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Tennis Bat Out of Hell

Posted by:
daveake 04:42 pm UTC 02/20/07

TENNIS ace Andy Murray yesterday spoke of his pride as he and his brother flew the flag for Scotland with a stunning double win in America.

Andy, 19, successfully defended his SAP Open title in San Jose, California, wrapping himself up in a Lion Rampant flag as he lifted the trophy.

And just hours later, brother Jamie, 21, won the men's doubles trophy at the same tournament with his partner Eric Butorac.

Andy admitted he cried tears of joy as his big brother celebrated his first success on the tennis circuit.

He said: "It was the proudest day of my life - not anything to do with me winning but watching my brother win his first tournament was amazing.

"I couldn't watch from five-all in the second set and I had to go into the locker room and check the score on the TV.

"When they won, I'd be lying if I said there weren't a few tears. I was straight on the phone to my mum, as I couldn't believe it.

"It was 10 times more nerve-racking watching him than playing, that's for sure."

Andy battled back from a set down to beat big-serving 6ft 10in Croat Ivo Karlovic to take the men's singles t rophy - and the £33,770 prize.

After the match, he thanked rocker Meatloaf for inspiration. The tennis ace listens to his iPod to psych himself up for matches - and recently ditched rap for rock.

Andy said: "I have been listening to a bit of Meatloaf. A few of my friends find it a little bit sad but I like it. Bat Out Of Hell is a quality song."


Andy retained 13th place in the world rankings following his San Jose win - with a good chance of reaching the world's top 10 in the weeks to come.

Jamie and his American partner, Eric Butorac, enjoyed a straight-sets win against fourth seeds Rainer Schuettler and Chris Haggard.

It made the Murrays the first brothers to win singles and doubles titles in the same tourney since Emilio and Javier Sanchez at Kitzbuhl, Austria, in 1989.

The win increases Jamie's chances of joining his brother in the Great Britain Davis Cup squad to play Holland in April.

Yesterday. Andy became 6-4 favourite to be Sports Personality of the Year 2007.


URL: Yes I know it\'s a Racquet not a Bat ...

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