Wimbledon 2013 June 24-July 7

[Cripps_orig]

Couple of shocking challenges by both players

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic leads 4-2 at the changeover again, one serve to go this time.

[Cripps_orig]

4-2 Djokovic at the change over

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Higuain on Henman Hill. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Back on serve, 3-4, Del Potro to serve.

[Cripps_orig]

Del Potro gets the mini break back

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stunning. 5-4 Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two match points for Djokovic!

[Cripps_orig]

2 match points Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:haha:

One match point remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's 6-6!

[Cripps_orig]

6-6

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Set point for Del Potro!

[Cripps_orig]

Set point DelPotro

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro takes the fourth set 7-6 (8-6)!

On to a fifth.

[Cripps_orig]

Brilliant

On to a 5th we go and to think, the main event is still to come

Tennis :bow:

[The Wengerbabies]

Brilliant stuff!!

[Özim]

De Potro :bow:

With those weapons he'll go far ;)

[Cripps_orig]

It'll be the longest semi final in Wimbledon history

[Marc Overmars]

Just got in and caught that tie break. Great stuff.

Del Boy. :bow:

zimm woz rite

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That's the fourth time Del Potro has put himself in trouble from 40-0.

[Marc Overmars]

So is this Chesney guy a big hitter like DP then?

How does Muzza deal with those types of players?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Get the ball back in play, then make them run. Ball will probably come raining down on him for the first set though.

[Cripps_orig]

Del Potro getting some treatment

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro runs all that way for not much benefit. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Adv. Del Potro!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic toughs it out. Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic holds, 2-3 he leads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Djokovic!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a dreadful dropshot. :doh:

[Cripps_orig]

3-3

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro holds, 3-3.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Who is breathing really heavily?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That is ridiculous.

[Cripps_orig]

This could be it

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Djokovic!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

One break point remaining.

[Cripps_orig]

Djokovic breaks and serves for the match

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic breaks and will serve for the match!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-30. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

30-30.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Amazing get from Djokovic. Deuce.

[Cripps_orig]

Djokovic match point

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Match point for Djokovic!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic finally wins 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-7 (6-8) 6-3! What an amazing match. :bow: :bow:

Djokovic in to his second Wimbledon final.

[Cripps_orig]

Great match

Both players :bow:

Time for the main event

[The Wengerbabies]

:(

Great match.

Just like the Olympics Del Potro's done his job to hand Murray the title by wearing out his opponent :rolleyes:

[Cripps_orig]

Hope Muzza wins comfortably.

Think I'm all tennis'd out

[GP]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxb4017Tz91qk4op9o1_500.gif

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tennis is little bit awlsome tbf.

[Cripps_orig]

Who's Del Pocho?

McEnroe :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Muzza and Fabianski out on court

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Amazing match....true Djokovic did himself no favours but Del Potro just would not let go.


That fourth set tie breaker was amazing.....


Really pleased for Del Potro he has proved for the first time in four years that he has what it takes to be in the big time again.....Djokovic will just be relieved it's all over.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic just couldn't get his backhand down the line going, much like against Nadal in Paris. Only this time he didn't make the mistake of charging through the net.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Castle. :(

[Cripps_orig]

Andrew Castle, Henman and McEnroe are the commentators.

[Master Splinter]

What a stunning match.

The stupidly high quality of play rarely dropped. Truly awlsome.

Djokovic :bow: :bow: :bow:

Del Potro :bow: :bow: :bow:.

Tennis :bow:.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Janowicz displaying Good Touch for a Big Man.

[GP]

I haven't enjoyed a semi that much since I was in the scouts.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

James Corden. :lol:

Push him off!

[Master Splinter]

Corden supporting Murray?

Come on Janowicz.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Muzza.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza. :lol:

121mph second serve. Deuce.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Just leave it on one fucking channel you bastards!

[Cripps_orig]

What was the point in going to BBC 2 for half hour?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza picking on the black woman. Disgraceful.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Janowicz's ballbashing needs to be restrained a little bit this early on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

4-4 in the first set. Muzza to serve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two set point for Muzza.

[Cripps_orig]

2 set point muzza

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a second serve. :blink:

Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Janowicz holds on, 5-5.

[Cripps_orig]

Jan serving to stay in the set at 5-6

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Janowicz loves the dropshot.

