Murray, Verdasco To Meet In Dubai Final

by Staff | March 4th, 2017, 9:30 am
  • 32 Comments

Andy Murray will seek his second career title in Dubai later today as he takes on Fernando Verdasco. Murray, who saved 7 match points in a win over Philipp Kohlschreiber on Thursday, had a much easier time beating Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-1 yesterday.

“It was tough. I don’t think it was the best match, but there was some good stuff in there, middle and towards the end of the first set,” said Murray. “I think potentially matches yesterday had something to do with that, because I think sometimes, if your legs are a little bit tired, that the serve is one of the first things that goes.”

In the final, which is Murray’s 7th in his last 8 events, it will be Verdasco. The Spaniard rolled Robin Haase in the third set with a 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 victory.


“It was a really tough match,” Verdasco said. “I needed to be there until the last point, and I think that game at 4-1, recovering break points, gave me a push of confidence and energy. Near the end I just played unbelievable. I’m really happy to be in the final, and will try to recover and to be as ready as possible for tomorrow.”

Murray leads Verdasco 12-1 in their head-to-head.

“He’s had a pretty good start to the year. Obviously tough draw in Australia, but he played well in Doha. Had the match points against Novak. Couldn’t quite get that one done, but I think he played very well there.

“Obviously this week he’s had some good wins. I think where the balls are fairly heavy here on a quick court, he can generate a lot of power, he can control the ball. And when he’s dictating the points, he’s one of the best in the world at doing that.”

Murray is trying to become the first British champion in 25-year history of event and also claim his 45th career title. Verdasco is seeking an 8th title and first since Bucharest last year. The lefty is also bidding to beat a World No. 1 for a first time in 12 tries (0-4 vs Roger Federer, 0-4 vs Rafael Nadal, 0-3 vs Novak Djokovic).


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32 Comments for Murray, Verdasco To Meet In Dubai Final

Colin Says:

Well, that was something of an anti-climax, wasn’t it? Verdasco was so sub-par he didn’t look like a finalist or even a top 50 player. Andy showed some of his terrific speed about the court, but otherwise there wasn’t too much to get excited about.

Anybody know how this affects the relative points tallies of Andy and Nole?


AndyMira Says:

Congrats Andy!!!wooohoooo!!C’mon!!!

As usual,BIG CONGRATS to first class Andy fans who rarely here anymore but i know u guys still follow TX…Margot,RZ,JK…and to 2nd class Andy fans who’s also rarely here anymore Okie and willow….Missed u guys so d@#$ much!!


AndyMira Says:

Oh forgot!Congrats also for my new friend….AMIT!!!..hey Amit..don’t forget to do a bracket for IW okay?Hey,u still didn’t answer my question the other day..which group did u joined?I can’t find u!

Hope u will respond to me Amit otherwise i will look like an idiot talking myself here!!hehehe…Good day to u!!


Okiegal Says:

@Mira…..I am a fan of Andy’s and I am so glad he’s made another finals!!!! C’MON ANDY!!!!


Margot Says:

Checking in:
ANDEE😍👏🙌
Waves to dear AM and Ok🙋
2,000 Plus ahead now.
Checks out.


Amit Says:

Hey AndyMira!! Friend CONGRATS to you too on Murray win!! #DubaiKing!! Sounds good, right??? ;P


Okiegal Says:

@Margot…..I’m delirious with the flue…..slept through the match and you can tell from my post above that I wasn’t aware he had won yet…..but I felt sure he would. The point spread is good btw and your usage of emojis…….I’M LOVING IT!!! 🎾🎾🎾🎾 rocks!


Amit Says:

Dear Friend AM, even I dunno which group I joined there,LOLzzz :p And hey, I am the idiot rather, for not replying you on another thread, lol, but this makes up for it lol 😁😁😁


Margot Says:

Get better soon OK❤
AM: Congratulations 😤 on bracket. I had Andy winning but changed to Fed when I heard about shingles 😭
Duh😠


AndyMira Says:

@Amit…Hahaha..thanks friend!!hey if rafa win in Acapulco u have to congratulate me and okie and willow once again okay?

Btw #Dubaiking?!!…hehehe..Yeah it’s sounds good!But,for now u mean?because Roger won there 8 times already right?So,to me Roger is still the king of Dubai actually…


AndyMira Says:

@M….Thanks for your precious congrats!…Btw..shingles??What shingles?Andy is still Andy out there M..barred a half an hour TB that is!LOL!!..And please,please pick him in IW M…don’t make the same mistake okay?


AndyMira Says:

@Amit my dear friend!Please,i’m begging u to join me and jalep and margot in jalep wildguess..what’s more,i can’t wait to kick your backside or vice versa when IW rolls in!!C’mon Amit..don’t be a chicken!I’m waiting with the red carpet and a pair of football boots in jalep wildguess mansion okay?hahahaha…


Okiegal Says:

@Margot…….Thanks for the well wishes……….feeling poorly atm ……it will have to run its course……hopefully I will survive.!!!!! If Rafa can beat Sam tonight I will be 100%!!! Lol!!


