No other reason to post this except for the gratuitousness.
You're welcome.
Andy is readying for next week's Aussie Open.
Can he win two Slams in-a-row? For sure. Will he? It's a pretty decent bet.
He's played well in Melbourne over the years with a 23-7 W/L, including...
The finals in '10 & '11. And who can forget that Sf loss to Nole last year?!
I see some very late nights in my near future.
ATP 250 Brisbane - Men's Final
1 Andy Murray d Grigor Dimitrov - 76(0) 64
ATP title #25 & 2nd straight at Brisbane - the 6th time he defended a title.
He'll have a week off befor the Aussie Open where he'll be the #3 seed.
Pressure off: It's the 1st time he enters a Slam as an actual Slam winner.
I do feel more relaxed one week out from slam than I have done previously,
that's for sure, so I hope that's a good sign.
***
As for Grigor - he enjoyed his best week on the ATP tour.
This was his first time playing in a final. And he was UP in both sets.
Never fear G, it's in the offing. This year. Trust.
Men's Champion - Andy Murray
***
Women's Champion - Serena Williams
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Men's Doubles Champions - The Bryan Brothers
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Women's Doubles Champions - Sara Errani & Roberta Vinci
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Mixed Doubles Champions - Bruno Soares & Ekaterina Makarova
US Open - Men's Final
3 Andy Murray d 2 Novak Djokovic - 76(10) 75 26 36 62
FINALLY.
This seemed forever in the coming. And he nearly choked it away.
These two boys produced a near 5 hour instant classic.
And it was a breathtaking pleasure to behold... that shotmaking, wow.
In the end Andy was 5th-time lucky - just like his coach.
Post match: After the third and fourth sets it was tough mentally for me...
Novak is so, so strong. He fights till the end in every single match and
I don't know how I managed to come through in the end.
It's well documented that the last Brit won a Slam 76 years ago.
Scratch that - Andy has finally put GB back on the Slam map.
Referring to Fred Perry: I’m sure he’s smiling from up there
that someone has finally managed to do it from Britain.
And a real fight for year-end #1 is on - the win moves him up to #3.
I’m definitely going to try. It’s something I’d love to do, to get to No. 1.
The race just got good.
All Team GB gold medalists have been awarded 1st class stamps.
And in his hometown of Dunblane they painted a post box gold.
Even his dogs got into the act.
But Andy is not home - he's playing the Masters 1000 in Toronto.
He is the 2nd seed and into the 3rd round where he'll play Milos Raonic.
Olympic Men's Gold Medal Match
3 Andy Murray d 1 Roger Federer - 62 61 64
Finally. And pretty damn convincingly.
Andy wins his 23rd ATP title and just his 2nd of the year.
Only 4 weeks ago that these two contested the Wimby final on this court.
Today they traded places in the winners circle.
As big of a win as this is Andy still needs to claim his maiden Slam.
In New York perhaps?
Andy won't have long to celebrate tho..
He'll have a Wednesday start at Toronto against a qualifier.
***
Post match: [This is] the biggest win of my life.
This week's been absolutely incredible, I've had a lot of fun.
I felt so fresh on the court today. I didn't feel nervous really at all...
Apart from at the beginning of the match. The support's been unbelievable.
For me it's the biggest win of my life. I'll never forget it.
Photo: Getty Images
Olympic Final Preview
1 Roger Federer vs 3 Andy Murray - H2H: 8-8
This is a rematch of the Wimbledon final just a few weeks ago.
In that match Roger lost the 1st set but rebounded to take the next 3.
Roger has also beaten Andy the last 3 matches they've contested.
Roger is looking for the only big title not on his resume.
Andy is looking for the single biggest title of his career.
No pressure guys. None at all.
***
Andy after his semifinal win over Novak Djokovic, 75 75:
Before the tournament started that was the goal [to] try and win a medal.
It's been an amazing month and one of the best of my career.
The support that I have had over the last month...
After Wimbledon, I really needed it.
***
Roger after his marathon against Del Potro, 36, 76(5), 19-17:
I hope I can get to gold again...
And that it's going to set free some great playing on Sunday.
Then we'll see if I win or not. I'm sure the emotion is going to be extreme.
Olympics - Men's First Round
3 Andy Murray d Stanislas Wawrinka - 63 63
Many wondered how Andy would return after the Wimby loss.
I think he showed us he's fine and ready for a medal run.
Post match: I’m really up for the tournament.
I want to be involved in this event for as long as possible.
I’m going to give it my best shot.
With the dismal weather forecast he may just be there forever!
