Andy Battles For Quarterfinals

Andy had to fight hard today to make it into the quarter finals at the Stella Artois Championships. Playing against Karol Beck, who last year beat Tim Henman, Andy took the 1st set comfortably. He held serve easily and put a lot of pressure on Beck’s serve. Andy secured the set with a backhand volley 6-2.

However in sets 2 and 3 Andy had to show great fighting and mental strength. Beck played very well in the 2nd set using the drop shot to perfection, he took the set 6-3.

Nerves were jangling in the 3rd set but Andy kept his cool. He broke Beck at 5-4 as the Slovakian put a backhand wide, taking the set and match, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

After the match Andy said that “It was a credit to him(Beck)” …..”he had played pretty consistently”……..”despite me (Andy) making a lot of returns. He played well, very smart, and very crafty ” On winning such a tough match Andy said “I needed it ….I’ve lost a couple of tight ones and it’s good to win it the tough way.”

This was Andy’s 12th straight win at Queen’s Club and he is now into the quarterfinals where he will face Sébastien Grosjean who defeated James Blake 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(10).

Grosjean is a two-time Queen’s Club finalist and has had the 3rd best results on grass. The match is scheduled on Centre Court at 1:00 pm (BST) – 8:00 am (EST).

Yesterday Andy’s serve reached 151 mph and today he upped it one more by releasing a 152 mph rocket.

Stats on Grosjean:

Birthdate: 5/29/1978
Birthplace: Marseille, France
Residence: Boca Raton, Florida, USA
Height: 5′9′’ (175 cm)
Weight: 160 lbs (72 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1996
Previous Year’s Final INDESIT ATP Race
Position: 15
Current INDESIT ATP Race Position: 30

Stella Artois Information and Links

Full Draw: http://www.stellaartoistennis.com/posting/2005/311/MDS.pdf
Order of Play: http://www.stellaartoistennis.com/orderofplay.asp
Updated Scores (matches in progress): http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/scores/. Then click on link for Updated Scores at the top of the page.
Television coverage on The Tennis Channel

Friday, 8am 6pm (encore) Quarterfinals
Saturday, 8:20am 2pm/8pm (encore) Semifinals
Sunday, 9am Finals 8pm (encore)
Sunday, 2pm midnight (encore) Becker v. McEnroe