Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

RE: Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

Andy goes two sets up 6 - 4 6 - 2 with the last game being just about the most enjoyable I've seen in a tennis match in a long time.

Such touch from both and Andy's smiling smile

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 21st of January 2012 09:43:02 AM

indiana · Tennis legend

Fun, but efficient as well most of the time.

I like a 48 winners to 11 unforced errors ratio and Andy was hitting the ball really cleanly most of the time and that was good controlled aggresion, although Llodra does kind of make you play pretty aggresively, since he is so often challenging you to make shots.

Andy's serve really good ( yes, really wink ) in the first set, which was useful, because it was when Llodra was at his best, 74% first serves in and going for it too ( 5 aces, 2 DFs ). Slight pity it then dipped to 48% and 44%, ending at 60% overall ( 7 aces, 2 DFs ). There were second serves there that a better player than Llodra will take much more advantage of.

Overall though, a fun match, but also an efficient match from Andy. Also the match itself, the spirit that it was played in and indeed his post match interview will have done his PR no harm, certainly in Australia.

Like Madeline said, ruthless Andy, hit it at Llodra and then err hug him. Did like the Glasgow Kiss ( err headbutt ) that Llodra mimed in reply smile

Anyway, for the third match in row, R4 will not bring the expected opponent, and still not a seed to play.

Two rounds of Frenchmen turning up rather unexpectedly and then when you assume one's coming he fails to keep the appointment. May this trend continue smile Anyway, not like GEMs to be unpredictable. Though, to be fair, I was ready for more carnage then there's been today with 6 of the 8 men's matches involving Frenchmen.

So, it is Mikhail Kukushkin again, the guy who Andy spent an inordinate time on court against in Brisbane R1, shaking off some rust and getting his creaky limbs in working order again. Well, Andy's sure looking better now, and although Kukushkin must be playing well, it's a draw to like before Nishikori in the QFs wink

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 21st of January 2012 10:59:03 AM

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

They seem to have taken Ratty's "support act" comment to heart!

Armchair · County player

The second set was one of the most entertaining I've watched in an age.Well done both men.

RJA · Hall of fame

Well I don't think we can have any complaints about that, especially since Kukushkin has been kind enough to bear Monfils.

Andy obviously very relaxed, joking about going out and getting hammered tonight.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Well that was a fun match to watch, and nice to see such good spirit between the two of them. I see Lendl has taught Andy the "hitting the ball straight at the player" tactic, but Andy isn't yet ruthless enough to do it really hard. I doubt if Ivan ever hugged his opponent afterwards either!

gjr · Club Coach

Just got back from the match. Was really fun. Andy never looked in trouble.

For the record I bought my ticket yesterday afternoon after the schedule came out. They hold quite a few back. Looked like a full house tonight.

Don't think I'll on Monday because I think Andy will win comfortably.

Might try and get to the QF.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Ratty wrote:
[...] But it looks like Djoko will barely need to break sweat to win his first 3 matches, so let's hope that Raonic - if he gets there - catches him slightly cold ...

Yes, of course I know that any top 100 ATP can beat any other on the day...

GO MILOS!!! (but not too far...)

And he's gone, beaten by the "Aussie Scrapper" by 6-4 3-6 6-7(5) 3-6! disbelief

steven · Tennis legend

Ah, I'd forgotten they split them - what a pain, especially when the top half semi is the later one.

-- Edited by steven on Saturday 21st of January 2012 10:20:21 PM

Ratty · County player

Yup, and I'm afraid that poor Rusty is going to get a fearsome battering from Djokovic ....

Am I the only one who thinks that Andy has a better chance of beating Djokovic in the semi rather than the final?

RJA · Hall of fame

Ratty wrote:
Am I the only one who thinks that Andy has a better chance of beating Djokovic in the semi rather than the final?

Completely agree.

Jan · Hall of fame

Ratty wrote:
Am I the only one who thinks that Andy has a better chance of beating Djokovic in the semi rather than the final?

I actually thought that when the draw came out, but wasn't confident enought to post it. Glad others think the same!

Still enjoying re-runs of this morning in my head! Was a real pleasure to watch!

steven · Tennis legend

Ratty wrote:
Am I the only one who thinks that Andy has a better chance of beating Djokovic in the semi rather than the final?

Yes - that as the day match and Fed/Rafa fighting to the near-death at, say, 4 am Oz time, in the other semi (with Fed winning in that case, since Rafa would probably just recover anyway!) would do nicely! wink

RJA · Hall of fame

steven wrote:
Ratty wrote:
Am I the only one who thinks that Andy has a better chance of beating Djokovic in the semi rather than the final?
Yes - that as the day match and Fed/Rafa fighting to the near-death at, say, 4 am Oz time, in the other semi (with Fed winning in that case, since Rafa would probably just recover anyway!) would do nicely!

Sadly not possible. The Fed/Rafa semi (or who ever makes it) will be Thursady night and the Muzz/Nole semi (or who ever makes it) will be Friday night.