Italy beats Britain 3-2 to reach Davis Cup semis

Italy beats Britain 3-2 to reach Davis Cup semis

Italy won both singles matches against Britain in straight sets on Sunday to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time in 16 years.

Fabio Fognini pulled off a surprise 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray to level the best-of-five quarterfinal at 2-2 before Andreas Seppi defeated James Ward 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the decisive match.

"A great feat, a great success for all Italian tennis," Italy captain Corrado Barazzutti said. "It was time we got back to the semifinals. It's credit to everyone, to a team which has a great character. It was a victory of character."

Britain was looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1981 but Fognini was in commanding form to end Murray's run of 19 consecutive singles victories in the competition.

Seppi rarely struggled against a player ranked 127 places below him and comfortably served out for the match.

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Nadal vs Federer in Australian Open semifinal

Nadal vs Federer in Australian Open semifinal

Roger Federer beat Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to advance to his 11th consecutive Australian Open semifinal.

Federer set up a showdown with Rafael Nadal, who beat Grigor Dimitrov 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-2.

Murray, who saved two match points in the third-set tiebreaker, has an 11-10 edge over Federer in head-to-head matches and won their last match in five sets in the Australian Open semifinals last year, but Federer has won four of five matches in majors.

The Wimbledon champion became agitated after a ruling while dropping serve late in the third set when he indicated that he thought the ball had bounced twice before Federer kept it in play.

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Andy Murray Interview | 2014 Australian Open 4th Round

Andy Murray Interview | 2014 Australian Open 4th Round Q. Been an unusual tournament in the way you've played three guys you've not played before. Has that been one of the trickier things this week? ANDY MURRAY: Uhm, I don't know really. I mean, in all of those matches, when I haven't played against them, I started very, very well. So I can't say not knowing them was a problem because I started all the matches very, very well. The one match I didn't start so well was the one where I knew the opponent very, very well. So, no, I haven't found it particularly strange. Q. What's your sort of overall feeling after that one? ANDY MURRAY: I dominated 95% of the match, and for 15 minutes didn't close the match out. I was one point away from being in here and that being in here after a great performance to playing 15 minutes not perfect. But still created chances, even when I wasn't playing so well at the end of that third set. And then, yeah, the fourth set was fairly comfortable. You know, I lost my serve once. I think he only had breakpoint on my serve in two games in the match possibly. So it was pretty good for the most part. Q. Did you enjoy the context and artistry in that third set? ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, he's a tricky guy to play against, because when he's on the run, a lot of guys now when they're on the run, they'll chip and play a higher ball and try and keep themselves in the rally, whereas he kind of goes for broke a bit. He takes the ball up the line extremely well on his forehand. He wasn't an easy guy to play against. So, you know, I mean, the whole match was tricky. I mean, obviously the end of the third set was tough mentally. But, yeah, I was happy with the match for the most part.

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Andy Murray Press Conferences | Australian Open 1st Round

Andy Murray Press Conferences | Australian Open 1st Round

Q. When you knew you were going to be going on court about the time they were predicting the highest temperatures, did you fear the worst about the conditions?
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, yeah, you're obviously a bit nervous and apprehensive about it, you know, for a number of reasons for me. I was nervous because obviously the matches in Doha were good, but this for me is a big, big test playing in those conditions, potentially playing for, you know, anywhere from two and a half to four hours it can be.

So, yeah, I was a bit nervous before the match. But obviously, you know, when the shadow comes across the court it cooled down a little bit. But still, the air is extremely warm. I was glad to get off quickly.



Q. How did you find the conditions?
ANDY MURRAY: They were fine. I mean, it's not the easiest conditions I played in. I think, you know, if you were playing on one of the outside courts, in the sun, that would have been worse.

Yeah, I mean, I obviously wasn't on the court for a long time. That's what's very draining about being in conditions like that. I mean, most of the players are conditioned well enough to last in that weather for, you know, a certain amount of time. But doing it for three and a half, four hours is tough to recover from.



Q. From the sidelines it looked as those every component of the game was flowing rather nicely for a first match in a slam.
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I played well today. Practice the last week or so was very good. I played with a lot of good players. Hit the balls very well on the courts here.

