French Open 2015 - Day 14

There's a final. There's the end of a semi-final. There's doubles and boys, girls and old people playing. Probably.

Order of play: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/

For those of you too lazy to click on a link or just can't stand that website

Djokovic - Murray 1pm
Serena Williams - Safarova not before 3pm
followed by Bryan brothers vs Dodig/Melo

I will shortly add an extremely detailed and comprehensive preview that will have you all suggesting I should work as a journalist. Stay tuned for that.

Djokovic v Murray preview
Djokovic will win this - unless Murray does of course

Serena v Safarova preview
Yikes, Serena is going for slam 20! Wow, didn't think it was that high.
I've just read a report that Serena is apparently struggling with an illness. Here: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/33032945
More here: http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13019550/3-reasons-lucie-safarova-beat-serena-williams-french-final

Doubles preview
I once attended the doubles final in person at the French Open, and even that was dull. I've basically forgotten it. I think we actually left before it finished as we were a bit slammed with all the matches we were attending. Incidentally, Juve vs Barcelona in the champions league final might be on around the same time as this.
Well the Bryans have 16 slam titles in men's doubles (excluding mixed doubles) only 2 of which came in Paris.

You should work as a journalist.

Yes, you are quite right.

There was an interview with Mouratoglou on Eurosport where he also mentioned Serena W. being ill. I hope it is just a stomach bug, and nothing serious or a pending announcement.

I'm more than slightly concerned about HMM today, reading through the previous thread is akin to watching a man's creeping descent into madness

I feel he'll be wavering between elation and contemplating seppuku by lunchtime. Don't do it, Murdoch!

Silver wrote:I feel he'll be wavering between elation and contemplating seppuku by lunchtime. Don't do it, Murdoch!

Can he have his lunch sandwich and just spit it out and leave all his dog leashes (aka mobile devices at home) and go for a long hour walk?

The mental imagery of seppuku is scary.

Silver wrote:I'm more than slightly concerned about HMM today, reading through the previous thread is akin to watching a man's creeping descent into madness  

I feel he'll be wavering between elation and contemplating seppuku by lunchtime. Don't do it, Murdoch!

Strangely enough, Silver, I've felt like I'm descending into madness!

My memory of Roger and Rafa's dominance is that they always looked in control. With Novak it permanently feels like he's just a whisker away from it all going completely wrong! That's enough to drive a man a bit crazy.

I'm still aghast at the incompetence of the scheduling yesterday. I've never organised a grand slam tennis tournament, but I knew as soon as I looked at the schedule and the weather forecast that they probably wouldn't have time for both matches. Somehow this eluded the 'experts' at the Roland Garros.

I don't really know what to expect today. Objectively, I'd probably say that Novak has the edge. Sadly for me, I think I lost the ability to be objective yesterday evening!

HM Murdoch wrote:

Silver wrote:I'm more than slightly concerned about HMM today, reading through the previous thread is akin to watching a man's creeping descent into madness  

I feel he'll be wavering between elation and contemplating seppuku by lunchtime. Don't do it, Murdoch!

Strangely enough, Silver, I've felt like I'm descending into madness!

My memory of Roger and Rafa's dominance is that they always looked in control. With Novak it permanently feels like he's just a whisker away from it all going completely wrong! That's enough to drive a man a bit crazy.

I'm still aghast at the incompetence of the scheduling yesterday. I've never organised a grand slam tennis tournament, but I knew as soon as I looked at the schedule and the weather forecast that they probably wouldn't have time for both matches. Somehow this eluded the 'experts' at the Roland Garros.

I don't really know what to expect today. Objectively, I'd probably say that Novak has the edge. Sadly for me, I think I lost the ability to be objective yesterday evening!

Your feelings are merely those of a watching supporter. I'd bet Roger and Rafa fans felt the same during their epic and most important matches.

The scheduling is a difficult one though. The organisers would have got away with it I reckon if the first semi hadn't been so long but if they had full reports of bad weather they perhaps should have bitten the bullet but I suppose running it at the same time as Tsonga V Wawrinka would have caused ticketing issues as in people who had tickets for both matches.

