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Post by ILR on Jun 15, 2005 17:57:19 GMT -5
Oh, I only got 2, and theyre pretty blurred. Boo Still.....
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 16, 2005 2:39:57 GMT -5
Still, you got to see him again! So how has he changed in a year, did you get to see him play at all? He definitely looks better, that's fer damn sure!
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 17, 2005 0:07:54 GMT -5
Murray withdraws but Marray makes his markBy David McVay June 14, 2005 BRITISH tennis fans are accustomed to the grey skies of summer laced with a familiar disappointment. So those who braved the chilly conditions at the 10tele.com Open at the Nottingham Tennis Centre yesterday probably expected the worst and it duly arrived when Andrew Murray announced his withdrawal from the tournament 24 hours before his first-round match against Thomas Johansson, which had been scheduled for today. The arrival of the 18-year-old right-hander had been eagerly anticipated, as was his rematch with the Swede, to whom he lost in the third round of the Stella Artois Championships at Queen’s Club last week after falling badly on his ankle. However, that injury has not healed sufficiently for the young Scot to play in Nottingham, although his Wimbledon prospects have not been hindered by this enforced absence. “It was a close call but there is a slight inflammation still in the ankle and I have been advised to limit my time on court for the next two days,” Murray said. “But I’m really looking forward to playing Wimbledon.” Johansson, who now plays Dmitry Tursunov, of Russia, the lucky loser from the qualifying rounds, responded with regret to the news but felt it was the correct decision. There was better news for the tournament organisers when a British hope progressed to the second round, even if that was a certainty. Jonathan Marray, born in Yorkshire, played Alan Mackin, from Scotland, in the first match on Centre Court. Marray, whose stirring deeds at Queen’s Club last year matched those of Murray’s last week, prevailed 6-2, 6-3 by virtue of his robust serve and volley tactics. He is hopeful of improving on his performance in SW19 next week; last summer he squandered three match points to Karol Beck in the first round before losing 10-8 to the Slovakian in the fifth set. “I would really like to get a decent draw and win a couple of rounds,” the 24-year-old British No 9 said. “Losing last year really knocked the stuffing out of me.” In his darkest hours, he can perhaps draw inspiration from his favourite football team and player, Liverpool and Steven Gerrard. “I went back to Sheffield to see the game (their European Cup final triumph over AC Milan) on television with some friends,” he said. “It was a fantastic night. I needed a couple of days off afterwards! But yes, it can inspire you that sort of thing. It just shows what you can do.” Marray proves no match for GasquetBy David McVay June 16, 2005 IF IT is Wednesday, it is normally time for British players to ask for their hotel bills and prepare for departure from their latest tournament. Jonathan Marray observed the midweek tradition at the 10tele.com Open at Nottingham yesterday when he capitulated 6-4, 6-1 to Richard Gasquet in 62 minutes on centre court. The last Briton standing at the event began encouragingly by breaking the Frenchman’s serve in the opening game after a rain-delayed programme. But Gasquet, one of the most promising teenagers of his generation and the 27th seed at Wimbledon next week, gradually found his feet and confidence and eased to a comfortable victory. Gasquet, 19 on Saturday, is one of only three players to have beaten Roger Federer this year, albeit on the clay of Monte Carlo, but he remains bullish about his chances at SW19. Katerina Bohmova, of the Czech Republic, created the shock of the day in the Wimbledon qualifying tournament at Roehampton by defeating Laura Pous Tio, the top seed, in straight sets. Bohmova booked her place in the final round by dispatching Tio 6-4, 6-2.
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 17, 2005 0:13:05 GMT -5
More Marray stories MARRAY PREPARES FOR GASQUET CHALLENGE Jonathan Marray faced an intriguing test of his grass-court credentials in the second round of the 10tele.com Open in Nottingham today. The British number nine and last remaining home hope was up against precocious French teenager Richard Gasquet for a place in the quarter-finals. Marray proved his worth on the surface when he stretched Lleyton Hewitt to two tie-break sets in the third round of the Stella Artois Championship at Queen's Club last year. And he would fancy his chances today against clay-court specialist Gasquet, who admitted after his first-round win over Tomas Zib yesterday that the surface was not entirely to his liking. Gasquet said: "The low bounce on the court is not one I like because I prefer to play on clay, but I still think I can play well. "I know Marray is a good grass-court player and I look forward to playing him in front of his home crowd. "Of course I expect the crowd to be for him and against me but it is the other way for me in France and it is good for the home supporters to cheer for him." Gasquet, conqueror of Roger Federer in Monte Carlo this year, also reached the quarters at Queen's last week so clearly possesses the talent to shine on any surface.
