Wimbledon Day 10

First topic message reminder :

Now it's really business time.

The matches have been previewed a done the order of play is out. Federer will be relieved to be on Centre and hoping for rain and a covered court. Murray too, as both stand to benefit if they win and their opponents have to play Thursday. I have no idea what the forecast is though.

And that's all she wrote...

for Murray though

I heard a story on Radio 5 Live earlier a brilliant story about Ferrer.

When he was 17 he had a bad attitude and his coach Javier Piles locked him in a cupboard with a glass of water and a sandwich and when he let him out, he threw a fit and quit and went to work on a building site.

A week later he quit and apologised to Javier and improved his attitude.

Made me smile

Good, well Tsonga next. It's hard to call - should be an interesting semi.

least ferrer's mum is not embarrassing like Andy's.

Murray wins playing aggressive tennis. I like it. What got Andy through in the end was his serving in the fourth set. I am sure his first serve percentage in that match was very high.

For David, the match started to slip away when he squandered that service game at 5-4 in the 2nd set. All credit to him that his head did not drop when he went down two sets to one.

Well played to both players.

Btw I agree with you legendkillar that Ferrer doesn't get enough respect from some of the commentators and Sue etc...

But he does from Henman and Mac

Must admit, he gets my respect cos as a Murray fan, I didn't feel comfortable once until the match was over! And even now I'm not that comfortable

Josiah Maiestas wrote:least ferrer's mum is not embarrassing like Andy's.

No sour grapes then

Hilarious 'reaction' from Lendl after match point!

Not exactly emotionally invested is he?

With Lendl you feel he really doesn't give a crap

bogbrush wrote:Hilarious 'reaction' from Lendl after match point!

Not exactly emotionally invested is he?

The main reason why I like Lendl..
Murray doesn't need another one in his box gushing like he's just won the tournament!

Tsonga is no push over. He looks better than the player that Murray beat in 2010.

well done murray..

Murray 61% first serves in. He was as low as 52% after set 2.

Djokovic 55% first serves in. More of that Federer will be in with a shot.

Well done Zmurray for playing well in the big moments. I thought Ferrer played sensationally well, but not quite as well on the big points.

What a battle though.

Tsonga will be tough, but if Murray serves well he has a great chance to be the first Brit in the final for seven thousand years.

I thought it was 8239 years since we had someone in the final?
I'll just google it quickly..

I like Murray but the main reason I want him to win is so we don't see that idiotic celebration of tsonga. What is is with tennis players and crappy celebrations. Someone ought to punch Nadal for his terrible trophy biting one. Fortunately we've been spared that horror.

beeman wrote:I thought it was 8239 years since we had someone in the final?
I'll just google it quickly..

It probably is only 7000, but it feels like 8239.

legendkillarV2 wrote:With Lendl you feel he really doesn't give a crap

It is very funny isn't it?

It's like, basically, this is not in the top 50 tennis experiences in his life, so what's to get fussed about?

It is funny with Lendl

But his approach is right, because all Murray's done is reached the semi which he did the last 3 years anyway...

Anyway, I feel I need some punishment now, so I'm gonna watch Inverdale

beeman wrote:It is funny with Lendl

But his approach is right, because all Murray's done is reached the semi which he did the last 3 years anyway...

Exactly, job well done, that's all. Come to think of it, the degree to which footballers celebrate a goal is ridiculous, especially if its early in the game. The job isn't done yet. So just calm down and get on with completing the job.

Think that game, like Murrays poor body language would benefit from sports psychology.

mystiroakey wrote:well done murray..

Must be tough, those odds you got on Ferrer looked good....but as I said, Murray wasn't going to lose!

Please to see my forecast of the 4 winners has proved correct, seems like my hand at predicting isn't too bad!

I'm really hoping for a Fed vs Murray final but it could easily be a Djokovic vs Tsonga final but for at least entertainment value a Federer/Djokovic vs Murray final offers the best entertainment. With Tsonga you don't feel he can beat Djokovic and maybe he could beat Federer but I'm doubt it, I reckon last year was a one off.

I agree that Murray would benefit from a sports psychologist - but how do we know he hasn't already tried one and it's not helped?

beeman wrote:I thought it was 8239 years since we had someone in the final?
I'll just google it quickly..

