The Tennis thread

[The Iron]

A bad way to finish the game on a double fault, but Djokovic deserved to win the match.

 

[SALTIRE]

Yeah he wasn't even at his best today but from the off he was always going to win it. Some player.

 

[Super_horns]

Good news for Murray is that he stays 2nd in the world going in 2016.

 

[Munkiki]

Djokovic is a machine. Just ruthlessly efficient whether he's at his best or not. Utterly ridiculous.

Federer needs to retire. I'm finding it really hard to truly appreciate how brilliant Djokovic is because while his winning means Federer is losing, I just resent him and can't get behind him.

But as said previously, there is absolutely no chance Djokovic doesn't end his career as the goat. No-one is coming close to challenging him.

 

[Master D]

Won 3 GS titles, only denied a clean sweep because of an inspired Wawrinka at RG. Won 6 Masters events and lost in the final of the other 2 he entered and now the World Tour Finals. Ridiculous year from him, won more than in his awesome 2011 but his competition was better then.

 

[Master D]

Djokovic is a machine. Just ruthlessly efficient whether he's at his best or not. Utterly ridiculous.

Federer needs to retire. I'm finding it really hard to truly appreciate how brilliant Djokovic is because while his winning means Federer is losing, I just resent him and can't get behind him.

But as said previously, there is absolutely no chance Djokovic doesn't end his career as the goat. No-one is coming close to challenging him.

It looked like Fed should retire at end of 2013, he looked shot after losing in the US to Robredo. Then he suddenly came back firing so there's no chance he is retiring any time soon, he's still immense and is still reaching major finals only to be denied by the ridiculous Djokovic every time. I can definitely now see Djokovic overtaking Fed's 17 Slams. He's on 10 now and can see him winning at least 2 every year for the next 4 years for starters.

 

[Munkiki]

When I say he needs to retire, I mean for my sake rather than because he's past it. Even now he's still one of the best players in the world - the rankings say third best but only Djokovic is consistently better. He's shown he can still beat Djokovic - of 14 losses over the last two years, 6 have been to Federer (Wawrinka 2 is the only other player with more than one win) - but just not when it really matters (ie here and in Grand Slam finals).

 

[allouso]

It looked like Fed should retire at end of 2013, he looked shot after losing in the US to Robredo. Then he suddenly came back firing so there's no chance he is retiring any time soon, he's still immense and is still reaching major finals only to be denied by the ridiculous Djokovic every time. I can definitely now see Djokovic overtaking Fed's 17 Slams. He's on 10 now and can see him winning at least 2 every year for the next 4 years for starters.

Always difficult to predict future grand slam wins, most of us thought Rafa would butcher Fed's 17 slams a couple of years ago and now it looks like he's not going to win any other one.

But to be honest, barring injuries I really don't see who's going to stop Djokovic. Federer is still great but he can't handle the Serb over 5 sets, Rafa might have another decent go at the French but I don't see him doing more than that. Murray has been such a big disappointment, it really looked like he was becoming better than Djokovic a couple of years ago but he just kept going downhill; i think he's lost his last 7 matches against Djoker and 5 against Fed, absolutely terrible. And the less said about the new generation the better.

He's already got 26 Masters 1000, only one less than Rafa the record holder and we know he will beat that.He's won 5 World Tour finals, to put that into perspective, Federer has 6 throughout his career, Nadal has ZERO.

It's strange that he doesn't seem to be getting as much recognition as Roger or Rafa, maybe it's because they are a bit more likable, but at the rate he's going he'll be the GOAT in no time.

 

[allouso]

Won 3 GS titles, only denied a clean sweep because of an inspired Wawrinka at RG. Won 6 Masters events and lost in the final of the other 2 he entered and now the World Tour Finals. Ridiculous year from him, won more than in his awesome 2011 but his competition was better then.

Yep i think he was more impressive in 2011, the competition was much better then with Rafa in particular. As much as I love Fed we all knew he wouldn't be able to beat Djoker over 5 sets.

 

[Super_horns]

Kyle Edmund is the other singles players selected and will start the tie off against David Goffin.

Tough one for him but in form on clay.

 

[SALTIRE]

Yep thought it would be Edmund. Good and brave call by Smith, let's hope they all play a blinder!

 

[Leewilson]

Think Smith has made the right choices. Ward in the squad is a sensible move but hopefully he won't be needed.

If we're being realistic, barring injury, Murray will beat Bemelmans so it'll likely end 1-1 on day 1. I sense another match defining doubles. You'd really have to fancy the Brits in that.

I'd like to say that this should actually be a relatively routine win but you never know in finals I suppose.

 

[The Iron]

What an excellent start to the first set from Edmund. He's pulling off some great shots and has taken a 3-0 lead. Come on GB!!

 

[Munkiki]

Cracking start. goes from 40-15 down to get the double break

and holds to love to make it 5-0. sensational stuff.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Edmund is playing INSANE so far!!!

 

[Munkiki]

Goffin's woken up. 5-3, comeback on?

 

[SALTIRE]

Superb from Kyle there, great start!

 

[The Iron]

Brilliant again from Edmund and he breaks early in the second set.

 

[Munkiki]

stunning performance. was really not expecting this.

 

[Master D]

The girl standing behind Edmund..

 

[SALTIRE]

Just wow!

 

[Munkiki]

Goffin's got this now. A shame, was a great effort from Edmund.

 

[Master D]

Let them have that first one, they ain't winning this.

A great effort but Edmund went to pieces unfortunately but it's a good overall experience for him and he's still taken 5 sets out of Goffin's tank which will come in handy. With 2 Murray singles matches and the doubles this should still be in the bag with a rubber to spare.

 

[SALTIRE]

Shame about that but Edmund did very well for his first ever rubber. Come on Andy, pummel them!

 

[SALTIRE]

Andy playing lovely and torturing the poor lad here. Set and a break up.

 

[Super_horns]

Shame for Edmund to lose out but encouraging for the other tie he has and the future.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Bit of a wobble from Murray but looks like he's going to wrap it up now.

 

[SALTIRE]

And he did to tie it up at 1 - 1. The doubles tomorrow is the most important match, here's hoping they can do it!

 

[Super_horns]

Belgium made a change for their doubles team with Goffin and Darcis selected.

Brought in their best two singles players - no doubt worried about the Murray effect.

 

[The Iron]

GB take a 2-1 set lead in the doubles. A very enjoyable match so far and hopefully the Murrays can get the job done very soon.