Madrid Masters QF: Murray v Monfils

wolf · Tennis legend

RE: Madrid Masters QF: Murray v Monfils

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Murray to serve - 5-1

15-0 - Monfils's return looked to be excellent, but called out by the umpire, which it was
15-15 - short 2nd serve and Monfils hits a fh return winner
30-15 - passing shot from Murray wasn't that good, but the volley is so poor Murray has an unmissable fh
30-30 - Murray just goes wide with a fh
30-40 - careless dropshot from Murray is netted
Game Monfils - good return, and Murray puts a forehand way out

Murray leads 5-2

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Monfils to serve - 2-5

0-15 - Monfils gets to the net, but is passed by Murray again
15-15 - great bh from Monfils hits the line and Murray can do nothing with it
15-30 - good bh return and the bh from Monfils leaning back is long
30-30 - Murray lines up a big fh but it goes wide
40-30 - good s/v from Monfils and Murray misses the bh pass
Deuce - another s/v and the volley looks good, but Murray gets to it and guides a fh pass dtl
Adv Murray - great defensive lob from Monfils gets him back into the point, but a fh dropshot from Murray is good and Monfils can only net a bh
GSM Murray - DF

Murray wins 6-2, 6-2

The Hoose · Satellite level

Great commentary, FD. Impressive stuff from Murray - he looks the part as world #4.

Mikeduke · County player

That seems like a very comprehensive win. biggrin

Was he holding his knee much FD?

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Well that was a bit too easy, wasn't it?

After the confusing opening game where I wasn't quite sure what Murray was up to until the lapse in concentration when serving for the match, it was practically a perfect performance from Murray, as there wasn't really anything wrong with his game, and Monfils just looking completely confused out there and that contributed to his poor performance making a lot of unforced errors, and often they were so far out it was unbelievable.

Excellent performance by Murray though, and he seems to have entrenched himself in the top 4 now, as is definately playing like a top player.

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Mikeduke wrote:

That seems like a very comprehensive win.

Was he holding his knee much FD?

Didn't see him do it once smile

(which makes me think it may be a bit of a smokescreen as to how bad the knee injury really is if it only effects him when he's losing matches, although that could just be coincidence)

angry1 · Lower Club Player

It's been widely reported that his knee is a chronic congenital defect which bothers him more when he switches surfaces and he reckons the court was very different for his 2nd match. I think it's obvious that any pain is magnified if you're generally unhappy,as he is when playing poorly even if winning.

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

angry1 wrote:

It's been widely reported that his knee is a chronic congenital defect which bothers him more when he switches surfaces and he reckons the court was very different for his 2nd match. I think it's obvious that any pain is magnified if you're generally unhappy,as he is when playing poorly even if winning.

I suppose that's a good point, as the Cilic match was played on the other court which I guess may be slightly different in how it plays.

I didn't see the Cilic match and so don't really know how badly the knee was affecting so can't really comment on it

The Hoose · Satellite level

I didn't notice any grimaces today, while there were several in the Cilic match. It didn't seem to affect his performance in either match.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

murray grimaces a lot on court tho. i think its his natural facial experssion

so maybe Fed in the semi good chnace for some payback.

-- Edited by Count Zero at 14:54, 2008-10-17

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

The variation was quite fascinating to watch in that match. Monfils is a good player but a touch predictable, so Andy could sense where shots were going to go and negate much of the threat. Murray keeps mixing it up and ultimately, it unsettled Gael.

For all his brilliance, and there was plenty of that on show today, Andy still hasn't mastered the art of holding serve. If he ever figures that out, he might do ok.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

ForeverDelayed wrote:

I'm in shock, because Sam Smith is actually talking some sense (I think she's the one doing the commentary on Sky anyway)

That was weird. She correctly called the match after about 3 games, which seemed a reckless prediction at the time, but turned out to be a near perfect description of how it would go.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

YES!

Great news to come home to!

Mikeduke · County player

Fed is a set and a break up, so looks like the rematch is on!

In fact just as I was posting Fed wins 6-3 6-3

-- Edited by Mikeduke at 16:37, 2008-10-17