AO 2016 - Day 12

Order of Play - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/schedule17.html

Live Scores - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/index.html

Day 12 Preview - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2016-01-28/day_12_preview_a_clash_of_opposites.html

Mirza/Hingis in 2.

Murray in 5.

Raonic in 4.

LF, just so your legendary Brass knob joke becomes a little more true

Murray in 3.

Depends entirely on Andy. He isn't good in slam semis and I think he will lose the first set. Reckon the second will go to a tiebreak. If Andy wins it he will in 4. If Milos does he will edge it in 5.

I'm confident of a Murray win. Raonic has improved hugely, but if Murray gets the serve back he has way more to his game and superior lateral movement. Even though the Raonic backhand has really improved I can see Murray breaking it down.

4 sets I think.

I am taking Milos in the upset. I think the kid is returning and hitting his Bh better. I like that he spends most of his time training on clay helps with his footwork. And I think he also has pretty good touch at net. I like Andy but I just haven't seen anything new or improved while I feel like Raonic has made some progress. Murray should be favored but I am taking Milos in four in an upset.

Murray to win in 4 tight sets. He is the second best returner in the game. He will nullify milos serve.

I don't think Murray is in the best place mentally, and Raonic is in stupendous form. I think the latter's serve will defeat the former's return, so with that in mind...

Raonic in 4.

I think it is fair to say that Raonic is in the best shape and form of his career. If Murray wins then that is a big win to tick off for him considering Raonic has beaten Federer, Wawrinka and Monfils in the last three weeks. It won't change my mind about the outcome of the final but it would lift my confidence for the season ahead.

Interesting that Greg just said Andy was sick at the US Open last year. Don't think that's common knowledge. Would explain why he was fractionally below par.

Milos breaks to love, beautiful start.

Andy broken to love on first serve.

I would go for Andy to win but he cant beat Djoko.

So come on Milo, in short 3.

worse is that hes already pished off...

Great to see Hingis and Mirza winning the women's doubles - Hingis was always an absolutely sublime player, if lacking in power, and nearly always looks as though she is enjoying herself (even if she probably is a bit of a tick, and her behaviour has not always been sublime).

Terrific to see that playing the game properly still has its rewards almost 20 years after her first doubles win at Wimbledon 1996.

Very tidy opening set by Raonic. Tactics at the net executed well, good variety on the serve and minimal errors.

Murray's mouthing off.

Good sign for Raonic - Murray rarely channels his anger and frustration for a positive cause.

Duty281 wrote:Murray's mouthing off.

Good sign for Raonic - Murray rarely channels his anger and frustration for a positive cause.

Rightly so. The umpire shouldnt be pointing out what mark it was. Even Wilander agreed.

Barry, Mirza hit the jackpot when she teamed up with Hingis. I think they have already won two slams haven't they?

If this set goes to TB I sense Andy might go 2 down.

legendkillarV2 wrote:If this set goes to TB I sense Andy might go 2 down.

Oh ye of little faith.. cmon Andy

that's very well refocused though. its a set all

Haddie-nuff wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:If this set goes to TB I sense Andy might go 2 down.

Oh ye of little faith.. cmon Andy

Good thing it didn't go to TB!

I find in TB's Andy can mostly at times get tight and already a set down I'd fancy Raonic at that point.

Raonic deserved the first set and Murray deserved the second.

Raonic loading up on the errors, and Murray winning a healthy number of points on his second serve.

Tense. The third set is must-win for the Canadian.

coolpixel wrote:Barry, Mirza hit the jackpot when she teamed up with Hingis. I think they have already won two slams haven't they?

Right on both counts - also cool that Fed plans to play mixed doubles with Hingis at the Rio Olympics - a mutual jackpot I'd say.

