Week 32 - ATP Masters Series Toronto - Hard

RJA · Hall of fame

RE: Week 32 - ATP Masters Series Toronto - Hard

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

RJA wrote:
First set in the bag 6-1

Good as could be expected in the circumstances.

He's playing great, level looks much like it was in the early Olympic rounds.

Worst thing about the performance is the clash between his blue cap and white/red shirt (perhaps GB reference). Also, the crowd really seem to like him.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Two of the seeds involved in the latter stages of the Olympic tournament at Wimbledon have already gone: JMDP (6) beaten by "Ugly Mug" by 4-6 6-7(5) & JWT (3) by Chardy by 4-6 6-7(4), while Granollers did for Mayer (15) by 3 & 4... disbelief

RJA · Hall of fame

Slightly tricky second set but he takes it 6-3

A bit sloppy at times but overall more than good enough.

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Good routine victory, slightly tired towards the end of the second, and did call the trainer out for thigh massage, but he didn't look overly concerned about it.

Raonic in the next round, at home, might be a completely different prospect though.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

The problem was his knee, he said. The usual bipartite patella problem I suppose, and massaging just above it might ease the pain. So, hopefully nothing to worry about. He was winning very easily in the first set, was rather harder in the second - I think as well as the knee he had a few aches and pains, hardly surprising when you consider what he has done. Was it 11 matches in 9 days? 6 singles, 4 mixed, and 1 mens doubles? Then all the press the next day and a seven hour flight, followed by a practice session. He nearly always has problems changing surfaces, and this time he really didn't have the time to do it properly.

RJA · Hall of fame

Nice to see him smiling in his post match interview.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

The match against Raonic is (understandably) the night match tomorrow, so midnight here. Great for me as we do the weekly shop at 10pm (the Grumpy Old Man likes to go when there aren't hordes of kids running round), so I'll be back by midnight.

RJA · Hall of fame

A night match is good news for Murray. After spending 8 weeks in England during our pathetic excuse for a summer he is going to need a few days to get used to the heat so avoiding day time matches for a while is a plus.

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Andy has withdrawn - knee injury.

Also, Rafa has withdrawn from Cincinnatti.

-- Edited by insomniacfolder on Thursday 9th of August 2012 07:05:36 PM

Spectator · All-time great

Assuming (hoping) it's not a bad injury. Wise to withdraw, though, to prevent worse. And from tournament's point of view, it's not the worst thing that ever happened: they got all the publicity of having the gold medal winner there and playing, it's one less match to make up after the rain delays, and they get to keep Raonic for an extra round, at the very least!

-- Edited by Spectator on Thursday 9th of August 2012 07:13:33 PM

RJA · Hall of fame

Toady's play has been delayed by rain and the forecast looks awful, not only for the rest of the day but the whole weekend as well.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Interesting problem. What do they do if they can't get the tournament finished this week? Cinci starts next week, they can't overrun, surely?

RJA · Hall of fame

I don't know but an extra day off or two this week probably won't upset Andy too much.

RJA · Hall of fame

philwrig wrote:
RJA wrote:
Spectator wrote:
Assuming (hoping) it's not a bad injury.

I can't see it being that bad. He picked up the injury yesterday during the second set and played another 5 games without too many problems. I assume he just wants some proper hard court practice before playing again. It is sensible not to take risks before the US Open.
Is it just the usual change of surface problem with the knee and so a convenient way of withdrawing from a tournament which comes too quickly after his heroics at the Olympics ?

Yes, the impression I got is the usual change of surface probelm, in this case made worse by having almost no practice on hard courts before his match.

-- Edited by RJA on Thursday 9th of August 2012 11:43:19 PM