[Cripps_orig]

Tie break it is

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's tiebreak time. :faint:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Forehand like a traction engine.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza. :doh:

0-4 Janowicz leads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

4-2 Janowicz on the changeover.

[Cripps_orig]

4-2 at the change

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jesus wept. 2-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Four set points for Janowicz!

[Cripps_orig]

Bit of a shocker from Murray here

[Cripps_orig]

Murray double faults

Janowicz wins the set

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza gives it away on a double fault. Janowicz takes the first set 7-6 (7-2)! :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Castle Bingo!

[Cripps_orig]

Muzza with 2 break points

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza breaks and leads 1-0 in the second set.

[Cripps_orig]

Janowicz double faults

Murray breaks

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dropshotowicz. :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Finally Janowicz showing his true colours

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two more break points for Muzza.

[Cripps_orig]

2 break points Muzza

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Janowicz holds, still trails 3-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

STFU Castle.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Janowicz! Muzza. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It was there for Janowicz. Deuce.

[Cripps_orig]

Adv Murray

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray holds, leads 2-4.

[Cripps_orig]

I've realised that I can only get in to one tennis match in a day.

Got nothing left for this one.

Interest level is nowhere near it should be.

Rafa and Federer to blame. Had it been one of them v Murray as it should have been, I'd have cared.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza getting to that stage where it's tame backhands in to the net.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Janowicz!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Very good second serve, though Castle makes me want to think it was shit.

One break point remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And there is another. Adv. Janowicz.

[Syn]

Beginning of the end for Murray. His career peaked at queens. He has now forgotten how to play tennis.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce again.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray holds, leads 3-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza to serve for the second set at 5-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza takes the second set 6-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza. :lol:

[Syn]

Muzza. :lol:
Little bit gervinhoed that.

[Cripps_orig]

2 break points

[Syn]

Just goes to show why we must sell Gervinho at all costs.

[Cripps_orig]

Janowicz moaning about something

[Cripps_orig]

Janowicz breaks

Didn't even realise

Tennis :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Break point Murray

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Complete fluke from Muzza, break point.

[Cripps_orig]

Muzza breaks back :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza breaks back, 3-4.

[Syn]

Nothing quite like the support of 5000 middle class overprivileged toffs.

wonder how many holiday homes are collectively owned by the centre court toffs.

[Cripps_orig]

I don't mind commentators usually

But I just hate Castle

[fakeyank]

Janowicz is a dumb fuck. How many failed drop shots will he play before he realizes that he sucks at them!?

[Syn]

Cordo is cheering muzza :bow:

What a legend.

He has fantastic taste in men.

[Özim]

Just got in, good to see Janovicw or whatever his name is bottling it :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Muzza broke and is serving for the set

[Özim]

Some plank with a flag in the crowd celebrating a missed shot!

[Cripps_orig]

Janowicz hits Murray

Deuce

[Cripps_orig]

Murray wins the 3rd set

6-4

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He takes the third set 6-4.

[Cripps_orig]

They are closing the roof :doh:

Muzza not happy and rightfully so.

[Özim]

Murray doing what he does best, whining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza isn't happy. :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Ridiculous decision

[Syn]

Ridiculous decision

Pretty much. Henman, Becker and Castle all disagree with the decision. And Sue Barker.

[Özim]

They'd never finish the set so it makes perfect sense to close it now, you don't want to close it midway through a set if you can avoid it.

[Cripps_orig]

Pretty much. Henman, Becker and Castle all disagree with the decision. And Sue Barker.

So does McEnroe.

Where did Becker disagree?

[Cripps_orig]

They'd never finish the set so it makes perfect sense to close it now, you don't want to close it midway through a set if you can avoid it.

It's still light and its not raining.

No reason to close it now

[Özim]

Where did Becker disagree?
:lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Janowicz is a great heel.

Muzza fighting against all the odds here, what a player. Hope the roof closing doesn't affect his game too much.

[Özim]

It's still light and its not raining.

No reason to close it now
True but they would have to close it during the next set, closing it during the set it much more difficult for the players.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

They'd never finish the set so it makes perfect sense to close it now, you don't want to close it midway through a set if you can avoid it.

