French Open Day 2 - Taylor swift? Quick Sands? Beck fast?

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Schedule - http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/index.html

Agree IMBL...the older you get the less able you are to fend off nerves or stop them affecting you.

Born Slippy wrote:I've only seen this set? What exactly was Andy doing in sets 1 and 2?

Stepanek was playing very well, not red-lining, but playing intelligently and volleying very well.
Murray's depth was really off, and making many unforced errors of normal groundstrokes. Kept moaning to his box about his leg being dead and the weather.

It Must Be Love wrote:

Born Slippy wrote:However, a one set shoot-out tomorrow against a nervous Murray and I make him favourite.

Firstly I think they're probably going to go off after this set or mid 4th set.
Also there's no way if it did go to a one set shootout tomorrow that Stepanek is favourite! Of course nerves may give Stepanek a great chance, but he'd be nervous too.
Maybe this is a trend I accidentally started, but you tend to underplay Murray, for example in Rome before his quarter final you said he would be underdog vs Berdych/Ferrer in the semi.

I think they will get through a fourth. Favourite might be pushing it but his prospects in a 5th tonight would be next to zero. His prospects tomorrow are close on 50-50.

Ignored you years ago to avoid your snarky pm's... best thing I did, I just make sure your posts arent breaking the rules.

Its gone 50-50 now. Murray plays to his level he should break enough to take two sets tomorrow, but what a terribly unnecessary way to shoot off your foot before the race has even hotted up.

With Fed gone, this would leave a Chasm of a hole in this side of the draw, and Nish will be in a great spot...

Exactly what grounds can Murray have to complain? Obviously Stepanek us letting the light fade but apart from inserting a catheter what is the Umpire to do?

temporary21 wrote:Ignored you years ago to avoid your snarky pm's... best thing I did, I just make sure your posts arent breaking the rules.

Its gone 50-50 now. Murray plays to his level he should break enough to take two sets tomorrow, but what a terribly unnecessary way to shoot off your foot before the race has even hotted up.

With Fed gone, this would leave a Chasm of a hole in this side of the draw, and Nish will be in a great spot...

That's harsh, in those pms I was trying to help you be a decent moderator. Sadly I have never been able to let a lost cause go, it's just another of my many failings......

Still, good to know you still pay close attention to my wisdom.

Where is Andy hoping to go to?

Yeah he is shouting a lot... hes obviously peed off but this is exactly what Hewitt used to do, and people called him "scrappy" not embarassing. So whats the difference?

Its extraordinary the difference...

Stepanek looks shattered. Inevitable at 37 I suppose.

Goinf off mid set a break up might be the best thing for Murray. Hes have some wiggle room when he has to restart tomorrow...

addendum: seeing that round the post shot, that might definitely be for the best

bogbrush wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Murray barking like a dog in set 3 when Stepanek is making unforced errors...embarrassing

Yes, I don't find that particularly sensible or pleasant. I'm all for a bit of firing up but this comes over as silly.

So you never watched Stan this morning doing the same and we have had this conversation before - Fed can readily be seen doing it on YouTube

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Murray barking like a dog in set 3 when Stepanek is making unforced errors...embarrassing

Yes, I don't find that particularly sensible or pleasant. I'm all for a bit of firing up but this comes over as silly.

So you never watched Stan this morning doing the same and we have had this conversation before - Fed can readily be seen doing it on YouTube

Right, so Stan doing it this morning and Federer seen on YouTube (but not doing what Murray is doing with this incessant barking) means Murray isn't making a fool if himself.

Yes, that's clear to me now, it's so logical.

What a collapse from stepanek, puts himself in prime position for one of the biggest wins of his career and then blows it

Oooohhhh! He did that last shout like a girl!!!

slashermcguirk wrote:What a collapse from stepanek, puts himself in prime position for one of the biggest wins of his career and then blows it

Be fair, he's an old geezer!

bogbrush wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Murray barking like a dog in set 3 when Stepanek is making unforced errors...embarrassing

Yes, I don't find that particularly sensible or pleasant. I'm all for a bit of firing up but this comes over as silly.