Think it was Bunny Austin in 1938. So long ago you have to go back to before World War II!

Because his body language is so poor. That would be the first thing he'd be taught, not to show that a bad shot bothers you. Bad shots are part of the game.
Bad reactions are negative. Even if he has tried one to get over the final hurdle and he felt it didn't work, I'd be amazed if he thought his poor body language didn't harm his game amd help his opponent.

But it would have required more than hard work to beat Murray in this form and a rain delay late in the fourth set merely delayed the inevitable.

What a load of crap BBC.

Seifer Almasy wrote:

But it would have required more than hard work to beat Murray in this form and a rain delay late in the fourth set merely delayed the inevitable.

What a load of crap BBC.

Well it was inevitable.

Oh I see stacks of sour grapes being munched on here regarding Andy Murray. Amazed that Ferrer (the beaten player who has most reason to be bitter) can be gracious in defeat but posters here can't.

As for the predictions I do believe I was absolutely spot on in all four matches.

As for the Murray/Ferrer match I was working so had to follow it on phone apps. Ferrer put up a great scrap but as he said afterwards and (after viewing highlights on BBC2 a few minutes ago) Murray played the bigger points better. As for the semi-final well you will have no excuses from me should Andy lose. Let the best man win.

What i'm saying is will it really be good for him if Murray wins?

4 slam finals and 4 losses is not a pretty picture.

I hope for a Murray Wimbledon victory.

Not for Britain.

Just because unlike Domestos, it will kill the trolls on the forum

legendkillarV2 wrote:I hope for a Murray Wimbledon victory.

Not for Britain.

Just because unlike Domestos, it will kill the trolls on the forum

No it won't lk. After all Nadal has won eleven slams and you still get trolls posting about how useless he is. Once a troll always a troll.

I am 100% in murrays corner now that ferrer has been outclassed.. Come on the murray.

Admit it Legend. You were pinning your hopes on Mayer and Youzhny winning.

You are now hoping Tsonga wins so that Muzza doesn't have to face another finals loss to the same faces.

Put the coffee down.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:I hope for a Murray Wimbledon victory.

Not for Britain.

Just because unlike Domestos, it will kill the trolls on the forum

No it won't lk. After all Nadal has won eleven slams and you still get trolls posting about how useless he is. Once a troll always a troll.

I agree with CC, trolls won't go away just if Murray wins. Although I was surprised not to see jersey appear when Nadal lost to Rosol, has she/he been banned?

On the other thread, SA is asking us to disregard the rather one sided H2H of 5-1 in Murray's favour with Tsonga and then insults him (and Djokovic) by calling them boring baseline sluggers er.....that's what tennis has been for the best part of the last 10 years, why single them out?

I hope Murray wins it for himself. I think we would see a complete change in him if he lifts that trophy. A positive change. He would feel like he belonged in that top bracket, and that would completely change his belief in those matches. plus, I hope he wins it for Britain too, of course.

If Murray can beat Tsonga, who do you think would be better for him to face in the final? Who would he have the best shot against?

not djok!!!

however whoever he plays if he gets there will probally be the toughest opponent so its all relative

Well it is tough. I'd take anybody just now as it would mean Murray was in the Final and the first British man to do so for such a long time. However, lets focus on the semi first.

Remember though if it is Djokovic that Andy went as close as you can to beating him at the Aussie Open semi so he can take great heart from that. If it is Federer then we are guaranteed a historic result really and that would be interesting to see how it pans out.

One match at a time though.

Danny_1982 wrote:I hope Murray wins it for himself. I think we would see a complete change in him if he lifts that trophy. A positive change. He would feel like he belonged in that top bracket, and that would completely change his belief in those matches. plus, I hope he wins it for Britain too, of course.

If Murray can beat Tsonga, who do you think would be better for him to face in the final? Who would he have the best shot against?

Djokovic.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Admit it Legend. You were pinning your hopes on Mayer and Youzhny winning.

You are now hoping Tsonga wins so that Muzza doesn't have to face another finals loss to the same faces.

Put the coffee down.

That was wumming on the fanboy level

Hooked you in.

Wow so much strife on this thread...

Murray, despite playing somewhat lackluster tennis in the first couple of sets got through a tough quarter and now faces a Rafa-free semi. It's his best chance in ages to get to a Wimbledon final. Likable as Tsonga is, the head to head should make this a gimme for Murray, so I'd expect him to get through. Roll on Friday!

