A BAD day for Brazil at the World Cup was a significantly better one for SW19’s Scottish-Brazilian double act. Having had his entry into this year’s competition delayed by a day due to the only rain showers of the week, the only member of the Murray clan actually in action at Wimbledon this fortnight was made to work double time yesterday.
Not only did he and his Brazilian doubles partner Bruno Soares produce an excellent performance to get rid of Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi and Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain in their held-over men’s doubles first round tie by a 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 scoreline, the Scot was back on court shortly afterwards to begin his defence of his mixed doubles title.
Following the retirement of Martina Hingis, Jamie now has to recreate that chemistry with Viktoria Azarenka of Belarus. Hard shoes to fill or not, the duo will resume today at one-set all after levelling up their first-round tie against Roman Jebavy and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic.
The Czech pair had nicked the first set on a tie-breaker, only for Jamie to hold his nerve, and his serve, to take the second 6-4 before bad light intervened. At the prompting of the umpire, both teams agreed that it was time to call it a night.
While the elder Murray brother is playing this tournament with fairly heavy strapping on his knee, it didn’t seem to hinder him too much yesterday. He and Soares are fifth seeds at this year’s championships as they chase what would be an emotional maiden men’s doubles title at this venue. While the first set was tight against Lorenzi and Ramos-Vinolas was tight, a typical reaction volley from the 32-year-old gave the Scottish-Brazilian duo a crucial service break and an advantage which they exploited to the full.
Watched by Leon Smith and doubles guru Louis Cayer – doyens of a British doubles scene which now has seven exponents of this form of the sport in the top 100 – Murray and Soares had control now, dominating the net and reeling off a run of 12 straight points during that second set. From 1-1 in the second set, they took 11 of the last 13 games to finish things off.
Finalists at Queen’s only three weeks ago, this would be a timely moment indeed for a third Grand Slam title as a paring. Since winning two of their first four Grand Slams together, they haven’t been past a quarter final at a major event. Waiting for them today are Matthew Ebden of Australia and Taylor Fritz of the USA, in a match which has been put down for third on Court No 3. Only once that is out the way will Jamie be able to turn his attention to finishing his mixed doubles match.
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