And, yeah, I maybe didn't expect to play as well as I did today, but the signs have been good in practice. You know, I started the match off very well and did everything solid.

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Murray beaten by Mayer at Qatar Open

Murray beaten by Mayer at Qatar Open

Andy Murray was upset by Florian Mayer 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the Qatar Open.

Rafa Nadal was also taken to three sets but emerged with a 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 win over Tobias, while David Ferrer lost 6-4, 7-5 to Daniel Brands.

Murray was leading 6-3, 3-0 when the 40th-ranked Mayer started to play more aggressively, going for winners on nearly every shot. The German won 12 of the last 15 games, closing out the match with a net-cord winner to seal the win in 1 hour, 51 minutes.

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Murray Steps up Return

Murray Steps up Return

Andy Murray was delighted with how his form after recording his first victory since returning from back surgery against Stanislas Wawrinka in Abu Dhabi. The Wimbledon champion looked in promising form as he saw off world number eight Wawrinka 6-3 6-4 to finish fifth at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition – a tournament won by Betfair favourite Novak Djokovic.

Murray had opened the new season with a Boxing Day defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his first proper match since helping Great Britain beat Croatia to reach the Davis Cup World Group in September. The Scot’s long-standing back problem forced Murray to have an operation, ending his season and forcing him to miss the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

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Andy Murray Wimbledon 2013 Final press conference | Transcript

Andy Murray Wimbledon 2013 Final press conference | Transcript Andy Murray talks to the media after defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 to win the men's singles title.

Q. Many congratulations. You said to us before that nothing would probably top the US Open. Are you changing your mind on that at all? ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I also said that, you know, winning Wimbledon I think is the pinnacle of tennis. I think, yeah, I mean, the last game almost increased that feeling. You know, if I had closed it out at 40 Love I worked so hard in that last game. It's the hardest few points I've had to play in my life. And, yeah, it was a different match to the US Open. Yeah, winning Wimbledon, yeah, I still can't believe it. Can't get my head around that. I can't believe it.

Q. At the end it looked like you didn't know whether to smile or cry. Has it sunk in yet? If not, when do you think it will? ANDY MURRAY: I mean, who knows. I think just how that last game went my head was kind of everywhere. I mean, some of the shots he came up with were unbelievable. I maybe played one bad point at deuce. I remember missing a forehand in the net. But he came up with some unbelievable shots in that last game. Yeah, I think that's why at the end of the match I didn't quite know what was going on. Just a lot of different emotions at that time.

Q. The word 'disbelief', to watch you when you got the trophy and going through the halls, you had this look on your face. Can you describe the disbelief that's gone on? Are you aware that you're the first Brit to ever win this tournament in shorts? ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, the last sort of 30 minutes have been a bit of a blur really. I mean, yeah, from 4 2 down in the third set to now, I don't know I don't really know what to say just now. It was just an amazing finish to the match. I was glad I managed to, you know, see all of my team and stuff afterwards. They saw what it was like last year after the match. It was a completely different feeling this year. And, yeah, I still, like I said, can't believe it's happened. This one will take a little while to sink in, I'm sure.

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Watch Djokovic vs Murray Wimbledon Final live online and free streaming

Watch Djokovic vs Murray Wimbledon Final live online and free streaming

Wimbledon ends today with the amazing final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray watch it live and online...

Watch it right here :) or at Wimbledon.com

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Watch Murray vs Janowicz Wimbledon Semis live online and free streaming on Youtube

Watch Murray vs Janowicz Wimbledon Semis live online and free streaming on Youtube

Watch the second Wimbledon semifinals of the day between Andy Murray and Jerzy Janowicz live and online...

Watch it right here :) or at Wimbledon.com

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Wimbledon now Murray’s Priority

Wimbledon now Murray’s Priority

Andy Murray will prioritise Wimbledon over the French Open after the world number two withdrew from Rome in agony just a fortnight before the start of the clay Slam.

The Scot, celebrating his 26th birthday, drew level on sets with Marcel Granollers in his first match of the Italian Open but immediately withdrew following a successful tiebreak, citing back pains.

