Andy Murray Fights His Way into the Quarterfinals at the 2011 French Open
By on May 31, 2011
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Brit (4) Andy Murray vs. Serb (15) Victor Troicki
When play concluded in darkness on Day 9, Andy Murray had just wrapped up the fourth set against the No. 15 seed Victor Troicki of Serbia. Murray had defeated Troicki the first three times the two had met. But the match on Monday proved to be a real contest of wills.
Murray, who had rolled his ankle in his third round match against German Michael Berrer, remained uncertain about his ability to take the court on Monday. Since the match with Troicki was the last matched scheduled for the day, Murray decided to take the court, moving very tentatively in the early going.
Down 1-5 in the opener, Murray finally began to feel comfortable enough to try to make his way back in the first set. Troicki, however, was able to hang on long enough take the first set 6-4 as well as the second set 6-4.
Things were looking bleak for the No. 4 seed at this point. He was broken during his opening service game in the third set. But Murray began the long road back. The Scot broke back to 2-2, then was unstoppable. He allowed Troicki only one more game in the set, taking it 6-3.
Murray followed that by taking the fourth set 6-2, breaking Troicki twice before darkness forced the conclusion of activity on Court Suzanne Lenglen for the day.
On Tuesday, the two men resumed action on Court Lenglen for the privilege of facing Juan Ignacio Chela in the quarterfinals. The conditions on this day were much heavier than yesterday.
Murray, known for starting slow, did not dawdle on Day 10. The first four games were cat and mouse forays with both men holding serve. After a bizarre call in the sixth game, Troicki managed a break of serve against the Scot, going up 4-2. Murray once again had his back against the wall.
Employing exemplary net play, Troicki continued to try to outfox Murray. The Serb held on to go up 5-2. Murray was still down only one break, but the Scot’s maneuvering space quickly receded. Murray held serve to bring the match to 3-5. The Scot needed to break serve to save the match.
Murray got to 40-30 on the Troicki serve, breaking back with sheer determination––on the brink of defeat. Now the Scot had to hold his own serve, taking the match to 5-5 in the fifth.
Murray went up 0-40 on Troicki’s next serve giving the Scot three break points. Troicki saved two. Murray had one more chance to break, which he did to go up 6-5 with a chance to serve for the match.
Murray served it out, advancing to the quarterfinals and a real opportunity as the Scot will face Juan Ignacio Chela for a spot in the semifinals.
Murray showed real heart to come back seemingly down and out in this match. Murray moves on...
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