Two titles and ten matches on the bounce as Andy Murray closes in on Wimbledon seeding

By Simon Briggs, Tennis Correspondent

Andy Murray acquired a Father’s Day shock, moments after touchdown his second Challenger title in as many weeks, when his spouse Kim emerged into the stands at Nottingham with daughters Edie and Lola in tow.

Caught unawares in the course of his on-court interview, Murray had been sporting his sport face as he responded to queries about his kind, his health and his French opponent Arthur Cazaux. Now he abruptly brightened up and mentioned “Oh my God, I didn’t know they have been right here!”

Murray had simply accomplished his tenth straight win on grass. A snug victory over a 20-year-old ranked 181 on the planet, this was yet one more step in direction of his said aim of incomes a seeding at Wimbledon in a fortnight’s time.

However an in any other case routine afternoon was made memorable by his household’s sudden look. As Murray went on to elucidate, “I had no thought they have been coming. They got here final week for the ultimate at Surbiton they usually turned up and it began raining, in order that they needed to go house for the children’ bedtime they usually missed the top of the match.

“I don’t know what number of of them are right here right this moment nevertheless it’s nice. They’re all right here? [Sophia is seven, Edie five, Teddy three and Lola two.] My household have been unbelievably supportive with my profession, once they may simply have instructed me to cease. I recognize that they’ve instructed me to maintain going.”

Murray’s willpower to press on together with his profession has baffled some observers, who ask why a person who has been ranked No1 on the planet would need to maintain competing as an also-ran. However Murray himself doesn’t see issues like that. As he put it in Madrid in April, “l have ambitions of competing for Wimbledon titles and that kind of stuff.”

This aim has knowledgeable his scheduling over the past month. He skipped the French Open after struggling all through the clay-court swing, however has climbed 5 locations within the rankings on the again of his efforts in Surbiton and Nottingham.

Transferring from No 43 to No 38 won’t appear such a giant deal, nevertheless it represents Murray’s finest place on the ladder since he was fitted with a metallic hip. Extra importantly, it additionally leaves him inside touching distance of incomes that precious seeding at Wimbledon. He would in all probability have to win two matches at Queen’s this week, thus reaching the quarter-finals, to say a type of 32 coveted locations.

Final summer time, Murray was massively annoyed to be eradicated within the second spherical of Wimbledon by John Isner, the 20^th seed, who loved an impressed day on serve. His probabilities of easing via a cushty first couple of matches this yr could be vastly improved by a seeding, which prevents you from going through one other seeded participant till the third spherical.

His draw at Queen’s will not be a simple one. Murray will open, in all probability on Tuesday, in opposition to Australian No1 Alex de Minaur. He has misplaced all three of his earlier conferences with this extremely cell opponent, together with a 6-1, 6-3 thumping in Monte Carlo a few months in the past. However that was on clay, which is much much less well-suited to Murray’s slice-heavy sport. Additionally, de Minaur – who occurs to be the boyfriend of Murray’s fellow Rothesay Open champion Katie Boulter – will not be in the perfect of kind, having misplaced eight of his final 13 matches.

Murray beats Cazaux in straight units, because it occurred

01:20 PM

The champ

01:16 PM

Pretty household second for Murray

Very nice second for Murray as he talks about making an attempt to get house and see his youngsters earlier than bedtime on Father’s Day.

However a shout from the group comes and the digital camera picks out his spouse and kids within the stands. Murray clearly had no thought they have been there.

He thanks them for coming and seeing him win a title for the primary time.

01:14 PM

Twitter reacts

01:10 PM

The profitable second for Murray

01:06 PM

A person in kind

Again to again Challenger titles and 10 wins in a row for Andy Murray.

01:04 PM

Murray 6-4, 6-4 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

Boooom! Murray first serve in play, he will get a brief ball and finishes the purpose with a forehand winner, 15-0.

One of many longest rallies of the match, Casaux thinks he’s in management as he approaches the online however Murray finds the hole down the road with a backhand, 30-0.

Casaux return into the online, three championship factors. Cazaux forehand lengthy.

GAME. SET. CHAMPIONSHIP. MURRAY

12:59 PM

Murray* 6-4, 5-4 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

The gang are coming into the match now as they sense the second for Murray. One other jaw dropping lob by Murray over Cazaux’s head, 15-30.

Murray on the assault, Cazaux on the defensive and he nets a backhand, break level Murray.

Murray will get a have a look at a second serve, he will get the ball again in play and Casaux nets a tame backhand.

Murray breaks and can serve for the championship.