So you never watched Stan this morning doing the same and we have had this conversation before - Fed can readily be seen doing it on YouTube

Right, so Stan doing it this morning and Federer seen on YouTube (but not doing what Murray is doing with this incessant barking) means Murray isn't making a fool if himself.

Yes, that's clear to me now, it's so logical.

Dry up eh BB. I have seen Federer giving it the 'Come on' and fist pumps on opponents unforced errors and that is the point here with regards to Jermaine's point.

Bogbrush, regardless of how old he is how do you go from winning two sets in a row and then lose 9 straight games, that's a complete joke

bogbrush wrote:Oooohhhh! He did that last shout like a girl!!!

Haha I heard that too.
I find this 'let's go' shout quite amusing, genuinely considering using it in matches myself.

I've got absolutely no problem with Andy giving a stare or a bark to Stepanek. No problem at all. I wish he focused more on getting the upper hand mentally over his opponent, rather than taking it out on his box. Stepanek is the biggest wind up merchant on tour, which again I've no problem with. Whatever it takes.

I obviously like the adversarial element of sport more than some others.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Murray barking like a dog in set 3 when Stepanek is making unforced errors...embarrassing

Yes, I don't find that particularly sensible or pleasant. I'm all for a bit of firing up but this comes over as silly.

So you never watched Stan this morning doing the same and we have had this conversation before - Fed can readily be seen doing it on YouTube

Absolutely exactly. EVERYBODY has done this. We always get how people miss characters like Connors and Mcenroe, but then complain when we see watered down versions of what they used to do.

If you appreciated Hewitt then youve no right whatsoever to criticise Murray

Its just a Murray thing, some people dont like him, so they look for reasons to hate... Funny how its always when hes losing too...

slashermcguirk wrote:Bogbrush, regardless of how old he is how do you go from winning two sets in a row and then lose 9 straight games, that's a complete joke

Because you could run out of energy on slow clay against a player who is great from the baseline.

The same comments from a chum jetze from Roger would send this forum into a riot. Ergo, maybe lets be consistent eh?

slashermcguirk wrote:Bogbrush, regardless of how old he is how do you go from winning two sets in a row and then lose 9 straight games, that's a complete joke

It is a bit of a collapse but if the legs go they go.

Still, he's lucky he gets a one set shootout tomorrow.

temporary21 wrote:The same comments from a chum jetze from Roger would send this forum into a riot. Ergo, maybe lets be consistent eh?

Look I actually don't mind vocal celebrations at all, Murray now and Step in the second set were both very loud, but let's not create a false equivalence here... Federer rarely vocally celebrates and when he does it's not as loud as Murray and Step in this match.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Murray barking like a dog in set 3 when Stepanek is making unforced errors...embarrassing

Yes, I don't find that particularly sensible or pleasant. I'm all for a bit of firing up but this comes over as silly.

So you never watched Stan this morning doing the same and we have had this conversation before - Fed can readily be seen doing it on YouTube

Right, so Stan doing it this morning and Federer seen on YouTube (but not doing what Murray is doing with this incessant barking) means Murray isn't making a fool if himself.

Yes, that's clear to me now, it's so logical.

Dry up eh BB. I have seen Federer giving it the 'Come on' and fist pumps on opponents unforced errors and that is the point here with regards to Jermaine's point.

You think people are mocking him because if a "come on" and a fist pump?

Goodness knows why this has happned, Steps blown physically, and Murray has refound how t hit the second half of the baseline, that and nerves all over the place. Its yet another strange early slam Murray match... theyre horrible to go through.

It Must Be Love wrote:

temporary21 wrote:The same comments from a chum jetze from Roger would send this forum into a riot. Ergo, maybe lets be consistent eh?

Look I actually don't mind vocal celebrations at all, Murray now and Step in the second set were both very loud, but let's not create a false equivalence here... Federer rarely vocally celebrates and when he does it's not as loud as Murray and Step in this match.

Absolutely, Fed doesnt shout as much as basically anybody, to his great credit. But he DOES do it sometimes, mostly when hes in trouble and needs to let it out, if the same comments followed, those saying them would be on the other side of the fence going nuts. Ergo its 90% about Murray, and not the gesture.

