Madrid Masters SF: Murray v Federer

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Madrid Masters SF: Murray v Federer

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Should be an excellet match if both men keep playing at the level they've been at so far, especially compared to the walkover in the second semi final, as there is no way that Simon is going to beat Nadal.

Would favour Federer to win this, but probably coming through a close 3-setter - what Murray cannot afford are any of the lapses like he has had in the last couple of matches when serving for a set, because he won't get away with it against Federer

Drew · Oct 18, 2008

Nice quote from Fed...

"I'll have my hands full with Murray," admitted Federer, "he's a great tactician."

Neil Harman also makes a good point...

"He (Murray) knows that he will have to play better today than he did against Federer in New York, but beating Monfils in just over an hour is a world removed from having to play Rafael Nadal across two days on two different courts, beat him for the first time and have a touch more than 24 hours to prepare to face the four-times defending champion. "

Andy has to win as many cheap pts on serve as possible. 60% first serve % is a must over the match. If he can do that and get inside Feds head then Andy can win.

Head says Fed...heart says Andy in 3.

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Please would someone provide commentary for the skyless amongst us!!

Also, a slightly depressingbut nonetheless interesting (to me) stat about Andy but he has never beaten a player ranked number 2 in the world. Nadal and Fed had switched rankings by the time of the US open antics.

As for score, I'm going to completely ignore my head and go for Andy in two sets, one close, one comfortable.

-- Edited by imoen at 11:38, 2008-10-18

Drew · Oct 18, 2008

I am in and watching and will have the laptop at the ready.

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Thanks Drew

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Here we go....

Federer to serve - 0-0

0-15 - DF (nice start to have)
15-15 - fh return into the net
30-15 - fh return into the net
30-30 - short return, but Fed puts the easy fh long
40-30 - bh return is just long
Game Federer - Ace

Federer leads 1-0

mkkreuk · Admin:Moderator + ATP qualifying

2 aces from andy already as he comfortably holds to 15.

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Murray to serve - 0-1

0-15 - fh return hits the line
15-15 - Ace
30-15 - Ace
40-15 - fh return drifts wide
Game Murray - bh sliced return is wide

1-1

-- Edited by ForeverDelayed at 12:49, 2008-10-18

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Federer to serve - 1-1

15-0 - Murray bh tamely drops into the net
30-0 - good serve, and Fed easily puts the fh away
40-0 - good bh return, but Fed hits a huge fh dtl for a winner
40-15 - nice slice from Murray and Fed puts the fh long
Game Federer - first rally of the match ends with Murray putting a lob long after Fed gets to the net

Federer leads 2-1

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Murray to serve - 1-2

15-0 - short 2nd serve but Fed overhits the fh long
15-15 - good fh approach from Fed and Murray drags the bh pass wide
30-15 - Ace
40-15 - unreturnable serve
Game Murray - good defence from Murray after a Fed bh dtl, and Fed goes long with a fh

2-2

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Federer to serve - 2-2

15-0 - Fed approaches with the bh and puts a bh smash away
30-0 - Fed sneaks into the net and Murray misses the bh pass
40-0 - Ace
40-15 - great bh return is a clean winner
Game Federer - Murray nets the fh in the rally

Federer leads 3-2

timmoore46 · Admin:moderator + Club Coach

Deuce on Andys serve

timmoore46 · Admin:moderator + Club Coach

Adv Fed

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Murray to serve - 2-3

15-0 - Fed goes wide with a bh
15-15 - Fed gets to a dropshot and even though the smash isn't great, Murray misses the fh pass
30-15 - short 2nd serve, but Fed drags the return down into the net
30-30 - DF
30-40 - big hitting from Fed and a fh is too much for Murray who goes long
Deuce - it looked like Fed's point after some big fh's, but a sliced bh from Murray is good and Fed nets his bh
Adv Federer - great bh crosscourt is too good, set up with a lovely slice down the line
Game Federer - decent return, but Murray goes long with a fh

Federer leads 4-2