French Open Day 15: Can Handy Andy Make a Joke out of the Djoker?

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/

Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic - both for first French Open win

Good quality early doors from Andy. If he can keep this level up, he has a real chance.

Unbelievable stuff from Murray here.

Only way Djokovic can win a point is with drop shots. Murray not missing.

Andy sending a message with these bludgeoned forehands. Novak knows he's in a match now. Just a question of how he responds. Early signs of pressure weighing on the shoulders.

Andy with the upperhand early doors. Very encouraging. thumbsup

Statement of the obvious, but got to feel this set is absolutely critical to Andy's chances. Novak a pretty awesome front-runner.

This is chaos. Would someone please merge the two threads or delete one?

Important hold. As things stand, the bookies all have the odds to win for the match very close to 50/50.

Massive hold! Novak starting to push Andy back in rallies, but he clings on. Both players look to be hitting a clean ball.

Great stretch volley from Andy!

Murray takes the first set 6-3. Great stuff. Now key is how the second set starts.

Bit of controversy there, but Andy keeps his focus and takes the set. Would still say it's close to 50/50, but very promising signs for the Murray brethren.

Could be wrong, but think that Andy is 2-1 in slam finals having won the first set.

What a point. Throughout the point I thought he was capable of winning it.

Andy really does return everything ...
Must be tiring even for someone like Novak.

Come on Andy, crush himmmmmmm for goodddddd

(JHM, steady now...)

Novak escapes from that service game. Some cracking stuff at times.

CaledonianCraig wrote:This is chaos. Would someone please merge the two threads or delete one?

Ill stay on this one CC

Andy's inside out forehand continuing where he left off against Stan. Really crunching it into the corner.

Cmon Andy just keep your head

That could be a momentum changer. Novak fending off break points and then immediately breaking.

Murray lost his way in that game and Djokovic breaks to lead 2-0. He wasn't hitting with variety either.

Lack of concentration.. needs to rally the forces again

Hm had a feeling he might double fault there.

That second serve to get broken didn't even look close. A shame as played a great match up to that point. Could be a turning point...maybe....

Drop in intensity, and suddenly the second set looks to be running away from him!

Do we think Andy believes he can do this over 5 sets? Suspect he needs to close this out over 4. Has had an alarming tendency to wilt when going long against Novak in recent times.

Is Andy's want greater than Novak's need ??

Bookies now have Djokovic as clear favourite - 65-70% chance to win

Aut0Gr4ph wrote:Do we think Andy believes he can do this over 5 sets? Suspect he needs to close this out over 4. Has had an alarming tendency to wilt when going long against Novak in recent times.

Novak would outlast Andy if it went to five. He outlasts everyone.

If it goes to 2 set all, I think you'd give Andy a fair chance in a 1-set shootout. It's not like he's really known for being a mentally or physically weak player.

He blew it at the end there but there were signs on that point, with Novak's ball striking, that his level is going up a little here.

Prior to this tournament I might have agreed with you but seeing
Andy v Stepanek, not so sure

Big hold that from Murray but still a break down in this set.

Dip in intensity for a few games but recovered very well in that game. Critical game coming here.

Determined hold from Andy and the set is still alive.

Frustrating game for Andy. Couple of loose errors and two very unhelpful net cords.

Easy hold for Djokovic. Murray leads 6-3 1-4.

Complete role reversal now from the first set, Andy's become loose and Novak's just keeping it solid and taking the initiative with anything short. I'm liking the variety in Djokovic's strategy today

Henman Bill wrote:Bookies now have Djokovic as clear favourite - 65-70% chance to win

That's surprising given the 2nd set is still up for grabs. Even 1 set all would not be a terrible position for Andy.

He is suffering with Rafa's problem.. secondsetonitis

The crowd atmosphere today seems different. More keyed in, tense, quiet but not in a polite way, more shouting out, even at wrong moments, cheers after an error and so on.

Well that is the second set gone. Novak has got Andy playing the game he wants. Andy has to start serving better and play with variety.

Ok, set is gone. Has to find that intensity again or this will race away from him.

The crowd have also clearly been on Djokovic's side in set 2 (or could just be a few vocal people). Assuming he wins the set, it will be interesting to see in set 3 if that support continues - in other words has it been real support for Novak, or just want to make sure they get their money's worth.

And there's the double-break. Expect Andy to check out of this set now. On positive note, probably better for Andy to lose a quick set than a long one. Will need to compose himself for the third and look to make a fast start.

Andy taking a break on this set.

Fire on third.

I agree CC he has handed over the controls to Novak.. he is not in the driving seat at all.. staying way back behind he line when he was coming inside in the first set.

Excellent finish to the set from Novak. Andy has to be very focussed to start set 3.

Henman Bill wrote:The crowd atmosphere today seems different. More keyed in, tense, quiet but not in a polite way, more shouting out, even at wrong moments, cheers after an error and so on.

For a good few years now, I've always thought the French Open crowd (specifically those on Chatrier) are the worst in tennis. Stands are rarely full and there always seems to be a lack of courtesy towards the players.