Tennis Weekly Series- Edition 2

This has been a historic week for Simon Reed.
So many times he had been written off; 'Past his prime' 'Out of depth in this new Golden era of men's journalism' 'Delusional' 'Too old' were some of the allegations hauled his way by eager critics.
But yet here we are in the 2nd edition of my weekly series and Simon Reed has, almost incredibly, defied his doubters.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/simon-reed/federer-favourite-only-just-165244008.html

Match of the Week:
Roger Federer (1) vs Andy Murray (4):
More than seventy years Great Britain had waited for a home player to reach the final at Wimbledon. 74 years to be precise. But, when Hawkeye confirmed Murray's forehand return had landed just in against Tsonga, that wait was over. Up against him was the Swiss legend Roger Federer, who himself was looking for some history- to seal his 17th Grand Slam Title.
But it was the 6-time Wimbledon Champion who started off terribly- missing a half volley which Harry Redknapp's grandma would have buried to go a break down immediately. Nevertheless Federer settled down soon enough and broke Murray back in the 4th game to level the first set. Federer had the momentum had nearly broke in the 8th game but some dogged determination and big serving helped Murray save a couple of break points and hold serve. Instead at 4-4 it was Murray who stepped it up to get a vital break with some sublime hitting, and then sealed his first set in a Grand Slam Final 6 games to 4.
The BBC commentary box were ecstatic. Andrew Castle was going wild. Boris Becker hadn't seemed this excited since his last visit to the Nobu broom cupboard*. Murray had won a set, but the question was: could he sustain it?
It seemed so. Murray did not let his intensity drop, but Federer was determined not to make silly mistakes either. At 4-4 Murray had 15-40 on Roger serve, a real opportunity! But alas, the valiant Scot could not take it as Federer hung on to hold his serve. A tiebreak seemed imminent, but Federer had other ideas. With the score 30-30 5-6 Murray serving to stay in the set Federer found another gear, hitting two sublime volleys to level the match!
And if the match didn't enough already a roof was brought on due to rain. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd willing on Andy to seal glory for his nation. But Federer loves playing indoors. His serve became even more effective and his ground-strokes more penetrating to seize control of the match. In an epic game 6, which lasted longer than 15 minutes, Murray eventually gave under the pressure and fell a break down. Federer was in a ruthless mood and held his serve from then on to take the 3rd set.
Unfortunately for Murray things did not improve in set number 4. An aggressive Federer was hitting the ball immaculately and sealed the crucial break in the fifth game to put him on the brink of glory. And while Murray held his serve from then on, Federer was having no trouble on his serve either. Serving at 5-4 for the Championship the Swiss did not disappoint, dictating the play and dragging a downcast Murray from side to side until finally Murray strayed long match point down. Federer fell to the ground in joy. After two and a half years, he had done it.

*= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/04/books.sport

Player of the Week: Roger Federer The Swiss legend sealed Wimbledon glory today and won his first Slam since Australian Open 2010 (when he also beat Murray). This win means:
-He has won 7 Wimbledon trophies
-He has won 17 Grand Slam trophies
-He will overtake Sampras with the record number of weeks at number 1


Quotes of the Week:
Andy Murray: 'He's not bad for a 30 year old.' Murray reflects on Roger.
Andy Murray: 'Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, but it's not the people watching - they make it incredible.' A tearful Andy reflects on the Wimbledon crowd.
Roger Federer: 'Andy will at least win one Grand Slam.' Roger gives some betting advice.

Good article IMTL

I guess all fans are drained like players after Wimbledon, no wonder the forum looks a bit dead now.

Nice article IMBL - I'm really loving this series so far

Nice article IMBL. A good read.

Nicely done, IMBL.

PS: You should also consider a 10+ minute game at 3-4 with Murray serving. Federer could have won the first set 6-3, if he had managed to convert one of the two BPs (5 deuces, IIRC).

PPS:

Murray 4-4 Federer*
Murray will serve with new balls - behave at the back - but all that means is that his serves will just come back at him even faster. Wobbling at 0-30, Federer prowling, tracking - yes yes, pair of fine forehands for 30-30, Federer then top-edging a spitting second serve like a tail-ender trying to hook a bouncer. Fed with a dropper, Murray turning on the nitrous, there with racquet poised... chance missed, his attempted backhand pass never getting up. Federer with a drop-volley so well disguised it's still lying on the turf unnoticed - another break point at a horrible time. Get that first serve landing Andy - yup, 131mph into the corner, but that's too passive - he's staying in the points but no more, and Federer will wait for the right ball to apear in his cross-hairs and then squeeze the trigger. To the net, to the net - a pick-up of perfection from Murray to save another breaker. Short backhand, sitting up, waiting to be punished - a gift for Federer, wrapped up in ribbon. Murray waits, blows cool air onto his sweating fingertips. High ball toss, hammering serve, Fed pushing long. Murray hangs on, but that's all he's doing at the moment; 49 minutes gone, and Roger is slowly exerting his iron grip.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18755331

Very good. Reflects Murrays excellent form in the first 2 sets, the importance of the match switching to an indoor match, and the mind blowing excellence of Federer in the last 2 sets.

These are really good reads. Keep it going.

Invisible, Danny, Craig, Carrieg and LF, thanks
Glad you guys liked it

LF, I will add that in

Thanks, IMBL.

Nice one IMBL.

Edition 1 is now in the "Tennis Weekly Series Archive" folder at the top of the forum page.

invisiblecoolers wrote:Good article IMTL

I guess all fans are drained like players after Wimbledon, no wonder the forum looks a bit dead now.

I'm back early. I thought I need a month off after that final - but I'm here fighting fit and talking rubbish as usual

Another great article as well

I'm quite impressed. There's been a distinct lack of Wummery about Murray since the final

With one of two notable exceptions. I wonder who these could be

Great article IMBL

Infact Murray should have said "not bad for a near 31 year old"...I notice he didnt say Sue wasnt bad for a 56 year old though?

maybe because she was bad