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

emma · Strong Club Player

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

indiana · Tennis legend

R4: (6) Andy Murray WR 6 beat (10) Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) WR 11 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 7-5

QF: (6) Andy Murray WR 6 vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS) WR 53

korriban · Challenger level

indiana wrote:
R4: (6) Andy Murray WR 6 beat (10) Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) WR 11 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 7-5

QF: (6) Andy Murray WR 6 vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS) WR 53

Listened to the match on the radio, and it sounded like Andy was the better player for most of the match. On one level, could be argued that Andy should have won in 3. On the other, given how things went in the 4th, Andy will be delighted to have avoided the match going to 5! And winning the last 5 games in a row counts for a lot in my book. Playing well when it really mattered.

Andy will surely have too much for Kyrgios at this point in his career, but we should all expect some "moments" from the teenager. A 4 set victory would be great in my book. I presume we'd all then prefer an Andy vs Berdych semi, rather than Andy vs Rafa. Both would be super tough, but the odds are better against Tomas, plus the extra angle of Dani Vallverdu intrigues.

In the scheme of things, the AO could not have gone any better for Andy to this point.

-- Edited by korriban on Sunday 25th of January 2015 04:17:45 PM

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

That was a great match to watch and a brilliantly strong finish from Andy :)

EddietheEagle · County player

Enthralling match, I'd agree, although he could have made it three sets (as I was unable to watch the last two!)

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

I thought that Dimitrov was at a good level and some of his tennis was really great. Andy was generally, consistently great but there were a few times where literally 3 or 4 games went missing and as he gets into this latter half these aren't going to be forgiven so easily. I was pretty happy with his serving, and to his credit he mostly pulled it out at the right time. I would also say that there was a point in the second set where I was 100% deadset that Murray would lose that set, even when he was serving (I believe) for the set; may have just been me, but any signs like that will be picked up and multiplied by the Melbourne crowd come the QF, so he really needs to stay tight and not let a Monfils at the French happen.

Kyrgios is a big game player and they don't get much bigger than this for the lad, but he hasn't played anybody of note and whilst his win today was great to see, it can't do him too many favours in terms of short-term fitness. I firmly believe that Murray has his number and that with Murray's renewed pace, this should be a convincing performance, especially over 5 if Murray can keep his fundamentals solid.

RJA · Hall of fame

Most encouraging match by Andy for a long, long time. Still a fair few concerns and I am far from convinced that he can beat Nadal or Djokovic but I am more positive about Andy than have been for quite a while. Kyrgios shouldn't present too many difficulties.

indiana · Tennis legend

Rod Laver Arena 7 pm night session tomorrow has as its first match :

Murray vs Kyrgios at 'not before 7.15 pm' - 8.15 am GMT

indiana · Tennis legend

A rather loaded QF line-up with just Fed missing his appointment.

(1) Djokovic vs (8) Raonic
(4) Wawrinka vs (5) Nishikori
(7) Berdych vs (3) Nadal
(6) Murray vs Kyrgios

Adding to the top 8 seeds, (9) Ferrer and (10) Dimitrov, who both made the last 16, and the absent Cilic, the top 11 seem to be for now distancing themselves from the rest, and that is reflected in the ranking points gap to no 12 Tsonga, who is currently the one player, fit and on form, who could most obviously cross over in the relatively short term to join the 11. Kyrgios maybe rather longer term.

Clearly within that 11 there are other divides, both currently on points and by reputation and achievement.

EddietheEagle · County player

Djokovic, Nishikori, Nadal and Murray to go through. What say?

indiana · Tennis legend

I say Djokovic, Nishikori, Berdych and Murray.

EddietheEagle · County player

Nadal not bothering to chase and Berdych clueless. Impossible to explain this match.

EddietheEagle · County player

Berdych almost blew that third set when Nadal showed brief signs of life. I couldn't see anything obviously wrong with Nadal physically but his play was completely out of sorts. I think when he perked up at the end rather it almost threw Berdych mentally.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Andy the Technician takes the first set 6-3

Edit - I intended to post "Tactician" but I suppose either will do!

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Keep going Andy :)

Well, the Federer, Nadal, Djokovic route to the title not coming to pass big time: Nole to come a cropper next? Ah well, no harm in dreaming...