I actually like the way that Andy has refused to panic in any of his last three matches

Even forgetting the Davydenko one, he's had a tough draw against players who are no mugs and Ferrer having won the most matches this year so far

For me the subtle improvement in his forehand and follow up shot to his serve is becoming quite telling

I'm very confident against Tsonga - simply because once Murray gets going Jo has no resolve. But may the best man win

I think Andy has to up his level, this type of passive play will get him beat against all three of the guys remaining in the tournament. Not particularly impressed with his performance for long stretches of the match it was ferrer dictating with his forehand and not Andy. I don't know not a convincing performance lets just leave it at that.

Can't wait for the big match, go Novak all the way baby!

Socal - I think that's very harsh. Ferrer is a player who never gets enough credit, despite competetive H2H's against the likes of Murray AND Djokovic.

I thought Murray was slow out of the blocks, but by the end he was playing aggressively and serving great. He hit one backhand at 101mph for goodness sake.

In a tournament where the top players have merely been mostly been doing enough to get by, I thought this was a fairly good performance against a player who matches up fairly well to Murray in terms if his return and movement. Ultimately the better player won, and Murray will have to play differently to get through to the final.

But if you think this was poor or passive, well I completely disagree.

socal1976 wrote:I think Andy has to up his level, this type of passive play will get him beat against all three of the guys remaining in the tournament. Not particularly impressed with his performance for long stretches of the match it was ferrer dictating with his forehand and not Andy. I don't know not a convincing performance lets just leave it at that.

Can't wait for the big match, go Novak all the way baby!

Socal. Given the hard slog Andy's had this tournament - where I'd argue that all his opponents have been more difficult than any of Nole's, I don't think we can expect him not to have periods of passive play. What impresses me at this Slam is that he seems able to wind up the power when needed. Yes. It may be the case against the new Top 2, that he'd already be out of the match by the time he's played his way into it - but for me it's understandable

Each of his matches, including the underrate Davy victory have needed a certain match plan, which is why he'll get past Tsonga - who really hasn't looked anything special

Agree with you there Banbrotam. Tsonga is way over rated: mainly I think because he held 4 match points against Djokovic and he beat Fed @ the Wimbledon semis last year. Tsonga has been more consistently in most tournaments this year compared to previous years but he's no where near as close as Murray is in consistency in the slams in recent years.

Yes, I think Tsonga could push Murray hard (he did @ Queens) but crowd support will certainly help Murray to get over the line. I think it'll be 5 sets but ultimately a Murray win.

The harder match to predict is the Federer vs Djokovic match. Which Federer will show up? The Federer who smashed 3 of his opponents en-route to the semis or the Fed who was 2 points away from defeat 5 times and had a MTO against Malisse? I really don't know.

banbrotam wrote:

socal1976 wrote:I think Andy has to up his level, this type of passive play will get him beat against all three of the guys remaining in the tournament. Not particularly impressed with his performance for long stretches of the match it was ferrer dictating with his forehand and not Andy. I don't know not a convincing performance lets just leave it at that.

Can't wait for the big match, go Novak all the way baby!

Socal. Given the hard slog Andy's had this tournament - where I'd argue that all his opponents have been more difficult than any of Nole's, I don't think we can expect him not to have periods of passive play. What impresses me at this Slam is that he seems able to wind up the power when needed. Yes. It may be the case against the new Top 2, that he'd already be out of the match by the time he's played his way into it - but for me it's understandable

Each of his matches, including the underrate Davy victory have needed a certain match plan, which is why he'll get past Tsonga - who really hasn't looked anything special

Can't agree with that statement banbro, not in regards to murray's competition or to murray's differing match plans. When playing a player like ferrer on a grass court Murray's plans have to be to win the match dictating it with his forehand and serve. He was completely unable to do that for long stretches of the match. Murray is half a foot taller, hits the ball bigger off of both wings and the service line and while Ferrer is a great returner Murray is more offensive in that area as well. Yet if you watched that match you would think for long stretches that Ferrer was the guy 6 inches taller, with the bigger shots and 25 pounds on Murray. To me i wouldn't be concerned with the top 2. It is my opinion he continues on current form he doesn't get by Tsonga. I know the h2h advantage, and I know the fact that Murray is a better overrall player. But on current form haven't seen much that would favor Murray. By the way I think both of Novak's first two round opponents were difficult in Harrison and in Ferrerro. Stepanek also is a tough out on grass.

