Andy Murray

The top 4 seeds at Queen’s will compete the 4 semi final spots tomorrow after 2 very close matches, one comfortable won match and one complete walkover in the quarter finals.

The walkover as most of the UK will know by now was due to the withdrawl of Andy Murray due a thumb injury which meant Andy Roddick earned an automatic semi final place with even hitting a ball. His opponent will be Rafael Nadal who struggled through against the formidable serving of Ivo Karlovic. Nadal never managed to break the Karlovic serve all set and each of the three sets went to a tie breaker, with Nadal eventually winning losing 2 sets to 1 after losing the first breaker, the final score was 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(4).

Roddick and Nadal have met on 4 previous occasions with score standing at 2 each and this being Roddicks most surface, we should see a very close match, one that many will make Roddick favorite, despite Nadal being number 1 seed. 

The other semi final will take place between the 2nd and 4th seeds, Novak Djokovic and David Nalbandian. Djokovic cruised to victory Lleyton Hewitt 6-2 6-2, the Australian unable to capture the form he showed he on years gone past. David Nalbandian had to fight hard to win his quarter final match against fifth seed Gasquet, it needed a third set tie break to separate these two, that Nalbandian won 64 36 76(3).

Djokovic and Nalbandian have only met twice so far, and again this match should be close with each player win one of their previous meetings.

This tournament is really shaping up to be the “who is the best on grass behind Federer” - Three of the  players are all losing Wimbledon finalists, Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal both losing twice to Federer. Djokovic in the other hand though is trying to reach is first ever grass court final and steal the crown from all them.

The thumb injury that Andy Murray picked up in his match with against Ernests Gulbis has forced him to withdraw from his quarter finals match with Andy Roddick at the Artois Championships at Queens Club.

With Wimbledon fast approaching, Murray will not risk for harm to his thumb, that was sprained during one of many slips on the very damp center court at Queens club yesterday in his 3rd match.

In Murray and Roddick’s last match on the ATP tour, it was Roddcick who needed to retire hurt.

Last night Murray said

I’m pretty concerned about it right now. You know, if I can’t, you know, sign autographs or whatever, then I guess it’s not great. You know, it’s not really affecting my gripping too much.  But it’s more the sort of little things that you don’t realize you’re doing on the court.  When I’m trying to, you know, spin my racket in between shots, like pretty much all of the guys do, that’s hurting it.  You know, sometimes when I’m throwing the ball up to serve, it’s a little bit sore at the start of my service motion. But I didn’t feel it too much during the points.  It was more when I was finished.  I guess that’s ’cause I was thinking about it more.  But, yeah, pretty concerned about it.

Murray should have no problems with competing appearing at Wimbledon and the move seems more of protection of a potentially serious injury rather than actually being unable to play. spectators at Queens Club may feel let down by this decision, though the BBC and Wimbledon will thankful as both will want a fully fit Andy Murray competing.

Today after he announced he would be pulling out, Murray added,

I hit a few balls this morning but I felt some pain and discomfort on my backhand and after the doctors did a scan, I decided not to risk playing. There is plenty of great tennis to see in the tournament and I’m very sorry if people feel let down but I think it is the sensible thing to do. I did not want to aggravate the injury and I am sure it will be absolutely fine for Wimbledon.

The Quarter final draw has been decided and Andy Murray will take on big serving Andy Roddick today in the quarter finals of the Artois Championships at Queen’s club.

Murray and Roddick have met on quite a few occasions, with Murray leading 4-2 on victories. They have not yet met this year, there last meeting ended when Roddick had to retire hurt. There only meeting on grass was the memorable encounter at Wimbledon 2006 when a 19 year old defeated world number 3 in three straight sets.

The winner of Murray and Roddick will take on the winner of Number 1 seed Rafael Nadal and number 8 seed Ivo Karlovic.

The draw for the 2008 Stella Artois Championships at Queens club has been made and Andy Murray has been given a tough draw for his first grass court tournament in almost 2 years.

As one of the top 8 seeds he gets an automatic bye into round 2, after that he faces likely challenges from French Veteran Sebastien Grosjean in round 2, 12th seed Seppi in round three. After that the draw turns ugly for Murray, as a likely path to victory he would need to overcome Andy Roddick in the Quarters, Rafael Nadal in the semis and Novak Djokovic in the Final.

Andy Roddick is a four time Queens Club Champion and 2 time Wimbledon finalist, though who can forget that Andy Murray beat Roddick on their only meeting on Grass, in 2006 Wimbledon, the last Grass tournament Murray played. Murray leads the head to head 4-2, so should feel confident if they meet.

Rafael Nadal, the world number and virtually unbeatable on Clay, has proven he his a force on grass as well, this week Bjorn Borg tipped Nadal to win Wimbledon after reaching the Wimbledon final last year only to lose narrowly to Grass court Supremo Roger Federer. Andy Murray has never beaten Nadal on their 3 previous matches, but have never met on grass.

World number 3, Djokovic is easily the player of the year so far, winning the first of the grand slams in Melbourne, as yet he has proven he can transfer his hard court and clay court skills to the green stuff. Andy Murray is good friends with Djokovic off court, but the Scot has yet to record a victory over the Serb who has won their previous 4 meetings. In fact Murray has been convincingly beaten on the last three matches, only winning 10 games across those three matches.

Other players to look out for include former champ Leyton Hewitt and the two big serving Ivo Karlvic and Mario Ancic. Ancic has been out with serious ilness over the last year, so dont be fooled with his low ranking, many have tipped him to make a big impact at Wimbledon this year.  

The full draw is