BBC Sporttennis

French Open

Third round result

A MURRAY GB v N ALMAGRO Sp

3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 5-7

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

By Chris Bevan

Fourth set:

Murray 5-7 Almagro
It is all over, and Andy Murray is out. The Scot still looks angry with himself for letting that last game slip away and Almagro quickly opens up two match points, sealing victory with a fine forehand down the line. A shame for Murray - things looked so good for him midway through the third set but it all went wrong from there.

"All credit to Almagro - he was the man under pressure at the end. But it was still a great performance by Andy Murray and he will have learned some valuable lessons for next year."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 5-6 Almagro
Murray is asking himself, and most of Court Seven, why he makes things so difficult for himself. After hauling himself back into this set he gifts Almagro two more break points with some sloppy play. He saves both of them but a skilfully weighted backhand gives the Spaniard another chance and Murray punches a forehand into the net to concede his serve again.

"That is almost heartbreaking given how hard he has fought in this fourth set."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 5-5 Almagro
Phew. Murray is not giving up without a fight and he battles to 0-30 before a poor drop-shot, and a backhand that lands an inch wide, takes Almagro back to 30-all. The Scot is still fighting though and a determined return sets up a break point that he seals with a vicious forehand down the line. Superb stuff from the Scot.

"Murray was born with so much natural talent but he is a natural born figher at the end of the day. Right at the death he produces his best forehand of the match."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 4-5 Almagro
Some great footwork by Almagro helps him reach 30-all and a fierce forehand pass brings him to match-point, which Murray saves with a neat half-volley. The Spaniard thinks the serve was long and perhaps he is still thinking about that when he puts his next shot into the net. An ace means Murray holds and he is still alive, although he needs to break Almagro now or it is all over.

Murray 3-5 Almagro
Hmmm. Another couple of aces from Almagro and that makes it 21 times that his serve has flown, at great speed, past Murray. The Scot is serving to stay in the French Open now.

Murray 3-4 Almagro
A double fault does not help the Murray cause and takes Almagro to 0-30. One booming forehand later and he has three break points but Andy digs in to save all three with some superb volleying, leaving his opponent sprawling on the clay, and rescues himself when all seemed lost. He is still in deep trouble though.

"Andy was down and out then but a couple of exceptional volleys to the baseline got him out of trouble - the first couple of points in this next game are still crucial though."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 2-4 Almagro
Murray is berating himself - noisily - for his poor returning but he cannot be too hard on himself for failing to live with the Almagro serve which is back at its best after dipping at the end of the second set.

Murray 2-3 Almagro
Almagro gets to deuce again on the Murray serve and he looks eager to finish this one off as quickly as possible. Andy is battling on however and a long forehand by the Spaniard keeps the Scot's hopes alive, just.

"Murray was always going to have to play out of his skin to apply enough pressure. That is hard to keep up. This is roughly what most of us expected would happen in this match."
King of Hi-Vis (benson for RG PG 2008) on 606
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Murray 1-3 Almagro
Another almost faultless service game from Almagro and Murray must be wondering how he is going to stop the inevitable. He needs to come up with something, and quickly.

"The thing that's so frustrating about watching Andy is we know how good he can play. I'm pulling my hair out here."
David Munro via text on 81111

Murray 1-2 Almagro
Well, Murray has held - which he should be happy with given his collapse in the last few games. But he still needs to find a break-back from somewhere, anywhere, and that will not be easy the way Almagro is serving at the moment.

"Murray needs to hang on to his serve in the next few games and see if there is any let up from Almagro."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 0-2 Almagro
Murray seems to have forgotten how to deal with Almagro's serve and he is not getting close to threatening a recovery at the moment. Murray has taken just four points since he was broken back in the sixth game of the third set - not a stat he will be happy with, really.

"Almagro is looking so assured out there right now. He is back to how he is playing in the first set."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 0-1 Almagro
Murray is still following his serve into the net but Almagro has his number on his serve now. The Scot sends a forehand looping well long to hand the Spaniard his fifth straight game and Andy needs a turnaround of his own or this one could be over very, very soon.

Third set:

Murray 3-6 Almagro
If Murray is going to win this, he is going to do it the hard way. Almagro continues his comeback by serving out for the third set with some ease and he is well on top in this match now.

Murray 3-5 Almagro
Oh dear. Murray is in a spot of bother now. The quality of Murray's serve has undoubtedly dipped and Almagro is taking full advantage - he was getting frustrated a few minutes ago but a drop-shot of his own followed by a blistering backhand winner gives the Spaniard his second successive break and he will serve for this third set.

"The quality of Almagro's returns has gone up and that is perhaps putting additional strain on Murray's first serve."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 3-4 Almagro
The pressure is back on Murray now as some more big serving from Almagro takes him ahead in this set. Time for Murray to respond in kind.

Murray 3-3 Almagro
One step forward, two back from Murray. Just when he looked like he was taking control of this match some sloppy play hands Almagro a couple of break points and he reaches another Murray drop-shot to lob the Scot and level the set. A roar from the Spaniard shows how much that means to the man in green.

