French Open discussion thread

[Mad for Chelsea]

First topic message reminder :

I thought it was about time we got one of these started. While Federer surprisingly (cough cough) had the advantage of starting his campaign nice and early on day 1, Djokovic is currently in action against Sousa of Portugal. Also on at the moment we have everyone's favourite Briton... James Ward. He's been handed a tough draw against Tommy Robredo, but is battling hard, despite being a break down in the first.

We're also due our first major upset over on court 1, with Nishikori on his way out against Klizan. Injury issues? Finally we have Mahut vs Kukushkin in a pleasant match between two talented shot-makers. That one's at one set all, with the intriguing possibility of the winner meeting Isner in R2.

EDIT: in the time it took me to write this one, Ward has broken back, and is level at 3-3, well done that man .

[banbrotam]

I thought Andy wasn't a 'hard hitter'   

Where's the 'passive pusher' gone - that I used to have to defend so valiantly?   

Seriously impressed - love the way his double backhand is probably the best we've ever seen and he's really going for his forehand

Still - I think the problem is with this play, that more daft errors occur

[Jahu]

Murray takes a ball on his.

[banbrotam]

If Murray wins, i can't see him losing to monfils

Now I'm worried. I've seen your earlier predictions

[Jahu]

Andys BH, on FIRE.

[The Special Juan]

I thought Andy wasn't a 'hard hitter'   

Where's the 'passive pusher' gone - that I used to have to defend so valiantly?   

Seriously impressed - love the way his double backhand is probably the best we've ever seen and he's really going for his forehand

Still - I think the problem is with this play, that more daft errors occur

It's been bloody good all tournament from what I've seen (the BH).

[Jahu]

Murray at his best gentlmen manners, gives the point. Verdasco needs a slap for vile language.

[The Special Juan]

Murray at his best gentlmen manners,  gives the point. Verdasco needs a slap for vile language.

I thought he swore!

[Jahu]

He did. I F this and F that, call the supervisor blla blla every match you are umpire is same to me blla blla.

[Jahu]

Andry broken. Wake up boy.

[The Special Juan]

Ah, a prime example of not taking your chances coming back to bite you.

[Jahu]

Cool head now Andy, keep it cool.

[Jahu]

We need a break now for 7:5, spare us the TB.

Come on Andy.

[Jahu]

Go go goooi

[The Special Juan]

Wimbledon Verdasco has come out to play in this TB...

[CaledonianCraig]

Credit Verdasco for sticking in there but Andy only has himself to blame if he loses this set and encourages another marathon match.

[Jahu]

Yessss Andy the man. New prince of clay   

[The Special Juan]

YEAH!!!!!! Beware, Gael...

[Jahu]

Beware Djoko!!!

[CaledonianCraig]

Andy wins in straight sets. Into the quarters to play Monfils he goes and keeps that streak going of slam he has entered. My only criticisms today of Andy was first serve percentage and break point conversion. Played some great stuff and less ordinary stuff.

[Danny_1982]

Only saw the final set, but was extremely impressed with Andy.

I've rarely seen him play that well on this surface. He moved great and was aggressive. Quarter final is always a terrific return for him at RG, this year more than ever, and I think he has a decent chance of making the semis.

I'm one very happy Murray fan tonight.

[banbrotam]

Yessss Andy the man.  New prince of clay   

      

Nice to see him and Monfils playing and delighted to have the Frenchman back at the top table

Should be good

Seriously not that bothered about the result. Andy's looking good for Wimby and beyond, which was always the mission during this clay court season

[CaledonianCraig]

Perhaps dispels the myth of Clay Andy Murray = Absolute Rubbish eh?

[Guest]

Fantastic match, the best result of his comeback, a dangerous bloke who i thought would beat a tired andy and he dismantles him with aggressive stuff, not allowed Dasco to do his thing much. Hes the fav against le monf, but this is already a great result, points and form wise

[Danny_1982]

Perhaps dispels the myth of Clay Andy Murray = Absolute Rubbish eh?

Certainly can't call him rubbish. Of course, he's a serious championship contender at all other slams.Here quarters or semis is a great result.

But I'm delighted with Andy. Really pleased.

[Guest]

A solid performance from Andy. Was glad to see him come out and play aggressively. This is the Andy I like where he isn't relying on the fitness to see him through long rallies. Long may it continue.

[lags72]

In the space of one match Andy goes from let's hope for a decent run and a few ranking points to becoming a serious contender. And not just here at RG but on any clay court in the future ......

Outstanding effort  

[banbrotam]

Interesting, that not having Lendl seems to mean that he's playing with a bit more variety, i.e. a bit more use of the double backhander

[kingraf]

Well played Andy. Always rated him as a dirt player, couldn't quite get get the results. Playing very well now, if he was on the half of the draw, I'd give him a massive shot at making the finals. Djokovic is better clay courter, but the difference between the two is not insurmountable in a head to head clash.

[Jahu]

Come on Raonic, save the tennis world tomorrow   

[monty junior]

I thought Andy wasn't a 'hard hitter'   

Where's the 'passive pusher' gone - that I used to have to defend so valiantly?   

