=========
DAVIS CUP
========= http://www.daviscup.com/
Europe/Africa Zone: Group I: Second round
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NETHERLANDS lt. GREAT BRITAIN (Birmingham, England), 0:3
- Raemon Sluiter [S] lt. Andy Murray, 3-6 5-7 2-6
- Robin Haase lt. Tim Henman, 6-7 (4/7) 3-6 6-7 (4/7)
- Haase/Rogier Wassen lt. Jamie Murray/Greg Rusedski,
1-6 6-3 3-6 6-7 (5/7)

I am watching this tie on BBC television, and I enjoyed Raemon's
rubber very much, even though he lost. He hit some brilliant shots,
but also some ragged errors, and you can't get away with that against
a top-11 player.

Both he and Murray played with flairsome power and variety, and
reminded me how much I love high-quality tennis, even if it's not
being played by sexy East-European girls! ;-)

Murray was an injury-doubt for this tie, with soreness in his groin,
inflammation of the balls. He can still feel it, but has been advised
that he can't make it any worse.

John Lloyd (GB captain): "Sluiter is a very aggressive player, two-
handed both sides, has nothing to lose, will go for broke. Murray has
to be ready to weather the storm."

Andrew Castle said Murray was shooting up while Raemon was on his way
down, and "without wishing to be unkind", he predicted a straight-
sets win for Murray.

The first rubber started at 12:15 BST.


First set
---------
SLUITE ___* * *_ 3
MURRAY *@* * * * 6

Murray serving 0-0: Raemon netted a forehand return. 15/0. Murray
netted a backhand after a brief baseline-rally. 15/15. Raemon
backhand just wide. 30/15. Raemon opened up the court but netted a
forehand. 40/15. Ace down the middle.

Their groundstrokes are so slow compared to the top women! Only their
serves are faster.

Raemon serving 0-1: Raemon worked his way in but missed a forehand
volley. He showed a tendency to run around his backhand to hit off-
forehands. 0/15. Murray's forehand clipped the netcord and, luckily
for Raemon, was just wide. 15/15. Raemon netted a "tight" forehand.
Andrew Castle: "It's difficult /not/ to be tight when you're playing
against someone who does everything better than you." 15/30. Murray
netted a forehand after a brief rally. 30/30. Raemon sprayed a
forehand wide. 30/40 (BP). Raemon hit an off-forehand just wide - it
wasn't called - but he hit a forehand volley wide, which /was/ called.

Murray serving 2-0: Raemon went for a short-angled off-forehand, but
it was just wide. 15/0. Serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0.
Murray sprayed a wild forehand long on the third stroke. 30/15.
Raemon hit a dipping crosscourt backhand return, forcing Murray to
net a half-volley backhand. 30/30. Forehand return just long. 40/30.
Murray hit a muffled forehand into the net. 40/40. Service-winner
down the middle. Ad Murray. Another good serve induced Raemon to
mishit a forehand return long & wide.

It's very baseline-oriented so far, and Raemon is throwing in quite a
few sliced backhands. He's not playing confidently so far.

Raemon serving 0-3: Raemon took the initiative with a one-two punch,
came in and hit a forehand volley-winner. 15/0. Serve + crosscourt
forehand winner onto the sideline. 30/0. Serve + forehand down the
middle forced Murray to earth a forehand. 40/0. Serve + off-forehand
winner behind Murray.

A much better game altogether from Raemon: hard-hitting and confident.

Murray serving 3-1: A longish point with Murray at the net ended with
him hitting an off-forehand volley wide - good retrieving by Raemon.
0/15. Ace out wide. 15/15. Raemon's power induced Murray to hit a
forehand long - "tentative movement to the right" [Chris Bradnam].
15/30. Ace down the middle. 30/30. Raemon hit a brilliant lob over
Murray's head, followed by a forehand smash-winner. 30/40 (BP).
Murray dropshot + crosscourt backhand volley pass-winner. 40/40.
Murray hit an error-forcing forehand down the line, right in the
corner. Ad Murray. He played a spreading rally with sliced backhands,
finishing with a sliced off-backhand dropshot-winner that span away
with heavy sidespin!

Raemon serving 1-4: A super rally finished with Raemon hitting a
crosscourt forehand pass-winner, after the initiative had shifted to
Murray. 15/0. Murray netted a lazy forehand dropshot. 30/0. Raemon's
first serve hit the net and stuck there! Murray hit a crosscourt
backhand return-winner off the second serve. 30/15. Raemon put a
dropshot pass wide. 30/30. Murray forehand volley wide - good
backhand pass down the line from Raemon. 40/30. Raemon came to the
net, forcing Murray to net a backhand pass.

An excellent recovery from Raemon, to change the momentum that was in
Murray's favour.

Andrew Castle: "Any suggestion that [Murray]'s injured now is
nonsense."

