Madrid Open

Third round result:

A MURRAY GB v T Robredo Spa

7-5 6-1

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

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By Pranav Soneji

Next for Murray is either Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro or Swiss Stanislav Wawrinka. The pair are currently into a deciding set, so see you here on Friday for some birthday festivities for Britain's number one.

Fred_NTFC on 606: "Very good second set from Murray, really stepped it up a gear and frankly wiped the floor with an ordinary-looking Robredo. Starting to look much more comfortable on this surface now."

ANDY MURRAY BEATS TOMMY ROBREDO 7-5 6-1

1300: A superb performance from Murray, who took just 33 minutes to clinch the second set. Looks like Andy will be in action on his 22nd birthday tomorrow.

SECOND SET

Murray 7-5 6-1 Robredo
Robredo gives up the ghost following a poor lob, eagerly smashed by Murray for 30-30. The Scot secures match point with a superb forehand before a double-handed backhand winner seals the match in style.

Murray 7-5 5-1 Robredo
Brilliant serving from Murray, slicing like an skilled chef and causing Robredo all sorts of grief. There's only one outcome now, surely?

Murray 7-5 4-1 Robredo
Another piercing shriek from Murray - this time accompanied with an open-palm gesture to his face - following a winning backhand volley at the net from Robredo. However, the Scot is clearly on top and once again takes another break point, duly converted when a double-handed backhand just kisses the line, a point which sees the umpire come scuttling out of his chair to confirm the point is good.

Murray 7-5 3-1 Robredo
Murray seizes on a drop shot with Robredo struggling to get back into court, but his radar is askew as the ball lands on the wrong side of the tramline, taking the game to deuce. But another wayward backhand return from Robredo sees Murray hold serve once again. A change of racket for the 16th seed, a change of fortunes also?

Murray 7-5 2-1 Robredo
Robredo concedes his first double fault of the match at an inopportune moment, handing Murray three break points so early into the second set. And he converts at the first attempt when Robredo sends a long backhand return beyond the service line. Minimal stirring from the crowd, who are sensing a home defeat may be on the cards. However, Robredo fought back admirably against Mardy Fish, so it's not quite game over yet.

Murray 7-5 1-1 Robredo
Barely a murmur in the crowd as Murray lands a forehand winner to win his service game to love.

Murray 7-5 0-1 Robredo
Robredo launches the first ace of the match before wrapping up a rudimentary service hold with another excellent first serve.

FIRST SET

Fred_NTFC on 606: "Wow. Scrappy start to this match but that last game was terrific. Great grind from Murray to take the opening."

A man (whom I sincerely hope is called Jose) is sprinkling water across the parched court with a yellow hose, which has drawn criticism from a few players. Another man with a big rake-like implement brushes over the newly watered surface to ensure the liquid is evenly distributed, while the tramlines are given a quick clean. Right, we're back - Robredo to serve.

Murray 7-5 Robredo
An epic rally ends in Robredo's favour at 15-40 as Murray sends a regulation backhand return into the net. The Spaniard deservedly takes deep lungfuls of air after running at least a mile to retrieve Murray's testers. The Scot shrieks a piercing "C'mon!" as a Robredo forehand return nestles into the net for deuce. Murray double faults at game point, but pulls a sensational double-handed backhand pass from nowhere for set point. And he takes the opening set when an accurate serve to Robredo's body is sent high over his head.

Simon in Surrey via text 81111: "Robredo has not lost a tie break in 2009. Tommy to win 2-1 in sets."

Murray 6-5 Robredo
More excellent defensive play from Murray sets up two more break points - which are duly converted as Robredo sends an erratic cross-court forehand a yard past the service line. Quids in for Murray, plenty to ponder for Robredo.

Murray 5-5 Robredo
Robredo once again winds up the all-out forehand missile which once again finds net, giving Murray his service hold.

Fred_NTFC on 606: "Robredo is doing nothing more than 'hanging in there' at the moment, it's just frustrating how Andy goes into his shell on break points and can't find the right balance between attack and defence."

Ruairi, Warwick, trying not to revise for exams on text 81111: "If Murray can avoid the Robredo forehand then the match is his for the taking - Murray to win in three."

