Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (men's)

RJA · Hall of fame

RE: Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (men's)

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

RJA wrote:
savva0122 wrote:
I have to say the commentary did my head in a bit.
I pity anyone who had to watch this match on BBC with the twin idiots (Lloyd and Castle) in the commentary box. I really am blessed to have Eurosport.

I don't have any choice, I only have the Beeb on tv (well with all the other Freeview channels of course) so have to put up with them. I have to say I don't think they are as bad as they used to be, particularly Castle, who used to mix praise with some very back-handed compliments among it.

I had set the new DVR on timer recording as I knew I had to go out at 10.15. I expected to be back in half an hour but there were problems and I didn't get home until about 5 past 12, and the programme was scheduled to stop at 12, so I was relieved to see it was still recording. Sat down to watch and shortly afterwards the dratted Beeb swapped channels! By the time I had worked out how to stop the recording, merrily going on recording BBC 2, and then swapped to BBC1 and pressed instant record, I had missed the first 3 points of the 5th. Then the phone rang 3 times while I was trying to watch, including missing the interview at the end. I had to go out again at 1.30. Never mind, tonight I intend to put my feet up, settle down with a diet coke and a bar of chocolate (!) and watch the match all the way through not having to be stressed by the match!

It's a really irritating habit of the BBC. If I had not happened to be in just when they changed, I would not have the last set recorded at all.

Any way, well done Andy. Never beaten Fed in a final - tick. Never beaten him in a BO5 final - tick. And now, never beaten him in a slam - TICK!!

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Absolutely rapt Andy won!

I really thought in the second when he blew the TB (or really the first few points of it) that the old Andy was back, but the new Andy took over again.

Shame he made such a meal of it. I'm afraid it will disadvantage him against Djokers, but we'll see. Looking forward to that!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

I missed the whole of the 5th set. Our "lovely" Spanish weather yesterday turned into a storm force wind and a tree blew over which landed on my car. It had been at the garage all morning awaiting the insurance assessor. About 1pm, I get the call to collect the car by 2pm or wait until Monday. So I nipped out at the end of the 4th set and by the time I came back, it was all over.

The car is fine, but I was devastated to have missed the end of the match.

Jan · Hall of fame

Madeline wrote:
RJA wrote:
savva0122 wrote:
I have to say the commentary did my head in a bit.
I pity anyone who had to watch this match on BBC with the twin idiots (Lloyd and Castle) in the commentary box. I really am blessed to have Eurosport.
I don't have any choice, I only have the Beeb on tv (well with all the other Freeview channels of course) so have to put up with them. I have to say I don't think they are as bad as they used to be, particularly Castle, who used to mix praise with some very back-handed compliments among it.
I had set the new DVR on timer recording as I knew I had to go out at 10.15. I expected to be back in half an hour but there were problems and I didn't get home until about 5 past 12, and the programme was scheduled to stop at 12, so I was relieved to see it was still recording. Sat down to watch and shortly afterwards the dratted Beeb swapped channels! By the time I had worked out how to stop the recording, merrily going on recording BBC 2, and then swapped to BBC1 and pressed instant record, I had missed the first 3 points of the 5th. Then the phone rang 3 times while I was trying to watch, including missing the interview at the end. I had to go out again at 1.30. Never mind, tonight I intend to put my feet up, settle down with a diet coke and a bar of chocolate (!) and watch the match all the way through not having to be stressed by the match!
It's a really irritating habit of the BBC. If I had not happened to be in just when they changed, I would not have the last set recorded at all.
Any way, well done Andy. Never beaten Fed in a final - tick. Never beaten him in a BO5 final - tick. And now, never beaten him in a slam - TICK!!

I had to leave after the second set to take my mum for a hospital appointment. Luckily I'd alerted my daughter to the possibility that the match might go on longer than expected/change channel, and she managed to swap the channel that was recording. Haven't had time to watch it yet!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Jan wrote:
Madeline wrote:
RJA wrote:
savva0122 wrote:
I have to say the commentary did my head in a bit.
I pity anyone who had to watch this match on BBC with the twin idiots (Lloyd and Castle) in the commentary box. I really am blessed to have Eurosport.
I don't have any choice, I only have the Beeb on tv (well with all the other Freeview channels of course) so have to put up with them. I have to say I don't think they are as bad as they used to be, particularly Castle, who used to mix praise with some very back-handed compliments among it.
I had set the new DVR on timer recording as I knew I had to go out at 10.15. I expected to be back in half an hour but there were problems and I didn't get home until about 5 past 12, and the programme was scheduled to stop at 12, so I was relieved to see it was still recording. Sat down to watch and shortly afterwards the dratted Beeb swapped channels! By the time I had worked out how to stop the recording, merrily going on recording BBC 2, and then swapped to BBC1 and pressed instant record, I had missed the first 3 points of the 5th. Then the phone rang 3 times while I was trying to watch, including missing the interview at the end. I had to go out again at 1.30. Never mind, tonight I intend to put my feet up, settle down with a diet coke and a bar of chocolate (!) and watch the match all the way through not having to be stressed by the match!
It's a really irritating habit of the BBC. If I had not happened to be in just when they changed, I would not have the last set recorded at all.
Any way, well done Andy. Never beaten Fed in a final - tick. Never beaten him in a BO5 final - tick. And now, never beaten him in a slam - TICK!!

