July 27, (THEWILL) – The Olympics fortunes of Team GB’s Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury shone brightly on Tuesday as the pair showed their mettle in the second round of the men’s doubles event by digging deep to book their place in the next round of the Summer Games with a 6-2 7-6 (7-2) win.
They faced Germany’s Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz in the second round and after contending with rain delays, weather interruptions and a late fight-back from the German pair, they took the victory in straight sets.
As THEWILL reported, the pairing of Murray and Salisbury worked out very impressively in their first-round. They stunned the Olympics number two seeds France’s Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 6-2 in their first straight sets victory.
It was this form that the Brits continued against Putz and Krawietz with a strong start by immediately breaking the serve of the Germans to signal their intentions. They were leading 2-1 when the rains that had delayed the start of the game forced them off the courts after only 14 minutes.
Upon resumption, Team GB was immediately put under pressure. They had to be at their clinical best to to save two break points in their first game back. The save boosted their confidence and they broke Putz and Krawietz again in seventh game to win the first set.
Salisbury’s serve was the determining feature of the victory but Murray complimented his partner delicately. Together Team GB hit 16 winners compared to the seven of their German opponents, who were fighting valiantly but insufficiently.
Putz was the serving lead on the German pair and the second set began with Murray and Salisbury continuing to challenge his service game. He and his German partner Krawietz successfully defended two break points in the first game and then kept it up with a rare shut-out in their next serve.
What was a stirring comeback flashed as the Germans refused to wilt in the manner that they did in the first set. Putz and Krawietz defended two more break points in the seventh game to successfully drag themselves back into contention.
However, Team GB ensured the second set went to a tie-break before quickly establishing a 4-1 lead. Then, Salisbury produced a superb ace that extended their advantage just before the change-over. Murray topped that with two brilliant returns to give the Brits a chance to progress.
It was then up to Salisbury to send them to the third round and that was exactly what the Brit did serving composedly to certify the win. It means the victorious British pair are definitively looking good for the medal with two straight sets victories in dominant fashion while complimenting each other’s game.
They will next face either of Croatia’s Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig or American duo Rajeev Ram and Frances Taifoe in the third round at the event.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