Seriously impressed - love the way his double backhand is probably the best we've ever seen and he's really going for his forehand

Still - I think the problem is with this play, that more daft errors occur

That's just the same drivel brought up time and again by people who hardly watch him, he was 6 or 7 years ago, that was a long time ago. He regularly hit's big winners off both wings, unlike most ballbashers though he has a lot more to his game so its covered up to some extent. Murray also has the second fastest forehand speed ever recorded and has gone above 140mph on serve   

[HM Murdock]

If Novak makes the final, I wonder if he'd prefer to face Rafa or an ascendant Andy?

Rafa is clearly the better clay court player but I think Novak has more trouble with the stylistic match up with Andy.

I'd say there is surprisingly little in it.

[Silver]

Rejoice, Craig and Banbro - the hated Federer is out!

I assume this is said more in jest.

Haha, semi-jest LF.

Well done to Murray, surprised he won. Verdasco not show up? Cracking victory either way.

HM, I think Novak would undoubtedly prefer to play Murray. Let's not forget that it's either the 8-time RG champion or a guy who'd be in his first clay final. I see what you're saying though, and I agree that he has more issues with the Murray matchup.

[CaledonianCraig]

Of course Novak would rather play Murray on clay - no contest. I won't get carried away but whatever happens now at least Andy has rediscovered a semblance of form and what's more pleasing is that it comes on his least-favoured surface.

[Silver]

Perhaps dispels the myth of Clay Andy Murray = Absolute Rubbish eh?

Who the hell said this?! Pretty sure everyone knows it isn't true. He's a way below the other top players + a handful of others on the surface, but he's far from rubbish. And a great result today as well.

You must be happy he's getting a bit more attention, Craig.

[CaledonianCraig]

Classic Andy on clay- absolute rubbish

There you go Silver.

It is good to see credit where credit us due about Andy.

[kingraf]

I can't see how Djokovic would prefer to play the guy hes 0-4 against at the tournament rather than a guy who, let's not forget, was something like 6-4 on clay over the last two years before the Open.

This isn't taking anything away from Andy, as I believe he's definitely capable of taking Djokovic out on any surface, just ridiculous to think anyone would rather face the guy 62-1 in Paris.

[kingraf]

I can't see how Djokovic would prefer to play the guy hes 0-4 against at the tournament rather than a guy who, let's not forget, was something like 6-4 on clay over the last two years before the Open.

This isn't taking anything away from Andy, as I believe he's definitely capable of taking Djokovic out on any surface, just ridiculous to think anyone would rather face the guy 62-1 in Paris.

[CaledonianCraig]

I can't see how Djokovic would prefer to play the guy hes 0-4 against at the tournament rather than a guy who, let's not forget, was something like 6-4 on clay over the last two years before the Open.

This isn't taking anything away from Andy, as I believe he's definitely capable of taking Djokovic out on any surface, just ridiculous to think anyone would rather face the guy 62-1 in Paris.

Totally agree.   

[DirectView]

what are the odds on Ferrer tomorrow?

[CaledonianCraig]

what are the odds on Ferrer tomorrow?

Ferrer plays Nadal on Wednesday.

[The Special Juan]

5/1. Worth a quid? Gael 7/4 against Murray...

[Mad for Chelsea]

very good from Andy today, you could quibble that he should have put the third set to bed earlier but he played a great TB, well done

Like CC, I've always been a little surprised by the "Murray is rubbish on clay" line. I mean, sure, it's his weakest surface by a distance, but he has in fact a pretty good record at RG. Today's win makes it the fourth occasion he's reached the QFs here, I would guess (without looking it up), that of the current bunch only Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Ferrer have done so more often.

[CaledonianCraig]

very good from Andy today, you could quibble that he should have put the third set to bed earlier but he played a great TB, well done

Like CC, I've always been a little surprised by the "Murray is rubbish on clay" line. I mean, sure, it's his weakest surface by a distance, but he has in fact a pretty good record at RG. Today's win makes it the fourth occasion he's reached the QFs here, I would guess (without looking it up), that of the current bunch only Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Ferrer have done so more often.

Exactly. And according to ITV4 today only Bunny Austin and Fred Perry have won more matches at RG than Andy as far as British players go.

[whocares]

Maybe Ferrer time has finally arrived. At least after Monte carlo he has an inch of hope.

[Mad for Chelsea]

EDIT: apparently this is also Monfils's fourth QF (or better) appearance, so him and Murray are fighting it out for the right to be called the fifth best player on clay

[Jahu]

I don't mind Ferrer at all, just that at this FO, the whole world is looking for a guy to beat Djoko, so Ferrer is not in the mix, can't do it.

[bogbrush]

That was easily Murrays best performance at RG, very good indeed.

On that form I give him every chance against Nadal.

[CaledonianCraig]

I hate being confident about Andy.   

If Andy turns up with the same intensity and aggression and moves Monfils around then he wins. Monfils has never struck me as either truly consistent or supremely fit. Murray at his best will be too good for Monfils. But as we know tennis doesn't work like that.

[bogbrush]

Monfils is rubbish, Murray has no risk there. He will essentially let Monfils destroy himself.

[skyeman]

Well predicted Sir fred and others of Murray.

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