I had to leave after the second set to take my mum for a hospital appointment. Luckily I'd alerted my daughter to the possibility that the match might go on longer than expected/change channel, and she managed to swap the channel that was recording. Haven't had time to watch it yet!

Don't worry. I won't spoil it for you by telling you who won biggrin

Armchair · County player

I have no idea why the Beeb do this daft channel hopping thing. I've fallen foul of it many times and it drives me to total distraction.

I get by with Freeview and livestreams as well. The French Open was a revelation last year on ITV and made me rethink my views on tennis coverage and the Beeb.
They really need to have a good look at their concept that all you need is a bunch of retired tennis players regardless of how competent they are as commentators.

My idea of living hell is those grim days when you not only get Castle and Barker (urrgh) but also Henman and Becker. In all fairness Barker usually looks into the right
camera and turns up on time. It's just a personal foible but she and Castle together are the equivalent of nails down a blackboard and having to touch cotton wool for me.
( the cotton wool may just be me)

Mats Wilander is an outstanding commentator as is McEnroe, sack our lot employ these two full time and I'd be a very happy bunny. I don't really see the need to have so many people
trying to fill a few minutes with inane chat or worse still read off a sheet of useless stats as if they'd thought them up themselves.

I thought Andy showed how much he's matured over the last year today. He didn't nail the match when he could and should have. But resisted the temptation to go off
on a major meltdown though you could see it went through his mind a couple of times !

I don't really expect him to beat Djoko on Sunday, bit I do think he's got a good chance and I think three GS finals in a row is an amazing achievement.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

For all those who are bothered about having missed points/games because of the channel switch, it's already available on iPlayer. wink

Jan · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
Jan wrote:
Madeline wrote:
RJA wrote:
savva0122 wrote:
I have to say the commentary did my head in a bit.
I pity anyone who had to watch this match on BBC with the twin idiots (Lloyd and Castle) in the commentary box. I really am blessed to have Eurosport.
I don't have any choice, I only have the Beeb on tv (well with all the other Freeview channels of course) so have to put up with them. I have to say I don't think they are as bad as they used to be, particularly Castle, who used to mix praise with some very back-handed compliments among it.
I had set the new DVR on timer recording as I knew I had to go out at 10.15. I expected to be back in half an hour but there were problems and I didn't get home until about 5 past 12, and the programme was scheduled to stop at 12, so I was relieved to see it was still recording. Sat down to watch and shortly afterwards the dratted Beeb swapped channels! By the time I had worked out how to stop the recording, merrily going on recording BBC 2, and then swapped to BBC1 and pressed instant record, I had missed the first 3 points of the 5th. Then the phone rang 3 times while I was trying to watch, including missing the interview at the end. I had to go out again at 1.30. Never mind, tonight I intend to put my feet up, settle down with a diet coke and a bar of chocolate (!) and watch the match all the way through not having to be stressed by the match!
It's a really irritating habit of the BBC. If I had not happened to be in just when they changed, I would not have the last set recorded at all.
Any way, well done Andy. Never beaten Fed in a final - tick. Never beaten him in a BO5 final - tick. And now, never beaten him in a slam - TICK!!

I had to leave after the second set to take my mum for a hospital appointment. Luckily I'd alerted my daughter to the possibility that the match might go on longer than expected/change channel, and she managed to swap the channel that was recording. Haven't had time to watch it yet!
Don't worry. I won't spoil it for you by telling you who won

Ha ha - I'm not one of those people who tries to avoid seeing the result! As soon as we were out of the hospital basement, where there was no mobile signal, I was onto my daughter for the result!!!

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Stircrazy wrote:
For all those who are bothered about having missed points/games because of the channel switch, it's already available on iPlayer.

