Match Commentary Thread

[Born Slippy]

First topic message reminder :

A thread to provide commentary on matches at tournaments which don't have their own threads (as I'm watching Ferrer v Murray).

[temporary21]

Let me reiterate JHM's point that discussions on talent of Fed-Nadal belongs in the sticky GOAT thread and not the match commentary thread.
May I also reiterate that one persons opinion is not less valid over another just because you reckon it is. Keep it classy Gentleman (and Ladies).

[CaledonianCraig]

I think Ferrer starts as 55% favourite here purely because he probably has a lot more in the tank than Murray.  This  reallysi the final, isn't it?  My only doubt over Ferrer is what state he'll be in mentally after he failed to serve out the title last week.

I would agree on the physical side. Ferrer had a comfortable match yesterday whilst Murray had a marathon match and looked physically shot at the end as he slumped in his chair. It needs Andy to be ultra-aggressive today and bid to end rallies quickly as possible as if this turns into another lengthy scrap I see Ferrer coming through.

[It Must Be Love]

Let me reiterate JHM's point that discussions on talent of Fed-Nadal belongs in the sticky GOAT thread and not the match commentary thread.
May I also reiterate that one persons opinion is not less valid over another just because you reckon it is. Keep it classy Gentleman (and Ladies).

Thankyou Temp

[summerblues]

Coric is younger than Nole and Andy when they entered top 100.

[The Special Juan]

Coric is younger than Nole and Andy when they entered top 100.

How old were Fedal?

[summerblues]

Coric is younger than Nole and Andy when they entered top 100.

How old were Fedal?

Checking ATP site, Federer was a touch over 18 - much like Andy and Nole, and older than Coric.

Rafa was about a year younger than Coric - just short of his 17th birthday.

[summerblues]

Goffin gets the first break.

[The Special Juan]

Coric is younger than Nole and Andy when they entered top 100.

How old were Fedal?

Checking ATP site, Federer was a touch over 18 - much like Andy and Nole, and older than Coric.

Rafa was about a year younger than Coric - just short of his 17th birthday.

Cheers. What a phenomenal player Nadal is/was to break in so quickly.

[summerblues]

Based on the link below, Coric will be the third youngest player since 2001 to reach top 100:

http://heavytopspin.com/2011/05/12/teenagers-in-the-top-100/

[summerblues]

Goffin takes the first set; looking very solid.

[Jahu]

Come on Andy, skin him like a ferret

Coric is good enough for a SF, but Goff is on another league.

[CaledonianCraig]

A very good start by Murray (so far) with an early break and leads 3-2 and seems to be timing the ball well and tuned in mentally. How long will it last though?

[CaledonianCraig]

I must say Goffin has been superb lately and he is leaping and bounding up the rankings. One to watch for next year.

[summerblues]

Coric survives - barely - the opening game of the second set.

[summerblues]

Goffin who was looking so solid all of a sudden coughs up a few errors and gifts a break to Coric.

[Danny_1982]

If I were Ferrer I'd just try and move Murray about. Plenty of width, plenty of drop shots. Andy is playing great so far, best he's looked in a long while. But after a long 3 setter yesterday, on the back of 5 weeks tennis... I'm certain he'll just run out of steam at some point in this match.

Good stuff so far though. Looks far more confident.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ferrer starting to settle and holds to love but Murray will serve for the first set at 5-4.

[CaledonianCraig]

Andy Murray saves a break point before sealing the first set 6-4. Playing key points much better now and looking a little like his old self (dare I say). I won't count my chickens yet and besides we need to see how he fairs against the top players but liking what I have seen so far.

[summerblues]

Mhmm...Coric holds on to his break and takes the set.  He has shown the ability to serve some timely aces too.

[Jahu]

Coric taskes second set 6:3, come on!!!

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray repeats his start to the first set in the second and breaks to lead 6-4 1-0. Can he consolidate the break?

[The Special Juan]

Mhmm...Coric holds on to his break and takes the set.  He has shown the ability to serve some timely aces too.

Exactly like Nick K. I'll need to watch more of Coric as I've not seen enough of him compared to Goffin, Zverev, Nick K etc.

[CaledonianCraig]

An assertive hold from Murray. Mentally solid, hitting the ball sweetly and good depth as well.

[The Special Juan]

If Andy keeps this up we might have a dark horse for Paris next week!

[CaledonianCraig]

If Andy keeps this up we might have a dark horse for Paris next week!

Steady on old chap.

[summerblues]

Mhmm...Coric holds on to his break and takes the set.  He has shown the ability to serve some timely aces too.

Exactly like Nick K.  I'll need to watch more of Coric as I've not seen enough of him compared to Goffin, Zverev, Nick K etc.

