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Post by jimm on Jan 30, 2008 20:01:50 GMT
Andy Murray has withdrawn from next week’s Davis Cup tie against Argentina due to a recurring strain on his right knee and the need to prevent further injury.
Andy Murray has withdrawn from next week’s Davis Cup tie against Argentina due to a recurring strain on his right knee and the need to prevent further injury.
Murray states: “Following the intensive off-season training, my right knee, which has a bipartite patella, started to act up again when I returned from Australia. We had a scan done this week and following discussions with my team, we have decided that it is better not to play in the Davis Cup tie against Argentina.”
“I am very disappointed not to be joining my Davis Cup teammates in Buenos Aires because I love playing for my country and have always enjoyed the team atmosphere of the Davis Cup. Since returning from Australia, my knee is still bothering me and the experts have advised me that going from hard courts to playing 5 set matches on clay and then back to indoor hard courts could increase the chances of further injury, set me back even more, and I don’t want to take that risk.”
Andy’s fitness trainer Jez Green explains the risk: “Andy’s workload in the off-season was incredibly high and put a lot of stress on the right knee. This is causing him some problems on certain movements. Changing surfaces three times in such a short time span would be a great risk to further injury.”
Murray concludes: “Last year was very difficult with my wrist injury. I learned about the importance of looking after my body and I don’t want to make any mistakes going forward. Taking this preventive measure is a very difficult decision but because I didn’t play a full year last year, the next two months are very important if I am to maintain my chances of challenging the top players.”
John Lloyd, GB Davis Captain is currently in Chile with the rest of the British team. On hearing the news John commented:
"Obviously we're all hugely disappointed that Andy wont be joining us out here in South America but these things happen. Next week's tie will be a massive challenge for us now that we are without our number one player but we will go there and give it everything we've got."
John Lloyd
Ross Hutchins, a doubles specialist, already out in Chile at the Movistar Open has been selected as the fourth member of the team.
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Post by SuperMarion on Jan 30, 2008 23:29:56 GMT
I am very disappointed not to be joining my Davis Cup teammates in Buenos Aires because I love playing for my country and have always enjoyed the team atmosphere of the Davis Cup. Hmm. Well. I trust he is fully truthful here. However when I heard about this earlier, 5Live presented it like as if Murray be a lead slinger. The correspondent said Murray had been photographed working out vigorously and playing keepie uppy with his knee and tennis ball. I cant say where the facts lie in this situation. I am of a mind to add my comments on his website/forum. If this is genuine. Fine. But if Murray is percieved to be 'at it' then he will squander the goodwill of British people and the Wimbledon crowd. Unlike in Marion's case with FFT, the LTA have been good to Murray. And in view he really ought to volunteer himself for examination by an LTA specialist, in order to settle the matter and assuage any lingering doubts the public have. As a general point. I am dissapointed with Murray's antics. But had hoped he was over all that and had matured. Everyone loved him at first. English, Scots, Welsh, whoever. We all embraced him. If the Wimbledon crowd turn on him he has only got himself to blame. I cant barely conceal my gut dissapointment.
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Post by jimm on Jan 30, 2008 23:39:30 GMT
Maybe his head is getting bigger than his game? John Lloyd and the team have been let down. Dunno whats going with Murray. They dont have a chance out there anyway. Not the point though.
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Post by SuperMarion on Jan 30, 2008 23:54:07 GMT
Your right, it isnt the point. John Lloyd is one of the gentlest and most diplomatic guys in the sport. He didnt criticise Murray or ascribe any doubt upon his credibility. He simply put it this way; that it was a missed opportunity for Murray. To pit himself against some great players in a partizan atmosphere. I dunno. Sometimes I think Murray should go join the bloody SNP if he really feels that way
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Post by jimm on Jan 31, 2008 0:08:26 GMT
He's letting us all down Alice, and badly at that. Brad Gilbert is helping Bogdanovic now, but whether he can make it is uncertain. He seems to lack consistency
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Post by SuperMarion on Jan 31, 2008 0:25:02 GMT
He is Jim. We had some hope a few years ago for Bogdanovic and also for Baltacha.. Oh well, Jamie Baker did well down under. Who knows. Maybe he can get into the top 100. He's Scot too. Batten down the hatches tonight Jim. Wind is getting up here. Nightnight
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Post by jimm on Feb 2, 2008 15:31:33 GMT
Home hero Gonzalez into semis Eurosport - Sat, 02 Feb 12:47:00 2008 Top seed Fernando Gonzalez hit back after a shaky start to beat Carlos Berlocq and progress to the semi-finals of the ATP Vina del Mar tournament in Chile.
