Miami Masters 1000 Thread.

[temporary21]

First topic message reminder :

Cue the 80's music! Roll up roll up for all things Miami!

[Haddie-nuff]

The issue with dolg is his health... not many more talented players than him in the game.

Oh well Novak - Murray episode 64 or something

I know and that coupled with those blistered feet ??? we could have been seeing a whole different final.
Just wish there was some more of that talent out there

[Silver]

Well done Novak, never easy to deal with Isner in the States if he's in good nick.

Murray's lost the last 6 matches against Nole (and 9 of the last 10!), I'm sure he'd love to snap that streak before clay comes calling.

[laverfan]

Isner folded in the second set, very bizarre, almost like Berdych v Murray.

to both well-rested warriors.

[HM Murdock]

Third Djokovic v Murray meeting of the year!

I predicted Murray to win this tournament at the start, so I won't change my prediction now. There doesn't seem to be much between their respective levels but Murray has to snap that streak sooner or later. I think he'll play more intelligently here than he did in IW.

I'm so impressed with Novak's consistency though. Since a shaky North American HC swing in 2014, he's gone:

China - Won
Shanghai - SF
Paris - Won
WTF - Won
Doha - QF
Australian Open - Won
Dubai - Final
Indian Wells - Won
Miami - At least final

Not bad at all.

[Danny_1982]

Hope Andy does better than the other week. I'm sure he will. The worry I always have against Novak is that Andy will go shot for shot with him, will match him, but at some point he'll dip a bit and Novak will shoot off into the distance. Novak maintains that mental intensity far better than Andy.

I also think Novak's form is really worrying for everyone else. It's not like 2011 when it was lights out tennis every match. This time he's playing within himself. It looks like there's another gear.

[Born Slippy]

I suspect it will be fairly simple for Novak. Andy just can't afford to go toe to toe with him so I really hope he actually mixes it up this time. If he serves at 45% and makes zero effort to do anything other than baseline trading that will be very annoying!

[HM Murdock]

I also think Novak's form is really worrying for everyone else. It's not like 2011 when it was lights out tennis every match. This time he's playing within himself. It looks like there's another gear.

Should Novak win tomorrow, his results will only one loss off the level of 2011 (He won Dubai that year, this year he lost in the final).

Given that his level is clearly not as high as 2011, that reflects poorly on the current state of the tour.

[It Must Be Love]

I predicted Murray to win this tournament at the start, so I won't change my prediction now.

Nope, disallowed, I'm afraid you're not allowed to make that prediction

[It Must Be Love]

Given that his level is clearly not as high as 2011, that reflects poorly on the current state of the tour.

Yep, this is a pretty weak period in terms of tennis competition at the top, and could continue for some years yet.

[HM Murdock]

I suspect it will be fairly simple for Novak. Andy just can't afford to go toe to toe with him so I really hope he actually mixes it up this time. If he serves at 45% and makes zero effort to do anything other than baseline trading that will be very annoying!

I feel sure that Andy will play more intelligently this time. I don't know what happened to his mind in IW but surely he won't be so bereft of a game plan this time?

I marginally favour Andy this time but I agree with you that he has no chance without a decent first serve %.

[HM Murdock]

I predicted Murray to win this tournament at the start, so I won't change my prediction now.

Nope, disallowed, I'm afraid you're not allowed to make that prediction

But I made it before IW!

[It Must Be Love]

I predicted Murray to win this tournament at the start, so I won't change my prediction now.

Nope, disallowed, I'm afraid you're not allowed to make that prediction

But I made it before IW!

HM, would you be interested in betting by any chance ??

Seriously considering starting a betting company with you as my only customer and only bets against Novak allowed.

[HM Murdock]

I predicted Murray to win this tournament at the start, so I won't change my prediction now.

Nope, disallowed, I'm afraid you're not allowed to make that prediction

But I made it before IW!

HM, would you be interested in betting by any chance ??

Seriously considering starting a betting company with you as my only customer and only bets against Novak allowed.

I'll do it if I can do the same for you with Rafa before RG!

[It Must Be Love]

I predicted Murray to win this tournament at the start, so I won't change my prediction now.

Nope, disallowed, I'm afraid you're not allowed to make that prediction

But I made it before IW!

HM, would you be interested in betting by any chance ??