Venus' Olympic haul: singles gold in '00 & dubs gold in '00 & '08 with Serena.
And Andy's: the big zippo.
He's the #3 seed and something tells me he'll grab one of those medal.
Silver & bronze are nice colors but all of the UK want him to win gold.
I kinda do too.
Photos: top Rueters - bottom Getty
Wimbledon - Men's Final
3 Roger Federer d 4 Andy Murray - 46 75 63 64
#7 at Wimbledon. And... #17 in the Slams.
GOAT: Anybody who still doubts it - just stop it.
The win also sends him back to #1.
Meaning, he tied Sampras twice today - 7 titles & most weeks at #1.
And he'll own that latter record all by himself a week on. Post match:
It equals me with Pete Sampras, who's my hero, so it feels amazing.
I repeat: Anybody who still doubts it - just stop it.
Post match: I feel better here than anywhere else.
I don't know why. It's a unique and special place.
It will take me a long time to understand what I've achieved here today.
My twin girls have helped my game.
I'm playing some of the best tennis of my life.
Today is a dream come true for me and my family.
***
Roger & Serena just made the Olympics much more interesting.
Like Serena, he just won Wimbledon at over 30 years old.
Like Serena, a singles gold medal is one of the few title they're missing.
Like Serena, he has a gold in doubles.
Like Serena, he his suddenely a heavy favorite to win.
Photo: Getty Images
Wimbledon - Men's Semifinal Preview
1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 14-12/Federer
They've played 7 times during '11 & '12 - Nole has taken 6 of those 7.
Each man has lost 6 matches this year. Nole: 41-6. Fed: 44-6.
This is Nole's 16th tip to a Slam Sf: 8-7 and 4th at Wimby: 1-2.
Except for the set he dropped in the 3rd round he's reached the Sf's easily.
Remember: He is the defending champion.
Roger returns to the Wimby Sf's after losing in the Qf's the last 2 years.
This is his 32nd Slam Sf: 23-8 and 8th at Wimbledon: 7-0.
He is looking for his 7th title which would tie him with Sampras.
But wait, there's more: A title would also put him back to #1.
That would also tie him with Sampras with most weeks ever at #1.
And the week after that he'd have the record to himself.
***
4 Andy Murray vs 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 5-1/Murray
The one time Tsonga beat Andy was way back in '08.
This is Jo-W's 5th trip to a Slam Sf: 1-3 and 2nd straight at W: 0-1.
As for Andy... this is his 10th Slam Sf: 3-6.
This is his 4th straight Sf at Wimby: 0-3. The last 2 losing to Rafa.
But with him out of the way...
Andy could become the first Brit in a Wimbledon final since 1938.
No pressure. None at all.
***
I'm picking Djokovic vs Murray for Sunday's final.
Hey, I'm in good company as those are Boris Becker's picks as well.
Photos: Getty Images
Wimbledon - Men's Fourth Round
7 David Ferrer d 9 Juan Martin Del Potro - 63 62 63
And at 30 years old, y'all.
The old guy also leads the tour with most matches won this year: 47-8.
David has now made a sweep of making all 4 Slam Qf's. He's 3-4.
And he's been to all 3 this year: 1-1.
He will next play 4 Andy Murray - H2H: 5-5.
They last played a memorable match at the French which David won.
Post match: Today was one of my best matches [on a grass] court.
Ya think?
Boy, it's real tough to pick a winner in this one. I say it's even, 50-50.
Photo: Getty Images
Wimbledon - Men's Third Round
4 Andy Murray d Marcos Baghdatis - 75 36 75 61
The hope of a nation is moving closer to his maiden Slam.
He's been to 3 Sf's here including last year losing to Rafa.
And Rosol took care of his Nadal problem this year. Can he take advantage?
Cilic is next - and beatable. H2H: 5-1/AM.
Post match: It will be important for me to try to get off to a good start...
In the match against him [Cilic].
If you are feeling a little bit tired and you go behind...
It can be tough to come back.
Photo: From Andy's Facebook page
Queen's Club - Second Round
Nicolas Mahut d 1 Andy Murray - 63 67(4) 76(1)
Edouard Roger-Vasselin d 7 Andy Roddick - 64 46 75
And just like that we lost the 2 men who've won 6 of the last 9 titles here.
Murray won it in '09 and last year - Roddick in '03-'05 & '07.
Murray needs to figure out his game and fast cuz it's double trouble for him.
Great Britain is looking to him to win Wimbledon AND the Olympics.
Roddick? Well, he's been floundering for a while now.
And starting to get dogged in pressers about retirement.
