Miami Match Thread (Murray wins!)

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First topic message reminder :

After watching Rafael Nadal complete a triumphant hardcourt transition at Indian Wells and break his own record for Masters titles won, the tour rumbles on and circles the wagons at Key Biscayne, Miami. The Miami Masters has been held here since 1987, after originally setting up at none other than Delray Beach in 1985. The cream generally seems to rise to the top at Miami, and by far the most prolific winner of the tournament is Andre Agassi, who notched up an amazing six titles over the course of his career. Amongst currently active players who are present at the 2013 tournament, only Djokovic, Murray and Davydenko have lifted the title previously - though Berdych was a finalist in 2010. Although Federer and Nadal are missing, the vast majority of the tour seems to have turned up, and hopefully we'll have an interesting tournament this year.

Prize: $719,160 (purse of $5,185,625), which marks an increase from last year. And of course, 1000 precious ranking points are on offer to the winner.
Defending champion is Novak Djokovic, who defeated Andy Murray in straight sets in 2012. He also won the 2011 tournament, and is therefore going for a hat-trick of wins.
Click for an updated draw on the ATP website.
Morning sessions typically begin at 11:00 local time, and evening sessions around 20:00.

[summerblues]

Haas caused problems for Djokovic in Canada as well.

I remember that match, that is why I was hoping this match had at least a bit of a chance to be interesting. Far exceeded my expectations though.

[laverfan]

2 BPs for Haas. Come on Djokovic, fight.

[laverfan]

Haas breaks.

[summerblues]

Mhmm, is this getting into the interesting territory? Still will be surprised if Nole does not turn it around.

[laverfan]

Haas has used the slice very well, knowing what the conditions are like.

[laverfan]

Haas consolidates, perhaps an upset on the cards?

[Cogen]

Woah woah woah woahhhh... 6-2 2-0 Haas? What is going on? Just checked the latest scores. Time to turn the TV on!

[summerblues]

Woah woah woah woahhhh... 6-2 2-0 Haas? What is going on? Just checked the latest scores. Time to turn the TV on!

Of course, I remember waking up at the AO, seeing Stan up 6:1, 4:1 or something like that, and deciding to turn the TV on...

...oh dear, this so could have been 3:0 now.

[summerblues]

Good point from Haas, but he does not want to get into many points like that.

[summerblues]

...and Nole finally holds after seven straight games to Haas. Is this the turning point?

[Cogen]

Yeah... looks like I jinxed Haas.

He was 3 for 3 on break points.

Missed 3 in that game... Now only 3/6. Keep it together Tommy!

[summerblues]

0-40

[summerblues]

Nole breaks back to love. Hard to see Tommy winning from here, but one can always hope.

[Cogen]

GSM Djokovic? haha... I'm going back to bed...

[summerblues]

GSM Djokovic? haha... I'm going back to bed...

Well done; just please stay there now.

[summerblues]

Wow, just wow! What a match from Haas. And what a way to come back after first missing all those BPs and then losing the break. I was sure it was over when Nole broke back.

[laverfan]

Good victory for Haas. Djokovic. :console:

[summerblues]

Well, this was well worth watching. I was hoping for a closish match but never expected it would be this sweet.

[invisiblecoolers]

Nole breaks back to love. Hard to see Tommy winning from here, but one can always hope.

Mind boggling performance and superb display of skill to save tennis from retrievers.

Take a bow Tommy Haas

[CAS]

did that just happen? I fancied Haas to take a set or have an extremely close 2 sets because he has given Novak trouble before but that was pure class

[invisiblecoolers]

did that just happen? I fancied Haas to take a set or have an extremely close 2 sets because he has given Novak trouble before but that was pure class

Haas just exhibitied his genius and Novak for most part of the match was clueless, had it not been a bit of panic from haas in the middle of the 2nd set it could have easily been a bagel, how many break points did Haas sqaunder in 2nd set? ask Fed he might come with the answer.

[CAS]

He's world number 2 ranking that has been questioned doesn't look too bad right now, if only he had not had injury problems could have been some player. Quite the turnaround, I think I remember he suggested to Rafa he was about to retire after the Aussie Open 11 defeat to him. I'm glad he didn't, still has so much to offer with his classical style

[invisiblecoolers]

He's world number 2 ranking that has been questioned doesn't look too bad right now, if only he had not had injury problems could have been some player. Quite the turnaround, I think I remember he suggested to Rafa he was about to retire after the Aussie Open 11 defeat to him. I'm glad he didn't, still has so much to offer with his classical style

CAS do you remember some people in this forum ridiculing Haas game and when raised about his multiple wins ove Djokovic they came up with serious of excuses like Djoko version .001 etc,.., this should be Haas at 80% max given his age, this match should really shunt his critics and his era.

Such a pleasure to watch Tommy at his best.

[laverfan]

The 12 minute third game was very interesting. Haas was very close to a double break.

