What a dive volley from Kendrick to get to break point!!!

Murray had 15-40 on Kendrick's serve but didn't do enough on the returns on either.

Kendrick leads 2-1 in the fourth set.

Kendrick saves one match point at 3-5, but manages to hold and force Murray to serve out the match.

Madeline wrote:

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If Andy doesn't win this I'll eat my hat.

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Phew, my hat is safe - I did worry about it occasionally. But not much, when Andy went through an indifferent patch, I kept expecting him to come through regardless.

My cushions and cat were likewise safe for almost the entire match.

 

The problem is Gulbis hasn't played well all season, lost to Alberto Martin at Queens, and hasn't won back-to-back matches since Cincinatti (although he did win 3 matches in a row in September, but two of them were Davis Cup ties)

If Gulbis plays like he has done all year then Murray will win this very comfortably and I'd expect him to do so anyway, but there is just that nagging concern that Gulbis is due to have a match where everything he hits goes in. Don't think it's coming against Murray, and even if it does, Murray knows what Gulbis's game plan will be, as all he can do is hit the ball hard, and if that doesn't work, hit it harder.

"You know" - 35 times
"I mean" - 9 times

I didnt see all that much of the match and then later saw the highlights.

From what I saw seems to have been a fairly patchy performance from Andy.  But plentt good players have bit dodgy first round or two.  And with all the expectation I think he was probbably entitled to have a bit nervy first round match.  Didnt really feel he was in any real danger and I am sure he will pick it up a lot later on.  He better !

Second serve looked at its dodgiest at times, very slow and attackable.  Probably nerves make it even worse.  McEnroe was making the point I was making in discussions about Andy's serves ( he probably read mine lol ) that yes his second serve stats look actually pretty good, but thats a combination of well hes a really  good player with what he can offer after he copes with the return and many players arent good enough at consistently taking advantage of a weak second serve particularly on some surfaces.  The problem is the better players will take advantage of it !  Basically Andy's all round abilities get him away with it a lot of the time, but everyone can see surely that it is a real issue.  I feel serving is going to pretty crucial to Andy's Wimnledon.

His returning which seemed a bit inconsistent ( even allowing for Kendrick's stenghth on serve ) will I feel get much better when he's in the groove, and I just hope re his serve.

Yes, I have bit similat thoughts re Gulbis as FD if maybe a bit more worried.  Yes, he's off form but he has proven abilities to at least realy push the very best.  He will surely be up for it and if it all clicks.....hmm.  Andy might be glad it's 5 sets although I really hope, and in truth expect, that it won't come near coming down to that.

Get past Gulbis and it looks to me a resaonably clear road to the quarter finals.  Gonzalez or Simon perhaps possible good matches there but I'd take Andy to wn there.  Then my probably much greater concern is Del Potro ( ahead of Roddick ) who was transported into Nadal's place.  I think there is much much more to come from that guy amd possibly even on grass.  His 2nd round match with Hewitt may tell us a lot.  Maybe it will tell us he is out since he can't cope with a seemingly bit rejuvenated Lleyton. But I predict he will get through that.