The Tennis thread

[allouso]

There was an air of inevitability about this all along, but a great effort from Djokovic nonetheless. He bores me, but i really admire his ability to dig in and bring out his best tennis when it matters the most.

For Federer, it's another lost chance to further emphasize his status as the GOAT, but he had plenty of chances today and just couldn't make the best of them like Djokovic did. That was very similar to plenty of his matches vs Nadal, he never manages to take advantage of a huge momentum switch, and you really can't afford to do that against those top dogs.

Where does that leave him? Don't see him winning another slam really, not with Djokovic around.

 

[Master D]

Too good, the guy is a human wall. Djokovic's depth of shot and relentless consistency is frightening, makes you wonder how on earth Murray straight setted him here. Shame for Federer, he seemed to really run out of steam. He had his chances, but Djokovic was just better in the big moments, he always came up with a massive serve when it mattered.

 

[allouso]

I always think it's Federer's inability to properly attack a second serve that stopped him from winning more slams. He's a great returner but unless he's running around the forehand on second serves, he usually just chips it back with his backhand and let the other guy back in.

He gets away with it against guys with average general play, and that's why he always manhandles huge servers, but not against Djokovic (Or Nadal in the past). I've only seen him properly attack Murray's second serve, but that's more down to the Scot's really weak efforts.

 

[Master D]

I think his backhand breaks down too much against the top players, he makes so many unforced errors off it. Nadal's moonballing to the Federer backhand side worked for him for years.

 

[Super_horns]

Djokovic knew how to play Federer's stength and dominated after the rain break.

Showed why he is number one.

 

[SALTIRE]

He bores me, but i really admire his ability to dig in and bring out his best tennis when it matters the most.

Really beginning to feel that way about him myself now. Have always like Djokovic, but he plays too defensively until he has to and then he can excite. Murray is similar, but he goes for his shots more or tries different things during rallies. Shame Federer couldn't do it, pity he couldn't have played like that in the semi-final! Murray would have gave Djokovic a better game too I feel. Oh well, wasn't to be for any of them (nor Jamie the other day either the dafty!).

Davis Cup next, lets see how the Brits do versus France!

 

[Super_horns]

Will we play James Ward and then the Murray's for the doubles?

Hingins won 2 titles whilst Lewis Hamilton got kicked out for abusing the dress code!

 

[allouso]

I think his backhand breaks down too much against the top players, he makes so many unforced errors off it. Nadal's moonballing to the Federer backhand side worked for him for years.

This, it's inexplicable. I understand that it was difficult to handle Nadal's ridiculous spin on his forehand, but a common factor when Federer loses is his backhand breaking down. Whether it's against Djokovic or Seppi.

I would feel slightly bad for him but it's been like that for a decade. It's a shame because it's a great shot, but he somehow loses all confidence and starts mishitting it all over the place when he's in a tight spot.

 

[Leewilson]

So France's squad for the Davis Cup tie starting on Friday is:

Tsonga
Simon
Gasquet
Mahut

Must say, I'm a little surprised with that. I expected Mahut for the doubles but I was also expecting Hughes-Herbert, Benneteau or Roger-Vasselin to be there instead of one of the singles players.

Not sure who they'll go actually for the two singles rubbers. Normally you'd say Tsonga but the other two fared better at Wimbledon. Simon did well at Queens also.

Either way, I think Murray wins both his matches, as well as Ward has done in the past, I can't see him winning a singles rubber this time unless Gasquet has a collapse. It's down to the doubles for me. Surely we'll see a Murray/Murray combination. I hope so anyway as I have tickets for Saturday.

 

[Master D]

It's gonna be very close, Simon and Gasquet were both in stunning form on the grass and Tsonga is a great grass courter. Think we might lose out here.

 

[Leewilson]

To be honest, I'd fancy Murray every time against Simon as he just has so much more to his game. Whilst I don't think Gasquet can mentally beat Murray over 5 sets. The French have to play Tsonga really as he has the ability to hit a different gear to the other two and potentially cause an upset against Murray.

