Onwards and Upwards

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Andy is through to the third round of the Paris Masters 1000 after a tough 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4) win over James Blake that finished at 1:45am Paris time.

He’ll now face Radek Stepanek, with that match being played later on Thursday.

This one started in front of a sparse crowd that got progressively thinner as the night wore on past 1am Paris time; only the hardcore had stayed on after the epic that was Benneteau’s win over Fed.

As a result, it was a match that never felt like it hit the heights, despite the tighter second and third sets.

Instead, it was a hard fought win for Andy, and whilst there may be some concerns over apparent discomfort in his right hip, he’ll be pleased to have made it through. When he wakes up.

He controlled much of the first set against an opponent who knew he had to throw caution to the wind, but was found wanting. And he toughed it out for the win after Blake went from cold to very hot, sending it into a deciding set.

After both players traded early breaks in the opening set, it was Andy who scored the decisive blow with the break for 5-3.

It ended in a double fault, after Blake had been forced to play just one shot too many in a forehand exchange, and from there Andy served it out.

It was the story of the set for the American: blinking first in the rallies, and finding his backhand under constant scrutiny. As much as he tried to push, it didn’t work.

The second set edged its way to a tie-break, and those locals who did stay as late as 12:45am were fortunate enough to see Blake fizz into life and level the match.

It was 1:40am by the time the decisive third set breaker got under way, and it was Andy who struck the first blow, holding his serve, before his defensive skills saw Blake push too hard, and too wide.

Blake struck back, canceling the mini-break, only for Andy to draw the American in, and execute the pass.

His 21st ace of the evening moved him further ahead, and despite Blake coming back again, it was a glorious backhand pass that bought up two match points.

Blake, who’d produced his fair share of winners, then produced the decisive error.

It’s Andy who goes into the next round.

» Go to the top of the page Close and go back