I think they clearly had a timetable to let the match finish because they close the roof, you should give the player in the ascendancy the chance to finish the game off because closing the roof.....there's no way any player other than Federer would not be annoyed as hell in the same situation as Murray

[Özim]

I think they clearly had a timetable to let the match finish because they close the roof, you should give the player in the ascendancy the chance to finish the game off because closing the roof.....there's no way any player other than Federer would not be annoyed as hell in the same situation as Murray
But there's no way he'd be able to finish the match as there's not enough time left before it's too dark to play. Getting to 2-1 or 3-2 in the set makes it much harder for the next player to serve, at least if you do it at the beginning of the set everyone starts on the same footing.

[Cripps_orig]

True but they would have to close it during the next set, closing it during the set it much more difficult for the players.

The umpire said 9.15 to Janowicz.

That gave them 40 odd minutes. More than enough time.

[Özim]

The umpire said 9.15 to Janowicz.

That gave them 40 odd minutes. More than enough time.
Henman reckoned there was only 15 minutes left or so, but even if the umpire said 9:15, that's only 35 minutes (finished at about 20 to 9) which wouldnt be enough time.

I reckon by 9 it's getting too dark for tennis, especially at the speed the tennis ball flies around.

[Cripps_orig]

Henman reckoned there was only 15 minutes left or so, but even if the umpire said 9:15, that's only 35 minutes (finished at about 20 to 9) which wouldnt be enough time.

If the match kept going the way it was with all the momentum on Murray and Janowicz out of it mentally, I'd say it would have been a comfortable 6-2 25 minute set.

I guess we'll never know.

[Cripps_orig]

Players are back out

[Cripps_orig]

Show the Del Potro interview ffs

Don't need to see the warm up

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

If Murray loses this now :popcorn:

It will forever be referred to as Roof-gate. We must not let that happen!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Roofgate. :lol:

The new feather.

[Cripps_orig]

Needed the roof in 2001 tbh

[Munchies]

Fuck sake , so pissed off. My laptop screen has had a LCD screen bleed, and half the screen is basically black.

Took roughly 3-4 weeks for my warranty to sort it out last time :(

Using my phone for now, but its shit ...

[Özim]

Janowicz makes a better comedian than tennis player.

[Cripps_orig]

2 brea k points Muzza

[Özim]

This guys serve is overrated, he's certainly no Ivanisevic.

[Özim]

Got the point but should have smashed it the other way to be honest.

[Özim]

I can see why Murray was complaining, the momentum has clearly swung.

[Cripps_orig]

Muzza breaks

2-1 he leads

The referee :haha:

Pointless break to close the roof after all

[Munchies]

Why the fuck do they keep showing Corden's mug during a break of play ? Fuck off you fat ****

[Cripps_orig]

I haven't seen Corden once today :(

He's brilliant

[Cripps_orig]

Muzza is out serving the pubber

[Munchies]

I haven't seen Corden once today :(

He's brilliant

Hmm I've been using the stream on their site, and they show him every other time there's been a break.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Janowicz should ask for the roof to be opened.

[Cripps_orig]

Hmm I've been using the stream on their site, and they show him every other time there's been a break.

Tis mainly during the breaks I post on GW so look away from the tv.

[Özim]

This chumps serve is sh*t, double faults, missed 1st serves....awful.

[Özim]

Oh my god, why doesn't this guy just hand him the match now!

[Özim]

Poor man's Ivanisevic this guy, with no other shot than his serve (which isn't even that good).

[Özim]

Thinking about it he's probably more like a Karlovic.

[Özim]

4-3

Drop shot again.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Player doesn't beat Murray - Zim duly tears him to pieces.

[Özim]

When he misses simple shots, uses dropshots every other shot and serves double faults and misses his 1st serves all the time, yes!

[Cripps_orig]

What a point

Muzza :bow:

[Özim]

There's a lemon at the net.

[Letters]

What a point!
Murray :bow:

[Letters]

What a point

Muzza :bow::blink:

Jinx!

[Cripps_orig]

Janowicz serving to stay in the match at 3-5

[Cripps_orig]

:blink:

Jinx!
Imitation is the best form of flattery tbh

[Özim]

Just as I thought, looks like a simple win for Murray. This semi was always going to be a much easier match, the other one had two top class players in it.

[Letters]

Player doesn't beat Murray - Zim duly tears him to pieces.
Let me guess.
He doesn't rate Murray so clearly every player he beats is useless?
And if Murray loses it's because he's useless?

Sounds familiar...

[Letters]

Just as I thought, looks like a simple win for Murray. This semi was always going to be a much easier match, the other one had two top class players in it.