As for how it will go. I agree with BB who said last night that Murray must start fast and in top gear. That is not something I generally associate with Murray but we shall see. Obviously, Novak has the edge on various fronts but if Murray can reach his nexus by ripping a crazy winner and getting on a roll then Novak could be on for longer than a quick 30 minute session. In any case at least Andy is going down having been more competitive against the world No.1 who has been virtually unstoppable this year and on clay as well.

HMM, I feel your pain. I didn't have any hope for Murray in this semi-final so watched without any nerves expecting a quick 3 setter. Now there's a glimmer of hope - and that's so much worse! Still I expect Djokovic to win pretty quickly on resumption - he always seems to start much better than Murray. Also he is not under immediate pressure like Murray is, which make a big difference.

HB, I presume it wasn't last year's men's doubles final you saw live? I seem to recall watching that on TV and a French pair won (ERV & Benneteau maybe) and the atmosphere was amazing.

NostRafdamus' prediction
Murray breaks immediately. Serves out the fourth set. Djokovic promptly gives him the business in the decider.

Is the mens semi not showing on ITV? Just looked at my Virgin TV guide and the coverage on ITV 1 doesn't start until 1.30 and there's diddly squat showing on ITV 4. Very perplexing!

Prediction: Novak wins 4th set 6/3.

I have a SKY GO a/c on my iPAD that I could fall back on, but would much rather watch on the tele.

Aut0Gr4ph wrote:Is the mens semi not showing on ITV? Just looked at my Virgin TV guide and the coverage on ITV 1 doesn't start until 1.30 and there's diddly squat showing on ITV 4. Very perplexing!

It's on ITV now.

Danny_1982 wrote:Prediction: Novak wins 4th set 6/3.

That's the kind of pessimism one would expect from me!

I reckon the 4th will go to a tiebreaker.

Winner of the first game wins the set. If it's Muzza I'll change my opinion. But I don't think he will.

HM - pessimism for your own man is unavoidable. But Murray is usually a slow starter.

Phew! Don't have to listen to Ginny Wade then.

It's crazy that after all this build up, the match could be over inside 10 mins!

Just really hoping we get the drama of a 5th.

Danny_1982 wrote:Winner of the first game wins the set. If it's Muzza I'll change my opinion. But I don't think he will.

HM - pessimism for your own man is unavoidable. But Murray is usually a slow starter.

Yeah, 6/3 Novak looks a very likely outcome. Murray is such a slow starter and will be under enormous pressure if he doesn't break immediately. I would say 6/3 Novak is about a 60% shot.

Last time I remember Andy resuming was against Kohli last year and he made a pretty good fist of it. Novak a completely different proposition, of course.

The HMM plan: I'll watch the end of the 4th.

If there's a 5th, I'll have to go for a walk and check back in an hour!

Ominous.

Expected start. Novak right on the money and Murray looking sluggish. Would be amazed if Andy wins this game.

Yup. Here it comes...

Djokovic holds comfortably. Andy simply must hold here or Djoko will serve for the match.

Andy wins a point!!!

Good luck Andy!

Great hold by Andy.

Lucky on the 1st point but excellent game from Andy.

Both with commanding service games. Who will crack first?

Excellent stuff. Andy holds. Looking to make it physical from the get go.

Feel Murray has to do something this game.

Wow, 3 games and not a single point against serve. Didn't expect that. Andy on the precipice now.

Just had to return better in that game. No pressure at all on Novak's serve.

Another superb hold by Djoko to lead 5-4. Andy either holds serve or he's heading off to concentrate on the grass court season.

There's a lack of emotion to Djokovic's game which I suspect probably makes his brain farts that much harder to take as a fan.

As an aside it would be amusing if Murray takes the match to a fifth with only two breaks... You know... the amount of breaks Rafa had, which proved he can't return... which was apparently the reason he lost.

Can Andy hold now with all the pressure?

Gutsy drop shot from Andy.

Solid enough hold to 15 from Andy and it is 5-5.

Good.

Andy in no miss mode and holds. Time to step it up on the return?

What a point! Brutal stuff.

2 BPs to Andy....

Here it comes.

Clutch from Novak there.

Yes!!!!