UGH. Why can't they just leave players alone with that?
Photos: Reuters
Roland Garros - Men's Quarterfinals
2 Rafael Nadal d 12 Nicolas Almagro - 76(4) 62 63
6 David Ferrer d 4 Andy Murray - 64 67(3) 63 62
Spain will have it's top 2 players battle for a spot in the RG finals.
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This is Rafa's 7th RG Sf: 6-0 and 19th at a Slam: 15-3.
He becomes the 6th man to notches 50+ match wins at Roland Garros:
Vilas (56), Federer (54), Lendl (53), Agassi (51), Pietrangeli (50).
Post match: The numbers say that I am playing well.
The red clay-court season was great, probably one of the best ...
Very happy.
***
This is David's 1st RG Sf and 3rd at a Slam: 0-2.
Post match: It was a very tough match & I'm happy.
It was in important moments that I played better than him (Murray).
***
2 Rafael Nadal vs 6 David Ferrer - H2H: 15-4/RN
Rafa is 12-1 on clay - David's 1 came back in '04 before Rafa was Rafa.
Interesting to note that David has a 2-1 lead on Rafa in Slam matches.
They have played twice this year and Rafa won them both in straight sets...
Tho 3 of those sets Rafa won with a 7 in the score.
Rafa on David: His game bothers everybody...
He is one of the best players in the world, on every surface.
David on Rafa: (Nadal) is the best player on claycourts in history and...
I will have to fight & play my best tennis to beat him.
And of course living in California NBC will eff this up for me.
Photos: Getty Images
Roland Garros - Men's Second Round
4 Andy Murray d Jarkko Nieminen - 16 64 61 62
Strange match. In the 1set Andy could bare move.
He was dinking his serve in and going for broke early in points.
The trainer came out and then the back loosen up enough to roll.
He said he was a couple points from pulling the plug at on point.
After the match Andy tweeted:
Thanks to everyone that supported me through a really tough day today.
#alwaysbelieve
With Wimby & the London Olympics on the horizon what will he do?
Carry on or get better for Great Britain's sake.
Decisions. Decisions.
ATP Masters Series 1000 Rome - Second Round
4 Andy Murray d David Nalbandian - 61 46 75
Andy is becoming an old man! But... and this is a big but...
Only 13 men in the Open Era won their maiden Slam after their 25th bday.
I hope he becomes the 14th.
Photo: Andy's Facebook
Let's start with the funny first...
Jamie Murray: What’s the 1 thing you would save if your house was on fire?
Andy: Oh, save. I was going to say, don’t think I could get away with that.
I would save my dogs, probably.
Is that wrong that I said that over my girlfriend?
I’d take my dogs, I’d take them for sure.
Well ok then. Read the entire interview HERE.
And now something much more weighty...
David Frost: And when you win the Grand Slam you’ll feel that all those sacrifices in the last few years were hugely worthwhile?
Andy: Yes, and that’s the thing. There have been bad moments, like last year after losing the Australian Open. I had a very low point in my career where I was struggling and I was really down, wasn’t believing in myself, and the results were bad for a few months. And then when I started to work hard again, started to spend hours on the court and in the gym, the results picked up very quickly, so I understand now there’s nothing special you need to do, it’s purely hard work and believing.
Read the full interview HERE.
ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Quarterfinals
1 Novak Djokovic d Robin Hasse - 64 62
6 Tomas Berdych d 3 Andy Murray - 67(4) 62 63
1 Novak Djokovic vs 6 Tomas Berdych - H2H: 8-1/ND
This is Novak's 4 trip to the M-C Sf's (1-2) - he was runner-up in 2009.
If you don't know who beat him in that final then leave this blog now!
At the Masters 1000 level this is Nole's 28th Sf: 18-9.
As for Tomas - this is his second time in the M-C Sf's: 0-1.
His previous Sf was a loss in '07 - and if you have to ask...
At the Masters 1000 level this is his 8th Sf: 2-5.
This has the makings of a great match.
Photos: Reuters
Andy Murray Cranks Up Quick Win in 1st Round at Australian Open
Australian Open - Men's First Round
3 Andy Murray d Robin Haase - 63 61 63
I can't seem to make up my mind if Novak or Andy is winning this thing.
I do know this... that's the final I want to stay up until dawn to see.
Remember, Andy has been to the finals here twice.
But for now it's one round at a time:
You just got to try and focus and play solid,
not make too many silly mistakes. I did a good job of that today.
It's always nice to get through the first round of any tournament,
but especially here.
Oh and how 'bout some eye-candy for the ladies and gays...
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