Miami Match Thread (Murray wins!)

[Silver]

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]

That is the second service game that Murray gifted to Richard tonight.

[Cogen]

Weak, Andy... weak!

You had him on the ropes... Show some killer instinct dammit!

[The Special Juan]

Double Faultitis!!! It's catching on. Come on Sir Andrew.....

[summerblues]

Gasquet must have felt he did not deserve the break in the previous game so he is trying to give it back.

[The Special Juan]

Geez, what a match!!

On another note, Judy's hair colour makes her look like Wendy Richards AKA Pauline Fowler.

[Danny_1982]

They're both such generous chaps!

In fairness, while Gasquet invited him back in Murray played a great couple of points to grab it.

Terrific match. What's gonna happen next?!

[Cogen]

Break consolidated. Good. Now make it a double and I'll feel much more comfortable.

[The Special Juan]

Match of the year!

[summerblues]

...and yet we have quite a number of players in the top 15 using it...Federer, Almagro, Wawrinka, Gasquet....

I think you meant Haas instead of Wawrinka

[summerblues]

Match of the year!

Certainly. As long as you are not being serious.

[Cogen]

The stats guys are definitely messing up tonight.

0 return winners for Gasquet? I definitely remember him crunching a weak second serve from Murray at one point...

[The Special Juan]

Match of the year!

Certainly. As long as you are not being serious.

Some awesome shots but there's also been a comedy of errors, forgive me for using hyperbole. It's been entertaining.

[summerblues]

forgive me for using hyperbole. It's been entertaining.

Ok, I will dig deep and try to forgive.

Yes, very entertaining, you have no argument from me there.

[Cogen]

5-2. Good. If he loses it from here I'll have to go back to LuvSports's thread and amend my answer for who I'd "give a clip round the ear"

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray toughing it out and about to serve for the match at 5-2.

[The Special Juan]

Superb Congratulations to both players for a really good match. Commiserations Reechard but there are signs of improvement from him. As for Sir Andrew, I will see you on Sunday. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to be up in a few hours.

[summerblues]

Well done Andy. So much for my hope to see Richard play Tommy on Sunday. Instead, Murray will be playing for #2 ranking spot.

[Cogen]

Done and dusted! How many times is that Andy has beaten Gasquet from behind now? The best one will always be Wimbledon 2008.

Now just two sets against the Duracell Bunny are the only thing standing between Murray and world #2.

[banbrotam]

Very impressed with Andy tonight

I'd argue this was Gasquet at his best and hence we arguably got Andy's best play of the year

Yes, there are still some worrying lapses - but more evidence if any is needed, just how much better he is than those outside the Top 5

[CaledonianCraig]

Andy patchy where he was great at times but disappointing at others but still proved too good for Gasquet. Richard has to find ways of steeling himself mentally and physically if he intends to make inroads deep into the top ten and slams.

[LuvSports!]

DHBH/defensive tennis 2-0 SHBH/attacking tennis

[banbrotam]

Andy patchy where he was great at times but disappointing at others but still proved too good for Gasquet. Richard has to find ways of steeling himself mentally and physically if he intends to make inroads deep into the top ten and slams.

Around 40 winners CC. You're harsher than me sometimes

Seriosuly, I thought that was his most fluid performacne of the year - given how hot his opponent was

I agree, it wasn't perfect - but I'm not certain he always needs to be to win events

[banbrotam]

DHBH/defensive tennis 2-0 SHBH/attacking tennis

Can you tell me which produced the most winners? It's a myth of people to say that the SHBH is an indicator of a players intent to attack. Of course when it fires, it looks beautiful - but often it just sits up in the middle of the court saying 'smack me'

[CaledonianCraig]

His aggression was good and played some superb rallies, lobs and volleys. The disappointing stuff for me was the way he let the first set slip away from 30-15 up serving for the set and in breaking serve in the third set then meekly handing the break back. Those were the disappointing parts.

[banbrotam]

The disappointing stuff for me was the way he let the first set slip away from 30-15 up serving for the set and in breaking serve in the third set then meekly handing the break back. Those were the disappointing parts.

Agreed. But I think that's just a bit of mental rustiness, rather than anything serious

Anyway, time for bed now!!

[ALPanorak]

Well that was a disappointing end. I should've known better than to back Richard in such a high stakes match. Murray didn't even need to do much to secure the win in the end. Hopefully the final will be more competitive

[Born Slippy]

DHBH/defensive tennis 2-0 SHBH/attacking tennis

I'm quite amused that what Gasquet does is being described as "attacking tennis". He's a defensive counterpuncher.

[CaledonianCraig]

Plus Murray hit more winners than Gasquet so how on earth is he deemed defensive and Gasquet is attacking?

[LuvSports!]

Murray hit more winners than feds in their aus open match, i still love to watch feds play and I don't madly like watching murray play.
Just my opinion.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray hit more winners than feds in their aus open match, i still love to watch feds play and I don't madly like watching murray play.
Just my opinion.

Fair enough but perhaps leave out the misleading labels.

[The Special Juan]

Does anyone know what Gasquet was going ballistic about in the first set? He was really getting angry with the umpire about something.

[CaledonianCraig]

Does anyone know what Gasquet was going ballistic about in the first set? He was really getting angry with the umpire about something.

