Australian Open 2011: Andy Murray Through To The Semi-Finals.

Andy Murray went through to the Semi-Finals 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. He was made to work hard in the beginning and towards the end. Dolgopolov chose to receive after winning the toss, which showed a passive state of mind. The advantage of serving first was handed over to Andy Murray. Andy Murray went up a service break up, but was not finding it easy to play Dolgopolov’s style of play. He was not serving even 40% of first serves in by his fourth service game. There was only one ace served. Dolgopolov was able to even up the set on serve. Dolgopolov sometimes blocks the service on his forehand by a slice which is rather unconventional. He was not hitting short or in the middle of the court. Murray was not in trouble but was feeling disconcerted. His quick movements were not producing quick results since Dolgopolov has the ability to change his hitting stance quickly. Murray’s extraordinary anticipation was not working that well either since Dolgopolov was not playing the conventional stock play. But the inexperience was showing too. He committed harakiri by playing drop shots to Murray. Playing drop shots to Soderling is totally different than playing drop shots to Andy Murray. Dolgopolov did not play the crucial points well enough and lost the first set 5-7. He was committing two unforced errors per game. That was giving the match on platter to Andy Murray. Experience got the better of inexperience. Seriousness scored over casual approach. A pattern set in where Dolgopolov would score only the shorter points and all longer points will go Murray’s way. It is not easy to play winners against Murray since every ball is chased and returned. Sensing the lack of control over aggression on part of Dolgopolov, Murray started giving him long rope and Dolgopolov kept on tightening noose around his neck bit by bit. A carefree Dolgopolov became careless and then reckless. His coach was also shown laughing at the silly mistakes committed by him. By the time he lost the second set at 3-6, he had committed 42 unforced errors in the 21 games played. If one thought that Dolgopolov will learn from mistakes, these hopes were soon belied. Dolgopolov lost serve in the very first game of the third set. But slowly he cashed in on mistakes by Andy Murray. He broke back and the set went to a tie break. In the tie break, Murray lost his composure and lost the tie break 3-7. In the fourth set, Andy Murray regained his composure and broke Dolgopolov in the very service game of the latter. He had won 14 points in a row and had consolidated the break.

At no point in the match, Murray looked in danger of losing. Dolgopolov looked unfazed in his defeat. He appeared content with his first quarterfinal appearance in a grand slam tournament. Andy Murray played his normal game and Dolgopolov played a flashy game. The steady game scored over the flashes of brilliance. The match was nothing but the tale of 77 unforced errors.