The Tennis thread

[SALTIRE]

Ouh. Now i really hope he loses the final.

Na Berdych is an utter twat, remember he refused to shake Almagro's hand the other year postmatch after he thought the Spaniard deliberately hit the ball at him, then today trying to stare down Andy and say something untoward so much so that Andy highlighted it to the umpire. Never do that against Murray, he will make you pay; and that's why there was needle there and so much celebrating on every big point Andy won. You get the feeling with Murray that he would have more than held his own in days past against Connors, McEnroe, Becker and Lendl's mind games in the locker rooms and on-court.

On the match itself, wow! Andy played it beautifully; Berdych was causing him some problems early on in that first set, but Murray matched him all the way and even though Andy lost that set, it was only by one point on a tie break. He then changed it up early in the second (spurred on by what Berdych perhaps said to him when going back to their seats), and then Vallverdu's tactics went down the pan and Berdych just had no answer in the end when Murray just raised his game further. He also served very well today which he really has been all tournament and thats great to see presently for the final and going forward over the season.

He looks very sharp all over his game, he's hitting the ball well, all his shots are paying off, he's serving well, tactically he is getting it spot on and is able to execute his game plan perfectly and he's moving even faster than I've ever seen him go. He will be tough to beat in the final, whoever meets him. Lets hope he can do it!!

 

[SALTIRE]

Looking forward also to the Stan v Djokovic match tomorrow too. It could be another five-setter between them. Stan is once again playing superbly after his fantastic season last year (winning his first slam and Masters, and of course winning the Davis Cup for the first time). He will cause Djokovic a lot of problems with his unpredictable shot-making abilities which look to be hitting the mark almost at will here. Djokovic hasn't really been tested so far and though he's looked good in parts, there is a question whether he'll be able to pass a stern test like Stan should give him. He probably will, but it will be difficult and he better be prepared for an epic.

 

[Leewilson]

1st GameSetMatch 1244
2nd Baker's Ballers 1238
3rd Wilson's Wonders 1235
4th Bristols elite 1214
5th Tom's letdowns 1137




GameSetMatch has only Serena left. Baker's Ballers has Serena and Djokovic. I have both plus Sharapova.

Basically, to win, I need Sharapova to win more than 3 games in the final against Williams. Don't you dare have a shocker and be absolutely thumped Maria!
The other two can not mathematically win now.

 

[Master D]

Murray definitely showed that Berdych is not in his league, Murray just had too much variety all round for the ball basher.

 

[JonBCFC]

Has anyone been following the juniors? Our Katie swan has had an incredible tournament. Now in the final after knocking out the 1st and 5th seeds on her way!

 

[This Charming Mike]

Has anyone been following the juniors? Our Katie swan has had an incredible tournament. Now in the final after knocking out the 1st and 5th seeds on her way!

She's from Bristol, isn't he?

Great achievement.

 

[JonBCFC]

She's from Bristol, isn't he?

Great achievement.

I don't actually know, great if she is though. She's been around the juniors for a few years now, so wouldn't be surprised if this is her last season before she has to step up. She will be playing a non seed in the final too so a great opportunity.

 

[TomPNE94]

I don't actually know, great if she is though. She's been around the juniors for a few years now, so wouldn't be surprised if this is her last season before she has to step up. She will be playing a non seed in the final too so a great opportunity.

She's only 15, she will have another couple of years at Juniors I should expect

 

[This Charming Mike]

I'll never tire of watching Stan's backhand. Sublime.

 

[SALTIRE]

I'll never tire of watching Stan's backhand. Sublime.

Best backhand in all tennis, its a lovely shot.

One set all, this could definitely be the epic we are all hoping for!!

 

[This Charming Mike]

Stan really finding his range now and looking like he is going to force a final set. Andy has to be loving this.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Damp squib of a final set and a strange match in truth but Djokovic through to face Andy.

 

[SALTIRE]

I know it went to five sets, but the quality from both players was dire. If Djokovic plays like that in the final, Andy will be licking his lips.

 

[Super_horns]

Another 5 setter for these 2.

Djokovic gains some sort of revenge for the defeat last year.

Hasn't Murray lost twice before to Novak in Aussie Open finals?

Hopefully make it 3rd time lucky!

 

[SALTIRE]

Yeah he's lost twice to Nole and once to Federer in the Oz Open Final. Looking the best chance this year for him to finally win it though.

 

[Master D]

Murray's 8th Slam final and yet to play anyone other than Fed or Djokovic.

I still think Djokovic, in 4 sets. Murray has had a nice run of opponents, playing some attacking players like Dimitrov, Kyrgios and then Berdych. All these are players who commit to and go for their shots, which suits a counter puncher like Murray. Djokovic can stay with Murray from the back and stay with him physically. He might have struggled a bit today but no 2 matches are the same and if Djokovic brings his A game to Australian Open then he wins, overall he still has too much for Murray in my opinion.

 

[Leewilson]

Yeah the Australian Open is as close to home as it gets for Djokovic. I think Murray will push him but I think the Serb's knowhow of how to win that slam will see him pull through. What MD says above is spot on really. I'll go for Djok in 4.

Whatever happens, it's been a good week for Murray. From last year where he could barely beat a top 10 player to knocking out Dimitrov, Kyrgios and Berdych represents a lot of progress.

 

[Super_horns]

Does this push him up the rankings baring in mind apart from Djokovic he will gain points on those above him or at least closer to them?

 

[Munkiki]

think he moves up to 4th (3rd if he wins the final)

 

[DarkSithLord]

Think Murray may sneak it in 5 somehow. I hope so!

 

[TomPNE94]

Murray in straight sets

 

[This Charming Mike]

Nole in straight sets for me.

 

[JonBCFC]

Murray to win in 4 for me.

 

[SALTIRE]

Murray's 8th Slam final and yet to play anyone other than Fed or Djokovic.

I still think Djokovic, in 4 sets. Murray has had a nice run of opponents, playing some attacking players like Dimitrov, Kyrgios and then Berdych. All these are players who commit to and go for their shots, which suits a counter puncher like Murray. Djokovic can stay with Murray from the back and stay with him physically. He might have struggled a bit today but no 2 matches are the same and if Djokovic brings his A game to Australian Open then he wins, overall he still has too much for Murray in my opinion.

If both players bring their A game then Murray wins as he is the more talented player. However Djokovic has been playing at a higher level than anyone else this past year. I do think Murray is almost at his peak once more though and I don't think Djokovic has played that well at all this tournament (perhaps he is still feeling the after effects of the illness he had pre-tournament). I have more confidence in Murray doing this than in any other slam final he has been in, it just looks his time - now if anyone can step it up on the day to beat Andy then Djokovic is definitely the man for that, but I just don't see him winning it this time. Murray in four sets for me.

 

[Master D]

Serena 1 set up.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Looks like Lee's won the Dream Team game, Sharapova already has 5 games to her name.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Serena wins.

 

[Super_horns]

Now 2nd in the number of Grand Slam wins behind Steffi Graf?

 

[This Charming Mike]

Now 2nd in the number of Grand Slam wins behind Steffi Graf?

In the open era, yep. Steffi has 22. I'm sure Serena will be looking to break that record.

 

[Master D]

What a player she is, won more singles Slams than Evert and Navratilova now. On a separate note, I read Evert reached minimum SF in 52 of the 56 Slams she ever played. Christ, what a record that is.