It's good to see you're keeping your WUM fitness up over the summer ready for the new season

[Özim]

Enough with the drop shot already!

[Özim]

Double fault again. Pathetic!

[Cripps_orig]

Match point Muzza

[Özim]

2 double faults, pile of sh*t

[Cripps_orig]

Enough with the drop shot already!

He won the point...

[Letters]

Murray :bow:

[Özim]

5 serves in a row missed :lol:

and he loses, Murray beats another nobody :lol:

Simple route to the final for him, thanks to Nadal and Federer.

[Cripps_orig]

Muzza wins :bow:

Djokovic is about to get his ass handed to him in a slam final again

[Letters]

5 serves in a row missed :lol:

and he loses, Murray beats another nobody :lol:
:console:

[Özim]

:wave:Janowicz, savour the moment cos you're never going to be in another semi of a grandslam!

[Cripps_orig]

That set only took half hour

Could have played it after all with the roof open

[Özim]

Murray beats a bunch of nobodies on his way to the final and the commentators are creaming themselves, this happens everytime! :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Murray beats a bunch of nobodies on his way to the final and the commentators are creaming themselves, this happens everytime! :lol:

He beat the guys who beat the guys who beat Nadal and Federer.

Can't do any more than that

[Özim]

Yeah but let's be honest here, Nadal and Federer just didn't turn up. They'd beat the guys they played with their eyes shut on any other day.

Would have made for a much better semi with one of those two in there, problem with seeing an unknown in the semi is they always get thumped.

We saw in the other semi how much better a match it is when a top player makes it there.

[Cripps_orig]

That's it for me this year for Wimbledon.

Well for live tennis anyway.

Hope the 2 finals have a highlight show

[Letters]

Murray beats a bunch of nobodies on his way to the final and the commentators are creaming themselves, this happens everytime! :lol:
4 grand slam finals in a row, 2nd Wimbledon final in a row, beat Federer to win The Olympic gold and Djokovic in the US Open Final.

So...I'm guessing you don't rate him and you're using your WUM skills, honed in Arsenal debate, to shift goalposts and belittle his achievements so you don't have to change your opinion about anything?

[Cripps_orig]

Yeah but let's be honest here, Nadal and Federer just didn't turn up. They'd beat the guys they played with their eyes shut on any other day.

Would have made for a much better semi with one of those two in there, problem with seeing an unknown in the semi is they always get thumped.

Not Murrays fault.

Yes it would have been a better semi but Murray is capable of beating both Nadal and Federer on the big stages as we have seen

[Marc Overmars]

Muzza. :bow:

What a man.

[Özim]

4 grand slam finals in a row, 2nd Wimbledon final in a row, beat Federer to win The Olympic gold and Djokovic in the US Open Final.

So...I'm guessing you don't rate him and you're using your WUM skills, honed in Arsenal debate, to shift goalposts and belittle his achievements so you don't have to change your opinion about anything?
Yes and?

He's a top player and was very good in the US open, the fact Nadal hasn't been around has made it a lot easier though. As for the Olympics, it's the same format as the mickey mouse tournaments, 3 sets...nice enough but in tennis terms small fish.

His route to the final has been easy, once Nadal and Federer went out there was little doubt he was going to get there....ended up with the easy draw in the end oddly enough.

[Cripps_orig]

Yes and?

He's a top player and was very good in the US open, the fact Nadal hasn't been around has made it a lot easier though. As for the Olympics, it's the same format as the mickey mouse tournaments, 3 sets...nice enough but in tennis terms small fish.
The final was best of 5 and the be event Federer wanted more than any other.

Plus the pressure of having it in his backyard, I'd say he did brilliantly.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

He beat the guys who beat the guys who beat Nadal and Federer.

Can't do any more than that
That.

And had he beaten Federer/Nadal/Borg/McEnroe/Becker/Sampras/Jesus/Optimus Prime it would have been because they were unfit/past it/off form/having a bad day.

[Özim]

Not Murrays fault.

Yes it would have been a better semi but Murray is capable of beating both Nadal and Federer on the big stages as we have seen
I reckon Nadal has his number, but Federer yes.

Nadal on his game is better than Murray.

[Cripps_orig]

I reckon Nadal has his number, but Federer yes.

Nadal on his game is better than Murray.
Nadal on his game is better than most.

