Masters Cup

Red Group result:

A MURRAY (GBR) bt A RODDICK (US)

6-4 1-6 6-1

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

By Chris Bevan

1432: Right then, that's all from me today. Not exactly convincing stuff from Andy Murray against Andy Roddick - and he looked out on his feet at times - but he is off to a winning start in the Masters Cup and he has got to be happy with that.

Gilles Simon is definitely wearing a smile after his shock win over Roger Federer but both he and Murray still have a lot of work to do before they have booked a place in the last four.

The Gold Group returns to action on Tuesday, when Novak Djokovic and Nikolay Davydenko will look to build on the winning starts they made on Sunday. Juan Martin del Potro and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are yet to get off the mark.

1423: "Murray should smile more. It's not like the credit crunch is affecting him. Especially not if he wins this tournament!"
Julian in Plymouth via text on 81111

"Andy Murray looks absolutely shattered but he has won, that's all that matters. Let's hope it hasn't taken too much out of him."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

Murray 6-4 1-6 6-1 Roddick
That's it folks - Murray wraps up a topsy-turvy win with a stylish backhand overhead - an unforced error by Roddick probably would have been a more appropriate way to finish off this match but, forget the performance, the win is everything for Murray...and he has managed exactly that.

Murray 6-4 1-6 5-1 Roddick
Both players have been a bit grumpy today - did they both get out of bed on the wrong side or something? The ball-boys are getting the brunt of Roddick's wrath and the photographers are not going to be on Murray's Christmas card list. There is still time for Murray to gift Roddick a game in this deciding set though - he hardly pulls out all the stops to win this one and Roddick holds to get off the mark at last.

Murray 6-4 1-6 5-0 Roddick
Hmmm, Murray demeanour doesn't suggest he has picked up on the fact that his opponent has crumbled completely - which, let's face it, Roddick has done. The American's last chance to save this one comes at 30-all but some decent serving from Murray and more sloppy play by Roddick means the Brit holds out. One game is all he needs now.

Murray 6-4 1-6 4-0 Roddick
How quickly the tide turns...it is Roddick's turn to lose his way completely - the American makes a succession of unforced errors to hand the Brit a double-break in this set. Victory is within touching distance for Murray now - surely no more twists and turns left in this one?

"I think Murray might have realised that he does not want to be playing Gilles Simon next with the Frenchman on a high after beating Roger Federer. He is still looking tired but he is digging deep."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

Murray 6-4 1-6 3-0 Roddick
Not exactly Murray's smoothest service game of the day - too many of his deliveries hit the netcord for comfort and he also has a bit of a spat with the photographers behind his baseline - but he pulls an ace out the bag to wrap up the game and keeps rolling on in this third set. Not great, but good enough.

Murray 6-4 1-6 2-0 Roddick
Wow. Some brilliant play by Murray and it is not surprising he is breathing so heavily - he really does cover the whole court here. The Brit returns a smash on his way to winning one point and forces a volley error from Roddick to move to 15-40. The first break point is saved by Roddick's third ace of the match and he serve-volleys superbly on the next to claw his way to deuce. It is the American's turn to put a weak backhand into the net on the next point, however, and a fierce return from Murray gives him the first break of the third set. The second set is ancient history now!

"Roddick didn't do anything really big or clever in that second set... Murray just dropped his level."
RightJudgeIam on 606
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Murray 6-4 1-6 1-0 Roddick
Don't write Murray off just yet though! Two magical - if speculative - drop-shots give him the first two points of the first set and a big serve puts him 40-0 up. He is still looking a little tired, especially when he puts a forehand into the net, but he still holds - and he desperately needed that.

"Murray needs to shake himself back into life and get rid of the cobwebs which consumed him in that second set."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

SECOND SET

Murray 6-4 1-6 Roddick
Roddick has found his rhythm on serve and it is another hold to love for the American to wrap up the second set in less than half-an-hour. Not sure what happened to Murray there but let's hope the hangover doesn't continue into the decider.

