French Open discussion thread

[Danny_1982]

First topic message reminder :

Murray is surely going to go all out attack in the SF. I can't see him beating Nadal who is starting to look close to his peak form. However, if he can give him a tough match that will be very encouraging for Wimbledon.

Yep, it'll be all guns blazing I imagine. Going after every return he can and trying to end points quickly. It'll be fun to watch, but if you offered me a 4 set defeat for Muzza now I'd bite your hand off.

[HM Murdock]

Andy at 50% first serves in.

No chance on that kind of number.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Monfils or Fognini should be there instead of Murray atleast they would stop "rolling" the returns in so amateurishly   

[andyi]

Murray now 299/1 on betfair!

[Danny_1982]

Agreed Craig, I don't understand the strategy. He has been really tame on the return, completely different how he's been the whole fortnight.

He's been far too patient, and in spite of some safe play has made loads of unforced. Yes this is clay, and Rafa... And ideal conditions for Rafa, but I expected Murray to lose with guns blazing. Not with his backside against the back fence, as Lendl used to say.

Still, great two weeks which can't be forgotten.

[CaledonianCraig]

Monfils or Fognini should be there instead of Murray atleast they would stop "rolling" the returns in so amateurishly   

Err no. They had their chance like 124 other players and they blew it.

[Guest]

Whats the forecast come sunday? If its this hot and Nadals this good...

[HM Murdock]

Total points won:

Nadal: 68
Murray: 36

A poor effort from Andy but, objectively, if he's not going to win, it may as well be over and done with quickly. He doesn't need carnage on clay a couple of weeks before his grass season starts.

[Jahu]

Dont bother Andy. Save your back for W. Nadal needs to save energy for Djoko.

[andyi]

Total points won:

Nadal: 68
Murray: 36

A poor effort from Andy but, objectively, he's not going to win, it may as well be over and done with quickly. He doesn't need carnage on clay a couple of weeks before his grass season starts.

Fixed   

[slashermcguirk]

This is a frightening level of tennis that nadal is playing today, one of the most complete performances I have ever seen. No shame in Murray losing to nadal in this form

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray has been poor today but lets not lose fact of how superb Rafa has been. He has been totally different class and is showing why he is the greatest clay-courter of all-time.

Murray will kick himself afterwards as he'll know he could have done better but a semi at RG for him after returning from back surgery a few months ago is not a bad return at all.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

[Josiah Maiestas]

The guy with worst forehand in the top 10 hits a FH winner   

[andyi]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

It's nothing to do with Murray.

TBF, hes been completely dismantled by the best clay court player who ever lived. He's a spectator.

[Guest]

This is scary good by Nadal, Im surprised Murrays got 6 games to be frank, he carries this form to the final, its gonna be an AMAZING ending to the tourny

[Josiah Maiestas]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

It's nothing to do with Murray.

TBF, hes been completely dismantled by the best clay court player who ever lived. He's a spectator.

Sounding like the biased UK media with those views.

[CaledonianCraig]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

No disgrace when you consider Rafa is the greatest clay-courter of all-time and on this form Novak hasn't got a prayer either on Sunday. Another slam win in the bag? A very good chance. A step closer to Federer's total slam wins.

[Danny_1982]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

A returning legend still has to return well. This might be the worst I've ever seen him return. That's poor execution though, not favours.

[Guest]

No shame for muzz, great 2 weeks work, blown to bit by Rafa on clay... no biggie get ready for grass

[ChequeredJersey]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

No disgrace when you consider Rafa is the greatest clay-courter of all-time and on this form Novak hasn't got a prayer either on Sunday. Another slam win in the bag? A very good chance. A step closer to Federer's total slam wins.

Don't write off Novak...

[Guest]

Again is the weather this hot on Sunday? Novak will want some rain fr sure

[laverfan]

Despite all the talk from Murray, this has completely fizzled. His expression conveys it all.

[ChequeredJersey]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

It's nothing to do with Murray.

TBF, hes been completely dismantled by the best clay court player who ever lived. He's a spectator.

Sounding like the biased UK media with those views.

Ah, so Nadal isn't the Clay GOAT? Or he isn't playing well? 83% first serves in too...

[laverfan]

At least Ferrer got a set off Nadal.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

A returning legend still has to return well. This might be the worst I've ever seen him return. That's poor execution though, not favours.

Well said Danny just don't let Craig hear you say that. Andy has helped Nadal look good with his crap play.

[Danny_1982]

Again is the weather this hot on Sunday? Novak will want some rain fr sure

27 degrees is forecast. But rain is also forecast.

[ChequeredJersey]

Again is the weather this hot on Sunday? Novak will want some rain fr sure

Regrettably the forecast looks like some rain

[Josiah Maiestas]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

It's nothing to do with Murray.

TBF, hes been completely dismantled by the best clay court player who ever lived. He's a spectator.

Sounding like the biased UK media with those views.

Ah, so Nadal isn't the Clay GOAT? Or he isn't playing well? 83% first serves in too...

By not saying the truth about how bad Murray has played here. It's like Juan Monaco levels of play from him this match   

[andyi]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

It's nothing to do with Murray.