"Murray did not make enough first serves in a game of that magnitude"
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 3-2 Almagro
Almagro is relying heavily on his first serve at the moment - he doesn't seem to have much else left in his locker. It is keeping him in this match for now - the Spaniard fires in his 12th ace to hold.

Murray 3-1 Almagro
Almagro gives it his best shot but Murray is not in the mood to let this one slip. Some thudding groundstrokes keep the Scot in control and he is not shy to come into the net to finish the points off.

Murray 2-1 Almagro
The sheer variety of Murray's game is beginning to get to Almagro and takes the Scot to deuce in this one. A long backhand gives Murray a break point and a wayward overhead by the Spaniard gives Murray his first break of the match and the upper-hand early in this third set. He has to hold himself next time though...

"Good to see Murray back in it. Could have easily let it slip, but he is beginning to out-think Almagro now. Come on Muzza!"
Tmanhigh, in King's Lynn via text on 81111

"Murray is winning the majority of the baseline exchanges right now - his imagination on the court is so difficult to defend against."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 1-1 Almagro
Is Murray persevering with those drop shots? Of course he is. Some textbook serve-volley play by the Scot sees him hold serve with ease.

Murray 0-1 Almagro
Almagro makes a determined start to the third set and gives Murray a runaround before winning an exchange of drop-volleys to hold to love.

1522: Murray is back and we are under way again.

1521: "Everyone forgets that Murray grew up playing on clay in Spain...I think even he did until just then. He perfected those devastating groundstrokes on the red clay and with every round his confidence will grow. Nadal...Federer...watch out...Murray's in a Hurray! "
WUSCHLI on 606
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1518: Murray has gone for a bathroom break. He will be right back.

Second set:

Murray 7-6 (7-3) Almagro
A stunning forehand pass on the run gives Murray a first mini-break but a double fault takes him back to square one. A poor shot by Almagro gives the Scot the initiative again at 4-3 and he holds twice to set up three set points before wrapping it up in style.

We are level at one-set all folks and Murray is right back in this one.

Murray 6-6 Almagro
Cool, calm and controlled stuff from Almagro and he serves his 10th ace to take us into a tie-break. Crucial that Murray wins this...

Murray 6-5 Almagro
Murray is serving well too though and he keeps holding to give the Spaniard something to think about. One final chance to get a break in this second set and he changes his trainers in preparation for the big push.

"This match is on a knife-edge - Murray has fire in his belly and Almagro doesn't have as much of that. If the Scot can get this second set it will be interesting to see how the Spaniard reacts to that but if he goes two sets to love up, he will be a very different animal."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 5-5 Almagro
Almagro is serving to stay in the second set but does the pressure get to him? No chance. More faultless serving from the Spaniard - who is looking resplendant in a bright green jersey by the way.

Murray 5-4 Almagro
A close shave for Murray but he really shows his bottle here. A lucky net-cord plus two poor shots on either flank hand the Spaniard three break points but Murray changes his racquet and saves all three - the first with an incredibly brave drop shot - before taking the game with a deliciously delicate volley. Inspired stuff.

"You could say that serving and volleying on clay is courageous but it brings the best out of Andy."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 4-4 Almagro
Murray is attacking Almagro's second serve and getting a bit of joy out of it but he is not getting near most of his first deliveries and the Spaniard is level again.

Murray 4-3 Almagro
Court seven is quite tight in places and Almagro almost collides with a line judge as he tries to retrieve a lost cause. A double fault does Murray no favours and leaves the score at 30-all but some good net-play gets his fist pumping again and he holds once more.

"Very hard to break Almagro, who basically wins the point if he lands the first serve. He's only getting 50% in though, so there will be some service games where there are a lot of seconds to attack. Murray needs to wait for that, and take his chance."
philosophicalarfster
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"Something is bothering Murray and he seems to be indicating his knee is giving him some trouble. The best medicine for him though will be to win this second set."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 3-3 Almagro
Murray keeps trying to mix his game up and bring the Spaniard to the net but it is not quite working at the moment. One superb winner is the Scot's only reward as a couple of wild shots see Almagro hold out to draw level again.

Murray 3-2 Almagro
Another decent service game by Murray and this set is still going with serve so far and very much in the balance.

"Almagro hits the ball beautifully but he does not have the same way of constructing a point that Murray does. It is an interesting contrast."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

"Almagro has got one of those faces. When I first saw the photo he reminded me of both Ronaldhino and my wife..."
Sea Biscuit, in London via text on 81111

Murray 2-2 Almagro
Magical stuff by Murray but he cannot find that elusive break. A couple of big winners get him off to a great start and a superb instinctive backhand gives him two break points - but that Almagro serve gets him out of a hole with two aces and he recovers to hold, leaving the Scot to voice his frustration. Loudly.

"Mr Bevan's favourite shot is the drive volley? Doh. The drive volley is the ugliest shot in tennis, designed for those who cannot volley properly."
Northbank_Upper
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Hmmm, I don't use the drive volley EVERY time Northbank. It is a nice way to hit a winner though...

Murray 2-1 Almagro
Andy is beginning to open up a bit on his serve now - going for winners down the line and making them. This is just the kind of solid start to the second set he needed - now he just needs Almagro to show some weakness on his own serve.

