Your Argus
TEXT your pictures, videos and messages to 80360. Start your message with SUPIC or email your tip-offs »
Murray edges through
7:34am Friday 29th August 2008
British number one Andy Murray booked a place in the US Open third round in New York tonight when he overcame Michael Llodra of France in four sets.
Murray overcame Llodra 6-4 1-6 7-5 7-6 (9/7) in a tense and exciting match at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.
Murray now faces world number 48 Jurgen Melzer of Austria, who trounced Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic 6-0 6-2 6-2 in the first match of the day on court 10.
The world number six and three-time winner on the ATP Tour this year, took the first set thanks to an early break against the left-handed world number 38 in the third game.
But in the second the Frenchman moved into a 2-0 lead and there was no way back in that set for Murray as Llodra turned on the style, powering through 6-1 in 25 minutes to level the match.
At 6-5 down in the third, Llodra was serving to take the set to a tie-breaker but his game suddenly deserted him and loose shots gave Murray three set points. Murray forced another error at the first opportunity and clenched his fists in celebration as a Llodra shot went long and he took the set 7-5.
The fourth went to a tie break and Murray quickly earned a mini-break to go 2-0 up but Llodra levelled at 2-2. Frustration saw Murray throw his racquet into the ground but he took a 5-3 lead with a brilliant backhand crosscourt winner.
But he then double faulted and Llodra again levelled. He was then serving to save the set at 5-6 down but on his second serve he pounced on a poor Llodra return with a forehand winner.
Again Murray put himself back into trouble, handing Llodra a second set point at 7-6 before the world number 38 ceded the initiative once more with a risky volley.
Murray grabbed the opportunity, putting away a weak backhand to win before grabbing a ball from his pocket and smashing it skyward in celebration.
Editor's Choice
Eco-dilemmas solved
All the top tip columns make being green sound so easy: just change your light bulbs, walk to the shops and do your recycling, but it never really works out like that. SARAH LEWIS turns agony aunt and answers some of your pressing eco-questions.
Comment: Sign up to an NHS dentist to beat decay
When the new NHS dental contract was introduced, large numbers of dentists left the NHS and focused on private patients.
Woe of Woolies
Woolworths, one of the best-known names on the British high street, has been put into administration with £385 million of debt. As company bosses and administrators Deloitte wrestle with the task of rescuing the business, RICHARD GURNER takes a look back at the company’s history in Sussex and asks business leaders what needs to be done to revive its fortunes.
This week's walk: Horsted Keynes and Furner's Green
From the village of Horsted Keynes, this walk heads eastwards to encircle the nearby settlement of Danehill, crossing and recrossing two well-wooded valleys before returning along part of the Sussex Border Path, a longdistance walking route which sticks fairly closely to the boundary between East and West Sussex.
Andy Murray
In this section
Sponsored Links
Local Services
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