12:55 PM

Murray 6-4, 4-4 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

Probability for Cazaux right here as Murray nets a backhand, 15-30. Well timed ace from Murray, 30-30.

He finds his first serve once more and Casaux’s return goes large. Third first serve in a row by Murray, this one the ball arcs away from Cazaux’s racket and the ball lands wanting the online.

Massive maintain by Murray.

12:49 PM

Murray* 6-4, 3-4 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Murray will get a have a look at a second serve however sends a forehand return lengthy, 30-15. He’s not pleased with himself after that.

A sequence of deep forehands by Cazaux and Murray sends certainly one of his personal lengthy, 40-30.

And Casaux holds serve to 30 with a forehand winner. No break factors for both participant on this set.

12:45 PM

Murray 6-4, 3-3 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

Nice defensive lob by Cazaux sends Murray again to the baseline and he then misses a forehand, 30-15.

Gorgeous cross court docket backhand winner by Murray, 40-15. On the run, beneath strain and he digs out the shot once more.

Cazaux forehand lengthy and Murray holds. Neither man is blinking as we strategy the enterprise finish of the set.

12:42 PM

Murray* 6-4, 2-3 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Casaux continues to set the tempo within the second set and holds to fifteen. The Frenchman is trying harmful…

12:36 PM

Murray 6-4, 2-2 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

Class grass court docket tennis by Murray as he assaults the online and finishes with a backhand volley winner, 30-15.

Murray’s motion and really feel have been on level right this moment. All flowing very properly.

And he holds to fifteen to maintain up with Cazaux.

12:31 PM

Murray* 6-4, 1-2 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Cazaux’s flip to hit a forehand winner after going again behind his opponent, 15-0.

Good hit backhand overhead smash from Cazaux after a slip on his strategy into the online, 40-15. And he holds when his backhand slice hits the online wire and drops brief on Murray’s facet.

12:27 PM

Murray 6-4, 1-1 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

Sensible from Murray. Once more incorrect footing his opponent with a beautiful backhand winner with Cazaux transferring within the different route.

Murray double fault, 30-30. Good lob once more by Murray, seen it so many occasions over time. Cazaux slices a backhand down the road and Murray is there to whip the lob over his head, 40-30.

And Murray holds after Cazaux fails to return a primary serve down the T.

12:21 PM

Second Set: Murray* 6-4, 0-1 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Higher begin by Cazaux as he holds to like. The Frenchman has grown in confidence because the match has gone on.

The second set received’t be simple for Murray.

12:15 PM

Murray 6-4 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

Good injection of tempo by Murray into the forehand on a brief ball, 15-0. One other forehand winner into the identical nook by Murray, 30-0.

A 3rd forehand winner for the sport, this time incorrect footing Casaux, three set factors,

And he seals an emphatic service sport and the set with an ace.

12:12 PM

Murray* 5-4 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Frustration beginning to construct for constructing for Murray after he nets a backhand.

Very good from Murray to move Casaux with a backhand winner, 15-30. One other lengthy rally, facet to facet, persistence then Cazaux strikes with a backhand down the road winner, 40-30.

Casaux sends a forehand lengthy, deuce. Forehand simply lengthy from Murray and Casaux holds. Murray will serve for the set for a second time.

Credit score to Casaux for preventing again on this set.

12:05 PM

Murray 5-2 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

A gap for Cazaux right here as Murray nets a backhand, 0-30. He seems as shocked as everybody else to have missed.

Sensible from Casaux. Good depth and energy and he finishes with a cross court docket winner, three break factors.

And Casaux takes. After trying so comfy, Murray appeared a bit sluggish and was punished.

12:01 PM

Murray* 5-2 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

No Hawkeye in fact so counting on line judges to make calls. And Cazaux is sad after his backhand is named lengthy, 0-15.

You’d again Murray to make a lob however after a foray into the online by Cazaux, Murray’s effort is simply lengthy, 30-15.

However Cazax holds to 30 when Murray can’t get his first sere return again to play.

Murray to serve for the opening set subsequent.

11:54 AM

Murray 5-1 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

A gruelling rally, each males have possibilities to complete the purpose however squander them earlier than a weary Murray nets a forehand, 15-15.

Murray completes a service maintain to fifteen when Cazaux sends a forehand lengthy.

11:49 AM

Murray* 4-1 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Level of the match from Cazaux as he takes cost of the rally together with his forehand and finishes with a down the road winner, 30-0.

Again-to-back backhand errors put Murray again into the sport, 30-30.

Murray applies strain together with his deep groundstrokes and Cazaux sends a forehand into the tramlines, break level.