"The most important thing for Murray is that he has stayed relaxed since losing that first set - that has helped him make such a positive start to the second set."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

Murray 1-1 Almagro
Almagro is not letting up either though and his serve is clearly a big weapon. No joy for the Scot as he keeps searching for that elusive first break.

"Almagro is a ringer for Tim Cahill let alone Sly Stallone!"
Anon via text on 81111

Murray 1-0 Almagro
Anyone who saw Roger Federer's match yesterday will have seen the perfect way to respond to dropping the first set of a match. It is not going to be half as easy for Murray to raise his game in the same way as the world number one did but he makes a decent start by holding without any problems.

First set:

Murray 3-6 Almagro
Phew! Some blinding rallies and Murray is really working hard to stay in this first set. The Scot is unlucky to lose a disputed line call on deuce though and Almagro wraps up the first set at the second attempt. Murray continues his argument at the change-over but it is a bit late to change things now.

"Is it just me that thinks Almagro's picture on the front page bears a striking resemblance to a young Sly Stallone?"
Anon via text on 81111

I'm not sure about that - and it is Murray who is looking Rocky at the moment (sorry).

Murray 3-5 Almagro
Murray is still using that drop-shot whenever possible and it helps him here, as he recovers to hold from 0-30 down. He needed a lucky net-cord there though.

As well as reading my updates and watching this match on BBCi, You can also listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra too. There is no escape...

Murray 2-5 Almagro
A couple of blistering groundstrokes by Almagro, who is showing why his favourite surface is clay. Murray is hanging in there though and he is still very much in this match, if not this set.

News from elsewhere at Roland Garros is that defending champ Rafael Nadal is into round four - he has just thumped Jarkko Nieminen 6-1 6-3 6-1.

Murray 2-4 Almagro
That Murray serve is finally coming good and it is Almagro's turn to be given the runaround. A couple more aces and Andy holds again.

Murray 1-4 Almagro
Better stuff from Muzza, who makes Almagro work to hold his serve for the first time - taking him to deuce - before the Spaniard holds with a stunning drive volley, which is probably my favourite tennis shot by the way.

Murray 1-3 Almagro
Another double fault for Andy, his second of the match, but also his first successful first serve and his first ace. An eventful game sees Murray save two more break points but he holds thanks to a delightful drop shot - for a change - and a wild shot by Almagro. He is on the board!

"Murray is not getting enough first serves in to try out a serve-and-volley strategy - he needs to try something different on his second serve though."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

"I don't know if Murray has the attitude to come back from a first set thrashing - he'll need to sort his serve out sharpish on 606."
BraveheartJags on 606.
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Murray 0-3 Almagro
Hmmm, it is early days but those of you - and there were plenty - who thought the Spaniard would offer a stern test for the Scot are being proved right. Almagro holds again with ease and Murray must find a big game next or he can wave this first set goodbye.

Murray 0-2 Almagro
A first look at how the Murray serve is holding up and the early indications are not great for the Scot - he does not get one first service in. Almagro looks eager to take the early initiative and he gets it too, with a clever drop shot Murray's only success so far.

Murray 0-1 Almagro
We are up and running. Almagro will be happy with his first service game too - he holds without any problems thanks to a couple of wayward Murray groundstrokes.

"If Murray can get on the front foot here he can expose Almagro's lack of movement. Andy should try to be aggressive but he needs to check how his opponent is playing first - the Spaniard is carrying a wrist injury."
Mark Petchey on BBCi

1347: We have had a few problems with the weather in Paris this week but there should be no rain interruptions in Paris this afternoon - there is not a cloud in the sky right now.

1345: "Mr Bevan, please stop calling Murray 'Muzza'. It's so bad it should be illegal."
Northbank_Upper on 606
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Sorry. I can't promise it won't happen again though.

1343: There has been a bit of commotion on court seven after a spectator fainted - perhaps at the sheer excitement of seeing Muzza in the flesh. The players are out on court knocking up now though.

1342: I can see this one being a tight and tense affair involving at least four sets before Murray goes...through. But I want more of your predictions really, as they are far more likely to be right. Let's have some texts please folks (on 81111) or you can always get involved on 606.
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1340: "Almagro is a top-five clay-courter in the world, unquestionably. Murray needs to be at or near the top of his game today."
chumbawumba2 on 606
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1338: I'm going to be keeping you up to date with Rafael Nadal's progress against Jarkko Nieminen too by the way - not that that one is going to last much longer. The defending champion has just gone two sets up against the Finn and leads 6-1 6-3.

1335: Old Almagro - who is the 19th seed by the way - is a 22-year-old known for his flair, talent and inconsistency, apparently. Is it just me or does that sound vaguely similar to a certain moody Scottish tennis star with flowing locks?

1330: Right then. Andy Murray is in action against Spain's Nicolas Almagro today, and he will be appearing on court seven at Roland Garros in a matter of moments.

Muzza has already despatched one clay-court specialist in Jose Acasuso in round two - but is it asking too much for him to beat another one? We are about to find out...