Weeks 27 & 28 - The Championships, Wimbledon - mixed doubles (grass)

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Weeks 27 & 28 - The Championships, Wimbledon - mixed doubles (grass)

flamingowings · All-time great

Jarriet's fire was extinguished fairly quickly, all breaks of serve were on Harriet's serve.

Muzzarenka into the final.

the addict · Tennis legend

With Jamie on top form, I doubt whether any other pair could have beaten Muzzarenka today.
But the highlight was Harriet aceing Jamie twice in a row.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

SF: Jamie Murray & Victoria Azarenka (BLR) CR 436 (13+423) defeated (WC) Jay Clarke & Harriet Dart CR 393 (249+154) by 2 & 2

That looks a very comfortable win for Jamie & Victoria. Fun while it lasted for Jay & Harriet. smile

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Final: Jamie Murray & Victoria Azarenka (BLR) CR 436 (13+423) vs (11) Alexander Peya & Nicole Melichar (AUT/USA) CR 52 (19+33)

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

I only really saw the bits of this match and the last one of Jarriet's that the Beeb showed. Harriet's 1st serve percentage seemed low yesterday, was it higher before this match? Was she just intimidated by Muzzarenka? Jay seemed to serve really well. I'm even more exited about him now I've seen him in the dubs.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
I only really saw the bits of this match and the last one of Jarriet's that the Beeb showed. Harriet's 1st serve percentage seemed low yesterday, was it higher before this match? Was she just intimidated by Muzzarenka? Jay seemed to serve really well. I'm even more exited about him now I've seen him in the dubs.

The verdict of James Gheerbrant in The Times, for what it's worth:

The match itself hinged largely on the gulf in class between Dart and Azarenka, a two-times grand-slam champion in singles and mixed doubles. Dart's serve was broken in each of her four service games, while Azarenka lost just four points on serve altogether in the 6-2, 6-2 victory. The Belarusian also has perhaps the outstanding return in women's tennis, taking the ball early and fizzing it low over the tape, and an irrepressible "game face".

Michael D · All-time great

Stircrazy wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
I only really saw the bits of this match and the last one of Jarriet's that the Beeb showed. Harriet's 1st serve percentage seemed low yesterday, was it higher before this match? Was she just intimidated by Muzzarenka? Jay seemed to serve really well. I'm even more exited about him now I've seen him in the dubs.
The verdict of James Gheerbrant in The Times, for what it's worth:
The match itself hinged largely on the gulf in class between Dart and Azarenka, a two-times grand-slam champion in singles and mixed doubles. Dart's serve was broken in each of her four service games, while Azarenka lost just four points on serve altogether in the 6-2, 6-2 victory. The Belarusian also has perhaps the outstanding return in women's tennis, taking the ball early and fizzing it low over the tape, and an irrepressible "game face".

In itself I think that comment is a little misleading. It wasn't just the difference between Dart and Azarenka, it was also Jamie's prowess at the net that made a massive difference compared with Jay's much more indifferent performance there yesterday. The reason that Harriet was not even able to win the service game where she aced Jamie twice in a row is because Jay was not helping her at the net at all, whilst Jamie was all over it, anticipating almost every return Jay and Harriet were attempting. Put Harriet on Jamie's side of the net, and she would have won her service games too.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Michael D wrote:
Stircrazy wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
I only really saw the bits of this match and the last one of Jarriet's that the Beeb showed. Harriet's 1st serve percentage seemed low yesterday, was it higher before this match? Was she just intimidated by Muzzarenka? Jay seemed to serve really well. I'm even more exited about him now I've seen him in the dubs.
The verdict of James Gheerbrant in The Times, for what it's worth:
The match itself hinged largely on the gulf in class between Dart and Azarenka, a two-times grand-slam champion in singles and mixed doubles. Dart's serve was broken in each of her four service games, while Azarenka lost just four points on serve altogether in the 6-2, 6-2 victory. The Belarusian also has perhaps the outstanding return in women's tennis, taking the ball early and fizzing it low over the tape, and an irrepressible "game face".
In itself I think that comment is a little misleading. It wasn't just the difference between Dart and Azarenka, it was also Jamie's prowess at the net that made a massive difference compared with Jay's much more indifferent performance there yesterday. The reason that Harriet was not even able to win the service game where she aced Jamie twice in a row is because Jay was not helping her at the net at all, whilst Jamie was all over it, anticipating almost every return Jay and Harriet were attempting. Put Harriet on Jamie's side of the net, and she would have won her service games too.

I ought perhaps to have included this paragraph:

Murray [...] was in his usual inventive and razor-sharp form, especially at the net, where he frequently prevailed in the rat-a-tat exchanges with Clarke. He, perhaps, has been fired by his own disappointment, having lost in the quarter-finals of the mens doubles with his partner Bruno Soares. He and Azarenka are playing their first tournament together but have immediately gelled, developing an instinctive rapport and complementing each others strengths nicely.

but was responding more to Helen's query about Harriet's service.

the addict · Tennis legend

Michael. You have hit the nail on the head. Jamie was at his very best yesterday, and was picking off every ball within reach. Jay missed quite a few volleys (admittedly not easy because of the pace of the ball) and that made a big diffeeence. Otherwise Jay and Harriet played very well and won their share of the points.

Michael D · All-time great

Yes altogether I thought Jamie and Vika's performance was vastly better yesterday than in their QF, where their play was decidedly iffy at times. On several games they managed to make a complete mess of their returns against Demi Schuurs, whose serve I thought was nothing up to Harriet's standard. Both were much sharper yesterday, especially Jamie, who was in a different class altogether from the previous match. In contrast Harriet and Jay seemed much more overawed yesterday, more so than during their Centre Court performance. But I guess the dominance of Jamie at the net, simply prevented them from really getting into the match, and made both their returning much more hesitant.

Edit: And I agree with the addict too... Didn't see his post before posting this one.

-- Edited by Michael D on Saturday 14th of July 2018 10:31:55 AM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Thanks all. So Jamie upped his game, and Jarriet were a bit overawed. Its' such a shame for them, but great experience. I must admit I wanted them to win as they are part of the future of the British game and both young and talented.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Final: (11) Alexander Peya & Nicole Melichar (AUT/USA) CR 52 (19+33) defeated Jamie Murray & Victoria Azarenka (BLR) CR 436 (13+423) by 7-6(1) 6-3

Jamie & Victoria decidedly off the the boil today, Victoria in particular. cry Outplayed... hmm

Nix · Futures level

Helen40 wrote:
Thanks all. So Jamie upped his game, and Jarriet were a bit overawed. Its' such a shame for them, but great experience. I must admit I wanted them to win as they are part of the future of the British game and both young and talented.

Maybe thats the thing with Jamie at the moment, hes just blowing a bit hot and cold, whereas a couple of years ago he was more consistent. I thought he wasnt great in the bits I saw of the final.

I agree that I kind of wanted Jay and Harriet to win the semis. But understand them dipping a bit after such a high level in previous matches. But I hope overall theyve gained some confidence from this Wimbledon with impressive performances, despite losses, in the singles and a great run in the mixed doubles.

Jan · Hall of fame

I also felt it showed more today that Jamie and Vika weren't really an established partnership. Not surprising really. Considering how last-minute their entry was, they did so well to get to the final!