He's not been on his game for well over a year other than the French

[Özim]

The final was best of 5 and the be event Federer wanted more than any other.

Plus the pressure of having it in his backyard, I'd say he did brilliantly.
Sorry to say Federer is past it though, Wimbledon will be his last grand slam win. He's barely won a tournament since then.

Del Potro, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, Berdych would all beat Federer in a grand slam now (most likely Tsonga as well)

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Yeah but let's be honest here, Nadal and Federer just didn't turn up. They'd beat the guys they played with their eyes shut on any other day.

Would have made for a much better semi with one of those two in there, problem with seeing an unknown in the semi is they always get thumped.

We saw in the other semi how much better a match it is when a top player makes it there.

If your Uncle had a sex change he'd be your aunt....the fact is they were beaten. Nadal wasn't a case that he didn't turn up, he clearly wasn't fit...his match against Darsis was his first match on grass since he lost to Rosol last year...Federer was just outplayed pure and simple as he's in the twilight of his career.
Murray beat Federer for the first time in a Grand Slam in Australia this year and with Federer's star on the wane big time i doubt he'd have given Murray much to worry about and to be honest i really didn't see how Nadal could have got to the second week of Wimbledon even if he'd got past Darsis he was a total physical wreck.

[Özim]

Nadal on his game is better than most.

He's not been on his game for well over a year other than the French
He's been excellent since he came back from injury, the grass seemed to make him unsure about his injury though, it was odd as he's been phenomenal on the clay all year.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

One thing I'm sure we can all agree though:

Women's tennis :lol:

[Özim]

If your Uncle had a sex change he'd be your aunt....the fact is they were beaten. Nadal wasn't a case that he didn't turn up, he clearly wasn't fit...his match against Darsis was his first match on grass since he lost to Rosol last year...Federer was just outplayed pure and simple as he's in the twilight of his career.
Murray beat Federer for the first time in a Grand Slam in Australia this year and with Federer's star on the wane big time i doubt he'd have given Murray much to worry about and to be honest i really didn't see how Nadal could have got to the second week of Wimbledon even if he'd got past Darsis he was a total physical wreck.
Federer I agree with, he's finished. Nadal oddly seemed unsure on the grass, he'd been fully fit for the whole clay season so it seemed odd that he'd suddenly be injured..he just seemed very tentative on the grass.

Reckon Nadal would have beaten Murray if fully fit.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

He's been excellent since he came back from injury, the grass seemed to make him unsure about his injury though, it was odd as he's been phenomenal on the clay all year.

Because that's his prefered surface and to be honest his movement was pretty poor by his standards on Clay, Djokovic for me wasn't at his best and it was more dogged determination than skill that took it to five sets in the semi finals.
If Nadal can't hack it on grass he's going to have an even harder time on Hard court which for me is even quicker than grass now and he will not be given the time to position himself onto his forehand.......i would be very surprised now if he wins any more grand slams in his career that don't come at Roland Garros.

[Özim]

Because that's his prefered surface and to be honest his movement was pretty poor by his standards on Clay, Djokovic for me wasn't at his best and it was more dogged determination than skill that took it to five sets in the semi finals.
If Nadal can't hack it on grass he's going to have an even harder time on Hard court which for me is even quicker than grass now and he will not be given the time to position himself onto his forehand.......i would be very surprised now if he wins any more grand slams in his career that don't come at Roland Garros.
Maybe but he'd won match after match and won the French.
I think Nadal will prefer the hard court to grass to be honest, grass is probably his least favourite surface, it usually is for clay courters.

As for Djokovic, yes he wasn't at his best but Del Potro is top 4 quality, he can beat any of these guys with the shots he has. Probably the most powerful hitter in the game.

As for Nadal winning, there's a lot of competition, but I reckon he'll be right up there.....he's just come back from a long injury won the French and people are writing him off, bit early for that.

He's without doubt better than Murray if he plays well.

[Letters]

His route to the final has been easy, once Nadal and Federer went out there was little doubt he was going to get there....ended up with the easy draw in the end oddly enough.
I'm not sure what your point is. You can only beat what's put in front of you and he has in a Wimbledon where most of the other top seeds in both the men and ladies' competition went out earlier than you'd expect.
The final will be tough but he's beaten Djokovic in a final before so I reckon he's got a good chance.
Why are you trying to belittle him? He's not an all time great but he's got to the level where he's a serious contender in slams.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Federer I agree with, he's finished. Nadal oddly seemed unsure on the grass, he'd been fully fit for the whole clay season so it seemed odd that he'd suddenly be injured..he just seemed very tentative on the grass.