Seriously considering starting a betting company with you as my only customer and only bets against Novak allowed.

I'll do it if I can do the same for you with Rafa before RG!

Seriously ? I'd love that.

[Born Slippy]

I suspect it will be fairly simple for Novak. Andy just can't afford to go toe to toe with him so I really hope he actually mixes it up this time. If he serves at 45% and makes zero effort to do anything other than baseline trading that will be very annoying!

I feel sure that Andy will play more intelligently this time. I don't know what happened to his mind in IW but surely he won't be so bereft of a game plan this time?

I marginally favour Andy this time but I agree with you that he has no chance without a decent first serve %.

Well, he has played the last 6 times with no game-plan, so it seems unlikely one will have materialised. I think it will be 61 63 to Novak.

[It Must Be Love]

Well, he has played the last 6 times with no game-plan, so it seems unlikely one will have materialised. I think it will be 61 63 to Novak.

It won't be that bad, I think it will be 7-5 6-4 or something like that.

[HM Murdock]

Has there ever been an occasion on this forum where someone has predicted that their favourite player will win?

[Danny_1982]

I'm a bit more optimistic than BS. If Andy can get over 60% first serves in and maintain his new ridiculously aggressive second serve returning position, then it will be a lot closer than the other week.

But... I still think Novak is too confident right now.

[Born Slippy]

"The No. 3-seeded Murray played almost flawless tennis against No. 8 Berdych, extending points with scrambling defense until the Czech would finally make a mistake."

Tennis.com's summary of the Murray match. It does annoy me when reports so far off point. The bit about flawless tennis is right but it was primarily first strike tennis, dictating the points and preventing Berdych from ever being in a position to take control.

[Belovedluckyboy]

It's very difficult for anyone to beat Novak on this Miami court, this court favors his style of play. He could practically retrieve every ball, and even against a big server like Isner, Novak could just hold his own serve by serving very well too. Unless Murray plays something like Dolgo, it's hard to see him beating Novak with the usual baseline game.

If Murray loses to Novak this time, he would be like Rafa, ie losing seven in a row to Novak, not a good record to have.

[banbrotam]

I'm happy with a decent display and no brain fade, like we've seen in the last couple of matches

That will be important as I think if Andy can be competitive then it augurs well for Wimbledon, where I think, on form, he's better than Novak

Wouldn't be surprised to see him win though - unlike Windy

[CaledonianCraig]

As others have said this is more about Andy mixing it up a bit. If he brings variety and aggression and serves to a high standard then he definitely has a chance. However, if he sets out to play his default game of sitting back behind the baseline and hope to outlast Novak in the rallies it will end in another comprehensive defeat. He simply must get his telling shots in first before Novak otherwise another routine defeat will be on the cards.

[Haddie-nuff]

I know its easy for us sitting in our armchairs to tell Andy what he should do.
All I know is that Novak, mentally, is where I wish Rafa was at the moment,
To put no finer point on it.. he is full of himself.. good thing obviously.
The only way is to unsettle Novak's rhythm, and let doubts creep in. .But I can see that it is so easy to be sucked in by his game.. and it will take a very strong minded Andy not to let that happen. But we know he can.beat Novak....its within his capabilities..

[CaledonianCraig]

But we know he can.beat Novak....its within his capabilities..

This doesn't rest easy with me. Yes the pre-back injury Murray proved he could beat Djokovic but since back surgery he is yet to do so. Like I said on another post elsewhere a few weeks ago, for me Murray's challenge has always been a mental one. It took him a while to build up the true self-belief that he could beat the very best players in the biggest matches and since back surgery it is almost putting him back to where he was before he won a slam mentality-wise where he needs to truly believe he can win following surgery. In no way am I using back surgery as a excuse more examining Andy's mentality where he has never really had that steadfast belief that he can be unbeatable.

[Haddie-nuff]

I wouldn't argue with that because you know Ive always believed Andy's problem is a mental one. I recognise the effects of that, seeing Rafa go through the same thing, self doubt, but if Andy could only see that playing Novak's game is no going to win the match..employ different tactics, in my opinion, is the only way anyone is going to beat Novak at the moment, Now dont think I do not realise that  its easier said than done.. but if Andy could unsettle Novak enough that he will make the mistakes he did against Dolgopolov.. might well fire Andy's belief in himself. Yes I will reiterate that its not easy I know That in itself takes mental strength.  Vicious circle.  I wish him success nonetheless

[CaledonianCraig]

Yes he must use variety and mix it up, be more aggressive and get his big shots off first and even get into the net as often as he can. Sitting six feet behind the baseline trying to outrally Novak on every point will end in dismal failure.