According to mother, Judy, Murray is likely to switch his focus to the grass season now that clay is effectively over for him. “Obviously, the goal is to be in peak condition for Wimbledon,” said Judy.

“Often you pick up niggles when you change surfaces. Each surface brings its own problems and challenges. This back issue has been rumbling for a week or so.”

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Murray Targets Top Spot

Murray Targets Top Spot

Andy Murray has quickly turned his attentions to Novak Djokovic's top ranking after climbing to number two in the world with victory at the Sony Open last weekend.

The Scot was made to work hard for his second Miami title by David Ferrer, who had a match point in the deciding set. Murray saved it on his way to a 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-1) win and his ninth Masters title.

The tournament success saw Murray leapfrog Roger Federer in the world rankings, though he is still some way behind six-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic.

Murray will not let the distance to his great rival stop him as he looks to continue his impressive start to 2013.

"For me it doesn't change a huge amount, but the fact that I'm moving up the rankings is a good sign," the 25-year-old told tennis betting news pundits.

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Andy Murray’s inconsistent history at the Miami Masters

Andy Murray’s inconsistent history at the Miami Masters

The Sony Open Tennis 2013 is set to begin next week, and once again expectations will be high for the British number one, Andy Murray.

Often, top players have a favourite tournament at which they always seem to perform well; whether it is due to the playing surface, the facilities, the location or the crowds, there are certain events that bring out the best in the elite. For Roger Federer, it is Wimbledon, for Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, and for Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open. Andy Murray has won several events twice, but hasn’t had an extended period of dominance in any one place.

However, his results have fluctuated more at the Miami Masters than almost anywhere else. Here is a brief look at Murray’s playing history in Florida.

2006: lost to Wawrinka, first round

Murray’s debut in Miami, as a talented but undisciplined 18-year-old, ended abruptly with an opening round defeat to the Swiss number two, Stanislas Wawrinka. The Scot mounted an impressive comeback from two breaks down in the final set, but a heavy recent schedule took its toll, and he tumbled out of the tournament 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

2007: lost to Djokovic, semi-final

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Murray Relieved to get past Tough Lu

Murray Relieved to get past Tough Lu

Andy Murray was relieved to see off the challenge of Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu and book a meeting with Carlos Berlocq in the last 16 of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Murray beat the world number 79 6-3 6-2 in one hour and 28 minutes on Tuesday but did not have everything his own way against the man who stunned him in the first round of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"It was a tough match. He's caused a few upsets over the last couple of years. He takes the ball extremely early, hits the ball very flat, and really goes for it," the world number three said to tennis betting news pundits.

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Murray has genuine threat for Queens title

Murray has genuine threat for Queens title

Andy Murray’s expected stroll in the tennis odds to the 2013 Aegon Championships title in June is under threat after Tomas Berdych confirmed he will also play at Queen’s Club this season.

Murray won the tournament in 2010 and 2011 yet crashed out in the second round to Nicolas Mahut over three sets last season, leaving his Wimbledon preparations in tatters.

Although the Scot went on to make the final on Centre Court a month later, the lack of playing time on grass leading up to the Championships must have irked him and he will not want to replicate that scenario this season.

Not that Murray’s path to the title will be easy, for with Berdych set to play the Queens trophy is very much up for contention. The Czech is determined to win Wimbledon himself after making the final in 2010 and reportedly sees Queens as perfect preparation.

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Murray's French Ambition

Murray's French Ambition

Andy Murray's decision not to play in the Davis Cup could be a shrewd move as he hopes to win at Roland Garros. Murray has decided against playing for Great Britain in April and has instead chosen to prepare for the French Open, a tournament in which he has never progressed past the semi-finals.

With the Open ending in June, Murray has said that he will represent GB in the Davis Cup when they play in September.

The Scot has reached the final of each Major, except the French, as he admitted he finds it more difficult to adapt to the clay courts at Roland Garros.

Murray said: "It's a surface that takes me a long time to get used to, it's not a surface that comes naturally to me. Grass and hard courts I feel comfortable on fairly quickly, the clay takes me a long time.

