Olympic Day 9 Thread

[The Special Juan]

First topic message reminder :

Centre Court: Hlavackova/Hredecka v Williams/Williams for Gold then Federer v Murray for Gold then Azarenka/Mirnyi v Murray/Robson for Gold

Court 1: Del Potro v Djokovic for Bronze then Huber/Raymond v Kirilenko/Petrova for Bronze then Bryan/Raymond v Kas/Lisicki for Bronze

[laverfan]

Congrats to BanBro, CC and the legions of Murray fans.

Congrats to Del Potro Fans (iC and others).

Wonderful Olympics.

[JuliusHMarx]

Woohoo

One of those days when everything just fell into place. Fantastic!

[banbrotam]

brilliant silver medal from Federer.

I don't think anyone else would've beaten Delpo on Friday.

Do you think you could find the grace to congratulate Murray? You keep telling us that you often complement him - well now's a good time

We won't hold our breathe

[barrystar]

Well done Andy. A very good win and it really means a bit more having a Bo5 set final even though it's clearly not a slam.

[summerblues]

Ouch ouch ouch. Not what I wanted to see.

But have to say congrats to Andy. Very impressive performance today. Aggressive, hitting with authority. Ever since I saw that USO 08 semi I thought he had it in him to play like this. Also very well done to have avoided a letdown after the Wimbledon final. Will be very interesting to see where the rest of the season leads.

[Jahu]

Well done to Murray, super play, thought Fed was sub-par as his worst.

A deserved win and glad he got it after that crushing W defeat.

Happy for JMDP to crush that little annoying ex no1.

Will be an interesting USO.

[Josiah Maiestas]

brilliant silver medal from Federer.

I don't think anyone else would've beaten Delpo on Friday.

Do you think you could find the grace to congratulate Murray? You keep telling us that you often complement him - well now's a good time

We won't hold our breathe

wow man Roddick could've taken atleast 2 sets from Federer today after the Delpo marathon.

[banbrotam]

Congrats to BanBro, CC and the legions of Murray fans.

Congrats to Del Potro Fans (iC and others).

Wonderful Olympics.

Cheers laverfan. Not a Slam though. But this victory will be as significant as Nole's Davis Cup one in 2010

Bit worried how Andy keeps this up for 2 Masters and The US Open all in a 5 week spell!!

Great scheduling by the tour

[laverfan]

No excuses. Murray won. Federer lost. Look forward to the matches at USO this year.

Del Potro won Bronze against Djokovic, and he played the same match against Federer.

Very glad for Silver for Federer.

Commiserations to Djokovic fans.

[banbrotam]

brilliant silver medal from Federer.

I don't think anyone else would've beaten Delpo on Friday.

Do you think you could find the grace to congratulate Murray? You keep telling us that you often complement him - well now's a good time

We won't hold our breathe

wow man Roddick could've taken atleast 2 sets from Federer today after the Delpo marathon.

It's a good job, I didn't hold my breathe!!

[monty junior]

Magnificent win Andy, so dominant.

To show the mental strength after the losing Wimbledon final, to hammer his nemesis completely less than a month later for the first time even as a fan gives me complete confidence that he will win multiple slams. The first coming in the US Open next month

[Josiah Maiestas]

I celebrated Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah yesterday, sometimes you have to take a knock the next day. Not a great knock though, a silver medal at 31 is still a great achievement considering the miles he's clocked up over the past 10 years.

[banbrotam]

Oh Oh. Macs just said that an Olympic Gold is like a Slam

And he's not even British, last time I looked

This should give us some 'fun' comments

[summerblues]

Will be an interesting USO.

It has potential to be fantastic - 3 different slam winners so far this year and now Murray in fantastic form too. And Delpo also getting better.

[barrystar]

Jonny Mac talking more rubbish than anyone else right now, but with Murray you feel (hopefully) that a corner is being turned.

[banbrotam]

Jonny Mac talking more rubbish than anyone else right now, but with Murray you feel (hopefully) that a corner is being turned.

Don't get me wrong. It's not the same

However, all the players wanted it just as much as a Slam - so the significance of getting a medal cannot be under-rated

You only have to look at the joy on even Tsonga's face when he won that marathon against Raonic, never mind how desperate Nole looked when he went to 0-40 at the end of the SF. The Serb through the kitchen sink at Andy in that set

To be honest, as a Murray fan I can honestly say that this medal makes sure if Murray never wins a Slam, I'm just about OK with that

[Guest]

Oh Oh. Macs just said that an Olympic Gold is like a Slam

And he's not even British, last time I looked

This should give us some 'fun' comments

Yeah well, it's not like Johnny Mac to jump on any bandwagon rolling by

Good for Murray though, he looks chuffed. So does Fed with his silver.