Reckon Nadal would have beaten Murray if fully fit.

He was unfit...he hadn't played a match between the final of Roland Garros and the 1st round at Wimbledon....which i would think is pretty unusual for a person who hadn't played on grass for almost a year. He pushed himself to his limits to retain his French Open crown, and it clearly took his toll. His knees are completely fucked....and whilst Nadal is more of a competitor than Murray...Murray has much more in terms of variety in his play.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Maybe but he'd won match after match and won the French.
I think Nadal will prefer the hard court to grass to be honest, grass is probably his least favourite surface, it usually is for clay courters.


As for Djokovic, yes he wasn't at his best but Del Potro is top 4 quality, he can beat any of these guys with the shots he has. Probably the most powerful hitter in the game.

If he can't trust his knees on Grass than how will he do it on Hard Court....frankly i'd be surprised if he didn't pull out of the US Open

[Özim]

I'm not sure what your point is. You can only beat what's put in front of you and he has in a Wimbledon where most of the other top seeds in both the men and ladies' competition went out earlier than you'd expect.
The final will be tough but he's beaten Djokovic in a final before so I reckon he's got a good chance.
Why are you trying to belittle him? He's not an all time great but he's got to the level where he's a serious contender in slams.
True but he's had the luck as well, how often do the top seeds get knocked out so early..any other time he'd have someone top class in the semis at least...odd tournament this time round.

He's beaten Djokovic yes, but Djokovic has beaten him quite a few times as well....Murrays only notable victory in recent years is in the US Open, other than that he's lost to him (ok you can say the Olympic but a 3 set format is completely different and that doesn't have the same meaning as a grand slam, it's just a nice bonus).

Belittle him no, but these people creaming themselves over how wonderful he is and how amazingly he's done to get to the final are deluded, he's not had to beat anyone of note. He's a top player no doubt about it, but the achievement of reaching the final isn't a great one due to his route to it.

[Özim]

He was unfit...he hadn't played a match between the final of Roland Garros and the 1st round at Wimbledon....which i would think is pretty unusual for a person who hadn't played on grass for almost a year. He pushed himself to his limits to retain his French Open crown, and it clearly took his toll. His knees are completely fucked....and whilst Nadal is more of a competitor than Murray...Murray has much more in terms of variety in his play.
Variety or not, Nadal is a superior player, that's why he's won so many grand slams, beaten Murray many times along the way and Murray only has one.

[Özim]

If he can't trust his knees on Grass than how will he do it on Hard Court....frankly i'd be surprised if he didn't pull out of the US Open
Problem with grass is that it's much more slippery which is probably more of a problem for his knees to be honest.

[Master Splinter]

Why don't you all stab yourselves in the face repeatedly? It would be just as worthwhile and twice as enjoyable.

Anyway: Murray :bow:.

Actually: Murray :doh: because for three matches in a row he's been passive and has had to dig himself out of self-made ruts. Janowicz was serving bombs early on, but Murray was still just keeping it in play during any rally that occurred.

I'm sure he'll be switched on for the final though because he does raise his game considerably every time he faces Djokovic. If the serve is working like today, he'll win. Otherwise, :rose:.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'd favour Djokovic purely because I think he has a level he can get to that Murray can't stay with.

My prediction - many mentions of "first set is key" on Sunday.

[Cripps_orig]

I predicted Djokovic at the start of this thread

Want Muzza to win though.

Win/win tbh

As for the women's, Lisicki all the way

[Kano]

True but he's had the luck as well, how often do the top seeds get knocked out so early..any other time he'd have someone top class in the semis at least...odd tournament this time round.

He's beaten Djokovic yes, but Djokovic has beaten him quite a few times as well....Murrays only notable victory in recent years is in the US Open, other than that he's lost to him (ok you can say the Olympic but a 3 set format is completely different and that doesn't have the same meaning as a grand slam, it's just a nice bonus).