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 17, 2005 0:14:38 GMT -5
MARRAY TIED UP IN NOTTS Jonathan Marray was the last remaining Briton to bow out of the 10tele.com Open in Nottingham on Wednesday and tipped his conqueror Richard Gasquet to make an impact at Wimbledon. Marray was beaten 6-4 6-1 in his second round match against the 18-year-old clay-court specialist, who booked his place in his second consecutive quarter-final. The British number nine proved no match for his opponent's sweeping ground strokes and admitted: "Richard is one of the top players in the world at the moment. "His game may not be ideally suited to grass but I think he could do well at Wimbledon if he keeps playing like this." Gasquet, one of only three players to hold a win over world number one Roger Federer this year, stormed back after a slow start getting used to the overcast conditions. Marray broke his opponent's serve in the opening game of the match but that proved a false dawn as Gasquet broke back twice to take the first set. And the second set was a much more one-sided affair as Gasquet stepped up the pace, pouncing on Marray's stuttering service game to wrap up the set and the match in just 62 minutes. Former world junior number one Gasquet said: "I am getting more confidence on grass and I know now that I can play serve and volley. "I have to play more matches to be as good as I can on the surface but I have reached two quarter-finals now so it is a very good time for me." Meanwhile Marray knows he has plenty of improvement to make if he is to get beyond the first round at Wimbledon for the first time. Marray has received a wild card into the main draw where last year he blew three match points to fall to a 10-8 final set defeat to Karol Beck. This year Marray will head for the All England Club with less confidence admitting: "I didn't serve well today and I have got to serve better than that if I am going to stand a chance. "I've had a dodgy six months and another dodgy day today. But I am hoping to get a decent draw at Wimbledon and then hopefully at least one win."
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 17, 2005 0:16:42 GMT -5
Gasquet ends Marray's challengeHome interest in the Nottingham Open ended on Wednesday when Jonathan Marray, the last remaining Briton, was despatched 6-4 6-1 by Richard Gasquet. Marray broke the Frenchman in the first game but was overpowered by Gasquet's groundstrokes as the match progressed. The fourth seed broke back twice in the first set then exploited Marray's faltering serve to dominate the second. Clay court specialist Gasquet took 62 minutes to make the last eight and said "I'm getting more confident on grass." Meanwhile, Marray knows he has to improve if he is to get beyond next week's opening round at Wimbledon for the first time. The British number nine blew three match points against Karol Beck of Slovakia before losing 10-8 in the final set in SW19 last year. But on the basis of this performance he admitted he has got to sharpen up his serve. "I didn't serve well against Gasquet and I have got to serve better than that if I am going to stand a chance (at Wimbledon)," he said. "I've had a dodgy six months and another dodgy day here. But I am hoping to get a decent draw at Wimbledon and then hopefully at least one win." However, Marray believes Gasquet could do well at the All England Championships if he maintains his recent form. "Richard is one of the top players in the world at the moment," Gasquet said. "His game may not be ideally suited to grass, but I think he could do well at Wimbledon if he keeps playing like this."
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Post by ILR on Jun 20, 2005 16:41:43 GMT -5
what am I checking Hackie? ;D
Marray has to play Malisse 1st round....hopefully he'll do his usual meltdown ;D
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 20, 2005 16:55:51 GMT -5
I didn't know that you knew you two were kindred spirits when it came to football. It's in one of those articles.
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Post by ILR on Jun 20, 2005 16:57:03 GMT -5
Ah right. Yeah, dont think I'd mentioned it before that he was a big fan. Bet he was happy May 25th ;D
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 21, 2005 20:58:22 GMT -5
Britain's Jonathan Marray returns the ball to Belguim's Xavier Malisse during their first round men's singles match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, June 21, 2005. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 21, 2005 21:03:18 GMT -5
Britain's Jonathan Marray returns the ball to Belguim's Xavier Malisse in their first round men's singles match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 21, 2005. Malisse won 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-1 6-4. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Belguim's Xavier Malisse (L) talks to Britain's Jonathan Marray as they leave the court after their first round men's singles match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 21, 2005. Malisse won 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-1 6-4. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 21, 2005 23:37:01 GMT -5
J. Marray - Day 2 Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Q. What went wrong at 3‑Love in the fifth then, do you think?
JONATHAN MARRAY: I think basically I missed a few first serves, and I think I maybe had a double‑fault. And, yeah, I mean, he was returning quite well ‑ well, he started, he was returning quite well in the fourth and the fifth.
And, yeah, basically that's what happened. I missed a few volleys, yeah.