Certainly will make the USO very interesting.

A genuine five way race?

[Josiah Maiestas]

not like a slam in the slightest banbrotam.

bo3 sets until the final?

not even close.

[barrystar]

I like the way the three guys are behaving - very gracious stuff.

It's significant all right banbro - for me it's significance is that a failure to win a slam would be truly disappointing now.

Yes, I agree that they wanted it very much (JMDP a study in desire) but do you think Murray would play mixed doubles at a slam? Have you every seen Fed or Djoko play doubles at a slam?

[banbrotam]

Yeah well, it's not like Johnny Mac to jump on any bandwagon rolling by

I don't think Mac does "bandwagon' jumping. For instance he's always been underwhelmed by Murray and illustrated this by saying that he was surprised by the margin of the victory. Well anyone who admires Murray's skills' will know that Andy's done this to Roger before on more than one occasion

i.e. Mac says what he thinks and in fairness his comments were related to how important The Olympics are now compared to 1988

[invisiblecoolers]

No excuses. Murray won. Federer lost. Look forward to the matches at USO this year.

Del Potro won Bronze against Djokovic, and he played the same match against Federer.

Very glad for Silver for Federer.

Commiserations to Djokovic fans.

Exactly, a win is a win no excuses really, I would have wished a Fed Gold ,Murray Silver and DP Bronze, but turned out the viceversa in the top 2, but a medal is a medal.

Actually can we now say by SocalLED Logic that Murray had the cup cake draw to have not face Del Potro in the semi's, he only had to face the whipping boy Djoko in the semi's , Del Potro was a bit unlucky to have drawn against Fed all this year, it could have been all different year for him had he not faced the GOAT. I wish he is drawn in Djoko's draw come USO.

[banbrotam]

I like the way the three guys are behaving - very gracious stuff.

It's significant all right banbro - for me it's significance is that a failure to win a slam would be truly disappointing now.

Yes, I agree that they wanted it very much (JMDP a study in desire) but do you think Murray would play mixed doubles at a slam? Have you every seen Fed or Djoko play doubles at a slam?

Maybe Murray should. He's a rhythm player and perhaps that's his best form of practice. I think people forget that this is important to all those who took part like a Slam, to deny this as Josiah is doing is ridiculous

But no - it's not quite as important, but it was one of the 5 tourneys that the Top 3 all targeted

[The Special Juan]

I thought Federer's fatigue wouldn't play a part in this match?

[banbrotam]

I thought Federer's fatigue wouldn't play a part in this match?

It does if he loses, but it's not to be used as an excuse for any of Fed's beaten opponents

It's called the "Josiah rules". A bit like "The Queensbury Rules" in boxing - but here it's just fair play for Roger

[Josiah Maiestas]

I like the way the three guys are behaving - very gracious stuff.

It's significant all right banbro - for me it's significance is that a failure to win a slam would be truly disappointing now.

Yes, I agree that they wanted it very much (JMDP a study in desire) but do you think Murray would play mixed doubles at a slam? Have you every seen Fed or Djoko play doubles at a slam?

Maybe Murray should. He's a rhythm player and perhaps that's his best form of practice. I think people forget that this is important to all those who took part like a Slam, to deny this as Josiah is doing is ridiculous

But no - it's not quite as important, but it was one of the 5 tourneys that the Top 3 all targeted

its also important to have lots of energy left for the final, something Federer did not have.

[bogbrush]

Oh Oh. Macs just said that an Olympic Gold is like a Slam

And he's not even British, last time I looked

This should give us some 'fun' comments

Oh I fully exect the thread that declares this as big as a slam.

[CAS]

that was the Federer that played Roddick in Miami, I tried not to accept the tired excuse but I think it was there and like Phelps said the emotional energy is a lot as well and I think DelPo took it out of him emotionally.

But as a joint Federer and Murray fan, I never enjoy their matches anyway. Federers Wimbledon win was the most bittersweet victory, and so is this one. Would rather one of them got knocked out before a final, or play in the semis, that I can take better

[Danny_1982]

Federer looking very disappointed on BBC interview, but very accurate comments. He played pretty well as he said himself, but lost the big points. Fair play to Murray for - finally - producing his best in the big moments.