Murray serving 4-2: He netted a backhand. 0/15. Serve + crosscourt
backhand winner on the sideline. 15/15. Murray hit a forehand smash-
winner just inside the baseline. 30/15. Murray hit an impudent
forehand dropshot-winner out of nowhere. 40/15. Murray played a good
spreading rally with a forehand volley-winner on the fifth stroke.

Murray is the male Martina Hingis: a very resourceful player who
knows how to combine dropshots, lobs, volleys, &c.

Andrew Castle: "Murray has solid forehands and backhands, and then
can add all this flowery stuff."

Raemon serving 2-5: Ace. 15/0. Murray netted a forehand return. 30/0.
Murray hit a backhand winner down the line of flairsome power, and
Andrew Castle compared him with Miloslav Mecir. 30/15. Raemon sprayed
a forehand wide. 30/30. Serve out wide + forehand volley-winner.
40/30. Murray backhand return-winner down the line. 40/40. First
serve: Murray netted a forehand return. Ad Raemon. Double fault.
Deuce #2. Raemon dominated at the net, forcing Murray to net a
backhand. Ad Raemon. Ace out wide.

Murray serving 5-3: Ace out wide, in the corner. 15/0. Raemon hit a
forehand lob long - all set up by an excellent serve. 30/0. Raemon
hit a sliced backhand pass that forced Murray to net a forehand
volley. 30/15. A good serve forced Raemon to hit a forehand lob-
return just long. 40/15. Double fault - the ball stuck in the net
again! 40/30. Ace out wide. Murray won the first set 6-3 at 12:49.

So far, this is the best men's tennis I've seen for years! Good point-
construction, flairsome power, and quick progress through the set.


Second set
----------
SLUITE * * * * *___ 5
MURRAY _* * * * *@* 7

Raemon serving 0-0: A big first serve forced Murray to hit a forehand
lob just long. 15/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/15.
Three service-winners for a very quick hold.

Murray serving 0-1: Murray forced Raemon to net a running forehand.
15/0. Murray drew Raemon to the net and hit a crosscourt forehand
virtual pass-winner. 30/0. Serve + off-forehand winner. 40/0. Murray
netted a backhand approach. 40/15. Murray forehand just long. 40/30.
Service-winner.

Raemon serving 1-1: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Raemon
sprayed a wild forehand wide on the third stroke. 15/15. Service-
winner down the middle. 30/15. Raemon hit an error-forcing off-
forehand. 40/15. Service-winner.

Murray serving 1-2: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Raemon hit an error-
forcing crosscourt backhand pass. 15/15. Ace down the middle. 30/15.
Raemon sprayed a forehand just wide. 40/15. Murray hit a leaping
forehand smash-winner.

Raemon serving 2-2: A good serve forced a short return; Raemon came
to the net and forced Murray into error on the fourth stroke. 15/0.
There was some controversy over a first serve that went /through/ the
net but was called a let. Raemon netted a forehand. 15/15. Raemon
came to the net and hit an off-backhand volley winner. 30/15. Service-
winner. 40/15. Raemon forehand long. 40/30. Murray hit a fantastic
running forehand crosscourt winner from a defensive position. 40/40.
Ace down the middle. Ad Raemon. Murray came in and hit a forehand
volley-winner - the key shot was the crosscourt forehand approach.
Deuce #2. Murray forehand wide. Ad Raemon. He sprayed a backhand
wide. Deuce #3. Murray hit a pinpoint backhand pass-winner down the
line, onto the sideline. Ad Murray (BP). Service-winner down the
middle. Deuce #4. Raemon sprayed a forehand long - too much time.
Ad Murray (BP #2). Murray retrieved two smashes, but was forced to
miss a running pass. Deuce #4. Murray chopped a forehand wide, and
threw his racket. Ad Raemon. A drill of crosscourt sliced backhands
ended with Murray netting one.

Well held there, because Murray was very determined to break, even
though Raemon had led 40/15! Two break-points saved.

Andrew Castle said Raemon is taking a lot of risks, because he knows
he can't beat Murray by playing at the same pace.

Murray serving 2-3: Raemon hit a lovely crosscourt forehand pass-
winner from a defensive position.. 0/15.Murray backhand lob wide
(forced by pace). 0/30. Service-winner. 15/30. Murray came in behind
a backhand down the line, on the line, but Raemon came up with a
crosscourt forehand pass-winner! 15/40 (2 BPs). Murray dictated the
point, almost netted a forehand smash, and hit a backhand volley-
winner. 30/40 (BP #2). Raemon netted a forehand return. 40/40. Raemon
swiped a wild forehand return long & wide. Ad Murray. Ace out wide.

A disappointing couple of returns from 30/40 there. Murray was ripe
for the break, having just failed to break Raemon in the previous
game.

