Miami musings – Murray’s magic
Originally published on: 26/02/10 15:56
At Crandon Park, Miami, Florida, today Andy Murray bagged his third ATP title of the year and his third ATP Masters 1000 title by winning the 2009 Sony Ericsson Open.
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In a match played in very hot conditions, Muzza overcame Novak Djokovic in two sets 6-2, 7-5. Murray played well in the first with a first serve success rate of 74% and he made only four unforced errors compared to Novaks 16.
The second set much closer though. The Serb raced into a 5-2 lead, despite calling for the trainer after the first game when Murray broke serve.
After the trainer visited, Murray said he lost his rhythm but at 2-5 down he found it again. He did what, in Novaks opinion, what Andy does best. The switch of defensive to offensive tennis in the points he has really good, one of the best in the world. I think that makes him a much better player than he used to be.
Once again Novak found the heat too much, not that theres any identifiable medical reason for his inability to cope in extreme conditions. The Serb also identified his defeat was partly the result of choosing the wrong tactics playing too offensively. Too often when he came to the net Murray seemed to find the space to pass him.
Considering that Murray is now within 170 points of taking the world No.3 slot from the Serb and that hes just won arguably the most prestigious Masters Series event there is, he was quite dour in the press conference.
His win in Cincinnati was huge and he admitted anytime you win a tournament it gives you confidence. Your first tour title is obviously huge, then first Masters Series. This one still obviously means a lot. Its just a bit different than Cincinnati. But I guess like all of your wins it contributes to your confidence going into the slams.
The expectation is that the Scot will soon win a Slam. Hes got two mandatory events to play, including Monte Carlo before the French Open. Hes only got 520 points to defend between Monte Carlo and Roland Garros compared to Novaks 2800.
Judging by the way the Scot played at this tournament he did enough in the early rounds to get by and he played well when it mattered the first slam cant be far off.
Afterwards Amelie Mauresmo and Svetlana Kuznetsova wrapped the tournament up by beating Kveta Peschke and Lisa Raymond to take the ladies doubles title.
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