Interesting that Federer says he was maybe too emotional throughout. Guilty of wanting it too much perhaps.

For Murray this is huge. Monumentally huge. Beating Djokovic and Federer back to back in such a huge tournament, on home soil, not losing a set, not even losing his serve... If he still had question marks in his mind "am I good enough? Can i produce my best when it matters?" they have gone now.

He is there now. Mentally and physically he is there. The next 18 months is his time. He is a slam winner in waiting.

Credit to Federer too for magnificent humility after such a defeat. What a class act the man is.

[The Special Juan]

I thought Federer's fatigue wouldn't play a part in this match?

It does if he loses, but it's not to be used as an excuse for any of Fed's beaten opponents

It's called the "Josiah rules". A bit like "The Queensbury Rules" in boxing - but here it's just fair play for Roger

I thought as much

Well done Murray. It's not a Slam and never will be but it IS a win over 2 of the best players in the game at the moment in a high pressure tournament. There used to be a Big 3 and Murray. In my eyes, there is now a Big 4.

[bogbrush]

I like the way the three guys are behaving - very gracious stuff.

It's significant all right banbro - for me it's significance is that a failure to win a slam would be truly disappointing now.

Yes, I agree that they wanted it very much (JMDP a study in desire) but do you think Murray would play mixed doubles at a slam? Have you every seen Fed or Djoko play doubles at a slam?

Maybe Murray should. He's a rhythm player and perhaps that's his best form of practice. I think people forget that this is important to all those who took part like a Slam, to deny this as Josiah is doing is ridiculous

But no - it's not quite as important, but it was one of the 5 tourneys that the Top 3 all targeted

Oh here we go....... As anticipated, it's being anointed a sub-Slam

[invisiblecoolers]

Federer looking very disappointed on BBC interview, but very accurate comments. He played pretty well as he said himself, but lost the big points. Fair play to Murray for - finally - producing his best in the big moments.

Interesting that Federer says he was maybe too emotional throughout. Guilty of wanting it too much perhaps.

For Murray this is huge. Monumentally huge. Beating Djokovic and Federer back to back in such a huge tournament, on home soil, not losing a set, not even losing his serve... If he still had question marks in his mind "am I good enough? Can i produce my best when it matters?" they have gone now.

He is there now. Mentally and physically he is there. The next 18 months is his time. He is a slam winner in waiting.

Credit to Federer too for magnificent humility after such a defeat. What a class act the man is.

When I said this on my thread people were laughing that Murray can never reach no.1, if for once he reach no.1 I would love to see those faces who laughed at me

[invisiblecoolers]

I thought Federer's fatigue wouldn't play a part in this match?

It does if he loses, but it's not to be used as an excuse for any of Fed's beaten opponents

It's called the "Josiah rules". A bit like "The Queensbury Rules" in boxing - but here it's just fair play for Roger

I thought as much

Well done Murray. It's not a Slam and never will be but it IS a win over 2 of the best players in the game at the moment in a high pressure tournament. There used to be a Big 3 and Murray. In my eyes, there is now a Big 4.

Make it a Big 5, Del Potro is back big time, I see a DP -Murray final come USO

[barrystar]

But as a joint Federer and Murray fan, I never enjoy their matches anyway. Federers Wimbledon win was the most bittersweet victory, and so is this one. Would rather one of them got knocked out before a final, or play in the semis, that I can take better

Very familiar feeling - but for me it's worked out perfectly. I wanted Fed to get his last Wimbledon and go to No. 1. I was pretty neutral about today, but from now on I want Murray to win the slam encounters (should they happen).

[break_in_the_fifth]

So happy for Murray, for once I agreed with Andrew Castle, 'Nobody deserved it more'. Too bad for Fed as I wanted him to win but you can't play like that against an opponent of Murray's quality in such an important match and expect to come out on top.

Where was this Murray all these years. I really hope he can use this and take his place at the top of the game. It would be awesome if he could win the USO this year.

[banbrotam]

Oh here we go....... As anticipated, it's being anointed a sub-Slam

Yes. Not as good as having a Slam

Where's the issue in that?

It's a significant victory as it was for Olympic Gold something Fed in particular had targetted

Don't tell us BB, that Roger, a player who wants to lay down an untouchable legacy, doesn't want to be in the same league as Steffi, Rafa and Serena.

Incidentally, I don't think it matters one jot.