Murray 4-5 Robredo
Brilliant defence from Murray, who scuttles and slides like a seasoned clay-courter to close down Robredo's returns and take another foothold against the serve at 15-40. But the Spaniard responds with a touch of class, wrong-footing Murray with successive forehands to force the game to deuce. That's the fifth break point Murray has failed to convert - make that six after overhitting a backhand slice at advantage, a point which prompts the Scot to have a conversation with no-one about the merits of the shot. Murray dips into his bag for a new racket after breaking a string, but his new bit of graphite has little effect on the consequence of the game as Robredo holds a very protracted - and intriguing - game. Frustration for Murray, who feels he should be 5-4 up right now.

Murray 4-4 Robredo
Robredo's backhand is about as smooth as congealed oil right now, sending another regulation return high into the stands courtesy of the frame. The Spaniard had Murray at 0-30, but once again sees unforced errors allow his opponent to take the game. Frustrating times for the man clad in azul.

Murray 3-4 Robredo
Lucky hold for Robredo, who has Murray to thank for failing to convert a break point at 30-40 as the Scot mis-hits a regulation overhead smash. Robredo takes the game to deuce, much to Murray's chagrin. And an overhit forehand sees Robredo take the game, while his opponent shrieks in anger after wasting an opportunity to take the upper hand in this contest.

Murray 3-3 Robredo
Classic clay-court play from Murray, forcing his opponent wide before calmly returning into empty space for a 30-0 lead. Robredo attempts another drop shot, but Murray is equal to the challenge, dinking over his own to take a 40-0 lead. And he holds his service game to love when Robredo's return goes wide.

Murray 2-3 Robredo
Not too many spectators at la Caja Magica, donde estan las hinchadas? Robredo holds his service game without too many problems.

Murray 2-2 Robredo
Excellent volleying from Murray, who keeps his balance to dispatch a winner for 30-15. He soon moves to 40-15 when Robredo connects with frame rather than string, sending the ball high into the stands. And once again Robredo's backhand is his downfall, sending a regulation return into the net for an easy hold for Murray.

Dav, working hard, Ravenscourt park on text 81111: "This is a tough match for Murray but can see him grinding down Robredo, possibly in three sets."

Murray 1-2 Robredo
Robredo attempts another drop shot, but he doesn't quite get it right, allowing Murray to come around and smash a double-handed backhand winner. Murray forces the game to duece, targeting Robredo's backhand, which is looking a little suspect. However, his forehand remains as solid as a three-day old current bun and clinches the game after Murray returns a defensive forehand into the net.

Murray 1-1 Robredo
Sumptuous cross-court forehand from Robredo on Murray's first service point, before working his opponent around the court and dispatching another dab into space for a 0-30 lead. Murray takes the next three points thanks to some very well-placed serves, but Robredo's forehand is looking good, forcing the game to deuce. Murray's serve comes to his rescue once more and notches his first game of the afternoon.

Murray 0-1 Robredo
Robredo wins the first point of the match as Murray attempts a cheeky drop shot, only to apply a little too much air to his shot, allowing his opponent plenty of time to dispatch a winner. Murray sees two forehands land on the wrong side of the tramlines and Robredo wraps up the first game with a simple dab into the right service box.

1114: Robredo to serve first.

1108: The players are out on court and knocking up, with Murray resplendent in an all-blue t-shirt with a sky-blue strapping across the back. The last time these two met was at Indian Wells this year in the last 16, with Murray going through when Robredo retired because of injury.

"Andy has certainly made a huge improvement in his game over the last eight months and he can beat, on his day, anybody in the world on hard courts. On clay, however, I definitely can't see him beating Nadal (unless perhaps Nadal was injured) and i also think that every match with a clay-court specialist is very much up in the air as to whether he wins or not."

1103: La Caja Magica is the venue for the Madrid Open, which translates to "the magic box". Can Murray can pull out a few conejos from his sombrero against the home favourite? The weather is good in the Spanish capital, with a maximum of 22 degrees, according to our fine colleagues in the weather department.

1055: Andy Murray, conqueror of Italy's world number 61 Simone Bolelli in the second round, is back in the mixer for a test as tough as four-day old liquorice against Spain's canny clay-court specialist Tommy Robredo.

The pair have yet to play against each other on the orangey surface, although 16th seed Robredo has 21 victories on clay this season, compared with Murray's four.

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