Monte-Carlo QF: Andy vs Nikolay Davydenko

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

RE: Monte-Carlo QF: Andy vs Nikolay Davydenko

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Horrible match to watch. Don't agree with the tactics, even though they clearly worked this time; not convinced Davydenko will play so poorly on a regular basis. Might have been a different match had Murray's first serve been working. Andy's touch shots failed again and again, even his passing shots lacked quality.

I guess to beat Davydenko on the clay while not playing great is a decent achievement.

Vandenburg · Futures level

mmmm i think in the nadal match he should just take a swing.

Armchair · County player

Well I didn't "expect" Andy to win this but am thrilled he did. Rafa always a favourite on clay surely. But the good thing is to see a group of players in the top 10 who stand a chance on their favourite surface who can win on a given day.
It's sad to see Federer's light fading, but exciting to look forward to the new guard.

steven · Tennis legend

Tomorrow we will have a Brit playing in an ATP level (or above) semi on clay for only the 8th time in 30 years.

BRITISH SEMI-FINALISTS IN ATP LEVEL CLAY COURT EVENTS - 1980-2009

1) Buster Mottram - Hilversum 1980 - lost to (1) Balazs Taroczy HUN 4 & 0

2) Buster Mottram - Hilversum 1982 - beat Henrik Sundstrom SWE 2 & 2, lost to (1) Balazs Taroczy HUN in the Final in 4 sets (last player to represent GB in a clay court Final, 27 years ago)

3) Colin Dowdeswell - Palermo 1983 - lost to (1) Jose-Luis Clerc ARG 4 & 2

4) Stephen Shaw - Marbella 1985 - lost to Horacio de la Pena ARG 6-4 3-2 ret.

*) Greg Rusedski - Coral Springs 1995 - beat (8) Javier Frana ARG 6 & 4, lost to Todd Woodbridge AUS in the Final 4 & 2

5) Greg Rusedski - Bournemouth 1997 - lost to (1) Carlos Moyà ESP 2 & 2

6) Tim Henman - Monte Carlo Masters 2002 - lost to Carlos Moyà ESP, who won 6-4 5-7 6-3

7) Tim Henman - Roland Garros 2004 - lost to (3) Guillermo Coria ARG, who won 3-6 6-4 6-0 7-5

8) Andy Murray - Monte Carlo Masters 2009 - plays (1) Rafael Nadal ESP

*) No number because when he reached the Coral Springs Final, Greg was still playing for Canada, so it looks like he only turned into a muppet on red clay once he became British! I think the courts at Bournemouth are green clay.

Given who Andy will be playing, it's a little ominous that both Greg and Tim lost their first clay court SFs representing GB to a Mallorcan ... wink

-- Edited by steven on Friday 17th of April 2009 09:22:04 PM

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

^^^

Quite what Greg Rusedski and Todd Woodbridge was doing in a clay court final is another matter though - 2 serve/volleyers aren't exactly what you'd expect in a clay court final!!!

And in 2006 Greg did beat Tommy Robredo on a clay court the week before he won Hamburg...now there's a result that takes some explaining...

steven · Tennis legend

Yes, the reason for that result in Rome will forever remain a mystery and I have no idea what Rusedski & Woodbridge were doing in a clay court ATP Final either, but it says it was on clay on both ATP and ITF and Coral Springs claims to be "South Florida's only municipal RED clay tennis facility" so I'll have to believe it!

-- Edited by steven on Friday 17th of April 2009 08:49:23 PM

freerider · Futures level

atp bournemouth?!

there was an atp in brighton as well once - anyone know where abouts as i have no idea