[break_in_the_fifth]

But as a joint Federer and Murray fan, I never enjoy their matches anyway. Federers Wimbledon win was the most bittersweet victory, and so is this one. Would rather one of them got knocked out before a final, or play in the semis, that I can take better

Very familiar feeling - but for me it's worked out perfectly. I wanted Fed to get his last Wimbledon and go to No. 1. I was pretty neutral about today, but from now on I want Murray to win the slam encounters (should they happen).

I would just rather he didn't lose to Nadal and Djokovic all those times as to me it's clear he's better than them anyway. I agree with the bittersweetness of Fed's Wimbledon which I guess after seeing today could so easily have been Murray's. It's so annoying he hasn't won a slam yet but I'm starting to see again in him what he used to have in 2008 which gave him so much potential. Does this victory erase all the mental demons?

[Danny_1982]

Federer looking very disappointed on BBC interview, but very accurate comments. He played pretty well as he said himself, but lost the big points. Fair play to Murray for - finally - producing his best in the big moments.

Interesting that Federer says he was maybe too emotional throughout. Guilty of wanting it too much perhaps.

For Murray this is huge. Monumentally huge. Beating Djokovic and Federer back to back in such a huge tournament, on home soil, not losing a set, not even losing his serve... If he still had question marks in his mind "am I good enough? Can i produce my best when it matters?" they have gone now.

He is there now. Mentally and physically he is there. The next 18 months is his time. He is a slam winner in waiting.

Credit to Federer too for magnificent humility after such a defeat. What a class act the man is.

When I said this on my thread people were laughing that Murray can never reach no.1, if for once he reach no.1 I would love to see those faces who laughed at me

I think he has arrived, and I think he'll win slams... But I'm afraid I still disagree with you IC, I still don't think he'll be world number 1.

[CAS]

Barrystar I am glad I am not the only one out there, every grand slam when they are both in the quarters I start getting uncomfortable because I know they both can't win and going to have to watch one come very close, and in the case the last few years both of them!

[invisiblecoolers]

Lets see Danny, becoming No.1 can be done without winning slams, WTA No.1's have proved is several times.

If Murray can additionally win slams it makes the no.1 taks much more easier.

[carrieg4]

So happy

[The Special Juan]

I think Azarenka better watch out. Murray will be after her with his serves. Every time she gets aced I'm going to clap and laugh for being an annoying squealer.

[Guest]

Oh here we go....... As anticipated, it's being anointed a sub-Slam

Yes. Not as good as having a Slam

Where's the issue in that?

It's a significant victory as it was for Olympic Gold something Fed in particular had targetted

Don't tell us BB, that Roger, a player who wants to lay down an untouchable legacy, doesn't want to be in the same league as Steffi, Rafa and Serena.

Incidentally, I don't think it matters one jot.

Err no.. only Fed and Steffi are comparable.

The rest are way behind.

A trinket in the OG doesn't change that.

BTW, does anyone remember Dementieva? No didn't think so. Well she won OG.

Don't get me wrong.. I thought Murray played fab today, but I detest this convenient elevation of the OG as if it's some sort of rival to the slams. It's below the WTF and just above the Masters level. That was a point I've consistently made before the games even started.

[break_in_the_fifth]

Well it's the players themselves that elevated its value... Besides silver slammer Fed puts him in a league of his own

[Guest]

But as a joint Federer and Murray fan, I never enjoy their matches anyway. Federers Wimbledon win was the most bittersweet victory, and so is this one. Would rather one of them got knocked out before a final, or play in the semis, that I can take better

Very familiar feeling - but for me it's worked out perfectly. I wanted Fed to get his last Wimbledon and go to No. 1. I was pretty neutral about today, but from now on I want Murray to win the slam encounters (should they happen).

I would just rather he didn't lose to Nadal and Djokovic all those times as to me it's clear he's better than them anyway. I agree with the bittersweetness of Fed's Wimbledon which I guess after seeing today could so easily have been Murray's. It's so annoying he hasn't won a slam yet but I'm starting to see again in him what he used to have in 2008 which gave him so much potential. Does this victory erase all the mental demons?

What?

It's clear to you that he's better than Rafa and Novak?

How did you come to that conclusion? Murray has never consistently produced the same level that those two have managed. Peak for peak they would beat him more often than not, as reflected by their results against each other and their respective accomplishments in the game.

[invisiblecoolers]

Oh here we go....... As anticipated, it's being anointed a sub-Slam

Yes. Not as good as having a Slam

Where's the issue in that?