[The Special Juan]

Whoa whoa whoa.... Tommy Haas you legend. I get the feeling Hewitt looks at Haas and thinks "What's going on? Why isn't that me?"

Unlucky Novak, but Haas?

[laverfan]

@TSJ... recall Hewitt beating Federer at Halle.

[break_in_the_fifth]

I wasn't following Miami but I might try to catch the replays for this match somewhere. I really like Haas' game and think he's close in ability to Federer. His backhand is different in the way he slices and he hits his forehand a bit flatter than Fed but I think overall his game is almost or as equally pleasing to the eye as Feds though Fed is slightly better than him in general and has a bit more.

Haas beat Djokovic in Halle and Wimbledon in 2009 and played a good match against Fed in the semis who was actually firing on almost all his cylinders (how Fed went to playing so bad one match later is anyone's guess). I don't see why anyone doubted his level, talent or worthiness as a top player, rival or opponent. When he plays well his level is great, so what if he never made it big due to other circumstances.

[banbrotam]

I don't think anyone dismisses Hass's talent - some of us just don't believe that despite this talent that he would have ever reached No.2 (i.e. uninjured and a similar age to the three 'youngsters') in the current 'era'

Difference of opinion - not disrespect of a player

[break_in_the_fifth]

Maybe not in this age of "consistency" but in any given tournament where he reached the latter stages I'll bet his level of play was equal to that of any of the golden 3.

[lydian]

Haas career was going into orbit before that fateful motorcycle accident with his parents that took him off tour for a long time in 2002...it was never the same after that because the time out gave him shoulder problems then surgery, etc, on return but his talent has never been in doubt. He must feel over the moon today.

[laverfan]

@BITF... Hass v Federer @RG is also a reminder of Haas's ability.

[walktall2209]

I'm not liking this one bit.... Really? To Haas? Nole must be seriously counting on the FO win... or something...

[CAS]

With Novak playing like this, Murray notoriously poor on clay and Federer struggling with back issues its all opening up for a Rafa dominated few months, wouldn't surprise me if he wins everything from now to Wimbledon including SW19 itself

[CaledonianCraig]

I never saw the Djokovic match last night but lets put it into perspective instead of knee jeerk reactions. Evidently, Novak had a bit of a mare whilst Haas played to a high enough level to take advantage and seal an excellent win for him.

In the long term I would say this win will be forgotten in the ethernet of time. For Haas it is clear he is a very consistent player to a certain level hence why he has consistently had top 20 year end finishes in his non-injury hit years so the fact he can get wins like this is no real eye-opener. Who here would back him to go on and win the tournament? It would be no surprise to me if he bombed out in the next round. That sums up a guy short of real consistency which has blighted his career in my opinion.

[Cogen]

GSM Djokovic? haha... I'm going back to bed...

Well done; just please stay there now.

Looks like it did the trick! Haha

Well done, Tommy!

For the record, I have nothing against Djokovic, in fact I really like the guy. However...

A) It is always nice to see an older guy rolling back the years and playing well.
B) This significantly increases Murray's odds of winning the title and becoming world number 2!

[Guest]

With Novak playing like this, Murray notoriously poor on clay and Federer struggling with back issues its all opening up for a Rafa dominated few months, wouldn't surprise me if he wins everything from now to Wimbledon including SW19 itself

I agree for the first part of the statement, though Rafa has not played Djokovic or Murray since his return and there is a few weeks until the Clay season kicks in. Based on his form Nadal has to be a solid favourite for the Clay swing, however I don't think Rafa will win Wimbledon. I think the big issue for him is the roof on CC. I would have to say Federer and Murray would look to be firm favourites for Wimbledon.

I am hoping now the draw has opened up that Murray can chalk up a Masters victory to set him in good stead for the Clay.

[kingraf]

Nadal to me, is top three to win Wimbledon. He is a five time finalist. Thatsmore finals than Djoko-Murray combined. Plus I dont think Murray can actually beat Nadal on grass, unless its an indoor. isn't Murray 2-9 in terms of sets on grass va Rafa at SW19? And in a best vs best match, I think Nadal beats Nole on grass too. Whether he could actually get convince himself of that is another matter.

[banbrotam]

Maybe not in this age of "consistency" but in any given tournament where he reached the latter stages I'll bet his level of play was equal to that of any of the golden 3.

This is where I get confused. Has this "age of consistency" been any different to any other?? In order to be a consistent Top 5 player you of course need to get deep into virtually every event you enter

It's ridiculous to think that because someone occassionally had a big win, we can equate that to them being as good as the top players. Of course all players are capable of golden half hours or even hours, where they look better than the Top 4 (Dimi for 30 minutes on Monday)

For me and I'm not saying you've done this - yet again we get the 'damned by success' that particularly Novak and Andy seem to get. This kind of 'yeah they're alright' - but did you see how great Tsonga was against Federer or that Almagro backhand or the all round game of Hass'

If anyone bothers to watch the two contestants of the last two slams, they will see that they have plenty of days, when they play as good as Haas did yesterday or at any time in his career

For instance, I note with wry amusement, that Murray's one-sided contest against Seppi, who has shown consistency recently, barely gets a mention

i.e. another 'so what?'

