Shanghai

Difficult to see Murray not retaining his title there. With 2 of the top 4 absent, I cannot see anyone troubling him. Nadal will have plenty in his hands with Nalbandian or Gulbis, Berdych, Ferrer. Tsonga could be a challenge for Murray.

My pick is Berdych though. I thought he was fantastic at Beijing. He was playing well at Cinci, beating Fed and then serving for the set against Djoker before he unfortunately, got injured. Even against Fed, Berdych was injured but played through it and I must admit that I have not seen anyone taking apart Fed's second serve like how Berdych did that day in Cinci.

Berdych in Nadal's quarter. if Berdych could play like how he has been playing, I think only Murray, Delp Potro and Fed have enough weapons on a fast court to stop him. Let's see but I like Berdych and I was very happy to watch him play with such confidence.

BTW, Gulbis lost in two easy sets against Nalbandian. And I think, Murray will have nothing to worry from Tsonga. Cilic was also very impressive in Beijing, imho.

I still think Murray is quite fragile, but this is a good opportunity for him to execute consistency and build on a bit of confidence. He'll need it in Paris and London.

Also, if Murray and Nadal end up playing the final, I'll make an effort to see it, I'm sure it will be well worth it

Murray is on a roll. He looks eager and playing good tennis. He has also taken David Lloyd's advice of coming clean shaven and kempted for his on court appearances.
I am really pleased with his win over Rafa (monkey off the back now). I think Murray will win Shangai and the tour finals as well.

It's good that he has a goal besides winning a slam, he has been the number four player for pretty much 3 years now and it's time to make the next step. This was a great event for him last year with it culminating in his best performance of the year in the final.

How quick though, are the Shanghai courts? I think Nadal has a great chance with the absence of Fed and Nole. I also rate Berdych very highly.

Murray is the form player on tour and I'd rate him as favourite but not by much.

Murray's on a roll all right, and he's the favourite to defend Shanghai - he has a reasonable draw to the SF too.

I agree that Nadal's always got a good chance - he's in a tough quarter, but if he gets out of that that the prospective SF opponent looks manageable for him.

In terms of recent form and player motivation, the other tough quarter looks to be the one with Tsonga, Fish, and Cilic in it.

I'd like to see a Murray vs. Nadal or Murray vs. Berdych final.

barrystar wrote:Murray's on a roll all right, and he's the favourite to defend Shanghai - he has a reasonable draw to the SF too.

On a Roll or not I can't say. He has won 2 tournaments but had to come through few tough matches where he could have lost. So this isn't exactly 'on a roll' thing. Also he has now playing into the 3rd consecutive week, it might be tiring both physically and mentally. He might also be overwhelmed with his win over Nadal, the win that came after 5 consecutive losses including 3 in Slams.

Murray is path upto semis will cross against Wawrinka in 3rd round. Wawrinka is struggling atm to win matches. Simon in the qtr, Simon plays almost identical to Murray, only less strong and less fit. But Can be a tough match for Murray, even can beat him. Semis Tsonga is a possibility, Tsonga is a dangerous opponent for any player based on which Tsonga turns up. I can't say for sure Murray will pass this test. In finals I assume if he meets Nadal or Berdych, I might give them an upper hand. Nadal will be wanting his revenge, his first HC title of 2011. Berdych is in good form and has lot of weapons to trouble Murray's game.

In the last 22 matches Murray has lost once - the USO SF to Nadal. He has made heavy weather of some matches but with that one exception he's always found a way to win and now he's back defending one of his more prestigious titles. He's got a definite aim for the rest of the year and I'd say all told that's a respectable roll for anyone.

Of course, favourite does not equal dead cert, and there are plenty of potential banana skins - Murray is capable of losing to anyone on his day, like Fish did yesterday. I referred to Murray's draw to the SF acknowledging the difficulty of potential opponents there and in the F.

Murray has not really pushed on since 2008, every year since 2007 has involved a similar mixture of good wins, poor runs of form, and disappointing defeats. The end of this year is a good opportunity for him to put his foot to the pedal and take some better momentum into 2012 - I really hope for his sake he does it.

Just back from holiday to see wonderful result by Murray in Tokyo - that is quite something to 'bagel' Rafa for the loss of just 4 points, especially after losing the first set.

barrystar wrote:Murray has not really pushed on since 2008, every year since 2007 has involved a similar mixture of good wins, poor runs of form, and disappointing defeats. The end of this year is a good opportunity for him to put his foot to the pedal and take some better momentum into 2012 - I really hope for his sake he does it.

Absolutely barry - let's hope he really bottles the feeling of Tokyo and takes that with him for the rest of this season, and on into next.

Fish out
Tsonga out
Cilic out

Funny old tournament so far

Berdych and Nadal now playing............

Rafa and Berdych win, and Murray has a walkover against Tursunov which hopefully will help with any tired legs after Sunday's heroics.

Why is Delpo not playing Shanghai?

wow wrote:Why is Delpo not playing Shanghai?

Del Potro chose not to play Shanghai to focus on the DC final with Spain in December.

I didn't know he could choose to do that without incurring penalties laver?

Berdych is out too!

All the real tennis is played in spring and early summer.

time please wrote:I didn't know he could choose to do that without incurring penalties laver?

He will get a zero pointer.

http://twitter.com/#!/DavisCup/status/121570791937679360

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1388953&s=ten&type=story

Berdych is playing lopez tomorrow.

Murray makes up for his W/O by letting Stan take him to 3 sets in a 2hr match and missing an earlier kill by winning the third 6-3 from 5-0 up. Ever the walkabout man.