TBF, hes been completely dismantled by the best clay court player who ever lived. He's a spectator.

Sounding like the biased UK media with those views.

Nah, the biased UK media will say how well he played or how unlucky he was.

Truth is, he's got battered.

So would anyone else with Rafa in this form though.

[laverfan]

Well done, Nadal.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Nadal isn't as good as 12 months ago or 2 years ago... Novak will eat him ALIVE.

[skyeman]

Did not expect it to be such a complete thrashing.

[Guest]

Done deal, destruction... soo Novak, ready to play the greatest match of your life for the Win?

[Josiah Maiestas]

Does anyone really think Novak will return as crap as Andy did? Have as bad a forehand? Hahaha.

[CaledonianCraig]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

A returning legend still has to return well. This might be the worst I've ever seen him return. That's poor execution though, not favours.

Well said Danny just don't let Craig hear you say that. Andy has helped Nadal look good with his crap play.

You don't pay attention do you? Where have I said Andy played remotely well. I have said in multiple posts in different ways how poor he has been. I accept that. Can you accept that Rafa is the greatest clay-courter of all-time and was awesome today? That was how we got a scoreline like we did.

[skyeman]

Nadal isn't as good as 12 months ago or 2 years ago... Novak will eat him ALIVE.

Can't see it, but i bloody hope so. Come on Dok.

[ChequeredJersey]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

It's nothing to do with Murray.

TBF, hes been completely dismantled by the best clay court player who ever lived. He's a spectator.

Sounding like the biased UK media with those views.

Ah, so Nadal isn't the Clay GOAT? Or he isn't playing well? 83% first serves in too...

By not saying the truth about how bad Murray has played here. It's like Juan Monaco levels of play from him this match   

He wasn't in it mentally. And once he was a set down, it was over. But even Ferrer admitted that once Nadal was in, he gave up completely

[Jahu]

Nadal looking leathal or maybe Andy made him look like that.

Hope he does not embarras us on Sunday and send Djoko crying out   

[Jeremy_Kyle]

I really thought Murray could do more ....., but here is the good news; Hawkeye has left the forum and there won't be several articles on this.

[ChequeredJersey]

Nadal isn't as good as 12 months ago or 2 years ago... Novak will eat him ALIVE.

I bet you that whoever the winner, it goes to 5...

If it's this sunny and Rafa plays this well, he will win. However, neither of those things is given

[skyeman]

Right, now for the green stuff  

[Danny_1982]

Andy letting his best friend go through nice n safe. Not even ONE break point from this returning legend..   

A returning legend still has to return well. This might be the worst I've ever seen him return. That's poor execution though, not favours.

Well said Danny just don't let Craig hear you say that. Andy has helped Nadal look good with his crap play.

Well Craig is also right that it's no disgrace to lose to Rafa on this court. Even if he'd executed perfectly it is unlikely to have made it particularly close. Not here, on a hot day, with Rafa playing like that.

And semis is a great result for Murray at this tournament. Now onto the green grass of home.

[kemet]

►Muy bien esfuerzo con el frances por El Rey de Arcilla.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Nadal isn't as good as 12 months ago or 2 years ago... Novak will eat him ALIVE.

I bet you that whoever the winner, it goes to 5...

If it's this sunny and Rafa plays this well, he will win. However, neither of those things is given

Novak gets consistent length on returns doesn't have a very weak 2nd serve like Murray, he doesn't give up like Ferrer either.

Much better movement too, should've won RG last year.

[ChequeredJersey]

Can I also just say Rafa is playing much better than last year's FO. People seem to forget how relatively poor he was for much of that one

[andyi]

Does anyone really think Novak will return as crap as Andy did? Have as bad a forehand? Hahaha.

No but then no-one bar you thinks Rafa will get eaten alive at a tournament he's got a 65/1 record in either ffs!

[ChequeredJersey]

Nadal isn't as good as 12 months ago or 2 years ago... Novak will eat him ALIVE.

I bet you that whoever the winner, it goes to 5...

If it's this sunny and Rafa plays this well, he will win. However, neither of those things is given

Novak gets consistent length on returns doesn't have a very weak 2nd serve like Murray, he doesn't give up like Ferrer either.

Much better movement too, should've won RG last year.

And yet, he didn't. Nor the time before.

We all know it will be close, and that Novak can win, but eat him alive? Here? I'll believe it when I see it.

Also, doesn't give up like Ferrer?!

[kemet]

It really is a credit to Djokovic that he is the only player who stands a chance against Rafa on clay, even on the Spaniard's best day.

With that said, Rafa is going to win title number nine on Sunday. It will certainly be very competitive, but Rafa is virtually impregnable on the red clay of Roland Garros

[DirectView]

Does anyone really think Novak will return as crap as Andy did? Have as bad a forehand? Hahaha.

It just doesn't end there, crappy serving, lack of game play, not playing to his strengths, Andy just wanted to go home and I guess he wanted to do that last week itself but was forced to stay for 2 more matches.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Even if Nadal serves as well as he was today Djokovic will still grind out some breaks of serve, he is not Murray.

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