The Tennis Thread
Discussion
Cue Murray, Petchy etc talk about the Davis cup but Murray has far bigger problems than that.
I can't understand how he or his team can't see that he can't generate any pace on his forehand. His hook cross court forehand is so predictable now and I don't know what the exact stats are but I don't think Murray hit a single down the line forehand winner.
It would also be interesting to see how many rallies under 10 shots Murray has won with a clean winner groundstroke compared to the other top 4/5 guys. If he can't tweak his game to be more aggressive Murray will be constantly getting losses against Stan etc
I think Murray is just surrounded by yes men, Lendl pushed him out of his comfort zone and to go for his second serve + forehand. Now he's gone completely flat. Sad to see.
I can't understand how he or his team can't see that he can't generate any pace on his forehand. His hook cross court forehand is so predictable now and I don't know what the exact stats are but I don't think Murray hit a single down the line forehand winner.
It would also be interesting to see how many rallies under 10 shots Murray has won with a clean winner groundstroke compared to the other top 4/5 guys. If he can't tweak his game to be more aggressive Murray will be constantly getting losses against Stan etc
I think Murray is just surrounded by yes men, Lendl pushed him out of his comfort zone and to go for his second serve + forehand. Now he's gone completely flat. Sad to see.
Babw said:
Cue Murray, Petchy etc talk about the Davis cup but Murray has far bigger problems than that.
I can't understand how he or his team can't see that he can't generate any pace on his forehand. His hook cross court forehand is so predictable now and I don't know what the exact stats are but I don't think Murray hit a single down the line forehand winner.
It would also be interesting to see how many rallies under 10 shots Murray has won with a clean winner groundstroke compared to the other top 4/5 guys. If he can't tweak his game to be more aggressive Murray will be constantly getting losses against Stan etc
I think Murray is just surrounded by yes men, Lendl pushed him out of his comfort zone and to go for his second serve + forehand. Now he's gone completely flat. Sad to see.
Second serve and forehand have always been weaknesses for him and accentuated by slower surfaces. He struggles to generate pace on the forehand when flattening it out and the average mph stats on his second serve tell the story there. Knowing the problem and fixing the problem though, especially at the elite level, must be tricky.I can't understand how he or his team can't see that he can't generate any pace on his forehand. His hook cross court forehand is so predictable now and I don't know what the exact stats are but I don't think Murray hit a single down the line forehand winner.
It would also be interesting to see how many rallies under 10 shots Murray has won with a clean winner groundstroke compared to the other top 4/5 guys. If he can't tweak his game to be more aggressive Murray will be constantly getting losses against Stan etc
I think Murray is just surrounded by yes men, Lendl pushed him out of his comfort zone and to go for his second serve + forehand. Now he's gone completely flat. Sad to see.
ETA - i won some money though
I see our resident forum warriors been at it again. He gets everywhere doesn't he. My name also seems to have been mentioned, and did indeed call him a Pound Shop Dickie Meadon which was perhaps a little harsh in light of viewing the video...which speaks volumes.
If I'd seen it before, I would have understood, and obviously not have retaliated in a manner that may have caused further anxiety or self consciousness during what is obviously a very, very challenging time.
If I'd seen it before, I would have understood, and obviously not have retaliated in a manner that may have caused further anxiety or self consciousness during what is obviously a very, very challenging time.
Babw said:
Good job on the bet, not even when Murray went up in the tie break did I think he'd win a set! Top tip - bet against Murray when he plays the top 10 
Was hoping Murray would bounce back after a poor showing against Nadal but sadly not; Wawrinka certainly deserved to win although I didn't think he was at his best either and struggled to close out the match. Just hope Murray is hitting the ball better when it comes to the Davis Cup Final; I was thinking he was nailed-on to win both his singles and with him and Jamie likely to win the doubles that should see us home. However, he needs to be a bit better than he was at the O2 as otherwise there's an outside chance an inspired Goffin might just get the better of him - not likely but you never know! Robbo66 said:
Just busy, work and family life etc....no time for forum trawling. Again, I apologise, won't happen again......I had no idea.
Anyone for tennis ?.
Hear hear.Anyone for tennis ?.
Semifinals today - anyone else think we may see at least one upset?
The added spice from mirkagate might increase the tension in the evening semifinal. Federer looks lean though - fitter than I've seen him for a while. One year at the French I remember him being fairly hefty!
I'm expecting Djokovic to derail the Nadal revival at lunchtime but he was strangely out of sorts against Fed earlier in the week. And Nadal spent 3 hours on court yesterday - needlessly as well, he was already guaranteed group winner.