Yeah, I am watching him right now partly so that I get to see his game - have seen a bit of him this summer but that was it until today.

He looks like he may become good  though of course too early to tell as he has a long way to go.  To be honest, I do not find his game overly exciting to watch, but I could say the same about today's tennis in general.

[The Special Juan]

If Andy keeps this up we might have a dark horse for Paris next week!

Steady on old chap.

Sorry, I'm feeling light headed He'll probably get beaten by Benneteau.

[CaledonianCraig]

Is that the nail in Ferrer's coffin (or today should it be Goffin) as Murray breaks again to lead 6-4 3-0.

[The Special Juan]

Mhmm...Coric holds on to his break and takes the set.  He has shown the ability to serve some timely aces too.

Exactly like Nick K.  I'll need to watch more of Coric as I've not seen enough of him compared to Goffin, Zverev, Nick K etc.

Yeah, I am watching him right now partly so that I get to see his game - have seen a bit of him this summer but that was it until today.

He looks like he may become good  though of course too early to tell as he has a long way to go.  To be honest, I do not find his game overly exciting to watch, but I could say the same about today's tennis in general.

What type of player is he? A big serving, big hitting player or a rallier? I watched his DC match v Murray last year but can't really remember much about it, plus it's a year on so isn't too relevant.

[CaledonianCraig]

If Andy does make the WTF as looks increasingly likely that would be a bonus but I really want to see him climb the rankings again into at least the top eight by the end of the season.

[CaledonianCraig]

First really sloppy game today from Murray and Ferrer breaks to trail 3-1 in the second set.

[Danny_1982]

If Murray wins this tournament he rises to 5th in the race.

That would be some progress!

[summerblues]

What type of player is he?  A big serving, big hitting player or a rallier?  I watched his DC match v Murray last year but can't really remember much about it, plus it's a year on so isn't too relevant.

More a rallier than big hitter for sure.  He is willing to move forward, so not totally glued to the baseline.  He seems to defend quite well.  Neither his forehand nor backhand scream "big", but they both seem to be quite good.

If I do not find his game exciting it is not so much that there is anything wrong about him, but more that I do not find today's baseline based tennis too exciting in general.  I find him probably as watchable as Nole - I can watch him all right but if all tennis players played like that I would spend more time watching other sports.

[summerblues]

Mhmm, something wrong with my stream - both on ESPN and on tennis tv.

[The Special Juan]

Post-USO was always going to be when he surged up the rankings. He wasn't defending anything as opposed to everyone else around him.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ferrer holds and looks revitalised but Murray still has a break advantage but must get out of this mini-dip he has gone into.

[CaledonianCraig]

If Murray wins this tournament he rises to 5th in the race.

That would be some progress!

I am more interested in his climb back up the rankings though.

[The Special Juan]

Oh don't do this to me Dave.

[CaledonianCraig]

Errors spewing off Murray's racquet now, commentators citing fatigue but I'd just say it is a mental lapse and Ferrer breaks again and we are back level at 3-3. You were saying TSJ??

[The Special Juan]

What type of player is he?  A big serving, big hitting player or a rallier?  I watched his DC match v Murray last year but can't really remember much about it, plus it's a year on so isn't too relevant.

More a rallier than big hitter for sure.  He is willing to move forward, so not totally glued to the baseline.  He seems to defend quite well.  Neither his forehand nor backhand scream "big", but they both seem to be quite good.

If I do not find his game exciting it is not so much that there is anything wrong about him, but more that I do not find today's baseline based tennis too exciting in general.  I find him probably as watchable as Nole - I can watch him all right but if all tennis players played like that I would spend more time watching other sports.

That's good to know. I think far too many players are reliant on FH or BH these days rather than being good on both sides. Even at the top, only Djokovic and Nadal are impressive on both sides.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ferrer leads 4-3 in the second set and has all the momentum. Murray's serve has begun misfiring and the Spaniard senses blood. If this goes to three sets my money is on Ferrer.

[The Special Juan]

Please don't do this to me Dave!!

[summerblues]

Goffin serving for the match.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray staves off another break point on his serve to somehow hold and stay afloat in the match. How he stayed in that last rally I will be buggered if I will know. 4-4

[The Special Juan]

What a game!!

[summerblues]

Goffin does it.  Over to Andy vs David which - surprisingly - is not done yet.

[The Special Juan]

I think Murray's done here.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ferrer holds and leads 5-4. Andy you feel cannot go another set so somehow has to win this set.

[Danny_1982]

Murray has to win this set. He has no chance in a third. He's running on fumes. It's his own fault this is still going, he gifted Ferrer a way back in.

Entertaining though.

[summerblues]

If Andy wins today, he is as good as qualified - barring some very odd results in Paris - but even if he loses I would say he would still be very likely to qualify.

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