Murray 6-4 1-5 Roddick
Well, at least he has avoided a bagel. Murray holds to love and takes the game in style - returning a Roddick smash with an instinctive winner. Great stuff - just a shame about the last 25 minutes though...

Murray 6-4 0-5 Roddick
Oh dear. Things get worse for Murray - more unforced errors see Roddick hold to love and the Brit is looking very unhappy out there at the moment. Let's hope he improves in the third set, which we are probably going to see very soon, at this rate anyways.

Murray 6-4 0-4 Roddick
The Shanghai crowd get a blast of music in between games - they were treated to 'Ace of Spades' by Motorhead last time out...hmmm, I'm pretty sure that will never catch on at Wimbledon. Back on court, Murray is in trouble again at 30-all and he capitulates with two mistakes - a forehand and a backhand both go into the middle of the net. He is going backwards and Roddick marches on towards the second set with another break. I didn't see this coming...

"Murray is looking a bit jaded at the moment - his legs look very heavy at the moment."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

Murray 6-4 0-3 Roddick
Roddick is working up quite a sweat under that baseball cap of his - which is very useful when you are playing indoors, obviously. That work ethic sees him hold again here, though, and Murray's passing shots are no longer findind their mark.

"Sometimes Murray's weakness is that he just has too many shots - he doesn't always pick the right one at the right time. Maybe Andy was slightly too full of himself at the start of the second set."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

Murray 6-4 0-2 Roddick
Fair to say that Murray has a 'mare at the start of this one - a spat with a ball-boy, two double-faults and a clumsy backhand into the net hand Roddick two break points - his first of the match. The Brit recovers to deuce thanks to some poor net play by A-Rod so crisis over? No. A cracking forehand passing shot gives the American a third break point and Murray sends a forehand lob flying well wide on the next point. Oh dear.

Murray 6-4 0-1 Roddick
We've not seen many of Murray's trademark drop-shots so far but he pulls a beauty out of the bag to set up a break point at 30-all as Roddick continues to stutter - and the American doesn't even run for it. No early break for Murray though - a couple of big serves dig Roddick out of a hole and he he holds, just.

"Roddick doesn't have enough in his armoury to trouble Murray from the back of the court or at the the net - the only thing he has got is his serve and Murray is currently serving better than the American."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

1326: We are back under way. More of the same please Mr Murray.

1325: Roddick has gone for a comfort break - he will be back for the second set soon.

FIRST SET

Murray 6-4 Roddick
At times, Murray is winning points almost effortlessly but Roddick is still picking up points on his serve and gets to 30-30 again. The American still hasn't managed a break point, however, and that won't change here. Murray finds two more big serves to hold and take the first set.

"Patient stuff from Murray, Roddick just getting too frustrated and slashing at a few. Nice tactics from Murray."
Gilles Simon on 606
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Nice to hear from you so soon after your victory Gilles.

Murray 5-4 Roddick
Roddick seems to be having a few issues with the Shanghai ball-boys but he has more pressing concerns on court - trailing 15-30 before a wayward Murray passing shot and an ace takes him to 40-30. Roddick wraps the game up too but not before Murray has a go at returning one of his smashes with an overhead lob smash of his own (similar to the one Roger Federer pulled off at the US Open). The ball lands in the flower boxes at the back of court...better luck next time.

Murray 5-3 Roddick
A double-fault by Murray brings a loud sigh from the Shanghai crowd who are probably expecting more aces. Roddick anticipates a Murray forehand to take the next point too and at 15-30 he has another sniff of a break. The American tries to end the next point with a big forehand but can only find the net and two more mistakes by A-Rod sees Murray hold again. He is just one game away from the first set now.

"Lots of long rallies so far and Murray is winning out in most of them thanks his patience."
BBC Sport's Jonathan Overend on 5 Live Sports Extra

Murray 4-3 Roddick
Ouch, Murray takes a tumble after being wrong-footed by a Roddick volley and gets a mouthful of court for his troubles. No lasting effects, however, and he is up and in at the net to take the next point. It is still a routine service hold for Roddick in the end but he needs to find a way past the Murray serve to rescue this first set.