Casaux finds a primary serve however missed with a forehand after a brief return by Murray.

Murray breaks once more.

11:43 AM

Murray 3-1 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

First double fault of the match by Murray, 30-15. The watching Ivan Lendl doesn’t look pleased.

Murray seems to have the sport wrapped up when Cazaux lifts up a defensive lob however a really causal Murray nets a tame smash, 40-30. Unusual shot.

Murray does ultimately come via when Cazaux sends a backhand lengthy.

11:37 AM

Murray* 2-1 Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Love watching Murray play when he’s hugging the baseline and refusing to surrender floor. He’s being affected person and drawing errors from Cazaux, who’s beneath lots of strain in his service video games.

A wrong-footing forehand winner by Cazaux makes it 40-30. And he holds after a giant first serve is unreturned by Murray.

11:32 AM

Murray 2-0 Cazaux* (*denotes subsequent server)

Murray backs up the break with a formidable service maintain to like.

Murray seems very sharp early. Seems match, transferring effectively, dominating from the baseline. Good indicators thus far.

11:30 AM

First Set: Andy Murray* 1-0 Arthur Cazaux (*denotes subsequent server)

Good begin by Cazaux as he finishes the opening level with an overhead smash. One other massive serve down the T and Murray can’t et his forehand return into court docket, 30-15. First ace of the match makes it 40-15.

Murray drags Cazaux into the online with a brief slice, the Frenchman doesn’t do sufficient together with his strategy shot and Murray sends a forehand down the road for a winner, 40-30.

Drop shot into the online by Cazaux, break level Murray. Cazaux finds one other first serve down the T and Murray’s return is large.

Classic Murray. Good play by Cazaux however on the run, Murray hits a beautiful backhand winner down the road. Second break level.

Nice level. Cazaux slices a brief backhand, Murray lifts a lob again over his head, Cazaux chases again and hits a tweener however Murray is on the internet to complete with a volley winner.

After 10 minutes, Murray breaks.

11:11 AM

Right here we go!

It’s an early begin however the stands are packed in Nottingham as Murray and Cazaux stroll onto court docket for his or her match.

Forecast to rain right this moment so hopefully the match is uninterrupted.

Cazaux wins the coin toss and opts to serve first.

11:08 AM

Afterward right this moment…

… it will likely be the ‘Battle of Britain’ in Nottingham as Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage battle within the first all-British WTA Tour remaining since 1977.

11:01 AM

Murray feeling his finest since surgical procedure

10:52 AM

Who’s Arthur Cazaux?

• Hails from Montpellier, France. He’s ranked 181 on the planet and aged 20.

• Misplaced within the first spherical of the French Open to compatriot Corentin Moutet.

• Gained a Challenger occasion in Thailand in January.

• Defeated Adrian Mannarino in ATP Tour primary draw debut in Geneva as 18-year-old wildcard in 2021.

10:40 AM

Classic Murray

10:25 AM

Murray on a roll

Hiya and welcome to protection of the Rothesay Open in Nottingham as Andy Murray goals to win back-to-back finals.

Murray’s choice to skip the French Open and concentrate on incomes a Wimbledon seeding has confirmed to be proper with the previous world No 1 in assured temper forward of the grass court docket grand slam.

Final week he received the Surbition Trophy and he’s but to drop a set this week in Nottingham.

On Saturday, he eased previous Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-2 in solely 72 minutes for his ninth victory in a row.

“I in all probability want I’d dropped down and performed extra at this stage sooner,” mentioned Murray. “I did play a number of Challengers once I got here again however possibly I ought to have stayed there a bit of bit longer.

“I’ve received in opposition to three or 4 top-100 gamers on this run. There’s been some good wins in opposition to skilled grass-court gamers.

“For me bodily and mentally to get used to being on this scenario extra once more has been actually useful. Now it’s as much as me to try to carry that on on the greater stage over the subsequent few weeks.”

Victory for Murray would see him enter the highest 40 on the planet however he’ll nonetheless require wins on the Queen’s Membership subsequent week to be among the many 32 seeds.

At this time he faces Frenchman Arthur Cazaux, who defeated Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-2.

“If I used to be coaching at Queen’s, I might have been on the follow court docket for a few hours right this moment and I might have been within the gymnasium,” mentioned Murray.

“There’s clearly the psychological stress of the matches and competing however fairly a number of of the matches have been fairly fast. Bodily I really feel fantastic simply now.

“I’ve performed lots of kids not too long ago and it’s all the time robust. We practised with one another not too long ago so hopefully (there are) not too many surprises.”

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