gunna miss the first hr 15. got a class.

Hi. Remember me, Mrs. Pessimism?

I actually think Andy has a darn good chance here. He put up a good show in Bangkok in 2005, when Fed was at the top of his powers and Andy was a gangly youth in the first few months of his career. He beat Roger in Cinci 2006, when Roger was on a long streak of something or other - my memory! - and so surprised everybody that many said Fed had tanked the match. Yeah, that's why the normally so unflappable Federer actually got a code violation when he slammed the ball into the stands in temper! No, he didn't want to win that match, obvious innit?

Then he beat Roger again this year in Dubai. Ok, Fed was not playing at his best in that match. Funny how often players are not playing at their best when Andy plays them. Big coincidence.

We on here know Andy has the game to beat Federer. If he doesn't manage to do it tonight, with understandable first-Grand-Slam Final nerves and so much less time to prepare than his opponent, well so be it. I always said he had the potential to win a Slam and if he doesn't do it tonight, then I'm sure he will soon.

Signed, for now at least, Mrs. Optimism.

P.S. and that is coming from somebody whose favourite before Andy was Federer, and whose second favourite is still Federer.

-- Edited by Madeline at 10:13, 2008-09-08

I'm with Madeline on this one (though to be fair I could never be called mrs pessimism).

Fed's answer to the "who would you rather play" question after his semi was Rafa (becuase of the great match at Wimbledon - which he lost - and other good matches etc). Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but that seems to suggest even Fed thinks Andy has a better chance of beating him, how often to players want to play the tougher opponent?

OK- just paid Sky £15 to watch this (and the Ryder Cup as well so good value actually)

Don't let me down Andy

Seems a long time ago he was 2 sets down to Melzer!!

Not sure who will win this one. Fed will be going all out to grab the final slam of the year, but you never know. Andy seems to be on a mission that suggests playing great and still losing is not an option.

So want it to be Andy. My nerves are on edge just from the semi but i'm gonna plump for Andy in four sets and the long wait will be over.

KEEP THOSE FINGERS CROSSED FOLKS.

The Hoose wrote:

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The million dollar question is how does Andy approach this one? Does he go out all guns blazing, as against Rafa, or does he go for passive Andy, which did for Roger last time out (and drew those criticisms).

I think - and hope - we'll see a bit of both. Much more Passive Andy than against Nadal, but with a much bigger sprinkling of surprise, aggressive tactics than we've seen in the past.

Either way, I think it will be his serving that decides whether Murray has a chance.

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I agree, and I don't think there's anything wrong with passive Andy in a match like this as long as it's mixed up with aggressive Andy, and the passive stuff isn't of the Mandy the moonball muppet variety.

Andy masters a greater range of playing styles than anyone other than Federer (perhaps even more than Federer, actually) - making the best use of all of them at the right times is what counts.