Andy Murray must have mixed emotions upon returning to Melbourne Park. Great memories from the past 2 years where he has made the final each time are tempered by the manner of his defeats. At the hands of Federer in 2010 then last year Djokovic, Murray was mauled in the most inhumane fashion. He finished 2011 especially well, apart from his injury ravaged Masters Cup appearance, and the hope is that mentally the challenge of another assault at the Aus Open is within him.
By not drawing a qualifier as Rafa and Roger did, Andy needed to be in the groove from the outset. His opponent American Ryan Harrison is earmarked for future glory, and promised a tough encounter for the Brit. Andy did not assume that the promise extended to causing the type of havoc that set one provoked. Nothing remarkable occurred in the first four games, except for some pretty exciting shot making from both contenders. However lightning struck in Andy's third service game; thunderbolts from Harrison and inadequacy from Murray provided a storm, the damage from which amounted to a service break. All the lines were being found by Harrison, and used to full advantage before Murray had a chance. The youngster displayed the potential Americans have been crowing about, and the pressure to bear on Andy proved a little to much to take, so he surrendered another serve to trail 2-5.
Serving for the set against the 4th ranked player in the world at a Grand Slam event is not straightforward, and Ryan came to learn this in the most difficult way. Andy had certainly not been playing all his signature shots hence had many to choose from as he attacked the eight game. Still trailing 3-5 Murray could nevertheless feel himself back in the contest, I'd imagine.
Murray managed to finally hold onto his serve and force the American to serve once more for the opening set. After many points, some consisting of many shots, Andy ran out of comeback capacity.
6-4 to Harrison, and a guaranteed four sets if Murray wished to recover from the false start.
The second set provided the basis for Andy's revival. Securing an early break freed him to play his natural game and more net approaches also bore fruit. Harrison continued to be a willing participant in the contest, and ensured that Murray lift his game in order to maintain the set two advantage. Andy escaped the scratching and pulling American in time to reach the finish line and post a 6-3 result with the judges.
Winning the serve-saving and serve-breaking points proved the difference in set three as the two players extended their entertaining battle in front of approving spectators. Andy managed to have the shots required at the pivotal stages, and despite Harrison's dogged efforts, the third set landed in Scottish hands 6-4.
Serve volley tactics paid dividends for Murray from the start, and the legendary serve volleyer who is his new coach Ivan Lendl (joking) must be from the "do what I say but rarely ever did" school of mentors.
Another early break snuck into the match before Ryan had noticed, and once more the young American was playing catch up tennis. History will show that Harrison was still attempting to catch up when time ran out and the players stopped with the score reading Andy Murray 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2. Just the sort of round one match Andy must have prayed for, winning it an important element of the prayer. Ryan Harrison will definitely rise in the rankings and may well be the next big thing in US men's tennis.
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