Murray back from the brink, again
Briton survives another scare to qualify for Brisbane quarters.
BRISBANE:
Top-seed Andy Murray battled back from the brink for the second game in a row as he beat Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller 4-6, 7-6, 6-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.
Murray lost the first set against Muller and was facing two break points to go 5-3 down in the second before clawing his way back to win. The 24-year-old was in similar trouble in the first round before recovering and will be desperate to avoid another slow start in the quarter-finals.
“I felt I moved better in the second and third sets,” said a relieved Murray. “I was happy to get the win – the more matches I can get this week, the better. I thought once I got into the baseline rallies I was good, but he served very well, especially in the first two sets and I just managed to hang in.”
Serena pulls out
In the women’s event, five-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams was in doubt for the year’s opening Grand Slam after she was forced to pull out of the Brisbane International with an ankle injury.
Serena fell falling heavily on her ankle during a baseline rally towards the end of her second round 6-2, 6-4 win over Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski and was forced to pull out.
“I’m disappointed,” said Williams. “I’ve a left ankle sprain that I probably shouldn’t play on. I’m still hopeful of playing the Australian Open.”
Earlier, US Open champion Samantha Stosur crashed out after unheralded Iveta Benesova beat her 6-4, 6-2.
Wozniacki grinds out win
Elsewhere, world number one Caroline Wozniacki did little to silence her critics as she struggled to win her singles match in Denmark’s 2-1 loss to Bulgaria at the Hopman Cup.
Wozniacki, who is clinging to the top ranking by 115 points, made a host of unforced errors in her clash against Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova, finally winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
The Bulgarians then came from a set down to win the deciding mixed doubles 3-6, 6-4, 10-1. Earlier, Grigor Dimitrov had beaten Frederik Nielsen 7-6, 6-2 to give the Bulgarians the lead.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.
Top-seed Andy Murray battled back from the brink for the second game in a row as he beat Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller 4-6, 7-6, 6-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.
Murray lost the first set against Muller and was facing two break points to go 5-3 down in the second before clawing his way back to win. The 24-year-old was in similar trouble in the first round before recovering and will be desperate to avoid another slow start in the quarter-finals.
“I felt I moved better in the second and third sets,” said a relieved Murray. “I was happy to get the win – the more matches I can get this week, the better. I thought once I got into the baseline rallies I was good, but he served very well, especially in the first two sets and I just managed to hang in.”
Serena pulls out
In the women’s event, five-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams was in doubt for the year’s opening Grand Slam after she was forced to pull out of the Brisbane International with an ankle injury.
Serena fell falling heavily on her ankle during a baseline rally towards the end of her second round 6-2, 6-4 win over Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski and was forced to pull out.
“I’m disappointed,” said Williams. “I’ve a left ankle sprain that I probably shouldn’t play on. I’m still hopeful of playing the Australian Open.”
Earlier, US Open champion Samantha Stosur crashed out after unheralded Iveta Benesova beat her 6-4, 6-2.
Wozniacki grinds out win
Elsewhere, world number one Caroline Wozniacki did little to silence her critics as she struggled to win her singles match in Denmark’s 2-1 loss to Bulgaria at the Hopman Cup.
Wozniacki, who is clinging to the top ranking by 115 points, made a host of unforced errors in her clash against Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova, finally winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
The Bulgarians then came from a set down to win the deciding mixed doubles 3-6, 6-4, 10-1. Earlier, Grigor Dimitrov had beaten Frederik Nielsen 7-6, 6-2 to give the Bulgarians the lead.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.