Belittle him no, but these people creaming themselves over how wonderful he is and how amazingly he's done to get to the final are deluded, he's not had to beat anyone of note. He's a top player no doubt about it, but the achievement of reaching the final isn't a great one due to his route to it.
the olympics was five sets, which is why he blew away the man who had just beaten him in the wimbledon final in straight sets. arguably the best player ever, who murray has a beater head to head against. these players do not have to enter the olympics. they do so because they obviously badly want to win it. they wouldn't enter a mckey mouse tournament pointlessly to add to their already hectic schedules for no reason. once again you are so far out of kilter with not only 99.99% of tennis fans but the experts too.

federer has had quite a few runs to wimbledon against less notable opponents in the latter rounds (see 2006-2009). so what does that mean? absolutely nothing. he got to the final. it would be great if you could find a champion that has got to the several big finals in a row beating the best players along the way. even if you could do that with a football team i'd be impressed.

novak rightfully starts as favourite on saturday but murray is one of only a few guys that stand a realistic chance of beating him.

those people 'creaming' themselves have watched him grow significantly over the past 12 months, which is marked by his stable ranking in the world. so he deserves the praise. he's no fly by night top 5 player who will disappear down the ranks but rather stay there for the next 3/4 years at his peak, which marks him out as a fantastic player. a legend? no way. but how many get to be called that.

[Master Splinter]

I'd favour Djokovic purely because I think he has a level he can get to that Murray can't stay with.

My prediction - many mentions of "first set is key" on Sunday.

Murray has reached that level a few times (versus Federer at the Olympics and of course before the feather ruined him, Nadal in the 2008 US Open semi and a couple of matches against Djokovic), but as of yet, he rarely stays in it for more than a set and a half. Retreating back to his comfort zone of attritional slicing and dicing will probably always be a problem.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray has reached that level a few times (versus Federer at the Olympics and of course before the feather ruined him, Nadal in the 2008 US Open semi and a couple of matches against Djokovic), but as of yet, he rarely stays in it for more than a set and a half. Retreating back to his comfort zone of attritional slicing and dicing will probably always be a problem.

I mean in direct comparison with the level that Djokovic can reach, which I think is a higher one. Although even so, as you say, if he did have that level, it's not likely to be sustained.

[Letters]

Belittle him no, but these people creaming themselves over how wonderful he is and how amazingly he's done to get to the final are deluded, he's not had to beat anyone of note. He's a top player no doubt about it, but the achievement of reaching the final isn't a great one due to his route to it.
I don't think anyone's doing that. Obviously a British player is going to generate hype in the British press and amongst a British population.
I'm pleased he's got there and hope he wins it, it's nice to have a British player I can get behind.
I actually thought he'd win it this year - after the Olympics and the US Open I think he's got the monkey off his back about winning in a big final - and when the other top seeds started falling I expected him to get to the final.
Looking forward to it, come on Muzza :scarf: <- need a blue and white one really, as he's a Scot.

[Cripps_orig]

He's only a scot when he loses tbh.

Every other time, he's a Brit

[Cripps_orig]

Anyway Lisicki has a 3-1 record v Bartoli

They have met at Wimbledon twice. One win each.

We all Lisicki fans tomorrow?

[Rors]

He's only a scot when he loses tbh.

Every other time, he's a Brit

Okay, next person to say this gets turned into a toad... :banghead:

[Rors]

Anyway Lisicki has a 3-1 record v Bartoli

They have met at Wimbledon twice. One win each.

We all Lisicki fans tomorrow?

Primarily yeah, but Bartoli is completely insane, which has to count for something.

[Rors]

Programme getting underway now on BBC1

[Rors]

"It transcends into the crowd". Not sure that actually makes sense Navratilova, but okay...

[Rors]

Steady on there Boris, you silver tongued charmer...

[Rors]

Bartoli comes across as borderline certifiable :lol:

[Rors]

5000th post. What else could it be?:
--
McEnroe :bow:

[Rors]

Here goes then.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

One break point remaining out of two for Lisicki.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And the second one saved too.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Adv. Lisicki. Double fault. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And a second double fault. Lisicki leads 1-0.

[Rors]

And there's a break for Lisicki in the very first game...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Bartoli. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ace saves the first.

[Rors]

Didn't have this one down as a break points-fest...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And a double fault gives Bartoli back the break, 1-1. :lol:

[Rors]

Lisicki waited until the ball was directly over Court 18 before striking that one.. :doh:

[Rors]

A hold :faint:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

WTA. :bow:

[Rors]

Bartoli's technique = Warne's batting stance.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Bartoli.