Raemon serving 3-3: Ace (I blinked and missed it). 15/0. A big
forehand down Murray's forehand-line forced Murray to net a forehand.
30/0. Murray hit a backhand volley-winner - why didn't Raemon go for
the WIDE OPEN GAP to Murray's right? 30/15. Murray netted a tame
backhand. 40/15. Murray blasted a forehand return long.

No breaks since the second game of the match, but it's becoming much
tougher to hold... It's a tough one to call right now.

Even the arrogant British commentators have now acknowledged a "sea-
change".

Murray serving 3-4: Murray drew Raemon to the net and hit a
crosscourt forehand pass - key shot was a dipping crosscourt backhand
to Raemon's feet. 15/0. Raemon backhand just wide. 30/0. Service-
winner. 40/0. Raemon backhand winner down the line. 40/15. A sharp
crosscourt forehand onto the sideline forced Raemon to net a forehand.

Raemon serving 4-4: Service-winner. 15/0. Raemon forehand pass just
wide (forced by Murray's presence at the net). 15/15. Raemon came in
behind a crosscourt forehand, inducing Murray to hit a forehand pass
wide. 30/15. Ace down the middle. 40/15. Raemon came in, but a good
pass forced him to hit a backhand volley wide. 40/30. Murray forehand
drive-volley winner. 40/40. Murray hit a pinpoint forehand winner
down the line, onto the sideline and very deep. Ad Murray (BP).
Raemon saved it by coming in behind a forehand down the line, forcing
Murray to hit a backhand pass wide. Deuce #2. Double fault (second-
serve foot-fault). The Dutch argued that it was called before his
foot touched the ground, but to no avail. Ad Murray (BP #2). Murray
forehand long. Deuce #3. Ace out wide. Ad Raemon. A long rally with a
netcord and Murray retreating from the net ended with Raemon at the
net but hitting a backhand volley long. Deuce #3. Ace down the
middle. Ad Raemon. Service-winner.

Again, Raemon pegged back from 40/15, saves two break-points, and
holds! All the pressure's on Murray now.

Murray serving 4-5: Serve + forehand winner. 15/0. Raemon came in
when Murray hit a floating backhand, and hit a scything crosscourt
backhand volley-winner. 15/15. An off-forehand from Murray forced
Raemon to net a backhand. 30/15. Double fault. 30/30. Raemon netted a
tame forehand. 40/30. Raemon crosscourt forehand + forehand volley-
winner. 40/40. Ace down the middle (called out but overruled - no
replay because it was deemed to be a clear winner). Ad Murray.
Ace out wide.

Raemon serving 5-5: Murray netted a forehand (forced). 15/0. Raemon
netted a backhand. 15/15. Murray off-forehand winner. 15/30. Double
fault. 15/40 (2 BPs). Murray broke with an amazing half-volley
backhand pass down the line that caught the outside edge of the
baseline! Raemon reacted angrily to the break.

Murray serving 6-5: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Raemon blasted a wild
forehand very wide. 30/0. Wild forehand return long. 40/0 (3 SPs).
Murray netted a choky backhand on the third stroke. 40/15. Raemon
netted a backhand. Murray won the second set 7-5 at 13:44.


Third set
---------
SLUITE *___*___ 2
MURRAY _*@* *@* 6

Raemon serving 0-0: He netted a forehand. 0/15. Murray sprayed a
forehand wide. 15/15. Ace down the middle. 30/15. Murray netted a
backhand. 40/15. Raemon came to the net, forcing Murray to net a
backhand.

After the first point, I thought, 'What a shame Raemon's bubble has
burst after that break,' but Murray's level has dropped too.

Murray serving 0-1: Raemon's crosscourt forehand clipped the netcord
and fell wide. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Raemon forehand just
long. 40/0. Murray went for a saucy forehand dropshot from the
baseline, and netted it. 40/15. Raemon forehand return long.

Raemon serving 1-1: An off-forehand forced Murray to net a backhand.
15/0. Service-winner down the middle. 30/0. Raemon netted a forehand.
30/15. Murray off-forehand winner just inside the baseline. 30/30.
Murray hit a venomous, Nadal-like forehand winner down Raemon's
forehand-line. 30/40 (BP). Murray return long. 40/40. Raemon netted a
forehand. Ad Murray (BP #2). Service-winner - a 98mph second serve
that really kicked into Murray's face! Deuce #2. Murray hit
a "brilliant" early crosscourt forehand pass. Ad Murray (BP #3).
Murray hit a forehand would-be pass-winner just wide, and threw his
racket with some anger. Deuce #3. Raemon forehand just long.
Ad Murray (BP #4). Murray came in behind a deep forehand that forced
Raemon to mishit a forehand long.

Chris Bradnam: "Surely there's nothing left in this man [Raemon]."

