Superb Murray eases past Malisse - 美網 Tennis

Page last updated at 15:47 GMT, Thursday, 26 June 2008 16:47 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7475858.stm


Malisse v Murray
All England Club, 23 June-6 July

By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon


British number one Andy Murray swept effortlessly into the third round
of Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-2 6-2 win over Belgium's Xavier Malisse.

Murray, 21, was in superb form against the 2002 semi-finalist on Centre
Court.

He broke in game five to take control of the first set, three times in the
second and early in the third as he won in one hour 33 minutes.

The Scot will play Tommy Haas in the third round after the German saw off
23rd seed Tommy Robredo 6-4 6-4 6-3.

"Overall I thought I served really well,"Murray told BBC Sport.

"I lost my concentration a little at the end of the second and the middle of
the third but I played well, although my groundstrokes could have been a bit
better but it's very windy out there.

"It's nice to get off the court in straight sets in my first two matches."

Malisse, 27, was ranked as high as 19 in the world when he made the last
four at Wimbledon six years ago but injuries and lack of form have seen him
tumble and he is now at 226.


Murray happy to earn evening off

However, the talented Belgian remains motivated and was expected to
pose something of a threat to 12th seed Murray, who has played only three
complete matches on grass this year.

But from the moment Malisse went wide with a backhand when facing a
third break point in game five, the momentum was with the Briton.

Such was his dominance that the patriotic home crowd was able to relax -
in marked contrast to the days of Murray's predecessor, Tim Henman.

Murray's backhand was doing the damage and two heavy blows gave the
Briton an early break at the start of the second set, an advantage he soon
doubled.

It was not all plain sailing and Murray's concentration wandered in game
six as Malisse got one of the breaks back, but the Belgian was having his own
problems on serve and Murray immediately reclaimed the double-break and took
the set.

606: DEBATE
If he serves 15 aces a match and has first serve percentage around 60% it
will take an exceptional performance even by fed or nadals standards to beat
him

NapoleonEinsteinIsGod

A deft drop shot helped Murray to an early break in the third and,
despite some stronger resistance from Malisse, the Scot fizzed a backhand
return down the line for another double-break at 5-2.

Murray served out with ease, although the moment of victory was slightly
delayed as Malisse went to Hawkeye to question what turned out to be the
match-winning ace - Murray's 16th of the day.

"For me, my serve, especially my first serve, is one of the best parts of my
game," said Murray. "It's something that I've worked on a lot and it's
helping me out in my matches.

"I'm not quite hitting at Roddick's speed yet but it's getting there.
Hopefully, in the next couple of years I'll get the strength in my shoulder
to keep it going."

He added: "I take a lot of confidence from managing to keep my cool and serve
big at the important moments. I take a lot of comfort from winning two
matches in straight sets."

And looking ahead to the next round and Haas, against whom he has a 1-1
record, Murray said: "It's going to be a tough match. He's had a couple of
shoulder operations but he's a good player."


Advertisement
Murray shows off his ball skills

A litany of injuries have limited Haas's career and last year at
Wimbledon he was forced to withdraw a day before his fourth-round match
against Roger on Centre Court with a torn abdominal muscle.

"Matches like Andy Murray is why I put the effort in," said the former world
number two.

"I don't necessarily feel like I'm owed something after everything that's
happened but I would love to play on Centre Court.

"Last year when I pulled out against Federer I thought about staying around
and just maybe walking out on Centre Court. I just really want to play
there."





--
╔═══════════════╦════════╦═════╗
║ソフトバンク,軟體銀行四大天王 ║ＳＯＦＴＢＡＮＫ║ ﹦ ║
╠═══════════════╩════════╩═════╣
║カズミ サイトウ,トシヤ スギウチ,ナギサ アラカキ,ツヨシ ワダ ║
║192cm,96kg 175cm,82kg 189cm,81kg 179cm,77kg ║
╚══════════════════════════════╝

--