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.

[laverfan]

Cilic's 24 errors.

[The Special Juan]

Cilic avoids the bagel. *2-1 Murray though.

[laverfan]

i have been telling anyone who cares that this year is the year Gasquet becomes a big time player. Would be nice if he triumphs.

4-3 vs Berdych h2h, 3-4 vs Murray. He has a realistic shot to make the final.

Also, any one else think he bulked up this year? He doesnt look like Andreev, but he definitely looks fitter and the bh is sweeter than ever.

He is definitely fitter. Montpellier and Doha titles richer too.

[The Special Juan]

What a game

[The Special Juan]

Watching Cilic attempt to volley is making me cringe.

[ryan86]

What is the most MP's held by a player who then loses the match?

[The Special Juan]

Finally

What a really awful match in all honesty. Both players were really.... poor. Murray will need to play much better in the semis.

[carrieg4]

Took long enough. Will really need to step it up in the next round.

[Danny_1982]

Funny match. Murray moved unbelievably well. But didn't serve or return that well.

He's in second gear and has been since Australia. Good enough to beat most but he'd need to play better against Berdy. If its Gasquet I think he'll win even playing only ok.

So based on his form and the varying match ups, I think if Berdych wins tonight he'll beat Murray and win the tournament. If Gasquet wins I think Murray will win the tournament even in second gear.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray won fairly comfortably in the end without being spectacular. Of late he seems permanently stick in second gear but is still winning. Hopefully, he can find top gear when he really needs it.

[banbrotam]

Finally

What a really awful match in all honesty. Both players were really.... poor. Murray will need to play much better in the semis.

Interesting to see that Murray was "really poor" but still created 18 break points and broke serve 6 times - against one of the worlds best players

I agree that Cilic was maddenley inconsistent, but Andy will be some player once he learns to play well all the time

[ryan86]

Berdych hasn't exactly been overly convincing so far this week, losing the first set against Gimeno-Traver, then facing match points against Falla.

[The Special Juan]

Finally

What a really awful match in all honesty. Both players were really.... poor. Murray will need to play much better in the semis.

Interesting to see that Murray was "really poor" but still created 18 break points and broke serve 6 times - against one of the worlds best players

I agree that Cilic was maddenley inconsistent, but Andy will be some player once he learns to play well all the time

By his own standards I mean. On his serve he really was bad at times and the 18 break points were helped by Cilic also serving badly, but I'm not complaining. If he's winning I'm happy.

[banbrotam]

Finally

What a really awful match in all honesty. Both players were really.... poor. Murray will need to play much better in the semis.

Interesting to see that Murray was "really poor" but still created 18 break points and broke serve 6 times - against one of the worlds best players

I agree that Cilic was maddenley inconsistent, but Andy will be some player once he learns to play well all the time

By his own standards I mean. On his serve he really was bad at times and the 18 break points were helped by Cilic also serving badly, but I'm not complaining. If he's winning I'm happy.

Apologies for the sarcasm I just think that sometimes we over analyse his wins. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he loses his SF

[Danny_1982]

He was ok, not poor. He had a few moments of real magic, mixed in with some sloppy play. I think when Murray serves and moves well he is extremely difficult to beat. He moved really well but his serve was off and his returns were below par too.

It shows what a player he is that he can produce such a score against a really good player when playing significantly below his best.

[The Special Juan]

Finally

What a really awful match in all honesty. Both players were really.... poor. Murray will need to play much better in the semis.

Interesting to see that Murray was "really poor" but still created 18 break points and broke serve 6 times - against one of the worlds best players

I agree that Cilic was maddenley inconsistent, but Andy will be some player once he learns to play well all the time

By his own standards I mean. On his serve he really was bad at times and the 18 break points were helped by Cilic also serving badly, but I'm not complaining. If he's winning I'm happy.

Apologies for the sarcasm I just think that sometimes we over analyse his wins. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he loses his SF

That's ok You've pretty much said exactly what I was thinking there too.

[Guest]

For the first time in ages Murray played with variety!! Bringing in Cilic to the net was a good tactic and it payed off. Just needs to get that first serve % up.