Q. Was the fifth where it went wrong? The fourth set was ‑‑
JONATHAN MARRAY: Yeah, the fourth set was, yeah, he kind of stepped it up a bit. I mean, I think maybe if I tried ‑‑ if I got a better start to the fourth set and maybe kept with him for a few games, his head might have dropped a little bit. But I suppose he got a good start in the fourth and he took off from there. He got the momentum and, yeah, I lost ‑ what was it? ‑ 6‑1 or something, yeah.
Q. Is it difficult when the finish line's in sight like that?
JONATHAN MARRAY: Yeah. I mean, obviously, it goes through your mind, which it shouldn't really do, about trying to win, especially in ‑‑ well, a tournament like this, it would be obviously nice to get through it.
But, yeah, I mean, he stepped it up a bit as well, so I don't think I did a huge amount wrong.
Q. Does it feel as if lightning struck twice after what happened last year?
JONATHAN MARRAY: Yeah, a little bit. I mean, yeah, I was a break up in the fifth again last year against Beck.
But, I mean, I was a bit happier with my performance this year, I think, rather than last year. I mean, I didn't ‑‑ last year I kind of ‑‑ I really had big chances, obviously, matchpoints and everything.
But I think it was me last year that lost it, rather than this year; I think he kind of just won it.
Q. He never looked happy on court.
JONATHAN MARRAY: No, I mean...
Q. He was chuntering away.>
JONATHAN MARRAY: Yeah. I mean, I think he was questioning a few calls. But, I mean, probably he hasn't played many people the way I play and stuff, and it's ‑‑ don't know, really. Maybe I put him under a bit of pressure and he missed a few and got frustrated with himself.
Q. When you said it was "me that lost it last year" rather than "he won it"...
JONATHAN MARRAY: Yeah, well, I think so. I mean, I had my chances and it didn't ‑‑ yeah, I kind of lost the match, whereas this year he stepped it up and played a bit better.
Q. He was saying he was getting some calls from the crowd that were quite unsavory.
JONATHAN MARRAY: Is that right?
Q. Did you pick up on that?
JONATHAN MARRAY: No. I don't know. I don't know. I mean, obviously, most of the crowd I think were behind me, but I didn't hear anything that was out of order or anything.
Q. Is it frustrating when you can't take performances like that through the rest of the year?
JONATHAN MARRAY: Well, I hope I can do this time. I mean, last year, yeah, it was disappointing after the performance here and, yeah, last summer as well. I kind of, yeah, I lost the plot a bit for the last six months of that year.
But, I mean, hopefully this year I can put that right. And, I mean, I've got six months now. I'm hardly losing any points, so I can kind of build on my ranking and hopefully improve it.
Q. Sounds like there are quite a few positives from your performance today.
JONATHAN MARRAY: Yeah, I mean, yeah, definitely. I'm not feeling like I did last year anyway. Yeah, I mean, I didn't play my best and I still had ‑‑ well, nearly won the match really.
So, I mean, I've got things I can work on. And, yeah, I mean, I'm quite positive about it and hopefully can bring it into the next six months.
Q. What do you need to do to take that final step and win a deciding set at Wimbledon?
JONATHAN MARRAY: Well, I just have to basically play a bit better in the last set and maybe not get as tight ‑ but you're always going to, I suppose.
But I don't know really. Just...
I don't know.
Q. Are you still going to stay a serve‑and‑volleyer?
JONATHAN MARRAY: Yep, yep. I don't think ‑‑ I mean, that's the way I've always played and I don't think I'd beat as many people from the back to be honest with you. So that's the way I play.
Q. What begins to go through your mind when you are so close to winning? Do you drift a bit?
JONATHAN MARRAY: Well, yeah, you do, I suppose. Yeah, I mean, I think I probably did a little bit.
Q. What were you thinking about?
JONATHAN MARRAY: Well, you think, Right, you're close now. And then especially from last year as well, I thought, "Let's not do what I did last year."
You try and stay a bit in the present, but your mind does wander sometimes. You think it would be great to win this and whatever. But, I mean, that's probably something I'll learn, to stay in the present and keep concentration a bit better.
Q. Some were saying that it inspires British players to come here and play. Would you agree with that, or does it maybe give you a touch more nerves as well if you're stepping out in these surroundings?
JONATHAN MARRAY: I mean, if you want to be playing tennis at a decent level, you've got to play in these conditions, in these surroundings. I think everyone ‑‑ it's everyone's dream to come and play here, I think. I think it's good for us to get the opportunity and play here, and that just shows you how not‑so‑far‑away from all these guys, I think.