[Belovedluckyboy]

It's unbelievable how dominant Novak is on the slower HCs of AO, IW and Miami; he's 6-1 vs Fed, 6-1 vs Rafa and 9-1 vs Murray. Fed won his one time over Novak at AO in 2007! Rafa too, in 2007, at IW. Murray beat Novak at Miami 2009; thereafter, they keep losing to Novak whenever they met/meet him at those three tournaments! Novak is now 21-3 vs the three of them, he's even more dominant than Rafa is on clay vs Fed/Novak/Murray! That's something really scary, for anyone facing Novak on those surfaces.

From 2011 onwards, Novak has won 4 out of 5 AO; 3 out of 5 IW; and 3 out of 4 Miami! He lost to big hitter like Delpo and Stan, big server like Isner and variety player like Haas, and except for the loss to Haas, the other three losses all went the distance. Perhaps Murray could take a leaf out of Haas book, or Dolgo's, and tries mixing in all sorts of varieites

[Haddie-nuff]

Whether it is later rather than soon... be sure of one thing..someone will

[socal1976]

I thought Murray looked vulnerable against Berdych in that he didn't serve particularly well on the second serve. If he serves like that against Novak he will lose. He has to have a good serving day against the best returner he will face. For his part Novak hasn't looked sketchy to say the least in this tournament so if Murray wants to break this streak the time is now.

[socal1976]

Third Djokovic v Murray meeting of the year!

I predicted Murray to win this tournament at the start, so I won't change my prediction now. There doesn't seem to be much between their respective levels but Murray has to snap that streak sooner or later. I think he'll play more intelligently here than he did in IW.

I'm so impressed with Novak's consistency though. Since a shaky North American HC swing in 2014, he's gone:

China - Won
Shanghai - SF
Paris - Won
WTF - Won
Doha - QF
Australian Open - Won
Dubai - Final
Indian Wells - Won
Miami - At least final

Not bad at all.

What makes it really impressive is if you consider that if Novak wins the final he will have won the last five 1000 point or better tournaments played on tour. He has already won Paris, WTF, AO, IW all in a row. From Nov of 2014 till now he has won every major tournament that has been contested. His only losses coming in a 250 and 500 pointer.

[Jahu]

Come on Andy, give it all man, get rid of this embarrassing boring ugly nobody cares for player.

1 week between their birthdays and $40M difference

[CaledonianCraig]

Not seen the variety yet which is a necessity from Andy as Djokovic holds to lead 1-0.

[Haddie-nuff]

Agreed

[CaledonianCraig]

A good solid hold from Andy to level at 1-1. Still don't like how Novak is on the baseline whilst Andy is six feet behind it.

[Haddie-nuff]

Yes but good from Andy there at the net..come on sunshine

[Jahu]

Andy breaks, Djoko is breathless.

Crush himmmmm

[CaledonianCraig]

Well at least Andy is getting his big shots off first which is something and he breaks to lead 2-1.

[Haddie-nuff]

Nice Andy well played

[Jahu]

Andy to win in 2 sets, maybe a TB.

Go go go go

[Henman Bill]

Yep Murdoch, Socal, Djokovic is eating up the main hard court tournaments, kind of makes Nishikori's US Open win look all the more impressive.

[Danny_1982]

Great level from Andy so far... But it's not reaching this level that's the problem. It's sustaining it. Ala AO final.

[Henman Bill]

I'm disallowing that prediction made just after the first break.

[Jahu]

Overruled.

[Jahu]

Keep those rockets going.

[Haddie-nuff]

No no mix it mix it Andy

[Jahu]

He has 3 ladies to listen to in his life, so he ain't listening to another one, HN.

[CaledonianCraig]

A dogfight of a game which sees Novak break back - chances missed by Andy. 2-2

[Jahu]

HN, stop jinxing Andy

[Jahu]

That's it, deep balls and get to the net, don't be scared Andy.

[Henman Bill]

OK given the break back I accept your overrule.

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