More StoriesPim-Pim calls it quits 27-year-old Gonzalez, who is Chile's number one player, came back from two set points down to narrowly edge out the first 7-5, but then totally crushed his rival 6-0 in the second to seal the victory inside 58 minutes.
The former Australian Open finalist's victory gives the world number 24 a fifth semi-final appearance in six years at his home tournament and leaves him on course to add to his tournament wins in 2002 and 2004.
His opponent on the clay will be little-known Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas, who made it into his first ATP semi-final with an impressive 6-3 6-3 victory over 2006 champion and seventh seed Jose Acasuso.
Should Cuevas beat Gonzalez, he will be the first Uruguayan to make it to an ATP final since Marcelo Filippini 11 years ago.
The second semi-final will see third seed Juan Monaco of Argentina face Santiago Ventura of Spain.
Monaco was broken only once by his countryman Juan Pablo Brzezick i as he won easily 6-2 6-3 to reach his second ATP semi of the season.
Ventura meanwhile, was equally convincing against Italian Fabio Fognini and wound out a 6-3 6-3 victor.
Jamie O'Leary / Eurosport
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Post by jimm on Feb 2, 2008 15:32:34 GMT
Berlocq beats defending champion Horna to reach quarterfinals
VINA DEL MAR, Chile - Argentina's Carlos Berlocq beat defending champion Luis Horna of Peru 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (3) on Thursday to advance to the Movistar Open quarter-finals.
"I played poorly, that's all," Horna said. "All that story about defending a title is something you journalists create. Last year was one thing, this year is another year. (Roger) Federer is the only one defending a title every week."
Berlocq will face top-seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the quarter-finals. Gonzalez beat Argentina's Diego Hartfield 6-3, 6-4.
Italy's Fabio Fognini reached his first ATP Tour quarter-final, beating Spanish qualifier David Marrero 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3.
Fognini, who eliminated second-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela in the first round, will meet another Spaniard, Santiago Ventura, in the quarter-finals. Ventura squandered a 5-1 lead in the third set and three match points before putting away 2007 quarterfinalist Sergio Roitman of Argentina, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
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Post by SuperMarion on Feb 3, 2008 18:39:22 GMT
"I played poorly, that's all," Horna said. "All that story about defending a title is something you journalists create. Last year was one thing, this year is another year. (Roger) Federer is the only one defending a title every week." good point
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Post by SuperMarion on Feb 8, 2008 9:12:37 GMT
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Post by jimm on Feb 8, 2008 10:44:13 GMT
Murray commits to next GB match By Jonathan Overend BBC tennis correspondent in Buenos Aires
John Lloyd GB captain John Lloyd and his team face a difficult task in Argentina Argentina v Great Britain Date: 8-10 February (1300 GMT) Venue: Parque Roca, Buenos Aires Coverage: Live on BBCi, BBC TWO and BBC Sport website (UK users only)
Andy Murray has assured GB captain John Lloyd that he will be available for future Davis Cup matches including a potential play-off later this year.
Murray misses this weekend's tie in Argentina, much to the annoyance of LTA officials and team-mates, but has told the captain it is a one-off.
"I've spoken to Andy and we had a good chat," Lloyd told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"He said it's a one-off and he's available for our next match, which is great news."
Murray pulled out of the World Group tie in Buenos Aires last Wednesday, saying he didn't want to risk injury by switching from hard courts to clay and back again.
I felt he had the ability to win both matches
Lloyd on Andy Murray
The Scot announced the news on his website and left his London-based agent to call the captain.
But in a phone conversation with Lloyd this week, the first direct contact between the pair since the shock news, the British number one made himself available for the next match, either a quarter-final in April or a September play-off.
"I told him on the phone I was sorry for him because this will be a great occasion whatever happens and told him I felt he had the ability to win both matches," said Lloyd.
Jamie Murray, who earlier criticised his younger brother's withdrawal, has revealed he has still yet to speak with Andy about the controversial move.
"We haven't spoken at all," he told 5 Live. "I was just told by John.
"I was shocked because I spoke to him the day before he was due to fly out and he didn't mention anything."
606: DEBATE Fed is not playing for Switzerland and I don't hear anyone criticizing him
hewittcmon
Would he have expected a call? "Not really, that's just the way he is."