 

[Super_horns]

James Ward 2-0 down.

 

[The Iron]

Very poor from James Ward today. Simon wasn't anywhere near his best, but ward made lots of unforced errors and in the end Simon didn't need to play that well to win the game. Hopefully Murray will beat Tsonga.

 

[Super_horns]

Hope Murray wins his 2 games then pray we can get the better of a strong double sides.

 

[The Iron]

I knew Andy wouldn't let us down. An excellent performance against a dangerous player in Tsonga. It sets things up nicely for the weekend now.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

I do hope Smith will change his mind and play the Murray brothers together tomorrow.

 

[Leewilson]

It's all on the doubles as thought. I have no doubt Murray will beat Simon or Gasquet (unless external circumstances like injury play a part).

I'll be there tomorrow for effectively the decider. Excited. I do hope Andy Murray plays though. You play your big game players in big matches.

 

[DarkSithLord]

1-1 after day one then! Two good matches too

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

It's all on the doubles as thought. I have no doubt Murray will beat Simon or Gasquet (unless external circumstances like injury play a part).

I'll be there tomorrow for effectively the decider. Excited. I do hope Andy Murray plays though. You play your big game players in big matches.

Great atmosphere today, I'm very jealous Lee, hopefully a GB doubles victory for you to cheer.

 

[Super_horns]

Meanwhille down under the Aussies are 2 behind against Kazakhstan.

Clearly the off court issues have affected the home side on the court too.

 

[The Iron]

Peter Fleming is one of the most boring commentators ever.

After losing the first set, Jamie and Andy are in control of the second and playing very well now.

Come on GB!!

 

[Master D]

Amazing atmosphere as GB take a 2-1 lead. Passion shown by Andy is off the charts right now.

 

[Super_horns]

Andy did take a nasty fall but seems to be ok.

Playing very well now.

EDIT: Broken in the 4th as well.

 

[Master D]

What a match that was, truly memorable.

 

[Leewilson]

That was one of the best sporting events I have ever been to. The crowd were insane. I was sat amongst the big French portion but there were still a fair few Brits up there and we had a laugh the entire match. The match itself was also immense. Jamie Murray played one of the best matches I ever seen from him whilst Andy started slowly but was superb as well by the end. We all took a big gasp when Murray when down but thankfully he was alright. Tiebreaks are far more nervewracking when you are at the event. I was watching through my fingers.

I'm still buzzing now. Hopefully Murray finishes the job against Simon/Gasquet tomorrow.

Hope these facebook links work, a vid or two I took.

https://www.facebook.com/leewilsondrfc/videos/vb.564729551/10154086831644552/?type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/leewilsond...64552/?type=2&theater&notif_t=video_processed

 

[Super_horns]

Aussies won the doubles so now 2-1 down (we'd be at home to them or toss of the coin to decide the Kazakhstan venue)

Belgium (home) v Argentina in the other semi - guess you'd fancy Belgium unless its play on clay...

 

[SALTIRE]

Peter Fleming is one of the most boring commentators ever.

Indeed, dunno why Sky or the Beeb hire him, he contributes nothing and just sits there like a Yank mannequin. He's as boring as the Scots guy who does everything on the Beeb these days, just so insipid.

Anyway, caught the tail end of the Murrays match and they were very good in that third set. Hopefully Andy can put it to bed in the first match today so we don't have to rely on Ward.

 

[Leewilson]

The Aussies came back to win 3-2 last night so providing Murray does the business today, we'll be facing them at home in September. Beautiful. Please don't lose Murray, I was gutted after the Fognini defeat, let alone this.

 

[The Iron]

Murray needs to wake up quick, but at the moment his Tennis is pretty awful to say the least. A set and a break down to an opponent who is nowhere near 100%

 

[Dazza]

Murray looks shattered.Maybe it was not the best idea of him playing in the doubles yesterday.Simon is playing very well though.