Murray serving 2-1: Murray forehand just long. 0/15. Raemon backhand
just long. 15/15. Raemon came to the net, forcing Murray to net a
backhand. 15/30. Raemon blasted a deep forehand return-winner. 15/40
(2 BPs). Service-winner. 30/40. Murray hit a crosscourt forehand,
forcing Raemon wide to net a forehand. 40/40. Raemon hit a brilliant
forehand pass-winner down the line. Ad Raemon (BP #3). Murray saved
it with a huge, deep service-winner. Deuce #2. Murray forehand long.
Ad Raemon (BP #4). Serve + forehand winner down Raemon's forehand-
line. Deuce #3. Second serve: Raemon netted a tame forehand return.
Ad Murray. Ace out wide.

Now we see why Murray is ranked #11 to Raemon's #140: Murray imposes
his class at the right times, and resists four break-points for
Raemon.

Raemon serving 1-3: Raemon netted a forehand - it's all rather ragged
from him at the moment. 0/15. Murray hit a forehand would-be winner
just long, and reacted angrily. 15/15. Murray hit a forehand long,
off a deep shot from Raemon that he failed to adjust his feet for.
30/15. Raemon hit a pinpoint first serve onto the junction of
sideline and service-line, maintained the initiative, and Murray hit
a wild crosscourt forehand pass wide on the sixth stroke. 40/15. Ace
out wide.

Murray serving 3-2: Serve + off-forehand winner into the corner.
15/0. Murray got down on one knee to hit a backhand winner down the
line on the third stroke. 30/0. Ace out wide. 40/0. Murray netted a
forehand - footwork lacking. 40/15. Raemon came in and hit a
brilliant scything crosscourt backhand volley-winner. 40/30. Double
fault. 40/40. Raemon netted a sliced backhand. Ad Murray. Raemon
opened up the court and hit a crosscourt forehand winner into the
gap. Deuce #2. Service-winner. Ad Murray. Raemon hit a brilliant
forehand pass-winner down the line, right in the corner, from a
defensive position. Deuce #2. Raemon attempted a squash-like
crosscourt backhand pass, but it was just wide. Ad Murray. Ace.

Raemon serving 2-4: Serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Second
serve: crosscourt backhand return-winner. 15/15. I thought Raemon had
won the point with a one-two punch, but Murray's lob came down with
snow on it, and Murray won the point with a dead netcord. 15/30.
Second serve: backhand return-winner down the line. 15/40 (2 BPs).
Raemon got his own lucky netcord, and was luckier still that Murray
netted a forehand volley he should have made. 30/40. Raemon hit a
forehand long on the third stroke to give Murray the double break.

Murray serving 5-2: After a long rally, Raemon hit a sliced backhand
down the line, and Murray cracked a crosscourt forehand would-be
winner just wide. 0/15. Serve + crosscourt forehand winner. 15/15.
Service-winner down the middle. 30/15. Raemon backhand return-winner
down the line. 30/30. Murray served & volleyed, and hit a forehand
volley-winner on the fifth stroke. 40/30 (MP #1). First serve into
the net. Murray netted a backhand on the third stroke. 40/40.
Ace down the middle. Ad Murray (MP #2). Murray netted a forehand on
the third stroke. Deuce #2. Second serve: Raemon sprayed a wild
forehand return very long. Ad Murray (MP #3). Murray mishit a
forehand long on the fifth stroke. Deuce #3. Murray netted another
forehand. Ad Raemon (BP). Ace down the middle. Deuce #4. Murray
served & volleyed, and Raemon netted a backhand. Ad Murray (MP #4).
Raemon forehand just long. Murray won 6-3 7-5 6-2 at 14:25.

Andrew Castle: "He certainly looks like a champion now - as he
should, against opposition like Raemon Sluiter."

Andy Murray: "He played really well after the start of the match -
I didn't manage to break him again until 5-5 in the second; he was
making me do a lot of running. I did well to hang in. [The injury]
didn't really restrict my movement, but I still felt it. I didn't get
broken the whole match, but I lost my concentration a bit at the end."

Judy Murray: "He /had/ to play pretty well. Raemon was playing a very
tricky match; he was being really smart with what he was doing,
keeping the ball pretty low, quite short a lot of the time, and
making it difficult for Andy to hit it big from where he normally
likes to hit it big in the court, so yeah, he really had to work hard
to come through that one."

Mark Hodgkinson for The Daily Telegraph:
>>>
The most remarkable part of Sluiter's game was his forehand, an
unorthodox stroke which was noteworthy for its ugly and awkward
appearance. Sluiter was striking the ball with both hands, with his
elbows tucked in close to his body, making him look like a crab
playing tennis.

Sluiter also did not allow the umpire a quiet afternoon, and happily
admitted afterwards that his conversations with the official would
need to be censored with some bleeps, asterisks, more bleeps and
stars.
<<<

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
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