Think he got a time violation warning.

[Born Slippy]

Yeah, he got a warning and was complaining that he hadn't had a "pre-warning".

[The Special Juan]

Thanks I must have missed that.

[Danny_1982]

Fantastic piece in the Sunday papers about Murray's mindset before winning a slam, and what he did before the 5th set in New York last season to change the momentum of the match.

He talks about how he felt a failure, and how no Brit winning a slam in 76 years was getting to him to the point of him walking around in public with his head down because he was ashamed.

This is from the article:

The turnaround came after Murray left the court for a bathroom break having squandered a two-set lead (in the USO12 final). During that break, Murray addressed himself in front of a mirror.

'I stood in front of the mirror with sweat dripping down my face and I knew I had to change what was going on inside,' Murray told The Times.
'I had to get a grip of my mind. So I started talking. Out loud.

"You are not losing this match", I said to myself. "You are NOT losing this match". I started out a little tentative, but my voice got louder. "This is your time. You have never been closer than this to a Grand Slam. Give it everything you've got. Leave nothing out there".

'At first, it felt weird, but I felt something change inside. I was surprised by my response. I knew I could win."

Absolutely fascinating.

[Cogen]

Did you watch Sports Personality of the Year? He said very similar things in his video segment for the show.

Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoJpawFangs&t=44m45s

Inspirational.

Do you think he'll get a knighthood when he retires even if he doesn't win another slam? Pretty likely I reckon. If he wins Wimbledon, that will be an instant knighthood on the next honours list!

[Danny_1982]

Cohan - You of course mean if he doesn't win 'another' slam.

Yeah he's nailed on for a knighthood. I just hope it doesn't come until he's hung his racquet up. I hate it when sports stars get knighted during their career.

[CaledonianCraig]

Cohan - You of course mean if he doesn't win 'another' slam.

Yeah he's nailed on for a knighthood. I just hope it doesn't come until he's hung his racquet up. I hate it when sports stars get knighted during their career.

Agreed. Let him complete his tennis career before any such rewards.

[LuvSports!]

I always think they should give awards after their careers.

"Oh look I just passed SIRRRRRR bradley wiggins."

[HM Murdock]

Do you think he'll get a knighthood when he retires even if he doesn't win another slam? Pretty likely I reckon. If he wins Wimbledon, that will be an instant knighthood on the next honours list!

If Paul Collingwood got an MBE for playing one test match (and getting 17 runs) in the 2005 Ashes, then Andy should be getting a knighthood!

[The Special Juan]

I'm hoping Sir Andrew can do this today but of course I wouldn't be too upset if Daveed were to win as he's such a nice man.

On another note, when if Sir Andrew wins Wimbledon (which I think he might do this year), then that definitely is a knighthood.

[LuvSports!]

Freedom constitutes as a Knighthood? I guess I will never be free

[lags72]

This country should take a leaf from the book of Switzerland, a nation that truly understands how to honour one of its own upon winning a much-coveted Wimbledon trophy.

Not for them a fancy-sounding knighthood of little practical use. Oh no.

Your first Wimbledon triumph is marked by the presentation of er .... a cow ......

[Dave.]

Match starts at 4:30 our time, or 11:30 AM in Miami.

Thought it was an odd time to start a final, but CBS are showing it and they also want to show the College Basketball QFs, which is fair enough as they are a big deal.

Not like cutting the post match stuff off as quick as they could to show previews of 2 Broke Girls or something like that.

[LuvSports!]

My god that is an awful show.
The American's endless conveyor belt, churning out such tripe in charming abundance.
Even Friends was much better than the stuff we have to settle with today: "Big Bang Theory", "Rules of engagement" and "how i met your mother".

I miss that comforting cosy, hot chocolate, sitting by the fire TV instead of this loud brash coffee with vanilla essence, topped with hazelnut and hubris!

Sorry rant over, back to the tennis!

[Dave.]

Aye, nowadays most American comedies just fall over themselves to make a joke about "that sort of thing". Almost like the script writers say "Hey, have we made our stock joke about that yet? No. Well let's shoehorn it in!"

I say mostly.....at least the US Open is the one American comedy that we can rely on for good clean fun....and silly scheduling.

[CaledonianCraig]

Key to the final this afternoon is what game Andy brings to court. I am hoping it is his aggressive game where he dictates the points and fires off the winners before Ferrer can gain a foothold in the rallies. If Andy is too passive it plays into Ferrer's hands keeping him in his comfort zone and gives him a serious foothold in the match. Lets see the aggression Andy.

[lydian]

Ferrer probably can't believe his luck to be in another HC masters final - this Andy's match to lose.

[laverfan]

@Dave... The USO scheduling has been corrected, IIRC - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/sports/tennis/us-open-tennis-will-scrap-the-super-saturday-model.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

@LS... TV all over the world, not just US, is a long repeat and localised versions of American Idol, Survior, bad comedies, etc.

A three-setter would be good for the final. I was hoping to see Haas on the other side with Murray.

[laverfan]

Ferrer probably can't believe his luck to be in another HC masters final - this Andy's match to lose.

It is HC for namesake. It is one of the slowest HCs, probably the same as Rome Clay (or even MC).

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