[穆瑞] Valiant Murray succumbs to Nadal
Last Updated: Monday, 22 January 2007, 14:53 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6286767.stm
Valiant Murray succumbs to Nadal
By Phil Harlow
World number two Rafael Nadal held off a lion-hearted performance
from Scotland's Andy Murray to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Nadal battled to a 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory to set up a last
eight meeting with Fernando Gonzalez.
Murray claimed an enthralling opening set on the tie-break, but dropped
off the pace as Nadal won the second set.
The Scot won the next set but paid the price for not converting break
points as Nadal took the fourth and fifth.
Interview: Andy Murray
http://tinyurl.com/2uadl4
The players' body language at the start of the match made for
fascinating viewing as they came together at the net like two boxers
receiving their instructions before a title fight.
Nadal was a bundle of energy, jogging on the spot as he tried to make
eye contact with his opponent, while Murray looked nervous and avoided
the Spaniard's gaze.
But when the action got under way at the Rod Laver Arena, Murray
stood toe-to-toe with the French Open champion.
Every service game was held in the opener, although Murray did have to
save one break point before forcing the tie-break.
And Murray rose to the challenge brilliantly as he took it 7-3 thanks to
an awesome serve and two correct Hawkeye challenges.
Both players went for a "comfort break" at the end of the set, but it
was Murray who looked the more comfortable on their return as he held the
next game to love.
Nadal had too much strength for Murray in the final set
Murray went from strength to strength as he secured a break to claim a
commanding 4-1 lead.
But Nadal, far too good a player to stay in the doldrums for long,
suddenly found his best form, winning the next five games in a row to turn
the set on its head.
Murray's serve fell apart as he seemed to struggle with a side strain.
And his malaise carried over to the start of the third set as two
double faults in succession handed Nadal another break and a 3-1 lead.
But with his prospects looking bleak, Murray turned things around in
astonishing style as he broke back before snatching the set with another
break in the 10th game.
With the clocks ticking well past midnight in Melbourne, a rejuvenated
Murray held serve twice.
606: DEBATE
No disgrace in Murray losing to the world No.2, especially as he took 2 sets
SG
606: Have your say
But a crucial turning point came in the fourth game of the set as five
break points came and went for Murray, allowing Nadal to hold for a vital
psychological boost.
Nadal took full advantage of the let-off, breaking twice to set up a
final-set decider.
The fifth set proved a let down for Murray and his enthusiastic band of
followers but it could have all been different had Murray managed to convert
the break points that came his way.
Instead it was Nadal who took his chances on Murray's serve to give a
cruel twist to the scoreline which the 19-year-old's brave performance did
not deserve.
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