"A faultless start so far from Murray! The only obvious criticism would be his persistence to wear such dull colours! Can someone please have a word with Miles Maclagan about adding a fashion designer to their five-man team? Maybe a little Hawaiian number for next years Australian Open!?"
Maudinio in Rothley via text on 81111

Murray 4-2 Roddick
Murray has ditched that grey outfit he has been sporting in recent weeks by the way - he is decked out from head to toe in varying shades of blue today and looking very smart. His tennis is pretty dapper too - despite trailing 0-30 here he is at his patient best to tease mistakes out of Roddick in a couple of long rallies and his serve-backhand combination is sizing up a treat. Another ace wraps up the game and consolidates his break.

Murray 3-2 Roddick
More trouble for Roddick on serve - and it is not often anyone has said or written that in the past few years. An amazing retrieval by Murray sees him reach a drop volley by Roddick to send a passing shot flashing past the American and put him 0-30 up. Roddick gets back to 30-30 but then puts a volley long to give Murray a break point - and the Brit thumps down a crosscourt forehand to take it. Great stuff.

"Some quite extraordinary movement from Murray in that game - he was so quick off the mark."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

Murray 2-2 Roddick
No whirlwind service game this time for Murray and Roddick claws his way to 30-all despite some less than convincing net play. The aces keep coming though - and two timely ones here see the Brit hold. That is five in two games now.

Murray 1-2 Roddick
Let's get one thing straight - A-Rod's serve is virtually unreturnable when he gets it right. Which he does here. Still, when he does get the ball back, Murray is having the better of the rallies so far - which bodes well.

"Is it just me or does it actually feel like Murray can do this!? Come on Murray!"
Anon via text on 81111

There seem to be quite a few of you who feel the same way actually!

Murray 1-1 Roddick
Phew! Three aces from Murray and that sees him hold in double-quick time. He will be happy with that.

Murray 0-1 Roddick
A decent start for Murray on that huge Roddick serve, and he gets to 30-30 thanks to some good counter-punching and the kind of defensive play we are getting used to seeing. That's as good as it gets for the Brit, however, as a superb drop volley by Roddick sees him take the next point after a lengthy rally and another huge delivery sees him hold.

1244: We are up and running. Andy Roddick to serve first.

1243: "It is a great achievement for Andy Murray just to be here. To be in the top eight is no mean feat - lets make no bones about it, he has had a great year, especially since the French Open. The major turning point for him was his comeback against Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon - since then he has had so much belief."
Times correspondent Neil Harman on 5 Live Sports Extra

1242: This is the seventh time that Murray, 21, has played Roddick, 26. Murray holds a 4-2 winning record overall, but that includes their last meeting - in Miami in March 2007 - when the American retired injured with the Scot leading 5-3. Not much between them then.

1240: "Federer duffed up by Simon! The whole thing is opening up nicely for Scotland's Number one! Could be a perfect end to a near-perfect season for the sensational Scot!"
AJ fae Fife on 606
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Hmm, something tells me AJ is a Murray fan...and a very optimistic Murray fan at that.

1238: The players are out on court and warming up. They have turned the lights back on too - which will probably help.

1236: Murray is in the same Red Group as Roger Federer and Gilles Simon, who have just had a real ding-dong battle before the Frenchman claimed a surprising, but thoroughly deserved, victory. Federer undone by Simon in opener

Simon is only here because world number one Rafael Nadal pulled out, but he is clearly not going to just make up the numbers.

1232: Just in case you were wondering, there is plenty more than just prestige for the world's top-eight (or so) men to play for in Shanghai. Murray is guaranteed at least �225,000 just by playing his three group matches and, if he comes through them to win his semi-final and the final, then that figure rises to top a handsome �1m. Nice work if you can get it...

1228: So here we go - Andy Murray is about to play his first-ever match at the Masters Cup and so confirm himself among the game's elite players. He faces Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion but something of a fading force at the very highest level.

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