Andy started very strongly taking an early break – but Gilles was moving well – just needing to find his range. Andy really didn’t give him an opportunity to settle into his rhythm though and the first set was over in about 26 mins or thereabouts!
The second set – again there was an early break to Andy – but Gilles started to stretch him in the 3rd game…
It must be said – Gilles Simon and the net? NOT good bedfellows!
There were deep thumping rallies from the baseline and Gilles kept things to that single break.
Andy held commandingly to love to take the 2nd set…
At 2-2 in the 3rd – it looked like Andy’s chance to break… Blistering pace to a cross-court forehand and Gilles did extremely well to save BPs – this was a much more competitive set and the quality of tennis was amazing.
Andy took that decisive break at 4-4 – the atmosphere was amazing and he served out the match in amazing form.
Take nothing away from Gilles – had he been a little more match fit – I think he would have given Andy a stern test here – and I hope this is the start of a decent run for him, after he rushed coming back from injury and had to take more time off.
This was the first time I’d seen Gilles play live – and I came away with some healthy respect for the guy’s game.
We met up briefly with a couple of am.com-ers afterwards (plus friend who’d given us the tickets) and it was nice to catch up while everyone was madly scrambling for the exits – me and my friend walked to Wimbledon and took the the tube there so that we could guarantee a seat.
When we’d met in the morning at Earl’s court she commented I looked tired and I was absolutely knackered. Day off from tennis on Sunday…
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