Yes but playing against a top player and having the opportunity to take a scalp would surely be a motivator to keep pushing, not just cave in. He may be old but these guys are really fit

Right......ok temp, I think I understand.... so Federer doesn't do it, but if he did we know it would be overlooked.

i see ya slasher, hes fallen off a cliff from the first two sets. TBh hes PROBABLY already resigned to putting everything into the fifth, hes 37 and he cant affrod to put energy into a 4th, lose it, and then have anything left for the fifth

Come off at the best time for Murray, hes got some time to find his range, before a fifth, if he can take us to one... HUGE amount of energy spent though...

Vital for Stepanek to hold on there; the 4th set isn't done, starting fresh tomorrow that could easily go wrong for Murray if he's sloppy or if Sepanek gets his net game together.

Edmund is through, which means Murray might not be the last man standing for Britian in who knows how long...

temporary21 wrote:Come off at the best time for Murray, hes got some time to find his range, before a fifth, if he can take us to one... HUGE amount of energy spent though...

Yeah, agree with that. Worked out nicely for Andy. Much better than going straight into a 5th.

bogbrush wrote:Right......ok temp, I think I understand.... so Federer doesn't do it, but if he did we know it would be overlooked.

No temp says as we all know that Federer does do it but it is swept under the carpet by his fans who then attack another player for doing it.

Works both ways as it also gives Stepanek time to warm up before the 5th set shoot out.

Will be interesting to see Stepaneks tactics tomorrow when they resume...does he junk ball the 4th to give Murray no rhythm...which is risky for himself in the 5th or try and rescue the 4th and try to put pressure onto Murray. Either way, Andy is not out of the woods whatever as Stepanek still has a clear shot at the 5th and he won't be tired. Interesting match.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Right......ok temp, I think I understand.... so Federer doesn't do it, but if he did we know it would be overlooked.

No temp says as we all know that Federer does do it but it is swept under the carpet by his fans who then attack another player for doing it.

Yep, precisely that. Its all about the PLAYER, not what they do. It IS always overlooked. BUT rthats the good way, they arent politicians, theyre sportsmen, they should be passionate

lydian wrote:Will be interesting to see Stepaneks tactics tomorrow when they resume...does he junk ball the 4th to give Murray no rhythm...which is risky for himself in the 5th or try and rescue the 4th and try to put pressure onto Murray. Either way, Andy is not out of the woods whatever as Stepanek still has a clear shot at the 5th and he won't be tired. Interesting match.

No Junk, he has to blast it like in the 1st 2 sets. He gives Murray any look it and hes likely beans on toast.
This is shades of that horrible, horrible Troicki mathc years back...

temporary21 wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Right......ok temp, I think I understand.... so Federer doesn't do it, but if he did we know it would be overlooked.

No temp says as we all know that Federer does do it but it is swept under the carpet by his fans who then attack another player for doing it.

Yep, precisely that. Its all about the PLAYER, not what they do. It IS always overlooked. BUT rthats the good way, they arent politicians, theyre sportsmen, they should be passionate

Yes, oh the times I've watched Federer rant on for game after game, cheering opponent errors, shouting and squealing, screaming into his corner. And all suppressed... it's as if it never happened!

Dream on kiddos, if it makes you feel better it's cruel to spoil it.

temporary21 wrote:Come off at the best time for Murray, hes got some time to find his range, before a fifth, if he can take us to one... HUGE amount of energy spent though...

Is this serious?

A HUGE amount of energy expended against Stepanek, with no great timesaver in court, including a bagel set?

I don't get anyone getting riled by bogbrush's comments. If you like Murray, then either you don't mind his on-court behaviour (so you simply have a different view from him) or else you don't like the on-court behaviour but accept it as flaw (so you agree with BB). Either way, attempting to bring Federer into the argument is rather futile - of course, he'll occasionally be vocal or whatever but he's nothing like Murray.

I don't like the worst of Murray's behaviour - when he's aggressive towards his box - but am fairly ambivalent about how loudly a point is celebrated (UE or not). If I like the player, it's fine - if not, it's a big irritant!