[banbrotam]

For the first time in ages Murray played with variety!! Bringing in Cilic to the net was a good tactic and it payed off. Just needs to get that first serve % up.

Very good point. What all the 'fans' of Murray's new found aggression forget, is that it might often yield a gallant defeat (Ferrer in The French / Del Potro at IW) but it also gives one dimensional play and numerous errors.

Give me his patient so called 'rope a dope' game with occasional spells of aggression any day

There were a couple of power shots from him, that not only were superb - but totally rocked Cilic because they were so out of the blue

Variety, as we can see from all the tennis greats, will always win in the end

[Danny_1982]

Yeah that is a good point banbro. Murray has many ways to play and it's about selecting the right approach for each opponent. Against Delpo he did just try and out muscle him which is not how he's played him in the past. Maybe it was the really high bounce at IW that stopped him using the slice that much, giving him some junk and forcing Delpo to play loads of low balls... But the bottom line is his tactic didn't work.

Against Rafa he has to go all out aggressive IMO. I think it's the way forward against Roger too, as shown at the AO. It definitely isn't the way to go against Novak though, and I think he also needs to mix it up against Berdy if that's who he faces tomorrow.

I had no problem with the gameplan tonight, he just didn't execute it that great. Good enough to win though and that's all that matters.

[summerblues]

One more set please, Richard.

[ryan86]

Up a break as well now.

[lydian]

Watching RG play like this is hugely enjoyable...with the flashing SHBH. He and Haas are showing how devastating that shot can be, making the DHBH shot look wooden. When RG is in this form he makes the game look easy. Berdy looks abit shell shocked.

[summerblues]

Yey! Well done Richard. Such a good match from his end. He is beautiful to watch when he plays like this. Yes, that BH was impressive today.

[LuvSports!]

yes gasquet Would love a gasquet haas final with the old man pulling through but i can't see past a murray ferrer borefest

[laverfan]

Gasquet-Haas for the final. It would be good to see two oldies play a final.

Ferrer-Murray could be interesting too.

Haas-Murray or Ferrer-Gasquet anyone?

[summerblues]

Gasquet-Haas for the final. It would be good to see two oldies play a final.

Poor Richard.

[socal1976]

How is Richard old, I love Richie G, he is my second favorite player and I think he is due for a second spring in his career but he is hardly and oldie.

[socal1976]

No shot I prefer to watch in tennis than the Richie G one hander, I loved his match with youzhny my two favorite players with one handers battling. I think Richie G has a fair shot at a top 8 finish this year.

[banbrotam]

Interesting that Gasquet has won both their (Murray) hard court meetings, although the last one was in 2007

Difficult game for Murray, but I can see his current form meaning he's more chance in this match than Berdy

[banbrotam]

yes gasquet Would love a gasquet haas final with the old man pulling through but i can't see past a murray ferrer borefest

I'd wager that Gasquet is still one of the 50th youngest players in the Top 100. He's only 26!!

[Danny_1982]

Gasquet looks a lot fitter, and is playing further up the court which has helped him massively. Can he beat Murray in a one off match? Of course he can.

But how far do people think he can go generally? Top 5 maybe?

Does anyone see a genuine slam challenge in him?

[CaledonianCraig]

If Gasquet were to beat Murray tonight he would have a good chance to win the Miami Masters in fact he would probably become favourite to win it. However, like Haas I feel it would mean little in terms of whether they will go on a storming run up the rankings or to slam glory.

[lydian]

Amazing to think Gasquet is just 11 months older than Murray, he seems to have been around forever. He really seems to have accepted this is his chance, his fitness is better, his movement is better, his retrieving is better and his mental resource is better. This is a seriously good player now who made Berdych look rather ordinary last night.

Gasquet has undoubted talent...when you say can he beat Murray in a one-off match you make it sound like he would be lucky if he did. If both play to their potential I call it close every time with no clear favourite except I think Gasquet is better on clay despite the RG loss last year. But we know Richard's problem has been focus and resolve, not ability. He can push up the rankings but there is tough competition around that #5-8 slot with Delpo coming back. He's on 3000 pts so needs another 2000 to push to #5 ... That requires some significant jump ups in the slams where he's done R16 for the last 4.

