BRITAIN'S NUMBER ONE DEBUTS AT FARMER'S CLASSIC AGAINST USA QUALIFIER
By Kelly Richards

LOS ANGELES - (July 29, 2010) It was the biggest match he’d ever played, in the biggest stadium, with the biggest crowd and biggest paycheck.

23 year-old Tim Smyzcek of the United States stepped onto center court with Britain’s Andy Murray in the Scot’s first ever appearance at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles Thursday night.

It was David versus Goliath. The number 192 ranked player in the world versus the number 4. A qualifier versus the number one seed.

Smyzcek has won just one professional match in his career. Murray has 14 titles.

The first set went pretty much as expected. In 28 minutes, Murray won 6-1.

But the second set was a different story. Smyzcek turned on the after burners. He flattened out Murray’s extreme topspins and started taking more chances, chances that paid off.

At 5’9”and 150 pounds, Smyzcek is one of the smaller players in a sport that just seems to grow bigger and bigger competitors. He had to play smart, with skill and speed.

Murray appeared to struggle. It was the first time he’d played since Wimbledon and he said he was feeling stiff.

Smyzcek took advantage, combining soft drop shots at the net with overhead smashes to snatch the second set, 6-4.

“We grew up in the juniors together,” said Murray. “I was expecting a tough match.”

In the third set, Murray looked hurt. He limped, stretched and called for a trainer. Ironically, that forced him to play more aggressive, to end the points sooner, to bring out the big serves.

In the end, Murray won the match 6-4 in the third set but Smyzcek won the respect of the crowd.

“It was definitely a thrill,” said Smyzcek. “It was a little overwhelming to be up against the number 4 guy in the world but I think I made it a match.”

Murray is 6’3” and 185 pounds.