Madrid Masters 1000 match thread

[lydian]

First topic message reminder :

Just somewhere to drop random comments on the matches outside the draw and picking threads.

Youhnzy got a good win over Fognini today winning in 3rd set TB.
Wawrinka continuing his good form with a win over Popsicle.
Paire and Monaco have also won.

However, THE match today has to be Djokovic vs Dimitrov at around 7pm UK time.
Can Grigor take heart from recent matches to keep pushing on?
Can he pose a serious challenge to Djokovic on lung-busting clay?
The faster altitude should help Grigor who has a fast serve and flashing groundstrokes.

[invisiblecoolers]

It's amazing how Ferrer continues to get so much disrespect

I second you in this.

[Haddie-nuff]

Hopefully this will be the last we hear of 'Ferrer deserves a Masters'. For what?

Oh dear Julius .. If for nothing but sheer guts and courage

[lydian]

Exactly KR, to be honest that was really bad from Nadal...probably as bad as I've seen in a long time from him...and he STILL beat the #5 player. But that's why these guys are champions, they know how to win ugly when they have to...

[Haddie-nuff]

Exactly KR, to be honest that was really bad from Nadal...probably as bad as I've seen in a long time from him...and he STILL beat the #5 player. But that's why these guys are champions, they know how to win ugly when they have to...

Terrrrrrrrrible Lydian... I didn´t watch the second set... so awful. What was that bee he had in his bonnet today I wonder ????

[JuliusHMarx]

Hopefully this will be the last we hear of 'Ferrer deserves a Masters'. For what?

Oh dear Julius .. If for nothing but sheer guts and courage

There's probably dozens of tennis players with guts and courage on the Challenger circuit - do they all deserve a Masters as well?

[invisiblecoolers]

Irrelevant discussion though, isn't it? Nadal isn't going anywhere...

Nadal would have still won if the 3rd set would have 0-5 to Ferrer.

[banbrotam]

If Ferrer beats Nadal, I can see Murray winning Madrid. Would be hilarious.

I can't.

Me neither. Has someone been drinking? Murray would likely have to do something he's only done once on clay - beat 3 Top 10 players

[banbrotam]

Hopefully this will be the last we hear of 'Ferrer deserves a Masters'. For what?

Oh dear Julius .. If for nothing but sheer guts and courage

There's probably dozens of tennis players with guts and courage on the Challenger circuit - do they all deserve a Masters as well?

He 'deserves' it simply for being a permanent fixture of the Top 5 for more or less the last 6 years. Logically, if he doesn't then you're saying only the Top 4 (i.e. the big 4) should get them

[JuliusHMarx]

No, I'm saying no-one deserves to win a tournament just for trying hard. And that whoever wins is the one who actually deserves it, whether they're in the top 4 or not.

[Haddie-nuff]

No, I'm saying no-one deserves to win a tournament just for trying hard. And that whoever wins is the one who actually deserves it, whether they're in the top 4 or not.

Oh forget it Julius... if thats how you think sobeit.

[JuliusHMarx]

Rolls eyes because....? Someone has an unworthy opinion?

[invisiblecoolers]

No, I'm saying no-one deserves to win a tournament just for trying hard. And that whoever wins is the one who actually deserves it, whether they're in the top 4 or not.

Oh forget it Julius... if thats how you think sobeit.

I am a huge fan of Ferrer but what JHM says it right, if Ferrer cannot win it he doesn't deserve it, the one who wins rightly deserve the title.

[Haddie-nuff]

Rolls eyes because....? Someone has an unworthy opinion?

Been there done that etc etc !!!!!!

[Haddie-nuff]

No, I'm saying no-one deserves to win a tournament just for trying hard. And that whoever wins is the one who actually deserves it, whether they're in the top 4 or not.

Oh forget it Julius... if thats how you think sobeit.

I am a huge fan of Ferrer but what JHM says it right, if Ferrer cannot win it he doesn't deserve it, the one who wins rightly deserve the title.

Thank you so much for your opinion

[Born Slippy]

Hopefully this will be the last we hear of 'Ferrer deserves a Masters'. For what?

I thought we stopped hearing that when he won one last year?

[JuliusHMarx]

Hopefully this will be the last we hear of 'Ferrer deserves a Masters'. For what?

I thought we stopped hearing that when he won one last year?