It's a significant victory as it was for Olympic Gold something Fed in particular had targetted

Don't tell us BB, that Roger, a player who wants to lay down an untouchable legacy, doesn't want to be in the same league as Steffi, Rafa and Serena.

Incidentally, I don't think it matters one jot.

Err no.. only Fed and Steffi are comparable.

The rest are way behind.

A trinket in the OG doesn't change that.

BTW, does anyone remember Dementieva? No didn't think so. Well she won OG.

Don't get me wrong.. I thought Murray played fab today, but I detest this convenient elevation of the OG as if it's some sort of rival to the slams. It's below the WTF and just above the Masters level. That was a point I've consistently made before the games even started.

Exactly Emanci, too add more Do somebody remember Marc Rossett ? he won Olympics in 1992, a field that consisted Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, M Chang, Jim Courier.

Great win for Murray to get his confidence back but this doesn't impact anything in terms of legacy, Tennis still don't belong to Olympics, I find it very awkward.

[Guest]

Well it's the players themselves that elevated its value... Besides silver slammer Fed puts him in a league of his own

Indeed, as does 17 slams

[time please]

Well done Andy Murray very, very well done!

Hopefully this is just the break he needed and we can now expect greater things from Mr Murray. He played superbly. Okay Fed was a little slow on his footwork (unsurprisingly) but the match was a lot more exciting than the scoreline suggests. Murray was the man of the tournament and thoroughly deserves the gold. He came through the tournament in the smoothest and most convincing manner.

Great year so far with the top four taking the three slams and the OG. Really intensifies the competition at the top. What is going to happen at USO?

well done delpo too. Great to see his valiant semi assault rewarded with a bronze, but what the h*ll is up with Novak? He is playing well but he just doesn't look like he wants the fight enough.

[break_in_the_fifth]

Oh here we go....... As anticipated, it's being anointed a sub-Slam

Yes. Not as good as having a Slam

Where's the issue in that?

It's a significant victory as it was for Olympic Gold something Fed in particular had targetted

Don't tell us BB, that Roger, a player who wants to lay down an untouchable legacy, doesn't want to be in the same league as Steffi, Rafa and Serena.

Incidentally, I don't think it matters one jot.

Err no.. only Fed and Steffi are comparable.

The rest are way behind.

A trinket in the OG doesn't change that.

BTW, does anyone remember Dementieva? No didn't think so. Well she won OG.

Don't get me wrong.. I thought Murray played fab today, but I detest this convenient elevation of the OG as if it's some sort of rival to the slams. It's below the WTF and just above the Masters level. That was a point I've consistently made before the games even started.

Exactly Emanci, too add more Do somebody remember Marc Rossett ? he won Olympics in 1992, a field that consisted Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, M Chang, Jim Courier.

Great win for Murray to get his confidence back but this doesn't impact anything in terms of legacy, Tennis still don't belong to Olympics, I find it very awkward.

Lets pretend it does until he wins something better Hopefully it will serve most of the purposes of a 'slam' win he's convinced it's the biggest win of his career.

[monty junior]

I think it's above the WTF, the Olympics is once every four years and is a real once in a lifetime chance to make a name for yourself worldwide. It's also right in the heart of the season compared to the WTF finals at the end when everyone is tired and often injured (Murray,Nadal,Roddick in recent years). All a matter of preferance but also the fact the finals five sets means you get no lucky winners ala Davydenko in 2009, taking on Del Potro in the final who had hardly won a match since his US Open win.

[bogbrush]

Oh here we go....... As anticipated, it's being anointed a sub-Slam

Yes. Not as good as having a Slam

Where's the issue in that?

It's a significant victory as it was for Olympic Gold something Fed in particular had targetted

Don't tell us BB, that Roger, a player who wants to lay down an untouchable legacy, doesn't want to be in the same league as Steffi, Rafa and Serena.

Incidentally, I don't think it matters one jot.

Err no.. only Fed and Steffi are comparable.

The rest are way behind.

A trinket in the OG doesn't change that.

BTW, does anyone remember Dementieva? No didn't think so. Well she won OG.

Don't get me wrong.. I thought Murray played fab today, but I detest this convenient elevation of the OG as if it's some sort of rival to the slams. It's below the WTF and just above the Masters level. That was a point I've consistently made before the games even started.

Saved me a lot of typing there, thanks.

Yes, most of us took our position on the relevance of this before the event. I'm especially sorry as Djokovic will now clean up in Toronto and valuable ranking points squandered for the y/e, something that is very important.

Well played Murray..

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