with no fuss, and the vocal French contingent are in good – if tinny, this is Queen’s and the acoustics aren’t especially hot – voice...
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First set: Murray* 1-0 Tsonga (*denotes server): Early (minor) victory for Murray as he correctly challenges a shot to the left baseline that had been called out. A drop shot, fairly close to the net, forces Tsonga into an error and brings Murray to 40-15, and then a forehand winner secures a comfortable enough first hold.
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Tsonga’s last win over Murray was an impressive one. He beat him in three sets at the Rogers Cup, in Canada, 11 months ago – and went on to win the tournament by defeating Roger Federer in the final. Anyway, here we go...we’re underway here!
Murray has had a few days off since Wimbledon, he says, and starting knocking up again on Tuesday. And he’s looking forward to David Cup camaraderie: “I get on well with all the players here. In tennis it’s quite an individual sport but it’s nice to spend this time with your friends.”
Tsonga has just come out ready to warm-up. There are some blue-clad French supporters here. Murray stands upright, taut, Gladiatorially poised to make exactly the right kind of entrance. He strides out into the cauldron.
Anyone at Queen’s? Not exactly Glasgow for atmosphere, I’d imagine, but does have ‘British’ stamped all over it visually. How’s the vibe? Send an email or a tweet.
Murray is, you’ll be relieved to know, in a jovial mood ahead of this one. Kevin Mitchell has the deets:
The Great Britain squad have been a strong, happy unit during Leon Smith’s five-year stewardship, and the in-jokes and camaraderie that have underpinned much of their success was firmly in place, with James Ward the butt of Andy Murray’s jokes again.
The world No3 said: “We played one game [at the team hotel the previous evening] where everyone has to give themselves a rating out of 10 for their total package – and everyone else then has to mark you and you see how close to reality you are. Wardy was way off.”
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Hello
Well, ‘Let’s Go Wardy’ took all that a bit literally, didn’t he? That was an easy, non-intellectually-taxing, slide back into the Davis Cup routine but it will be cold comfort for those of a fanatical Great Britain persuasion. France are in the box seat and it’s up to Andy Murray to barge them out of it, or at least push it forwards enough to jam their gangly knees against the dashboard and make them feel jolly uncomfortable.
Murray is up against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who usually promises us an entertaining game and was last seen by these eyes when being served into submission – and there’s no shame in that – by Ivo Karlovic in the third round at Wimbledon. Tsonga is currently ranked 12 in the world, just one below Ward’s vanquisher Gilles Simon, and most certainly has it in him to give Murray an awkward time.
That might not appear the case when you look at their head-to-head. Of 13 meetings, Murray has won 10 – most recently at last year’s US Open – and in fact he’s won nine of their last 10 clashes. Mean anything? We’re about to find out.....
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