Lloyd, who had occasional tiffs with his own brother David on Davis Cup trips, doesn't believe the row will affect future morale.
"You have a few little disagreements but the bottom line is you're brothers. I don't think there'll be any problems in the future, we're all a bit frustrated about this match but we're moving on now.
"They have a great relationship, you only have to look at the way Andy reacts when Jamie's playing - he's more nervous than anyone.
"That's what being brothers is about. You're going to have a few little niggles but the bottom line is we're all going to be fine."
Guilty conscience? Bit late in the day for that. He let us down badly and at a crucial time for GB Tennis.
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Post by jimm on Feb 8, 2008 22:14:24 GMT
(Reuters) - Argentina v Britain Davis Cup World Group first round result from Buenos Aires on Friday (Argentine names first, * denotes new result)
* Agustin Calleri beat Alex Bogdanovic 6-3 6-1 6-1
David Nalbandian beat Jamie Baker 6-1 6-3 6-3
Argentina lead Britain 2-0
Good fight by the guys. Jamie maybe did beter than Alex though
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Post by jimm on Feb 9, 2008 9:58:08 GMT
Tough start for GB in Argentina
Great Britain go into day two of their Davis Cup tie against Argentina knowing that they need to win Saturday's doubles match to extend play into a third day.
Great Britain go into day two of their Davis Cup tie against Argentina knowing that they need to win Saturday's doubles match to extend play into a third day.
After a gutsy performance from Jamie Baker, who lost to David Nalbandian 1-6, 3-6, 3-6, Alex Bogdanovic was unable to overcome the challenge of Agustin Calleri, losing 3-6, 1-6, 1-6. Despite a promising start, Calleri who has never lost a Davis Cup tie on clay, proved to be too strong for Bogdanovic. Calleri's serve was a key factor in the match, winning 81% of points on his first serve, compared to 51% for Bogdanovic.
Despite the disappointing result, Bogdanovic felt that he had performed well throughout the match. "He's a great player and there wasn't too much I could do about it. I went out there and did what I could and didn’t feel too nervous about the whole match."
Speaking after the day, Davis Cup captain John Lloyd reflected on his team's performance.
"We lost out to a far better team on day one, that's it. The boys did well today, they weren’t over awed by it all and went out there and did the best that they could. It wasn't enough to win but all I wanted was for them to perform to the best of their ability. It was always going to be tough without Andy but our boys were playing against truly world class opponents and were by no means blown off the court."
GB Davis Cup captain, John Lloyd
Looking ahead to the doubles match, Lloyd commented that it is the team's best chance to win a rubber: "We've got a world class doubles player in Jamie and he has been working hard this week with Ross so I'm confident going into tomorrow's match. Again it will be tough but if they play as they have been all week it should prove a real test for Nalbandian and Acasuso."
Play begins tomorrow at 2pm GMT with Ross Hutchins and Jamie Murray needing to beat David Nalbandian and Jose Acasuso to ensure that the tie is live on day three.
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Post by SuperMarion on Feb 9, 2008 10:03:06 GMT
Jamie and Ross havent ever played together have they? Good luck. I hope Jamie pulls off a win.
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Post by jimm on Feb 10, 2008 19:13:28 GMT
Baker salvages point for Britain Baker recovered after a defeat by David Nalbandian on Friday Jamie Baker gave Great Britain the consolation of a lone victory on Sunday as Argentina completed a 4-1 victory in the Davis Cup in Buenos Aires.
Argentina secured the World Group tie in the doubles on Saturday, and extended their lead when Jose Acasuso beat Alex Bogdanovic 7-5 7-5 on Sunday.
But world number 235 Jamie Baker then upset the odds with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over Agustin Calleri, ranked 41st.
Britain's defeat leaves them facing a World Group play-off in September.
They will hope to have the absent Andy Murray back for that tie, in which another loss would see them relegated from the elite 16-team World Group.
"We came down here for an unbelievably tough ask," Glaswegian Baker told BBC Sport. "I'd like to say a massive thank you to our captain, John (Lloyd).
"During the whole circumstances surrounding Andy Murray not coming, John hasn't faltered, he's been so positive, and I wouldn't rather have anyone else with me out on the court."
The powerful Argentina squad will host Sweden in a quarter-final tie in April. "
Great effort by Jamie. I saw the match and he was not overawed by the occasion, nor did he let the noisey crowd put him off either. Kept his cool and was always in Calleri's face.
Lets hope he can keep this form going and start climning away from his current ranking of 235
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