I was only thinking the other day that you were not posting these days and here you are. That's great

(I know that's bad grammar but feel free to correct me )

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Julia Carrot wrote:
Stircrazy wrote:
For all those who are bothered about having missed points/games because of the channel switch, it's already available on iPlayer.
I was only thinking the other day that you were not posting these days and here you are.

The silence was enforced by a family bereavement in November which necessitated my having to head north on compassionate leave to my mother's, where I have no Internet access. Returned to London for 10 days before Christmas, but my heart really wasn't in either posting or getting ready for the festivities. Have had to contend with the implications of the bereavement for my mum's welfare/living arrangements ever since: went back up there on 19th December & didn't land back home until 13th January, instead of the 6th, as I'd planned, & am only now starting to get back into the swing of things.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Stircrazy wrote:
Julia Carrot wrote:
Stircrazy wrote:
For all those who are bothered about having missed points/games because of the channel switch, it's already available on iPlayer.
I was only thinking the other day that you were not posting these days and here you are.
The silence was enforced by a family bereavement in November which necessitated my having to head north on compassionate leave to my mother's, where I have no Internet access. Returned to London for 10 days before Christmas, but my heart really wasn't in either posting or getting ready for the festivities. Have had to contend with the implications of the bereavement for my mum's welfare/living arrangements ever since: went back up there on 19th December & didn't land back home until 13th January, instead of the 6th, as I'd planned, & am only now starting to get back into the swing of things.

Very sorry to hear all that. Hope you are looking after yourself as well. Nice to have you back here anyway.

daisy · County player

Andy v Nole is being shown on BBC1 tomorrow (and HD, online and on Radio5 Live as well as ESPN)

Originally it was reported that it would be on BBC2 but today I saw their website saying 1 so I queried it with Overend.

Sallydaisy @SallyDaisy10is @5livetennis:Please clarify on which channel the BBC will show the match.
Yesterday it was reported BBC2, website is now saying BBC1. Thnx!

Jonathan Overend @5livetennis @SallyDaisy10is: it's been upgraded to BBC1

Armchair · County player

Ok I'm planning an early night so I can be up about and freshly bathed and fed in time for the big fight.

I'm really looking forward to this, two of my long term favourite players, I've been following them both since juniors (which give they're age isn't that long)
and it's a real chance for Andy to establish his position, though I think 3 GS contiguous Finals says it all.

Sooooo Excited !!!

Sorry, not exactly incisive tennis comments but I am really looking forward to this.

RJA · Hall of fame

SMC1809 wrote:
RJA wrote:
blob wrote:
aw come on, judging by your comments this AO you'd think andy was some no hope bum who'd never hit a decent shot - so negative
It is hard not to be negative when he plays as badly as he has done today, and sorry but he was bad. He made sloppy error after sloppy error, while not being particularly aggressive, and deservedly lost the match. His first serve and Djokovic's awful early play kept the match very close for two and bit sets but Andy's all round play has been pretty poor and once Djokovic finally started to attack Andy's awful second serve there was only one winner. Djokovic didn't play that well yet won fairly comfortably in the end. The things I was critical of against Federer have proved to be Andy's undoing today, as I feared they would. It is precisely because he is not "some no hope bum" that I think such criticism is justified.
Maybe I am judging Andy by too high a standard but he himself has stated that he as aim is to be world number 1 so I am only judging him by the standards that he has set. After winning the US Open I think we all hoped that we would see a very different Andy in big matches. Since then he has thrown away the Shanghai final, played an awful SF against Federer at the WTF and played a pretty poor match today. I don't really think that beating Federer here was a major achievement. Aside from on grass and indoors Federer is no longer a top contender for major honours (not to say he can't win them but that it is unlikely). The media narrative that we are seeing a "new Andy" is not backed up by what is actually happening on court.
A little pinch of realism might be need here.

Oh I am very realistic and I didn't expect him to win this match. Djokovic clearly remains Murray's superior on all surfaces other than grass. I fear that the US Open final played in pretty poor conditions was the exception as oppossed to the rule in matches between these two. I have never criticised Andy for losing against top players but performances like this frustrate me. It's not that everything was bad or that there were errors but that he didn't play one good return game in the whole match, not one.

In some ways things look good for the season ahead. Murray is clearly better than any one outside of the "big 4" and with Federer's decline and uncertainty over Nadal there are considerable opportunities ahead. I do however fear that by the end of the year we might be sick of the sight of Djokovic. Defeats in Shanghai, WTF and here all from a set up do not make for optimism.

-- Edited by RJA on Sunday 27th of January 2013 02:39:42 PM