Weeks 35-36 - US Open main draw (men)

RJA · Hall of fame

RE: Weeks 35-36 - US Open main draw (men)

indiana · Tennis legend

I know we think it's a pain for Andy that there are greats around such as Roger and Rafa and that Novak is now in such form, but in some ways Andy is lucky that it is so clearly a "big 4" and not say a "big 5". At least he gets his own nice quarter in all the big tournaments...

...and then he meets Rafa.

RJA · Hall of fame

Of course Andy has been seeded 6,5 and 5 on the three occasions that he has reached Grand Slam finals.

philwrig · Hall of fame

RJA wrote:
philwrig wrote:
Nadal super impressive, its going to take a super human performance from Andy to get the job done.
Nadal has been great tonight but Roddick has been dire. No way that Murray will play into Nadal's hands the way Roddick has.

I didn't think Roddick was dire, just outclassed. Without doubt Andy will be a much tougher opponent, but my gut feel is Nadal in 4.

RJA · Hall of fame

Yep, as much as I would love to see Andy win I really can't see it happening. I hope I am wrong but I don't think he has ever addressed the reasons why he falls short in the very biggest matches.

indiana · Tennis legend

One combination that does seem to bring the best out of Andy in Slams is vs Nadal on hard courts.

2007 Aus Open L16 - really announced he had arrived by losing in 5 sets as a 19 yo.

2008 US Open SF - plays very well in winning in 4 sets in interrupted semi final.

2010 Aus Open QF - again plays very well in outplaying Nadal early on before Nadal retires injured in the 3rd having lost the first 2 sets

Generally against Nadal, Andy just goes out and plays with controlled agression and a seemingly uncluttered mind, although it got cluttered at Wimbledon this year after a very good start.

I think overall he has ( too ) slowly begun to address one reason he generally falls short at the highest level, being too passive, and not another long term problem ( or not been able to ), his serve, both first serve accuracy and second serve pace. He actually does exceptionally well considering how unreliable it is and how often he gets broken compared to many players, and that's many more than the rest of the top 4.

My main worry for this coming semi is the extent that Rafa has just generally been playing better than Andy going into it.

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 10th of September 2011 12:07:22 AM

S&V · Club Coach

Oh boy, here we go again!

Ratty · County player

The US Open website has a pretty good pundit called Matt Cronin. Here's his take:

Really, it's up to Murray to show that he has the goods to best Nadal at a Slam again, as the Spaniard has beaten him the last three times they faced off at majors. Certainly, the Scot's backhand is better than Nadal's is, he has a slightly bigger first serve and has a little more comfortable at the net, but he does not have his mental toughness in big points, isn't even close on the forehand side and, because he grew up as a counterpuncher, he has a hard time convincing himself to go on offense against his foe. That's where Murray usually falls apart because 10-time Grand Slam champ Nadal will take the initiative when he has the openings.

I still believe that Murray will win a Grand Slam someday and love to watch him play when he's donning his wizard's hat, but in my gut, I can sense that Nadal is ready to step on the gas again. Of Murray's four victories over Nadal in 16 attempts, I could only find one where Nodal wasn't hurt or exhausted when the Scot came away the victor -- at the 2010 Canadian Open. That's why I see Nadal getting through in five delightful sets.

indiana · Tennis legend

Hmm, although some of us thought it was great that they put the final back to Monday, I've now twice heard Andy pretty emphatically disagree.

In a BBC Radio interview, it was like well if they'ed just left it we would have played 4 days in a row and the top half would have played 3 in a row ( well actually, Andy, 2 in a row and 3 in 4 days ) and whatever the bottom half would always be at some disadavantage ( true )

Now just seen his press conference on the US Open site and at the end of the clip shown as well as again saying they should just have left it he ( wait for it ) straight facedly says they should increase the prize money substanially if they are going to make them do an extra day's work and are getting more money in in total ( he said it straight and noone laughed but at that point the clip finished so not sure disbelief )

Re his conference generally, not unusual but what awful posture and body language. Actually when he gets interested in a question he can be quite expansive and interesting, but gee, just a little more effort ( yes, he'd just played a pretty long match ) would give the press ( and hence what they communicate on ) and people who watch a better impression. I know some folk will say who cares about the press and he has had problems with some virtually setting him up before, but I just think he can be interesting, occasionally actually pretty amusing, when comfortable in interview, and it would be good for him if he could more often come across that way.

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 10th of September 2011 01:19:00 PM

RJA · Hall of fame

Yep, Andy's press conferences are simply awful. He gives the impression that he would rather be anywhere, and I do mean anywhere, other than talking to the press. I am loathed to criticise him for it because I think it is mostly down to his personality. He strikes me as a very private person and still quite shy until he gets to know people. He is also noticeably worse after playing a tiring match.

steven · Tennis legend

Having seen most of his other press conferences at this US Open, I've found them a lot better than before, but he certainly returned to his old press conference self last night - then again, he'd had a long match and he's got Rafa to play today, so it's understandable that he might have wanted to stop it getting too interesting so that he could get away fast!

RJA · Hall of fame

The one big hope I hold out for today is that Andy genuinely loves playing against Nadal and has such respect for him that he always wants to be at his best playing him. That and the fact that on a hard court I always feel that he has the game to hurt Nadal in a way that he doesn't on grass or clay.

steven · Tennis legend

Mike Dickson's take on the presser:

"Andy Murray was unusually surly with us yesterday. Reminded me of how he was in 2008 when he beat Rafa. Game head on, good sign."

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

I liek Mike's interpretation a lot. This is a tough one. To me, Murray this year has been brilliant in the big events- I used to be very nervous about him fulfilling his seeding but now I take it almost for granted that Murray will be in the quarters at the very least.

Of all the QFs, it looked on paper that Murray had the 2nd best draw after Djok, but Isner is a much tougher ask IMO than Roddick; full of confidence and on the way up rather than down and I saw a fairly Del Potro-esque player on the court. I feel Federer played the best of all the top 4 which surprised me since his form has come out of nowhere. To me, its a Federer v Nadal final but I just pray Murray will get the win. I think if making all 4 semis doesnt instill that extra belief in him nothing will and I dont see him going down without a spectacular fight.

Out of interest, do we think Murray will overthrow Federer as solid #3 soon?

-- Edited by murray_2k9 on Saturday 10th of September 2011 02:31:04 PM

RJA · Hall of fame

Federer takes the first set against Nole

Hope to see him win this one