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Murray survives Haase test


 

Originally published on: 03/09/11 10:48

Andy Murray hit back from a poor start against Robin Haase to eventually clinch his spot in the third round after a thrilling clash at the US Open.

The fourth seeded Scot began poorly and fell 7-6(5) 6-2 behind before reversing his fortunes and bringing the scores back level at two sets apiece for the loss of just two games. In the deciding fifth, Murray pulled up a healthy 4-1 lead but the Dutchman, who required attention from the physio on several occasions to deal with a back problem, came back swinging and broke to 4-4.

In an incredible finale, Murray was denied two match points – the second by Hawkeye – before finally clinching a 6-7(5) 2-6 6-2 6-0 6-4 victory.

“It was a tough match and if I play like I did today I might be going home,” admitted the world No.4, who will play Feliciano Lopez in the next round.

“Maybe I should have won the first set tie-break, I need to make sure I’m moving well in the next match otherwise it’s bad news,” he added.

“I just wasn’t playing well [early on], I was moving really poorly and that’s not good for my game. Once I started to move better towards the end of the third set my game was so much better.”

Haase, meanwhile, revealed that the back problem, which required attention on three separate occasions, has been an issue for some time.

“Today I woke up at two o’clock because I couldn’t sleep for two hours,” he said. “I was just walking down the corridor in the hotel because I was in so much pain.”

As for Murray, it’s onwards and upwards, and the win also saw the Scot become the third player – behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

“Each year, one of my goals is to qualify for the season finale in London, so it’s great to have made it again,” said the Scot.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.