Oh nah nah ....Im not known for my admiration of Andy's on court behaviour but given the ready criticism of him I feel obliged to stand in his corner.. maybe because in spite of what has already been said this tournament has presented more pressure than any other he has been part of and I think he has done remarkably well. especially as he had considered withdrawing... it has shown some strength of character at any rate.. I hope he can put away this serving machine

Haddie-nuff wrote:Oh nah nah ....Im not known for my admiration of Andy's on court behaviour but given the ready criticism of him I feel obliged to stand in his corner.. maybe because in spite of what has already been said this tournament has presented more pressure than any other he has been part of and I think he has done remarkably well. especially as he had considered withdrawing... it has shown some strength of character at any rate.. I hope he can put away this serving machine

My support is undying of Murray the confidence is what is broken in matches V Djokovic. Murray playing very well here.

Squeaky bum time!

Feels like it's shunting to a t/b at the end of this set.

Whatever the match result, Raonic really needs to press on to be a permanent fixture of the top 8 from now.

A match between Raonic and Nadal on hard or grass would give us an interesting indicator of where Nadal is away from the clay because the match-up with lefty Verdasco is not the best indicator - on that score it is also interesting that Raonic's coach is now Moya.

That hold might just turn the match.

Andy a lucky boy. That net cord on break point could have gone anywhere. Not having much joy on the Raonic serve this set, but will scoreboard pressure tell.

Think that's the match now.

Fearless, composed tennis by Raonic.

Such a joy to watch.

Great play from Raonic in the tiebreak. Andy a little too safe with his shots and is made to pay.

Keep it up Milo, only you can beat Djoko.

go go go go

(Sorry for Andy but it's daddy time for him )

legendkillarV2 wrote:Think that's the match now.

No question that Raonic has the upper hand, but no way is this over. This would be the biggest win of his career, so nerves are likely to come into play as the finish line approaches. If Andy can maintain a good level, it will be far from easy to close out.

Long way back for Murray now. Think I would still call it 50/50 though.

Raonic time out. Bad enough to be off court. More drama blimey...

Aut0Gr4ph wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:Think that's the match now.

No question that Raonic has the upper hand, but no way is this over. This would be the biggest win of his career, so nerves are likely to come into play as the finish line approaches. If Andy can maintain a good level, it will be far from easy to close out.

Don't know about that. Raonic is 83% on the first serve won. Needs a dip really. Don't fancy Andy to clinch a TB.

Am currently restricted to radio commentary.

Pat Cash is spouting the usual garbage - but today his garbage quota is reaching unprecedented levels.

I have never learnt anything of interest about the sport from this guy. Not remotely.

And I deeply resent every single penny the BBC give him from my licence fee.

lags72 wrote:Am currently restricted to radio commentary.

Pat Cash is spouting the usual garbage - but today his garbage quota is reaching unprecedented levels.

I have never learnt anything of interest about the sport from this guy. Not remotely.

And I deeply resent every single penny the BBC give him from my licence fee.

You resent the Cash?

Where did that break come from?!

Is it harsh to say the winner of this should be handed the Runner Up medal as they come of court? Long match with one less day recovery, against a guy who would beat either player 9/10 anyway- will the final even be worth watching?

JuliusHMarx wrote:

lags72 wrote:Am currently restricted to radio commentary.

Pat Cash is spouting the usual garbage - but today his garbage quota is reaching unprecedented levels.

I have never learnt anything of interest about the sport from this guy. Not remotely.

And I deeply resent every single penny the BBC give him from my licence fee.

You resent the Cash?

I sure do.

In every possible sense .......

Raonic had his chances there - three of them, none taken. Murray being clinical and excellent in defence.

How much does the courageous Canadian have left?

5th set getting underway at 11:10 pm local time.

Djoko tucked up in bed.

Massive second serves and its fifth.

Raonic is hurt

Murray gassed, and not playing well

Djokovic must have a brandy and cigar on, good match despite that.

VTR wrote:Is it harsh to say the winner of this should be handed the Runner Up medal as they come of court? Long match with one less day recovery, against a guy who would beat either player 9/10 anyway- will the final even be worth watching?

Watch it for history being made then?

HM Murdock wrote:5th set getting underway at 11:10 pm local time.

Djoko tucked up in bed.

But with the TV on .....

Early break, need a chorus of Oh Canada right now.