Of course, we all love to see the old stars perform - I more of a fan of Andre in his latter days as opposed to his early ones. And it is good to see Haas having an Indian summer

[banbrotam]

Nadal to me, is top three to win Wimbledon. He is a five time finalist. Thatsmore finals than Djoko-Murray combined. Plus I dont think Murray can actually beat Nadal on grass, unless its an indoor. isn't Murray 2-9 in terms of sets on grass va Rafa at SW19? And in a best vs best match, I think Nadal beats Nole on grass too. Whether he could actually get convince himself of that is another matter.

And last time they played;-

1) Murray had no forehand in comparison to now
2) Murray hadn't won a Slam
3) Rafa hadn't been out with a serious injury for 7 months

It's folly to assume that Rafa will carry on dominating Andy, away from the hard courts, merely based on what occured 18 months plus ago - given the significant occurences that has happened to both, since

I think Rafa fans are getting way too ahead of themselves based on him beating an out of sorts Roger and Del Potro who'd never won a Masters

It's like here. Murray might win Miami - but it will have no baring on whether of not he can beat his 3 rivals at the Slams

[Danny_1982]

I agree with LK. I think Rafa is string favourite for RG but personally I don't see him taking Wimbledon. I strongly fancy Murray to win it.

I know Rafa has had the best of their previous grass meetings, but Murray missed some big opportunities in their last 2 W meetings and I have more faith in Murray not mentally imploding these days.

Wimbledon is the one that is toughest to predict because all 4 are pretty equal on that surface. But Murray is my pick.

[Guest]

I am not totally discounting Rafa as a candidate to win Wimbledon because I agree with kingraf that Rafa is among the favourites, but given Murray's form at present and his consistency at Wimbledon (4 consecutive Semi's and counting) and his Olympic victory for me push him to the front of the queue with Federer and he looks quite comfortable on the Grass too.

As banbro said Nadal has had a massive lay off and only played one HC event. As frightening as Nadal's recent form is and how short the Grass season is I would be amazed if he could make such a transition from Clay to Grass that quickly.

[The Special Juan]

@TSJ... recall Hewitt beating Federer at Halle.

Indeed LF. That had slipped my mind but I was thinking more in terms of comebacks. Both have had pretty dismal careers in terms of injuries but Haas continually bounces back, Hewitt's been unlucky that he can't have a good few injury free months to show us his real game.

[The Special Juan]

Aggy Radwaggy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGKIQ7ykNsU

[lydian]

I still think slotting Nadal in as hot favourite for RG is slightly overcooking the odds, never mind Wimby. We need to see how he does at MC and Rome first...he's still not faced Djokovic or Murray yet and he's going to have to go through them to generally win the big titles. Plus a fully fit Federer is no mean test either.

[Silver]

Aggy Radwaggy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGKIQ7ykNsU

Got to love Radwanska.

[laverfan]

Djokovic will come back, this loss notwithstanding. He needs a break to retune his frequencies, and he will be all right.

One thing, as SB and I were watching the match, which bothered me (similar to USO v Ferrer) is Djokovic not being able to adjust to the playing conditions. I hope Vajda and Vemic can help sort it out.

The other members of Top 4 seem to show a bit better adaptability, even though Nadaal v Federer at the last IW puts a question mark on Nadal as well.

[dummy_half]

That shot by Aggy is just ridiculous (and rather lucky). Not sure I liked Flipkins reaction though - she should probably either applaud it or be laughing about it rather than looking like the Gods have just mugged her.

I can see where Lydian is coming from regarding Nadal, although at this stage I would make him a marginal favourite for RG based on his absurd record there in particular and on clay in general and that so far the comeback has gone probably better than even his most optimistic fans could have hoped for. We'll know a lot more after MC and Rome, especially if he comes up against Djoko in good form.

[The Special Juan]

I think Haas is one of the players on tour who could back up a great win like that so I think he'll beat Simon too. I can see what Novak was on about too as the ball is indeed bouncing low. Lahyani is wearing gloves and a thick jacket in the chair!!

[Cogen]

What is THIS?!?!
http://www.sonyopentennis.com/About/Prize-Money.aspx

I was just checking the prize money for Miami to see how much Laura Robson will be picking up for her double semi-final... $58k if you're wondering. Very handy sum considering her YTD total is only $111k so far.

Anyway, I noticed not only have the women fought for equal prize money... they're now making MORE than the men?!

Should we be outraged?

[The Special Juan]

Wow. Don't tell Simon!! I wonder what the reason for that is.

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