2322: Anon, thank you, I did not know that. We can all use our new-found knowledge to amaze our friends and colleagues on Friday before reconvening here at around 2000 GMT to see
Andy Murray v Gael Monfils. Taking on Monfils at Bercy on a Friday night is about as hostile as atmospheres get outside the Davis Cup, so Britain's number one needs your support. I trust I'll see you then.
From anon via text: "I think that a cakewalk is an old fair ground ride: a wooden boardwalk which moves up and down, left to right in an attempt to unsettle the punter. Terrifying!"
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-3 Cilic Nicely done. Murray sees it out to love, although failing to make three of four returns doesn't do Cilic any favours. The thumping music returns, Murray hurls his sweat bands to some lucky punters in crowd and all is well.
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 5-3 Cilic Murray has started walking across for the next point at 30-0 to Cilic, with the Croat lining up an unmissable forehand. Cilic misses. No matter, the world number 15 takes the game and Murray will have to close this one out himself.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 5-2 Cilic * And stay sharp he does. Murray holds to love, sealing it with an ace, and while his opponent has disintegrated before his eyes, the Scot has done his bit in the decider by stepping up the intensity after a lacklustre second set.
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 4-2 Cilic "Fauullllt!" screams a line judge to confirm the game for Cilic. She could strip paint with that voice. Cilic cuts a forlorn figure at the moment but Murray needs to stay sharp and see this one out.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 4-1 Cilic * The usually placid Cilic hurls his racquet to the ground after losing the first point and drops the game tamely to love. I really have no idea what's happened here as a couple of minutes ago we were looking at a tense final set, but now it looks like a cakewalk for Murray. What
is a cakewalk?
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 3-1 Cilic Good old Vince. Cilic could do with some of his homespun/bonkers philosophy right now after a shocking game. A poor forehand gives Murray
three break points at 0-40... Cilic looks to have saved the first with a second-serve ace but Hawkeye overrules and the Briton is in charge now.
Vince Spadea on twitter: "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y and Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut." AE
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 2-1 Cilic * Cilic smacks one backhand so far wide that it lands out of shot, which is kind of impressive in its own way. Murray looks to have got his mind back on the job in hand as he finds some first serves and dominates the game.
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 1-1 Cilic Cilic responds with a love hold and looks extremely calm. Neither man has got really fired up yet. Now would be a good time.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 1-0 Cilic * Murray flips a serve out wide on game point that is heavy on angle and light on power, just the job, and the Briton is off to a good start in the decider.
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 Cilic He might be about to lose the set at 0-30 but Murray produces an amazing backhand winner, practically from behind him, to keep his hopes alive. Cilic will not be denied this time, however, arrowing a backhand down the line for 40-15 and
two set points... and taking it with an ace.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 3-5 Cilic * A delicate drop shot gets Murray off on the right footing and an ace down the middle earns him game point at 40-30. Cilic sticks a backhand in the net and he will have to serve out the set, which he failed to do last time.
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 2-5 Cilic It might not be the most reliable shot in the world but when it's working, the Cilic forehand can do some damage. He belts one past Murray for game point and then hammers down a big serve.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 2-4 Cilic * Murray lets out a scream as Cilic overwhelms him with some great attacking tennis, a forehand behind the Scot taking him to 15-40 and
two break points... a pretty good time to come up with two aces, I'd say. Cilic isn't done, however, and opens up some space to blast away a forehand for
break point number three... and the Croat does everything right to create an opportunity, only to stick another forehand in the net. If the net was two inches lower, he'd be the best player in the world. Anyway, Murray helps him out with a fifth double-fault and it's
break point number four... and this time a brilliant return sets up a forehand that he does stick away. We could be here for a while yet.
From Frustrated frank via text: "Re: 20:55 seriously what is the point in saying that? you always encourage people to get in contact, but we send emails, we text, we tweet, we stand outsi de your house with placards, do we get published? Well I don't?! Granted I'm not very windswept or interesting but nonetheless I keep trying!"
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 2-3 Cilic Cilic makes his first double-fault of the day for 15-15 but it is a mere blip as he rolls through another service game, taking it with a booming delivery down the 'T'. It all looks very easy for the Croat right now, but we'll see how he fares in a few games' time.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 2-2 Cilic * Yikes. A loose forehand has Murray wobbling at 15-30 and he is then thankful for Cilic's 157th (approximately) forehand error of the day. I swear the Briton lets out an "Allez!" at one point as he seals the game.
* Murray 7-6 (8-6) 1-2 Cilic A smash, an ace and a big serve help Cilic to a love hold and we're racing through this set.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) 1-1 Cilic * Murray is under pressure at 30-30 but comes up with a brilliantly improvised backhand off his hip and takes the game. It's all gone quiet at Bercy, maybe les enfants have gone to bed.
Murray 7-6 (8-6) Cilic * Cilic dumps a forehand into the net and then frames one long. It's 4-4 and the Croat is all of a sudden blowing very cold. Murray rubs salt in the wound with an ace but Cilic stops the rot with a good serve. It's 5-5, a big point, and Cilic sees an apparent ace wiped out with a call of "net!" He does brilliantly to recover with another good serve and a heavy forehand winner for 6-5 and
set point.... but Murray finds a huge serve that just clips the service line, according to Hawkeye, and then Cilic hits a forehand into the net. It's 7-6 and
set point for Murray... and Cilic offers up another shanked forehand. It was hard work but he got there in the end.
Murray 6-6 (2-4) Cilic * Cilic plays a blinder on his way to 4-0 but a forehand into the tramlines on the final point before the changeover gives Murray hope.