Really looking forward to the match.

[CaledonianCraig]

It is a mental resolve that seemingly holds back the second tier so to speak. If you look at Del Potro, Gasquet, Berdych and Tsonga their great talent isn't in question but mentally they have flaws that prevents them scaling the heights.

[Danny_1982]

Lydian - I did not mean to be dismissive of RG by saying he can beat Murray in a one off match and I'm confused that you've interpreted it that way. He's a very good player and looks better than he has in years. Though I do believe if both play to their maximum Murray wins.

Gasquet's style may be more pleasing on the eye, but Murray has more variety and is a much better mover and defender.

I think Gasquet should be aiming for a place in the top 5. If he can improve physically a bit more he has the technical skills to do it. I personally don't think he has the gifts to go any higher than that though.

[Cogen]

Really looking forward to the match.

As a tennis fan, me too...

As a Murray fan, I wish his run to the title was something more like Montanes followed by Tursonov!

Really want that #2 spot for Andy!

[LuvSports!]

For me in the top 10 he is 2nd behind feds for talent, but lets not go down that route

[laverfan]

@SoCal... In Tennis terms Gasquet is from an earlier generation.

[The Special Juan]

I don't think Gasquet has a chance of a major ever because I don't think he's good enough to beat Murray or Djokovic over a BO5. Heck, Murray's beaten him twice at RG which is his weakest surface by far and dismantled him at Wimbledon (2?) years ago (not the match when he came from 2 sets down). Can Gasquet beat Murray? Of course. Will he? If Murray plays near his best then no. The slower court will help Murray and I think he'll win it in straights.

[Danny_1982]

I remember some excellent comments from Federer about Gasquet a couple of years ago when asked why he hasn't lived up to his potential. I'll have to paraphrase as I don't recall it exactly, but it was something like:

To the casual observer Richard looks like he has it all and that has resulted in a lot of pressure on his shoulders. But Talent is multi faceted, and maybe what is not so clear to people are the areas that Richard does not do as well as others. I think the pressure on Richard has been a bit unfair over the years and maybe people need to start realising that maybe he is maximising his talent rather than wasting it.

[ryan86]

Robson and Raymond have reached the Doubles final.

[ALPanorak]

I fancy Gasquet to pull off the victory. Murray has played pretty well so far this tournament but I feel Gasquet is the form guy - brimming with confidence and his shot making this week has been sublime. With each year the pressure on him is less and he really looks like he's achieved a sense of consistency.

[The Special Juan]

Indeed, team Robmond are into the finals after hammering Errani and Vinci (the number 1 team in the world) 6-1 6-2. I think it's fantastic for Robbo to have the chance to play alongside one of the veterans on tour. Hopefully she'll take lots away from this week regardless of the result tomorrow.

[Cogen]

That's a brilliant result for Laura! Now do it in the singles, girl!

[Cogen]

Haas breaks to love to lead 3-2 in the first set against Ferrer.

Come on Tommy!

[CaledonianCraig]

Tommy Haas playing a canny game with variety and David Ferrer spraying errors all over the place.

[The Special Juan]

This is very un-Daveed-like from Daveed. He's making far too many UEs but all credit to Haas, he's just playing magnificent tennis.

[Guest]

Hello



Has anyone seen BOO?

(BOOOOOOOOO00000000ooooooooo.......... oh BOOOOO00000oooo.......



emancipator

[prostaff85]

Wonderful variation on the backhand from Haas. Topspin cross-court and down-the-line, and superb 'cut' slice backhands.

Ferrer looks like such an average player compared to Haas. Hardworking, yes, but definitely not Slam material.

[Guest]

I've never bought the idea that Ferrer is mentally tough. I think he's average mentally at best. When a player really stands up to his grinding game he tends to get flaky. In fact earlier on (well maybe 3 years or so ago) he had quite a reputation for being a choker. He would typically start missing first serves and throw in doubles in tight moments. He's certainly improved in that respect but is still, underneath the veneer, a flaky player.

Anyway, some wonderful stuff in the first part of that set from Haas. Can he serve it out?



emancipator

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