I think Murray is slight favourite tomorrow - but I don't underestimate Steps at all. He was fit enough to get through 3 rounds of qualifying. If Murray does get through, he's got a kind R2 in a wildcard - but then likely a couple of big servers where dropping a set or 2 is quite possible, and then you do get a cumulative effect. But this match alone, yes he can certainly recover from.

Also what happened to Murray's new great serve? I thought his serving was really poor today, but more the first serve than the second to be fair - maybe he wanted to test out the second serve under pressure to prepare for later rounds!

YvonneT wrote:I don't get anyone getting riled by bogbrush's comments. If you like Murray, then either you don't mind his on-court behaviour (so you simply have a different view from him) or else you don't like the on-court behaviour but accept it as flaw (so you agree with BB). Either way, attempting to bring Federer into the argument is rather futile - of course, he'll occasionally be vocal or whatever but he's nothing like Murray.

I don't like the worst of Murray's behaviour - when he's aggressive towards his box - but am fairly ambivalent about how loudly a point is celebrated (UE or not). If I like the player, it's fine - if not, it's a big irritant!

I think Murray is slight favourite tomorrow - but I don't underestimate Steps at all. He was fit enough to get through 3 rounds of qualifying. If Murray does get through, he's got a kind R2 in a wildcard - but then likely a couple of big servers where dropping a set or 2 is quite possible, and then you do get a cumulative effect. But this match alone, yes he can certainly recover from.

Have a good look at this French Open - all of the match days. Not one post at all from BB about the tennis and his first post is to back up a renowned WUM in berating Murray for basically doing what every player in tennis does. Not one post commenting on the many cracking matches there has been - nothing. First post is to leap in to berate Murray for doing what every player does. Poor show.

Well, not every player does do it to the same extent as Murray, and indeed Murray himself does not do this to same extent in other matches, so it's fair comment. Surely you accept that Murray can be particularly temperamental, moreso than many players. And maybe bogbrush was at work today and the Murray match was the one that dominated the evening coverage - it was the only match I managed to see for that reason.

If I'd not mistaken I believe I heard John Inverdale today. Do we really need him on BBC and ITV as well. I get the strong sense that he wouldn't even be watching the French Open if it wasn't his job, and probably hasn't watched much tennis since last year's Wimbledon. He seems like a nice fella, but it's not like he's a particularly outstanding and polished presenter, so why not replace him with someone who actually knows about tennis.

Today's embarrassing incident was when he asked the commentator (sounded like Jim Courier, maybe) if Murray would have preferred the situation as it is (leaving at 4-2) or whether he would have preferred to have wrapped up the set. Courier took it well, giving a measured answer before concluding that he would prefer to have the 4th set in his pocket (surprise surprise).

Henman Bill wrote:
Today's embarrassing incident was when he asked the commentator (sounded like Jim Courier, maybe) if Murray would have preferred the situation as it is (leaving at 4-2) or whether he would have preferred to have wrapped up the set. Courier took it well, giving a measured answer before concluding that he would prefer to have the 4th set in his pocket (surprise surprise).

Hmm, actually that wasn't a bad question as it could be argued that Murray would want 10 minutes to settle down before playing the crucial 5th set. However I was following the coverage, and Inverdale shouldn't get any credit for asking that, because before he asked that question Nick Mullins (Inverdale-lite) and Courier had already discussed this.

But yes in general I totally agree with you. He literally knows nothing about tennis and he's a crap presenter.

CC is exactly right. As soon as Murray or Nadal arent doing well, its the same crew coming in with the same old crap. Its been going on for years and years and years and its just gotten so tiring, singling out signle players they hate for constant belittling.
Clearly some poeple only come here to slag off, and it brings the whole forum down. No doubt is Andy wins theyll all become suddenly busy and unable to post... till Novak or Rafa start to struggle... its the sort of thing we dont need anymore.

temporary21 wrote:CC is exactly right. As soon as Murray or Nadal arent doing well, its the same crew coming in with the same old crap. Its been going on for years and years and years and its just gotten so tiring, singling out signle players they hate for constant belittling.
Clearly some poeple only come here to slag off, and it brings the whole forum down. No doubt is Andy wins theyll all become suddenly busy and unable to post... till Novak or Rafa start to struggle... its the sort of thing we dont need anymore.

That post hits the jackpot.