"I need to practice and train on that for a lot of hours. It's a surface where I had problems with my back last year and I had to take a pretty solid amount of time off during that season."

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Five Reasons Why Andy Murray Will Win a Grand Slam in 2013

Five Reasons Why Andy Murray Will Win a Grand Slam in 2013

He had a breakthrough year in 2012, and Andy Murray is hungry for more success. With his stunning victories at the London Olympics and US Open, the word number three finally proved that he has what it takes to win at the highest levels in men’s tennis, even in the remarkable era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

That said, there are still some who question the significance of the Scot’s achievements. Did he merely catch fire for one summer, taking advantage of an exhausted, depleted field to win his first Grand Slam title? The carping is likely to continue until the British number one wins a second major, so here are five reasons why Andy Murray will win a Grand Slam in 2013…

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Murray Preparation Perfect for Australia Challenge

Murray Preparation Perfect for Australia Challenge

Andy Murray’s winter training ahead of his assault on the Australian Open next January has been the most intense and focussed yet, following his 2012 success that showcased just how good this 25-year-old really is.

According to his mother, Judy, winning two Olympic medals and the US Open last year – as well as reaching the final of Wimbledon – has given the Scot confidence over the winter break that he can mount a serious challenge on all four Grand Slams in 2013, starting with Australia.

“[His success has] given him a lot of confidence,” Judy told BBC Sport. “He’s worked even harder than before to go after another Slam in Australia.

“He leaves on Christmas night to go to Abu Dhabi to play in an exhibition event and then on to Brisbane for the warm-up tournament before the Australian Open.”

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Roddick beats Murray, makes Miami Cup final

Roddick beats Murray, makes Miami Cup final

Andy Roddick beat Andy Murray 6-2, 6-3 at the Miami Tennis Cup exhibition event and will face Nicolas Almagro, who defeated John Isner 6-3 6-4, in the final.

Murray, trailing 2-5 in the first set, surrendered his serve in the eighth game when he sailed a backhand crosscourt wide.
In the second set, the Scott saved two break points from down 0-40, but couldn't convert the third to give Roddick a 5-3 lead. At 15-0, Roddick double-faulted twice in a row, but went on to win the final three points of the match with a service winner and two forehand winners.

"If we had gone three sets I would've had a full body cramp and it would've been awkward for all of you," said Roddick. "There's no comeback (to tennis for me). Andy was nice to me tonight."

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Murray set to Defend Brisbane Title

Murray set to Defend Brisbane Title

Andy Murray has dedicated himself to a tough start-of-season after the Scot confirmed that he would defend his Brisbane International title in the New Year.

Murray will once again use the tournament as preparation for the first Grand Slam of the season – the Australian Open – an event that Betfair Tennis suggests he should win.

Indeed, after claiming his maiden Slam at the US Open in September, Murray is one of the favourites to lift the Australian title.

Before heading to Melbourne, however, the 25-year-old must concentrate on the defence of his Brisbane title, a tricky proposition considering the names also down to play next year.

Home favourite, Lleyton Hewitt, will draw the crowds, while Milos Raonic, Giles Simon, and Alexandr Dolgopolov make up the top seeds.

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Lendl commits himself to Murray

Lendl commits himself to Murray

It’s safe to say that 2012 has been a pretty good year for Andy Murray. After the bitter disappointment of losing the Wimbledon final in the summer, and the rare public tears that accompanied the defeat against legend Roger Federer, the Scot dusted himself down before winning a gold medal at the Olympics and using that success to spur him on to a stunning and historic victory in the US Open in New York.

Now, things are only looking up for the Brit, who has found himself on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year along with a plethora of Olympics stars from Team GB.

You can check out the current odds for the Scot to win that accolade alongside the latest Unibet Premier League odds and the tennis, rugby, and cricket odds on display on the operator's website.

As if to top off a fine year for the player, Murray’s coach, tennis legend Ivan Lendl, has reiterated his commitment and loyalty to the Murray cause by revealing he hopes to stay as coach to the player for as long as he competes professionally in the sport.

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