Haha - cool - shows how little interest I have in Ferrer Which one was it?

[Born Slippy]

Paris of course - who wouldn't expect Ferrer to win his Masters on indoor hard?

[JuliusHMarx]

Paris, eh? He's right up there with Henman and Rusedski.

[kingraf]

Against the legend that is Jerzy Janowicz

[djlovesyou]

Looks like Nadal isn't too motivated now that he knows that even when he wins it's going to be 'asterixed' by the super experts like what are on this site.

[HM Murdock]

I know this is late but I've only just seen it: Ferrer gets bagelled again. Second bagel in two matches against Rafa since his return.

Where on earth this myth that Ferrer has guts comes from just escapes me.

This regular capitulation to Rafa is just cowardice. Being beaten is fine. Completely falling apart is gutless.

[Danny_1982]

Looks like Nadal isn't too motivated now that he knows that even when he wins it's going to be 'asterixed' by the super experts like what are on this site.

I thought asterix tournies were only the ones Rafa was injured for?

[Danny_1982]

So Murray v Berdy...

When was the last time a top 4 player played in a match where the lower ranked player is such a heavy favourite?

Can't for the life of me see Murray winning. I'd be genuinely surprised if he took it to 3.

[Silver]

Wow, Andujar takes out Kei in straights! Disappointing, but Andujar's had several good runs at masters events before (QF at Indian Wells a few years ago) so he's no mug despite the low ranking. Another Spanish clash in the next round, then.

[djlovesyou]

Murray is still the favourite with Betfair, but it's pretty much even.

[Born Slippy]

That point with Nadal serving at 4/6 5/6 15-30 when Ferrer had a put away forehand and hit it straight back to Rafa is going to hurt for some time.

[Danny_1982]

I hadn't checked the odds to be fair, but I guess most knowledgable tennis fans / pundits would say Berdy.

[CaledonianCraig]

You have to fancy Berdych to win on the grounds that he is the far more consistent clay court player of the two. Andy can't afford slow starts tonight. As long as he keeps it competitive in both sets and cuts out the unforced errors then I will be relatively pleased regardless of the result.

[Danny_1982]

What's going on with Berdych's knees? Watch him as he's about to serve. They look like the knees of a fat old woman!

[The Special Juan]

Oh Overs what are you doing? "Berdish"? I know no one likes him but at least say his name properly.

[CaledonianCraig]

Decent start this from Murray. Going to serve at 3-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

A cracking cross-court winner from Murray gives him a break and he leads 4-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

Berdych battles to break back at 4-4.

[Guest]

Berdych starving off some break points. Murray is just letting him back into the match.

[Danny_1982]

Murray has played with lots of purpose tonight, yet gets broke back to 4-4.

Then at the changeover argues to his corner "it's impossible to play like this. Impossible!"

I'm going to take a guess on this... His camp have told hinge was too passive against Simon, and that he should be more aggressive. But Murray isn't comfortable hitting through the ball on clay and is arguing its "impossible" for him to win with this gameplan.

There. That's my guess.

[lydian]

Or he meant its impossible to have these long brutal ralleys and play within 25s.

[Guest]

Murray can win with that gameplan. However, Andy is grinding out results this week because his length has been so much better than previous years. Against Simon for me he was way too aggressive on the 2nd serve and netted so many BH returns. I like how Andy has looked this week.

[Cogen]

I find myself doing the on pretty much every break point, once again...

[CaledonianCraig]

Well whatever, Andy is playing far better tonight than he was in the first set V Simon. The only downside is his break point conversion.

[Guest]

Andy will be annoyed with those BP's. All on his BH.

[The Special Juan]

And on a second serve too.

[Cogen]

That was a nice service game at least... Pressure back on Berdych.

[Guest]

Looking at Berdy he is dripping with sweat and Andy still looks fresh.

[Guest]

For 6'6 Berdy can't cover the net for Poopie!

[Cogen]

Why is he missing so many second serve returns?!?!

[The Special Juan]

Come on Tomas, twist an ankle or something, The Mentalist is away to start.

[Guest]

Another love game. Looking good for the TB

[Danny_1982]

Apart from BP's he's playing very well.

As well as he's played on clay for a long long time.

[Cogen]

[CaledonianCraig]

I will take the positives from that. Murray made most of the running there and only his break point conversion was poor. Berdych will be the fresher so I would expect him to win now from here.

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