Andy very much helped Novak along to his break at the start of the final set instead of intensifying the pressure ( and this is such a big Slam for Novak ).

After that to be fair Novak really played very well, but would he have played so well without that early break and less ongoing pressure ??

Ultimately though he was the better player on both days.

Overall Andy looking a proper clay court player more than ever I recall with how he was sliding into shots. But the outstanding world no 1 was too good.

indiana wrote:

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Andy very much helped Novak along to his break at the start of the final set instead of intensifying the pressure ( and this is such a big Slam for Novak ).

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This really is what it comes down to. Andy's play can match Nole but in almost every match they play he loses his intensity at a crucial time, normally when he has the momentum, and throws away the initiative. He can get away with it against most players but Nole punishes him almost every time.

RJA wrote:

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indiana wrote:

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Andy very much helped Novak along to his break at the start of the final set instead of intensifying the pressure ( and this is such a big Slam for Novak ).

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This really is what it comes down to. Andy's play can match Nole but in almost every match they play he loses his intensity at a crucial time, normally when he has the momentum, and throws away the initiative. He can get away with it against most players but Nole punishes him almost every time.

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 Agreed. Djokovic is just relentless though - any blip (which Andy is prone to) or slip up and he will take full advantage. I don't know how he sustains such a high level of intensity for as long as he does. Incredible specimen.

Andy's getting closer though. Grass should be interesting, if the two are to meet again.

Andy's performances over the last month on clay taken in the round have been majestic, when compared to past performances on clay. His oft criticised management team must take some credit for this. He has made a genuine improvement that I don't think many thought was possible. Learning French maybe one way to get an edge but others are beginning to emerge.

I feel last night he had Jok on the run after 20 shot rallies, Jok was tired compromising his game, taking a sub- optimal option in an effort to finish the point and recover. Andy has an edge there and needs to work tactically to get Jok red lining. I was gutted when they had to go off because of the storm. The first two sets flew by as both players went for thir shots, when they were both breathing hard I felt Andy coped better, a fifth set then may have panned out completely differently.

Pitch count is an interesting statistic in baseball, there is value in batters who don't score an enormous amount of runs or hits but take a lot of pitches to get them off base. Starting pitchers don't like going beyond 120 pitches, one way of dealing with a superstar pitcher is fouling of 10 pitches at each at bat etc... Dragging out each innings to 30 or so pitches if possible, as opposed to taking three hearty swings.

Hopefully, by taking him to 5 sets on clay, Andy now has a better understanding of how to hurt him on that surface, forcing him if possible to play 15 backhands, denying him rest. Hopefully he will get back to 2 in the world and get better value for his form ie avoid Jok until the final.

Anyway fantastic month and lots to think about.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Saturday 6th of June 2015 06:23:58 PM

Ratty wrote:

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Decisions, decisions ..... Eurosport or ITV for the French Open final?

Eurosport have Virginia Wade commentating. ITV don't.

ITV it is!

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love it that's funny I switch over if Marion Bartoli is on 

Anyone else think Marion Bartoli looked very pretty with make up on. I'm a natural fan normally but she did look very nice next to her fan Mr Inverdale. They also seemed to get on very well which is nice. Just shows you can sometimes forgive people after all. Or maybe she is not as sensitive as some people in tennis circles and forums etc