TMS Madrid Round 3 : Murray v Nadal

wolf · Tennis legend

TMS Madrid Round 3 : Murray v Nadal

aria81 · Club Coach

Disappointed for Andy, he played so well and he really deserved at least a third set out of it. Amazing match though - Andy vs Rafa might become my favourite tennis match-up if all their matches are going to be as good as this and the AO one.

Some of the shots in the match by both players were just brilliant - they both left eveything on court and but for one or two points here or there, the outcome could have been completely different. I can't even say Andy did a whole lot wrong - he maybe missed a couple of backhands down the line at BP in the second that normally he would hit, and his first serve deserted him for most of the second set, but still - he couldn't have done a whole lot more. He was attacking, he moved well, the forehand was firing, he was constructing his points brilliantly and he even, on occassion, was forcing Rafa back with the power he was generating off the ground.

Great match, both players deserve credit for it. If only all tennis matches were as high quality as that one.

british4529 · Newbie

Anyone knows where can i watch the whole match from?

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Interestingly, it looks as though all Andy did last night was soften up Rafa for Nalbandian to waltz in & claim the prize of a SF place!

He thrashed Rafa 1 & 2 this afternoon! cry

Djoko's got to see him off tomorrow...

Spectator · All-time great

Worth noting in this respect a comment that Nadal made before his match with Murray: Univision quoted him as saying "Del partido contra Murray en Melburne saqué dos experiencias. Una buena porque le gané y otra mala porque me mató, ya que después no pude continuar" which I believe translates roughly as "I took two experiences away from the match against Murray in Melbourne: one good, because I beat him, and the other bad, because he killed me, since after that I wasn't able to continue."

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:

Worth noting in this respect a comment that Nadal made before his match with Murray: Univision quoted him as saying "Del partido contra Murray en Melburne saqué dos experiencias. Una buena porque le gané y otra mala porque me mató, ya que después no pude continuar" which I believe translates roughly as "I took two experiences away from the match against Murray in Melbourne: one good, because I beat him, and the other bad, because he killed me, since after that I wasn't able to continue."

I wouldn't argue with the translation... wink

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Why can't Nadal crumble against Murray instead of Nalby?

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Because nobody tires him out beforehand

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Has he got a girlfriend? getting coat now....

Sheddie · administrator

hahaha...he has (a subject which has caused great grief among latin-loving female adolescents worldwide).....but she's back in his hometown of Manacor and as far as I know...she doesnt travel with him....I imagine they make up for things in the off season *ahem*

Andy's post match assessment:

"I just didnt serve as well after the first four or five service games, maybe hit a few more unforced errors, in the other matches I took my chances better. Had a lot of chances tonight but didnt convert them: thats something Ive got to learn from. When you play against the best players - the top four or five - you have to learn how to put them under pressure. To be fair to him, he served very well on the break points, but normally the return is the best part of my game so Id have liked to do something about that.

Its not that simple (as playing purely aggressive tennis). A lot of people ask why does Federer play like that, why does he stay on the baseline. Until you actually get on the court you dont understand how difficult it is dealing with balls that are up around your neck with a lot of topspin. Like, at four all for me, I played really aggressive and he comes up with an unbelievable running forehand down the line. He hits some great backhand passes on the big points.. Its easy to say play aggressive, but I would also say he plays his best tennis when hes running, and hes a great shot maker. Youve just got to get the balance. I think I was close to getting that tonight, and next time I hope Ill be even closer.