Murray - Verdasco match thread

This will be starting around 3:30 Melbourne time, due to injury to Zheng in the prior match.

(Apparently livematch threads are only prohibited in GM, so I'm trying this - my theory is that MTF has wandered into a state where a lot of folks think such threads are banned altogether when that wasn't the original idea.)

Murray clarified with Chryst - no checking with coaches about whether to challenge.

Good move Murray

Verdasco really needs to win the first set otherwise this could be over pretty quickly

Verdasco *1-1

uh oh trouble already for Verdasco

2 break balls Murray

Murray making plenty of early errors, but looking focused and purposeful. Droppers, volleys, return winners: showing his arsenal.

Nando has a plan too: keeping Andy busy running side to side until he sees an opening.

Sensational shot around the netpost.

Drop, lob, smash!

Nando showing a lack of fear of Andy's smash.

Uhh....4-0 in the second set. What happened?

Mental collapse. Possibly viral in origin.

big serving from the Spanish one helped him to level

Is that Herpes on murrays Lip?

Come on, Andy get it together!

What a joke, Murray you've lost all respect. All that form for NOTHING.

Well, the position of leading talented headcase is opening up with Safin's retirement - Andy and Gasquet are duking it out.