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Post by ILR on Jun 22, 2005 6:43:04 GMT -5
So hes gone and lost his 1st round match in 5 sets again
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 22, 2005 6:49:35 GMT -5
He still has doubles, for what it's worth...
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Post by ILR on Jun 22, 2005 10:23:15 GMT -5
Thought he'd do better in that to be honest, played well against Gonzo and Paradon at Queens, despite losing.
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 22, 2005 10:27:04 GMT -5
Well, a win's a win. Is it his first at Wimby?
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Post by ILR on Jun 22, 2005 10:28:54 GMT -5
Yes it is. Lost in the 1st round the past 3 years in doubles, and only entered in singles for the first time last year I believe, so yes, a good win
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 26, 2005 18:37:38 GMT -5
June 27, 2005
$50K Forrest Hills, NY, USA/2 -- Grass (1R) Dusan Vemic (USA) d. Jonathan Marray (GBR) 75 61
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 11, 2005 2:44:48 GMT -5
July 4, 2005
€25K+H Nottingham, GBR -- Grass (1R) Marcus Sarstrand (SWE) d. Jonathan Marray (GBR) 76(6) 63 (1R) Pequery/Quereshi (FRA/PAK) d. (3) Marray/Hilton (GBR/GBR) 46 75 62
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 11, 2005 2:48:18 GMT -5
July 12, 2005
€25K+H Manchester, GBR -- Grass (1R) Jonathan Marray (GBR) vs (3) Nicolas Mahut (FRA)
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 16, 2005 21:13:02 GMT -5
July 12, 2005
€25K+H Manchester, GBR -- Grass (1R) (3) Nicolas Mahut (FRA) d. Jonathan Marray (GBR) 63 64 (1R) (3) Jonathan Marray/Mark Hilton (GBR/GBR) d. Mustafa Ghouse/Igor Zelenay (IND/SVK) 62 64 (QF) (3) Jonathan Marray/Mark Hilton (GBR/GBR) d. Leonardo Azzaro/Paul Baccanello (ITA/AUS) 62 61 (SF) (3) Jonathan Marray/Mark Hilton (GBR/GBR) d. Andrew Banks/David Sherwood (GBR) 63 64
(F) (3) Jonathan Marray/Mark Hilton (GBR/GBR) vs (4) James Auckland/Daniel Kiernan (GBR/GBR)
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 17, 2005 20:48:15 GMT -5
July 12, 2005€25K+H Manchester, GBR -- Grass (F) (3) Jonathan Marray/Mark Hilton (GBR/GBR) d. (4) James Auckland/Daniel Kiernan (GBR/GBR) 63 62
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 26, 2005 23:02:29 GMT -5
July 25, 2005
€25K+H Recanati, ITA -- Outdoor Hard (1R) Jacob Adaktusson (SWE) d. Jonathan Marray (GBR) 76(3) 26 64 (1R) (2) Marray/Hilton (GBR/GBR) d. Menga/Stoppini (ITA/ITA) 75 63
(QF) (2) Marray/Hilton (GBR/GBR) vs Biasella/Pedrini (ITA/ITA)
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2005 17:23:50 GMT -5
July 25, 2005
€25K+H Recanati, ITA -- Outdoor Hard (QF) Biasella/Pedrini (ITA/ITA) d. (2) Marray/Hilton (GBR/GBR) 36 76(5) 63
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 2, 2005 23:04:26 GMT -5
August 1, 2005
€85K+H Segovia, ESP -- Outdoor Hard (Q1) Oscar Burrieza (ESP) d. (2) Jonathan Marray (GBR) 26 63 63 (1R) Granollers-Pujol/Lopez Moron (ESP/ESP) d. (2) Marray/Hilton (GBR/GBR) 64 36 61
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 23, 2005 17:37:48 GMT -5
August 8, 2005
€25K+H Graz, AUT -- Outdoor Hard (1R) Ivan Cerovic (CRO) d. Jonathan Marray (GBR) 76(3) 64
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 23, 2005 17:39:38 GMT -5
August 15, 2005
$50K Bronx, NY, USA -- Outdoor Hard (1R) Mustafa Ghouse/Scott Lipsky (IND/USA) d. Jonathan Marray/Mark Hilton (GBR/GBR) 64 64
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 23, 2005 17:40:41 GMT -5
August 23, 2005
US Open Qualifying -- Outdoor Hard (Q1) Jonathan Marray (GBR) vs (5) Thierry Ascione (FRA)
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Post by adeegee on Aug 25, 2005 12:07:28 GMT -5
Great win for Jonny, he plays Thiago Alves for a place in R3 of Qualifying
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