Margot Says:

Yes AM darling Andy was diagnosed with shingles 😞 dunno quite when it was diagnosed but could explain a lot….😐


Amit Says:

No no, I mean Murray is the Dubai king this year!! 😎😎😎


Amit Says:

Hey AndyMira!! OK I shall join your group there.. 😎 but lemme find out first where is your group,lol


AndyMira Says:

Hey Amit my good friend!!YAY!!!…It’s called jalep wildguess…and i’ve already waiting for u here with a bunch of flowers in one hand and a pack of cigarettes in another and at my mouth there’s a chocolate and ice cream..pick one buddy!!


AndyMira Says:

@M…Nny sent u a very heartfelt congratulations because Andy won Dubai yesterday…She’s also sent u LOT’S OF LOVE AND THE WARMEST OF VIRTUAL HUGS U CAN FIND!


RZ Says:

Quick check-in to say Woohoo! and to high five Margot and AM.
Don’t know if I will be on Tennis-X later this week, but Friday I head to Indian Wells for the weekend. Can’t wait!


Markus Says:

Andy wins, I’m happy. Federer wins, I’m happy. Rafa wins, I’m happy (unless it’s over Roger). Novak wins, I used to feel happy, too…until all his obnoxious fans came around, now I’m happy when he losses. So, two out of two makes that a happy week for me. Roger’s 18th makes this a happy year for me no mattter how the rest of the year turns out for him.


AndyMira Says:

@RZ!!…High five back to u sis!!..Btw..you’re going to watch Andy at IW?U should wear a t-shirt of some kind,let’s say RZ loves Andy..so,it’s easier for me to spot u in the crowd..Have fun at IW RZ…Hope Andy or rafa will win!!Woooohoooo!!


RZ Says:

@AM I would love to watch Andy at Indian Wells but I probably won’t get to see him as I don’t have a main stadium ticket. He’s not in the doubles draw this year so he probably won’t be scheduled forna side court. I may be able to catch him on the practice court though. The t-shirt is a great idea but no time to act on it.


AndyMira Says:

Oh really RZ??Oh,such a shame…Would u give an update here at least once when u get to watch Andy or rafa practice RZ?If there’ll be a picture more the better!!


Margot Says:

Have a great time RZ. Meant that be a fab tournament 😎
Hugs back to NNY, Am.😍


AndyMira Says:

@M…I will…Gosh!Your hugs is so heavy!!I have to ask an extra reward from u guys!Virtual dinner!!Woooohooo!!


AndyMira Says:

@Amit…Is that u at #19th?I’m Farah Diba at 28th..

http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/standings/view/2017-acapulco

If it’s true,then it’s a pleasure to be kicked on the backside by u Amit..consider it ‘A welcome to our group’ present!hehehe…Can’t wait to ‘fight’ with u and others for IW!!Wooohooo!!!


Amit Says:

Hey AndyMira: Am It Amit at 19 indeed!!! 😎😎😎 Ya lost to me in challenge this time,LOL!!! 😜😜😜 Better luck next time Chicken Buddy, lol!!! And I joined your group!! But ya know all ya need is post me the link to make picks coz I don’t have a clue how to go there otherwise,lolmao😂😂😂 And ya see, I won even without knowing much, just think what I gonna do to you once I become challenge expert,lol 😛😛😛 Yay yay you loser,lolzzz 😜😜😜😂😂😂


Amit Says:

AndyMira friend, Amit ranked 19 and AM ranked 28, lol… Score is 1-0!! Time to serve you a bagel, do nom nom lol😝😝😝😜😜😜😂😂😂


AndyMira Says:

@Amit….hahahahahahahaha!Oh my God!I didn’t know that u could be this big headed amit!!And you’re ranked 19th!!..Oh!i’m dreaded to think what size your head is going to be if you’re in Top 10 or 5!!LOLZZZZZZ!!!…and i think i’m start to create a monster!..and regret it!!hehehe..

Btw Amit..don’t worry,me or jalep[ratcliff] will guide u when the time comes okay?U can make a pick as soon as the draw is out and i think the draw will only take place on tuesday 3pm[US time]..Anyway,WELCOME TO OUR GROUP AMIT!!!WOOOHOOO!!


jalep Says:

ATP and WTA times are listed a little different.
ATP
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/bracket
WTA
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/bracket/wta

Amit and Andi Mira

You guys have to figure it out about what the time the bracket opens in your time zone. The time posted on the draw challenge is UTC time zone.

Welcome Amit!

Hello Margot and RZ 👋😘 Yay Andy!


RZ Says:

@AM – I’ll report back when possible and see if I can figure out a way to link to pics.
@Margot – thanks!
@Jalep – hello to you too! :-)


AndyMira Says:

@RZ…Great!!If u can selfie with a player practicing in the backround…Urgh!!That is AWESOME!!

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