The Tennis Thread - Part 2

[Sakuraba]

Yep. He'll do that often when it comes to the smash. Always tries to make the opponent hit an extra ball and it works the majority of the time too. Human backboard.

Djoker's coming into net a lot more.

Yeah, I think he dumped a lot of energy against Delpo, and he's making an effort to shorten points, so even in stretches when Murray plays passively, chasing balls down is having an effect on Djokovic today. One thing to look for is Djokovic's footing moving forward. He slipped once already.

 

[regwec]

Get in there!

 

[Frico]

First set to the Muzzard and now the question becomes can he hold his nerve. But I love what I'm seeing from him.

Was that Nigel Sears behind Judy Murray? He just split with Ivanovic on coaching duties.

 

[Sakuraba]

Johnny Mac pointing out that Djokovic's serve and volley looking desperate

 

[Sakuraba]

How about that. Wimbledon almost pays as much as to the winner as the Grand Slam Cup was paying twenty years ago.

 

[Frico]

Take off the shades Muhammed!

 

[Sakuraba]

Good hold from Murray there, with an assist from the umpire

 

[Frico]

These rallies are incredible. Break to Novak 3-1 with Murray looking drained.

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray squandered two break points, but he's played two attacking points to get another look. Second serve coming... Double fault!

Back on serve. Those recent aggressive returns gave Djokovic something to think about

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray staves off a break point with an ace, slice serve out wide is unreturnable, and a big serve to Djokovic's backhand and Murray stays back behind the baseline. Follow that ball in Murray!

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray plays two great points. Coming in, hammering a short ball, smash put away, and then following his serve with a deft drop shot.

Second serve skids off the chalk. Bad break for Djokovic as Murray holds.

I like what I'm seeing from Djokovic though.

And he has a love hold.

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray's first serve has been his saving grace. His second serve has been his bane.

Murray holds. It's 5-5, and this match is already over two hours old

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray rips his first good pass of the set.

I've never seen so many floating slices hit the baseline. And Djokovic is enraged about a slice that in fact did hit the line. He's probably frustrated because he knows he should have already won this set.

Double break look for Murray. Serve and smash from Djoker! And he didn't run into the net this time.

Murray hammers a Djokovic second serve right at his feet, holy crap, and Djokovic sends it into the net.

As much as I've lamented Murray's passivity, he's come up with the right moments to attack. Serves for a two set lead..

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray's first serve has been a beast

Djokovic is frustrated, going for too much.

Ace gives Murray a two set lead. Come on you Brits, you can return to this thread now

 

[Frico]

Ace to cap off the second set!!!

 

[Sakuraba]

This is looking like a straight setter to me.

We know Djokovic is the comeback kid, but those two set comebacks happened after he played a timid two sets, then he just relaxed and went for his shots. Today he's already been playing a pretty free-wheeling. I don't think Murray is about to lose this match.

 

[kit1982]

Very well done to Murray, he's serving like he did in the Olympics. I'll be shocked if he doesn't wrap it up in 3, I dunno if it's just me but Novak seems to have lost some of that ironman mentality he had a couple of years ago. Don't get me wrong he's still tough as shown against Delpo, but it's as if he's realised today isn't going to be his day and that's it. A couple of years ago he'd have been abit more patient IMO.

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray has break point here in the opening game. He flying around the court.

Murray breaks! Good god his defense was unbelievable that game. He alternates between offense and defense so well

 

[kit1982]

Typical Brit talk, but with this in the bag can Murray become the dominant force we all thought Novak was going to become a few years ago?

 

[Frico]

Djoker should know better. Murray can run down short balls all day. If Murray breaks here I'm calling game over.

 

[Frico]

Djoker pulls a Lebron by taking off the hat, lol.

 

[Sakuraba]

Very well done to Murray, he's serving like he did in the Olympics. I'll be shocked if he doesn't wrap it up in 3, I dunno if it's just me but Novak seems to have lost some of that ironman mentality he had a couple of years ago. Don't get me wrong he's still tough as shown against Delpo, but it's as if he's realised today isn't going to be his day and that's it. A couple of years ago he'd have been abit more patient IMO.

Murray just matches up really well with him on grass. He's just getting outplayed. It doesn't help that he got pummeled and put through a mental ringer by JMDP two days ago.

Djokovic from Davis Cup finals 2010 to Cincinnati 2011, was obviously a monster until, coincidentally enough he quit against Murray there. If you go back I think I made a big deal about that at the time.

Djokovic isn't going away here, dug out of a hole and now he's got a break look

 

[Sakuraba]

Murray, Murray, Murray. One bad decision. For once drawing Murray in helped Djokovic.

 

[Frico]

Djoker with the break for 2-2. US Open 2012 all over again fellas?

 

[kit1982]

You did indeed make a big deal about it mate, as you did in the Olympics Semi Final and both times you were spot on. I dunno watching him in that hat he looks like they guy who would walk off at a Slam because it was too hot rather than the 9 hour marathon man. I guess I am doing JMDP a disservice though. It'll be interesting to see when Murray and Novak next match up.


Edit: and as I type that Novak goes and makes me look a right tit!