Danny_1982 wrote:Socal - I think that's very harsh. Ferrer is a player who never gets enough credit, despite competetive H2H's against the likes of Murray AND Djokovic.

I thought Murray was slow out of the blocks, but by the end he was playing aggressively and serving great. He hit one backhand at 101mph for goodness sake.

In a tournament where the top players have merely been mostly been doing enough to get by, I thought this was a fairly good performance against a player who matches up fairly well to Murray in terms if his return and movement. Ultimately the better player won, and Murray will have to play differently to get through to the final.

But if you think this was poor or passive, well I completely disagree.

Danny, I don't know if I agree. Murray was very fortunate not to lose a couple of the sets he won. Ferrer's forehand was the better forehand. It was murray's legs and 1st serve that outpaced Ferrer. Yes ferrer did a lot of chasing and defending today but ferrer I thought gave as good as he got. That is a bit disconcerting because as good and as tough as ferrer is, and I think he is certainly top shelf and a fighter; Murray on a fast court should have his number. And at the least win or lose in the neutral baseline exchanges he should be the guy making ferrer run around like a chicken with his head cut off, not the other way around. Credit to Andy he came up with some world class shots on the run and saves but he won that match with his legs pretty much, and its just dissappointing against a Ferrer who you would think would be the one chasing down Andy's power.

Danny let me put it to you this way the three guys above Andy and who have won multiple slams, could you see them having difficulty imposing their power on ferrer and at the least making him defend the majority of the time? Don't you think all three of the guys above Andy would impose themselves much more effectively in a big match against a quality lighter hitting opponent with the forehand and serve than Andy did in this match? I know I do.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:I hope for a Murray Wimbledon victory.

Not for Britain.

Just because unlike Domestos, it will kill the trolls on the forum

No it won't lk. After all Nadal has won eleven slams and you still get trolls posting about how useless he is. Once a troll always a troll.

Yup perfectly said CC , haven't we seen from 606 to 606v2 how many garbage threads we had insulting Fed? a troll will remain coz he is proud to be a troll.

socal1976 wrote:

Danny_1982 wrote:Socal - I think that's very harsh. Ferrer is a player who never gets enough credit, despite competetive H2H's against the likes of Murray AND Djokovic.

I thought Murray was slow out of the blocks, but by the end he was playing aggressively and serving great. He hit one backhand at 101mph for goodness sake.

In a tournament where the top players have merely been mostly been doing enough to get by, I thought this was a fairly good performance against a player who matches up fairly well to Murray in terms if his return and movement. Ultimately the better player won, and Murray will have to play differently to get through to the final.

But if you think this was poor or passive, well I completely disagree.

Danny, I don't know if I agree. Murray was very fortunate not to lose a couple of the sets he won. Ferrer's forehand was the better forehand. It was murray's legs and 1st serve that outpaced Ferrer. Yes ferrer did a lot of chasing and defending today but ferrer I thought gave as good as he got. That is a bit disconcerting because as good and as tough as ferrer is, and I think he is certainly top shelf and a fighter; Murray on a fast court should have his number. And at the least win or lose in the neutral baseline exchanges he should be the guy making ferrer run around like a chicken with his head cut off, not the other way around. Credit to Andy he came up with some world class shots on the run and saves but he won that match with his legs pretty much, and its just dissappointing against a Ferrer who you would think would be the one chasing down Andy's power.

Danny let me put it to you this way the three guys above Andy and who have won multiple slams, could you see them having difficulty imposing their power on ferrer and at the least making him defend the majority of the time? Don't you think all three of the guys above Andy would impose themselves much more effectively in a big match against a quality lighter hitting opponent with the forehand and serve than Andy did in this match? I know I do.

Socal I agree with almost every line, Djoko became a monster when he made the opponents run to death, he started to play long rallies with Rafa and started to tire him out and then go for outright winners, Andy on the other hand still love to run himself more than make the opponents run.

In today's match when ever he made Ferrer run he was so effective and almost everytime won the point, hope he sees his video himself and learn how he won the game.