* Murray 6-6 Cilic Blimey. The first spectacular shot of the day from either man is a blistering Murray cross-court forehand past Cilic at the net, an absolute belter. A fizzing return moments later gets him to 30-40 and
set point... but Cilic hammers a second serve and the speed surprises Murray. He takes the game and we'll be needing a tie-break.
From Stuart in Birmingham via text: "I think "Ondee" is french for shower so it seems they may have been telling him to have a shower."
From Tony via text: "If Andy reaches the final he will move to No3 in the rankings. A good boost for end of year tournament."
Murray 6-5 Cilic * A few more boos and jeers as a disgruntled Murray falls 15-30 down but he just smiles to himself, shakes his head and whacks down two big serves. A double-fault follows but the Scot grits his teeth and edges the game. Experience counting for Murray in that one.
* Murray 5-5 Cilic Murray has
le hump before this game has even started, with both players ready to go but held up by some thumping house music. Cilic seems more upset once play starts, dragging a dreadful backhand into the net for 15-30 and then firing a forehand just long. He goes to Hawkeye, computer says 'No', it's
two break points for Murray... a long, long rally ensues and Cilic does well to come through in the face of a succession of tantalising slices from Murray. It doesn't count for much moments later as Murray leans into a return and Cilic can't handle it. We're all square.
Murray 4-5 Cilic * "Allez Ondeee!" shout some French youths. The little angels. It seems to do the trick as Ond.... Andy holds serve to 15 and forces Cilic to serve this one out.
* Murray 3-5 Cilic Murray looks a bit deflated as Cilic gets to 30-0 but two mistakes on the Croat's forehand bring the score back to 30-30 and get some expectant applause rippling around the arena. No problem for Cilic, though, as he holds his nerve and sees out the game. His first-serve percentage is currently 78%. Tasty.
absolutetorquay on twitter: "Andy always likes to keep us interested by giving the odd early break away. Let's hope tonight's no exception!"
Murray 3-4 Cilic * A double-fault sees Murray pegged back to 30-30 and he's fortunate that Cilic then goes for too much with a backhand. The big man gets to deuce but Murray escapes with a sharp volley and a big serve.
* Murray 2-4 Cilic Two very poor forehand errors see Cilic slip to 0-40 and it's
three break points for Murray... Cilic gives him very little chance on any of them, however, powering through five points in a row. He takes the game with a second-serve ace that just catches the line, according to Hawkeye, which doesn't improve Murray's mood.
Murray 2-3 Cilic * And there it is.... Murray jabs awkwardly at a volley at 30-30 and it lands right in the slot for Cilic, who thumps a forehand pass down the line for
break point.... Ace. Murray then goes for too much with a forehand out wide and it's
break point number two... and this time Cilic fires a return at Murray's feet, drawing the error. Murray thumps the ball away in disgust and nearly hits a ballboy. Predictably, the people of Paris respond with boos and whistles. The umpire is suitably shocked and gives the Briton a warning for ball abuse. All good fun.
* Murray 2-2 Cilic Cilic opens up with a crunching cross-court backhand, swats a forehand down the line for 40-0 and takes the game with a serve down the 'T'. We could be in for some tie-breaks tonight. Which guarantees a break....
From Alex via text: "Sat in the library with an essay due in tomorrow. Essay or tennis? Most definitely tennis."
From Nick in oxford via text: "I really hope andy makes it through this one. if he progresses well here i think he could be in with a great shout come london!"
Murray 2-1 Cilic * Great stuff from Murray so far, a deadly drop shot backed up by the kind of heavy serving that got him out of trouble against Nalbandian yesterday.
* Murray 1-1 Cilic Cilic responds with a solid hold of his own. At 6ft 5in and with a suitably punchy serve, the Croat should be a fearsome prospect on a court that some have described as being "like an ice rink". Meaning it's fast, not that loads of kids are strewn across it or holding onto the advertising hoardings for dear life.
Murray 1-0 Cilic * Murray holds to love in his opening game. There's a good crowd in as usual at Bercy, although they're a bit subdued at the moment after seeing Federer demolish Stepanek in the preceding match. Rog is loving the super-fast conditions.
* denotes NEXT to serve jonnyboy613 on twitter: "Murray in straight sets, regardless of wrist probs. Cilic has been off the pace lately, very unconvincing."
2105: Back across the Channel and we've already lost Djokovic and Ferrer in Paris this afternoon, while Roddick, Soderling and Federer are all through to the last eight. Murray is expected to join them bearing in mind past form, as the world number four has a 4-1 record against the world number 15, including
victory in their Australian Open semi-final clash in January. The Croat's one win was a big one though as it came
in the fourth round of the US Open last year. But that was the past and we're all about the future here.....
2101: Speaking of the Tour Finals,
the line-up is complete and it's not half bad. Today's earlier results mean that Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Roddick have snaffled the last three places and they will join Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Murray and Robin Soderling in London next weekend. It's going to be brilliant.
2055: Your input this evening is compulsory. I'll be taking a register and anyone who doesn't get involved will find their parents receive a very stern letter. You can
tweet me, text me on
81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide) with TENNIS before your message, or join the fun on
606. 2050: Hello there. You join me as we wait to see whether Andy Murray can defeat Marin Cilic and so reach the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters. Heady stuff indeed. We can also keep a close eye on the Murray wrist, which gave him a few problems in his win over David Nalbandian yesterday. With the ATP World Tour Finals starting in London in just 10 days' time, there will be a few fingers crossed among the big cheeses of tennis.
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