Patent said:
Semifinals today - anyone else think we may see at least one upset?
The added spice from mirkagate might increase the tension in the evening semifinal. Federer looks lean though - fitter than I've seen him for a while. One year at the French I remember him being fairly hefty!
I'm expecting Djokovic to derail the Nadal revival at lunchtime but he was strangely out of sorts against Fed earlier in the week. And Nadal spent 3 hours on court yesterday - needlessly as well, he was already guaranteed group winner.
If there's an upset I think it's more likely to be in the evening match; generally I'd back Federer to beat Wawrinka but if Stan hits one of his hot streaks he could well come through. However, he was awful against Nadal and made a meal of getting over the line against Murray so I think he'll need to up his game to beat Federer (or he needs Fed to have an off-night). Don't see Nadal beating Djokovic; think Novak had his bad game for the tournament when he lost to Roger and I doubt anyone else will get the better of him this week!The added spice from mirkagate might increase the tension in the evening semifinal. Federer looks lean though - fitter than I've seen him for a while. One year at the French I remember him being fairly hefty!
I'm expecting Djokovic to derail the Nadal revival at lunchtime but he was strangely out of sorts against Fed earlier in the week. And Nadal spent 3 hours on court yesterday - needlessly as well, he was already guaranteed group winner.
I think Djokovic will beat Nadal in straights. Djokovic has many levels to his game and it's impressive how he can respond to any increase in level across the net by just tightening everything up when he wants to. Against Federer I think he just kind of let it go and looked a bit uninterested but he was fully aware it was round robin.
Wawrinka Federer is going to be the most interesting, I remember last year where Wawrinka just wasn't hitting the targets. Federer played a clever game of high percentages on his own game allowing Stan to miss. It's a risky move as right now there is no one who can hit Stan off the court, if he loses it will be because he tries to be the aggressor and misses rather than sitting back and trying to counter attack. I think it'll go 3 sets, Federer wins the first and Stan the next two but it all depends if Stan is on. When he starts accelerating the groundstrokes and they're going in Federer doesn't have a good enough defence to withstand it so it all depends on Stan.
Wawrinka Federer is going to be the most interesting, I remember last year where Wawrinka just wasn't hitting the targets. Federer played a clever game of high percentages on his own game allowing Stan to miss. It's a risky move as right now there is no one who can hit Stan off the court, if he loses it will be because he tries to be the aggressor and misses rather than sitting back and trying to counter attack. I think it'll go 3 sets, Federer wins the first and Stan the next two but it all depends if Stan is on. When he starts accelerating the groundstrokes and they're going in Federer doesn't have a good enough defence to withstand it so it all depends on Stan.
JNW1 said:
You were right! Djokovic had his game face on today and the way he played it's hard to see either Federer or Wawrinka beating him tomorrow if he maintains that level.
If tonight's game goes long he will have a massive advantage, especially if Fed prevails. He can't recuperate as fast as he used to. Yeah definitely. If it's long/short and Fed in the final Djok will be clear favourite, he'll be relishing that matchup. If it's Stan then he might be a little more worried.
I don't want to say Djokovic is "too good", for me as a big tennis fan Djokovic is just "too effective", the way he plays doesn't see me clapping or smiling much but it sure is the way I'd like to improve my game just not what I want to be watching the pros doing.
I don't want to say Djokovic is "too good", for me as a big tennis fan Djokovic is just "too effective", the way he plays doesn't see me clapping or smiling much but it sure is the way I'd like to improve my game just not what I want to be watching the pros doing.
Just when you think Rafa is regaining some form Novak comes along and blasts him off the court.
I think Federer will win tonight - hopefully in straight so that he'll be fresh for the final. On that note, given this is the biggest ATP tournament outside of the slams they should really start a day earlier and give the players a day off before the final. And they should revert back to best of 5 finals again.
I think Federer will win tonight - hopefully in straight so that he'll be fresh for the final. On that note, given this is the biggest ATP tournament outside of the slams they should really start a day earlier and give the players a day off before the final. And they should revert back to best of 5 finals again.
Babw said:
Just watched a replay of the game from last night. Federer was excellent! Hope he can do it tonight.
As much as it pains me to say this - I'm a big fan of the way Fed plays - I can't see him winning tonight. Best of 3 gives him faint hope but in the games that matter between the two of them Djoker has been better. If he turns the screw I can only see one winner. Federer will have to serve at his very best to stand a chance. And if the crowd can upset Djoker that will help. Maybe he does have a chance after all!Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff