Semi-Final Thread - Djokovic V Murray

[CaledonianCraig]

First topic message reminder :

All set for the off. I hope it is a great match and best of luck Andy.

Discuss....

[break_in_the_fifth]

Even better DTL forehand.

[Simple_Analyst]

Djokovic is hanging in there

[reckoner]

Nole "Lazarus" Djokovic?

[daraghj82]

i'd like to see any win but i like nole as well. either way im looking forward to the final on sunday.

[daraghj82]

is 1-1 the latest in the 3rd set. unfortunately my bbc live score feed has crashed on me atm

[davidl1061]

Luckily I have this on the big screen in work, great match so far

[reckoner]

yes it is - 1-1 after like half an hour

[CaledonianCraig]

He is now serving a lot better (fingers crossed) and holds to level at 1-1 in the third set. Not phased by missing a golden chance to break in the last game.

[Simple_Analyst]

The two best back hands in tennis. A joy to watch. Murray might get the break here.

[reckoner]

I see Djokovic playing worse and Murray taking advantage as best he can - no disrespect but I don't see that as a great achievement really

[Tenez]

Muray to win in 4....if the match finishes.

[legendkillar]

What a contrast to an hour ago. Murray let the break slip, but has gotten another chance and taken it. Fantastic stuff. The Serb is made of Granite!!

[JuliusHMarx]

It's tennis Jim, but not as we know it.

[reckoner]

So here's a question, if Murray gets through, who would you back for the final?

[Simple_Analyst]

I'll be suprised if Djokovic finishes this match. Sad to see him injured on a stage like that . He is struggling.

[reckoner]

scintillating stuff, I see what you mean about being a joy to watch, Simples

[legendkillar]

I would back Murray. I think Nadal in the final is a good thing. Not the Federer or Djokovic scars. But if Nadal starts like he ended against Berdych, could be another 3 set defeat.

[Guest]

Djokovic may look wounded (he's not injured, just playing possum as usual) but I don't trust Murray to finish the job. When it comes to the crunch he's gonna wilt.

[LuvSports!]

murray's intensity has dropped off a bit here without novak doing too much

[Guest]

Murray is playing as Murray but he has a plan - it's the Lendl plan. He still has weaknesses on his serve but he is playing according to the Lendl plan.

Djokovic is clearly breaking the between points rule on serve in order to gain important breathing time. He is sure to take a MTO in order to help recuperate at some point if he doesn't catch his breath by taking ever increasing time between points.

[Tom_____]

Was predicting another mid match slump from Djoko, but not discounting him entirely, so have laid off my bet on Murray for a win win 1:1 return:

[Guest]

Bang on cue

[reckoner]

I would back Murray. I think Nadal in the final is a good thing. Not the Federer or Djokovic scars. But if Nadal starts like he ended against Berdych, could be another 3 set defeat.

But Nadal keeps thrashing Murray, Federer would be a better match no?

[bogbrush]

I'll be suprised if Djokovic finishes this match. Sad to see him injured on a stage like that . He is struggling.

Djokovic is just another victim of the direction of the game. Tough, he's enjoyed his time in the sun.

Just makes it all the more incredible that a guy who emerged at the turn of the century can still figure at the top of the game doesn't it?

[Simple_Analyst]

Murray lol. Djokovic is not even running again but gets the break back. But i feel Murray can break at will. Nole is injured.

[legendkillar]

Djokovic not looking comfortable on his own serve. Hasn't since the 1st set.

[LuvSports!]

I would back Murray. I think Nadal in the final is a good thing. Not the Federer or Djokovic scars. But if Nadal starts like he ended against Berdych, could be another 3 set defeat.

But Nadal keeps thrashing Murray, Federer would be a better match no?

muzza and rafa are 1-1 in meetings here so maybe not?

[prostaff85]

Djokovic is struggling bad here. He looks injured.

I'm at work and cannot watch the match - how did he injure himself?

[Tenez]

How can Murray expect to win Nadal in teh final if he cannot put a tired Djoko away?

[break_in_the_fifth]

I'm not sure Murray can beat Nadal with how he's playing but I hope he can improve and get his first slam. Just knock him off the court like he's done in the past.

[bogbrush]

Djokovic is struggling bad here. He looks injured.

I'm at work and cannot watch the match - how did he injure himself?

He isn't, he's just exhausted.

The excuses are being wheeled out already.

[legendkillar]

I would love to be at Murray's for Xmas with the gifts he hands out. Lot's of them!

[Guest]

The final doesn't matter for Murray - this is his final. He has to know that he can beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam tournament, because he will be playing Djokovic again and again in Grand Slam tournaments.

Murray now knows that this Lendl strategy work. He just needs to keep this going, and it might be that Djokovic physically breaks down or exhausts himself. It might be like breaking a wild horse.

If Murray gets to the final, then he will need perhaps a new strategy.

[reckoner]

I would back Murray. I think Nadal in the final is a good thing. Not the Federer or Djokovic scars. But if Nadal starts like he ended against Berdych, could be another 3 set defeat.

But Nadal keeps thrashing Murray, Federer would be a better match no?

muzza and rafa are 1-1 in meetings here so maybe not?

you're counting Nadal withdrawing through injury?

[break_in_the_fifth]

The match against Hewitt took a lot out of him, it could really have gone either way.

[bogbrush]

I'm not sure Murray can beat Nadal with how he's playing but I hope he can improve and get his first slam. Just knock him off the court like he's done in the past.

Not possible. He can win though because he looks like he may have taken fitness to another new plateau.

He could run Nadal into the ground like Djokovic did.

[LuvSports!]

does anybody think that murray is getting tired?????

[legendkillar]

I would back Murray. I think Nadal in the final is a good thing. Not the Federer or Djokovic scars. But if Nadal starts like he ended against Berdych, could be another 3 set defeat.

But Nadal keeps thrashing Murray, Federer would be a better match no?

muzza and rafa are 1-1 in meetings here so maybe not?

you're counting Nadal withdrawing through injury?

Well it's in the books. Unless you know something legally we don't?

[break_in_the_fifth]

Hopefully Murray is learning some nerves from this match.

[lydian]

Yes...Nole shouldnt be THIS tired though...why wasnt he this tired last year? The Hewitt match was only 1 harder match and he's had a day off also...something is not stacking up here.

[Guest]

oh come on, stop all this injury malarky. There is no evidence that Djokovic is injured. Maybe a little tired but then who wouldn't be after nearly three hours.

This injury paranoia is the legacy of The Nadull and his lamentations.

[Guest]

does anybody think that murray is getting tired?????

They both are tired but Djokovic is more tired. That is why taking more time between points is important for Djokovic to take breathers.

[bogbrush]

does anybody think that murray is getting tired?????

No

[LuvSports!]

I would back Murray. I think Nadal in the final is a good thing. Not the Federer or Djokovic scars. But if Nadal starts like he ended against Berdych, could be another 3 set defeat.

But Nadal keeps thrashing Murray, Federer would be a better match no?

muzza and rafa are 1-1 in meetings here so maybe not?

you're counting Nadal withdrawing through injury?

yes because he didnt seem injured in the 1st set and most of the 2nd but all of a sudden could not run in the 3rd. Was one of the best slam performances murrays ever done for sure.

[socal1976]

Novak can't get his first serve over and murray is killing him on the second serve, credit murray well played since half way through the second set.

[break_in_the_fifth]

I'm not sure Murray can beat Nadal with how he's playing but I hope he can improve and get his first slam. Just knock him off the court like he's done in the past.

Not possible. He can win though because he looks like he may have taken fitness to another new plateau.

He could run Nadal into the ground like Djokovic did.

Really hope so for quite a few reasons.

[bogbrush]

Yes...Nole shouldnt be THIS tired though...why wasnt he this tired last year? The Hewitt match was only 1 harder match and he's had a day off also...something is not stacking up here.

Hardly unprecedented is it? Nadal and Djokovic were both virtually at a standstill after three sets at the USO.

This is going to become the norm.

[Guest]

Yes Djokers serving demons seem to be back in this match

[Tenez]

All that looks very good for Nadal. An injured Djoko v a nervy Murray.

Dream semi finals? We have been ripped off I am afraid.

[legendkillar]

I shall have my on MTO now.

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