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

First topic message reminder :

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

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

Novak has found a rhythm, that will be very tough to get him out of. The start of that second set was so critical, worst time to have a dip. Novak has gone from looking like the weight of the world is on his shoulders to looking like a machine again.

Come on Andy!

One set all. The sets have been short by their standards so physicality shouldn't enter the equation - yet.

ALPanorak wrote:

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.

There is one person who I know would emphatically agree with you... i.e. Uncle T

Neither set has felt particularly sapping and that is probably good news for Andy. Needs to regain his level of the first set and apply a bit of scoreboard pressure. No question that Novak has upped his level.

What I'm wondering is, also, is there some anti-Murray sentiment out there. I thought the crowd favoured Stan slightly in the semi as well.

It could be that some French don't like the idea of a Brit winning RG and Wimbledon when they haven't had a men's singles champion at either for a while. The neighbouring country thing which could explain also why Nadal isn't the most popular champion here.

Would be cool if Rafa turns up unexpectedly to present the trophy. Only if Novak wins though, would be a bit harsh if Murray wins.

So far no signs of nerves for Novak on the smash. At the risk of jinxing massively that weakness seems to have been reduced the last couple of years at least.

As Ive said before HB.. the French do not like the Spaniards that is a known fact.. watching the men's doubles last night won by Lopez/Lopez the crowd were not particularly thrilled from what I could see

You only need a few Serbian supporters to make the "crowd" pro-Novak given half of the crowd today are basically VIPs, foreigners and celebs... Blame the lack of Brits/Scots supporters maybe.

Henman Bill wrote:Would be cool if Rafa turns up unexpectedly to present the trophy. Only if Novak wins though, would be a bit harsh if Murray wins.

No it is Rod Laver doing the presentation.

Murray holds to lead 1-0 in the third but not too keen on the way he did it.

Rent a crowd

Needed that one. Solid hold for Andy.

Rod Laver is a decent shout especially if Djokovic wins since one is the first person to win 4 slams in a row since the other. I'm not sure if that's why they chose him.

Andy cannot afford the luxury of berating himself and yelling at his team..
He is lost if he does this .. he must must keep focussed ..

Keep it up Andy, you can win this!!!

Monaco in tears for Djoko

Mwahaha I jinxed Novak on the smash good and proper

Honda45 wrote:Keep it up Andy, you can win this!!!

Monaco in tears for Djoko

Hi Jahu.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Honda45 wrote:Keep it up Andy, you can win this!!!

Monaco in tears for Djoko

Hi Jahu.

Exactly I would know that face anywhere

Good match from a variety point of view from these two. Not just the boring slugfest that some make it out to be.

Andy dropping short at key moments in that game and Novak hangs on.

Posts 3 ... - join date today...now that you mention it - it does look like Jahu comment in every way.

I think this is looking ominous for Andy. I don't feel he's on the front foot enough.

hey hey all

Lets pray all for Andy

Haddie-nuff wrote:As Ive said before HB.. the French do not like the Spaniards that is a known fact.. watching the men's doubles last night won by Lopez/Lopez the crowd were not particularly thrilled from what I could see

HF this is not true and certainly not a fact. Indifference is not to ne taken as despise... Maybe some of my countrymen got bored of Nadal winning so much after having endured years of Bruguera, Indurain and other Spanish sportsmen dominance I think there is a lot of paranoia in Spain against France and people make a lot of it. plus Fed has always been mister Perfect so people wanted him so much to win here! In the end for some French neutrals it all comes down to a popularity contest and as it happens Novak is also more likeable than Andy.

Danny_1982 wrote:I think this is looking ominous for Andy. I don't feel he's on the front foot enough.

I agree but it can change IF Murray reverts back to his first set tactics. He has slipped into the game Novak wants him to play.

Oh Andy. You can't miss volleys like that.

Did you hear that chant for Nole. It didn't sound like a few isolated Serbs. Novak is popular at last!

PS It's been a good match but the key breaks occurring first with a double fault and then with a horrible shot like that. It's a shame. Murray has played really well for the most part but sadly those could be costly lapses.

Born Slippy wrote:Oh Andy. You can't miss volleys like that.

Agreed.

Ominous signs. Andy not playing badly by any means, but Novak in machine mode now. This could run away quickly.

Now Novak 80-85%, Murray 15-20%. Still, got to take it a point or game at a time, maybe the next swing of the odds-ometer will go to Andy.

whocares wrote:

Haddie-nuff wrote:As Ive said before HB.. the French do not like the Spaniards that is a known fact.. watching the men's doubles last night won by Lopez/Lopez the crowd were not particularly thrilled from what I could see

HF this is not true and certainly not a fact. Indifference is not to ne taken as despise... Maybe some of my countrymen got bored of Nadal winning so much after having endured years of Bruguera, Indurain and other Spanish sportsmen dominance I think there is a lot of paranoia in Spain against France and people make a lot of it. plus Fed has always been mister Perfect so people wanted him so much to win here! In the end for some French neutrals it all comes down to a popularity contest and as it happens Novak is also more likeable than Andy.

Try living in Spain and then review your opinion

There's been a few weak drop shots from Novak, at least 2-3. Another chink in the armour?

That's a garbage return at 15-30.

Slices aren't doing much for either player but these guys are really starting to find some lovely angles in these rallies

Djoko has been b1tching on points quite a lot for a No1 this year.

Shut up and play.

Don't go flat Andy. Let's go!

Hmm, really couldn't afford three errors having got to 15-30. This match is going away from him now.

Need a couple of dodgy line calls to get Djoko mentally out.

Not over yet Murray fans, still a chance, keep some faith.

Andy Murray has left the building

Good shot, and that should be set 3. Murray looks like the set has gone.

Oh noooo, Andy given up and totally lost. Did he forget how he played on Set 1.

Wake upppppppppppp

This is done. Andy lost his variety and aggression, there doesn't seem to be any gameplan now. Novak looking immensely comfortable. This set is done and Andy isn't winning 2 straight sets against Novak, not when he's largely just trading and when Novak has this confidence.

Well been to Spain more than a few times and can read and understand most of Castellano (being native Portuguese speaker) so... When it comes to French bashing I know pretty well than the likes of Marca are quite on top of things. Like I said plenty of paranoia going on there.

Novak won 10 out of the 12 games. Really hope Andy rediscovers some of his 1st set form.

Henman Bill wrote:Not ever yet Murray fans, still a chance, keep some faith.

Yes but he needs to re-engage mentally and tactically. He needs to get back to the variety of the first set and serve much better. Novak has taken over in all departments - Andy needs to do something to change that.

Too good from Novak. Still don't think this is over. Unless Novak thinks he's broken Andy physically, getting over the line may still get complicated for him.

Is it too simplistic to offer as explanation that Murray after the first set, got complacent, followed by a mental breakdown.

Is a better explanation that Djokovic was not playing particularly well in the first set and then upped his level in the second set - with Murray unable or incapable to go with Djokovic to the new level?

Yeah, and Andy needs to make sure that when Novak is faced with serving it out he does so at 5-4 not 5-2. More pressure and less room for error.

Nore Staat wrote:Is it too simplistic to off as explanation that Murray after the first set, got complacent, followed by a mental breakdown.

Is a better explanation that Djokovic was not playing particularly well in the first set and then upped his level in the second set - with Murray unable or incapable to go with Djokovic to the new level?

No. Murray's serve was 72% in the first set and played with variety and it worked. In the second set Murray's first serve dipped to 49% and he tried going toe-to-toe with Novak and that just doesn't work. Of course Novak upped his level but Andy helped.