Simon out and Nadal a set down to Mayer after losing a TB. If Nadal goes out the TD will no doubt be warming the ears of the ATP with only Murray Ferrer, and Berdych to sell as 'names' - even if Nadal wins after the QF tomorrow at least one of him and Berdych must be out come what may.

Matthew Ebden is an upcoming player he did trouble Nadal at Queens earlier this year. The guy will break into top 100 soon.
Nadal's lack of variety is hurtin him in this match.

wow wrote:Matthew Ebden is an upcoming player he did trouble Nadal at Queens earlier this year. The guy will break into top 100 soon.

He's already there with his points from Shanghai. He's 23 - it's interseting how 'upcoming' players are getting older than they used to be.

Mayer has kept pace with Nadal. They have played some good shots, especially Nadal saving set points 1 and 2.

Beautiful volley to close the game. Good hold from 0-30 down by Mayer. BP on Nadal's serve. Edit: Mayer breaks. Two holds and Rafa is out.

Ebden (a qualifier) in QF, 7-6(8) in third indicates a close match. Glad to see young blood. But sad for Tomic.

Dolgopolov is also a 'young' 22 by the same standards as Ebden.

I like how Mayer has forced Nadal to be more aggressive than usual. He has made Nadal play slower and has dictated the pace.

This is a highly enjoyable match because it is a battle of wits and not will.

What a result for Mayer. An absolute smart game of tennis.

Mayer wins. Very well played by Mayer.

Edit: Interesting stat, Nadal did not have a BP entire match.

Was there a mini-tank by Rafa to lose that last service game? He never normally gives up, but given that Mayer had struggled to break him all match two breaks in quick succession....

To me it dispells the myth you need brawn to beat Nadal. Mayer after the first set looked flustered and come the end of the match looked fresh as a daisy. Strange how tennis works.

Will the last player left in Shanghai please turn off the lights...

hawkeye wrote:Berdych is out too!

All the real tennis is played in spring and early summer.

Prophetic!

hawkeye wrote:Will the last player left in Shanghai please turn off the lights...

What happened to Paris and WTF?

I must say, it's usually Paris which turns into this sort of "last man standing" contest that we seem to be witnessing in Shanghai. It's been a quite remarkable day, with only Murray and Ferrer of the top eight seeds progressing, and coupled with defeats to Fish and Tsonga, we seem to have a very deplated looking QF line-up. Maybe the players do have a point about the schedule?

The ATP does not want to screw around with the Asian swing, which is of course exactly what it looks like right now.

The TD must be pulling his hair out.

If Murray does not scalp an easy 1,000 points from what is turning into an ATP 500 tournament or even worse it's a major embarrassment for him.

The crowds in Shanghai are pitiful. Stadium mostly empty.

there was a pretty good atmosphere in the Mayer-Nadal match I thought emancipator, but I agree that in general the stadium has been 3/4 empty and it must feel like being back on the Challenger circuit to these players. Should we cut out the Asian swing altogether (half the top 4 have anyway )?

I'm missing all the matches this week

Thanks for info about zero pointer laver - I just thought penalties might be more severe for top player missing a Masters just to concentrate on DC rather than citing tiredness or injury.

Crowds were dismal last year, I haven't seen any tennis this week, but if it is the same as 2010 it must be very depressing for all concerned.

Dolgopolov one game away from being put out by Nishikori. Been some what of mixed bag by the Ukrainian. Nishikori has certainly played a solid match.

Brilliant by Nishikori, and an expected 'following up syndrome' by Florian Mayer losing to Feli.

Murray takes the first set. Ebden showing inexperience, still he is young and very much learning. Hoping Murray can now accelerate through this 2nd set.

Murray looking pretty good. I must admit though, it makes me want to pull my hair out seeing the kind of tennis he can produce when uninhibited.

I think he may not only accelerate through this set, but the rest of the tournament.

Nishikori has always had the talent since that great showing when he was 18 at Wimbledon - great to maybe see it finally coming to fruition (bad injury spells aside)

Murray saves a BP (with an ace) and holds with an ace.

Decent point to win the match, but this was never going to be a challenge today. Nishikori on the other hand will be a harder task than his previous opponents.

I think Murray will have too much guile for Kei.

Why does it always happen that the player who takes Nadal out loses in the next round?

Dodig and now Mayer.

wow wrote:Why does it always happen that the player who takes Nadal out loses in the next round?

Dodig and now Mayer.

Melzer did the same in 2010 in Shanghai, losing to Monaco. And repeated it at MC 2011 (losing to Ferrer after beating Federer). Something do to with the GOATness, perhaps?

It happens in any sport, when a "little" guy beats one of the very best he can't seem to play well in the next round. It's certainly worth a documentary.

I think its going to be straight forward for Murray to be in the final. Nishikori is playing his first masters semis causing the Tsonga Upset and even the win against Dolgo was little surprise to me. This must already be overwhelming for him. I expect too many errors from him and an easy win like 6-2 6-3 for Murray without Murray facing too many break points.

Dolgo is too hot and too cold at times. His game is very unsettled. He plays some jaw-dropping points and then misses some very regular ones. His 1st serve is good, but his technique is so flawed that he can hardly get the first serve % anything above 40-50%. Yesterday too till the mid of second set he was serving first serves at about 25%. Such players can cause an odd upset but can lose even against far easier opponents. unsettled talent is almost a wasted talent.

Murray's toughest opponent is going to be Ferrer if Ferrer gets past Lopez which I think he should. Can Murray pass that test. It looks likely, but I don't except aneasy win. A 3 setter with at least one very close set who ever wins in the end.

Surprised that Ferrer has not tried a single lob shot so far against Lopez's net rushing.