Weeks 3/4 - Australian Open - R3: Andy vs Florent Serra (FRA)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Weeks 3/4 - Australian Open - R3: Andy vs Florent Serra (FRA)

Miriambee · Futures level

It's 1.40am in Australia, and they're still playing the 5 set, 3-2 to Tomic, going with serve!

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

^^^^^

And finished at 02.10 after 3 hours & 48 minutes! biggrin

Oh, & Cilic eventually won 6-7(6) 6-3 4-6 6-2 6-4! disbelief

The big boys are clearly going to have to watch out for the young Aussie in the not-too-distant future!

indiana · Tennis legend

Was bit of a mixture from what I saw. Tomic played really well but Cilic played an awful lot of really sloppy shots from nowhere at times, especially on the forehand. Although he maybe spent nearly 5 sets lulling Tomic into a false sense of security on that wing before ripping 2 or 3 on the last two games smile

That match, although in Andy's half on the draw is actually in the Del Potro / Roddick quarter ( Delpo could potentially meet Cilic in last 16 ), but still good to see both Delpo and Cilic getting rather extended workouts today.

philwrig · Hall of fame

All Tomic does is get the ball back into court and waits for his opponent to make a mistake.
Who does that remind me of ?

indiana · Tennis legend

Well, it's most certainly not all a certain someone does, but it is all he seems to do when he does his occasional switch to muppet mode.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

philwrig wrote:

All Tomic does is get the ball back into court and waits for his opponent to make a mistake.
Who does that remind me of ?

Gets the ball back into court into places where the opponent really doesn't want it and waits for his opponent to make a mistake.

Yes, by all reports Tomic is a bit of an obnoxious brat but I can see myself becoming a bit of a fan. His way of playing does remind me a bit of Andy, with good anticipation and plenty of variety.

Anyway, back on topic - I can't see Serra giving Andy much trouble, but then I have thought that in the past about other players. . .

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Tomic did remind me a bit of Murray from a few years ago and once he matures a bit and cuts out the meltdowns that he was having, he is going to be a very good player, although he may need a bit more work on his serve given the lack of free points he seemed to get off it.

This is only the second time that Serra has reached the 3rd round of a Slam and doesn't often beat higher ranked player it seems, so I wouldn't be concerned too much about this match and would be surprised if Murray dropped a set.

indiana · Tennis legend

I think what Madeline and I were pointing out is that Andy is ( and indeed always has been from when I first saw him ) a very instinctive and creative player. So most of the time he is doing a hell of a lot more than just getting the ball back, but using real variety in spin and placement for instance.

Although, I accept, as I indicated, that he does at times go over-passive ( something which I read recently annoys him that people say that, but I think most of us recognise it when it's happening ).

From what I saw Tomic was far from displaying that extra ability, but it was still a very good performance and bodes well for his future.

It was commented on that he didn't really show the personailty as yet to engage the Aussie crowds ( who are not that hard to engage smile

) which is something Andy at times has shared re British crowds.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Andy without doubt has much more variety and is capable of much more aggressive tennis but Tomic reminded me so much of Andy when he emerged on the scene in 2005.

indiana · Tennis legend

I'd still suggest Andy was doing some things already in 2005 re changes in lengths, drops, lobs etc that Tomic wouldn't even contemplate.

But, yes, there are some similarities.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 20th of January 2010 06:05:08 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

I think what I am also trying to say is that they are both trying to get their opponent to beat himself.

gjr · Club Coach

Andy's 3rd on Hisense.

Should be on about 3:00-3:30am England time.

I should have no trouble getting a ticket for this but getting out of work so early maybe an issue.

-- Edited by gjr on Thursday 21st of January 2010 06:57:29 AM

gjr · Club Coach

Going to be a real hot one tomorrow.

Max 36.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Andy takes the first set 7-5 but it's been ugly so far, twice up a break, got very careless with 5 bps at 3-0, unwilling to take on anything despite several 2nd serves, then a couple of poor volleys contributed towards gifting Serra the break for 3-2, broke again only to concede his serve when serving for the set. Unimpressive stuff I'm afraid. Poor game from Serra hands Murray the set.

Comfortable holds early in 2nd set. First serve percentage unimpressive at 51% so far. Excellent play to break for 3-1, wonderful backhand passing shot on the run close to the net and then forehand crosscourt into the open space before Serra fires long on break point.

Serra controlling a few too many of the points which is a worrying sign for later in the tournament. Murray will need to raise his level significantly if he is to go deep. More break points wasted at 4-1 but it takes an inspired backhand lob to finally get the break. Far more impressive 2nd set finishes 6-1. A few weak points but some high quality tennis too.

Crisp backhand volley to get the early break in the third set. Still leaving backhands midcourt during rallies though Serra isn't good enough to punish them every time. A lot of backhand passing shots in the last few games, some that Serra is reading, others that fly past him for a winner. Serra waits for the trainer after diving to volley another Murray backhand pass, injuring his elbow in the process. Can't imagine the match lasting much longer now. When they resume Andy immediately blasts a forehand return winner for a 3-0 lead then loses his own serve for 3-1. Super winner down the line around the net as the match drifts towards a conclusion. Clever sliced backhand drop shot to finish. 7-5 6-1 6-4.

Overall not sure how relevant this display is. Familiar failings such as the low first serve percentage and at times passive play. But also plenty of Murray magic and a few positive signs with some more aggressive 2nd serves and decent forehands crosscourt.

-- Edited by kundalini on Friday 22nd of January 2010 06:53:21 AM