Wimbledon 2016 - Men's Final

Much-improved, big-serving Canadian takes on home-advantage Briton playing some of his best tennis. Murray is, to me, slight favourite. But Raonic is very focused, very confident and hard to beat. You can make a good case out for either of them.
I don't go along with the notion that a Raonic win is "bad for tennis". There's so much more to his game than a big serve. His ground strokes and movement have improved radically in recent months. Will he win? His game is certainly at the point when it would not be a surprise if he won. I think Murray will triumph, though. But it won't be easy.

I think, and obviously hope, Andy wins tomorrow. Raonic looked terrific v Roger for long spells but I'm hoping Andy has too much for him all round.

Andy in 4.

I think those who say that Raonic is just a serve are still viewing a version from 3-4 years ago. His serve remains his biggest weapon (and a huge one), but he has a good FH, an increasingly solid BH (much improved slice as well), and good net skills.

Think Murray will break the serve down eventually though, and that's when it becomes trickier.

Raonic has also spent a lot more time on court than Murray.

First set is crucial. If Murray takes it I fancy him to win relatively comfortably (3, maybe 4 sets). For me, Raonic needs that first set...

I'm fairly confident that Murray will perform well. Yes, he has misfired in a few slam finals, but I think that has had a lot to do with the guy on the other side of the net. Against Raonic, I don't see self belief being an issue for Murray.

The big unknown is how Raonic will cope with the pressure of a slam final. If nerves get the better of him, then a comfortable Murray win is most likely, but, if he can rise to the occasion, then we could be in for a real tussle.

Overall, I think the smart money is on a Murray win, probably in 4 sets. However, I was mightily impressed with how Raonic came through the Federer match and it would be foolish to write-off his chances.

If Raonic stays back, he loses the rallies. If he goes to the net, he gets picked off. I think he could struggle.

The way he is returning he could have a lot of joy with Murray's second serve. However, he will need to serve very well to protect his own serve.

Murray in 4.

I have never been a huge fan of Raonic.  When he first appeared I thought he had a huge serve and other than that he was just big, immobile and could not do anything.  I never thought he would make it to the very top.  While I am still not convinced he will make it to the very very top, I am overall quite impressed with his progress.  He still is big and immobile, and he always will be, but he has significantly improved both his game and his game plan.

He needed to do two things - work on his baseline game, and come to the net more often.  And he has improved significantly in both areas.

I still think he will lose tomorrow, and in fact would be surprised if the match is extremely close, but he is a significantly improved player, and I think he does pose bigger threat than any of the other guys Murray faced - by some distance.  I also think - all things considering - he will be more dangerous to Andy than Fed would have been if he had come through bruising Cilic and Raonic matches.

I agree with those who say that the first set is more critical to Raonic than to Murray.  I can see Andy starting poorly and later turning it around, but I struggle to see Raonic doing the same.

BTW, Raonic also strikes me as a very intelligent and mature kid.  I remember a few years back - when he was maybe 21 or so - when he was involved in commentating for TV at some tournament (I think maybe Canadian Open?).  His observations were extremely mature and well thought out.

Henman Bill wrote:If Raonic stays back, he loses the rallies. If he goes to the net, he gets picked off. I think he could struggle.

I agree with that.  But he has to come to the net - that at least makes it asymmetrical and gives him some hope.  If he stays at the baseline, he will be playing just like Andy but will be worse at it.  His serve alone will not be nearly enough to make up the difference.

I think we've seen a different Murray at this tournament than we've seen in a slam before. The losses of concentration have been kept to an absolute minimum and he has looked near the top of his game. Raonic has done well to get this far but looked outclassed for long spells in both the Goffin and Federer matches. On paper, this should be a comfortable win for Andy. 

However, it's a slam final. Andy doesn't exactly usually set the world alight in these matches - I don't think I'd put any of his previous 10 above 6/10. I expect Andy to start nervously and that will give Raonic hope and, if he gets an early break, scoreboard pressure will apply. It could be like Roddick 09 all over again. 

All that said, I have a feeling we will see the real Andy Murray step up here. I'm picking Andy to win in three.

Raonic in 4.

Come on my lad!

summerblues wrote:I have never been a huge fan of Raonic.  When he first appeared I thought he had a huge serve and other than that he was just big, immobile and could not do anything.  I never thought he would make it to the very top.  While I am still not convinced he will make it to the very very top, I am overall quite impressed with his progress.  He still is big and immobile, and he always will be, but he has significantly improved both his game and his game plan.

He needed to do two things - work on his baseline game, and come to the net more often.  And he has improved significantly in both areas.

I still think he will lose tomorrow, and in fact would be surprised if the match is extremely close, but he is a significantly improved player, and I think he does pose bigger threat than any of the other guys Murray faced - by some distance.  I also think - all things considering - he will be more dangerous to Andy than Fed would have been if he had come through bruising Cilic and Raonic matches.

I agree with those who say that the first set is more critical to Raonic than to Murray.  I can see Andy starting poorly and later turning it around, but I struggle to see Raonic doing the same.

Bit harsh to call Raonic immobile. Guy has some moves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4dpv2emJ4E

I hope Raonic wins.

Not a Murray fan and would like to see someone new win.

I think Murray will win in 4 sets.

On another note, Sue Barker needs to go.

C'mon Andy Murray!!!!!!!!

Thought I would have less butterflies watching finals sans Feds, but apparently not!

Andy breaking already cannot be a good sign for Raonic - I would think as the match goes on Andy will only find it easier and easier to return his serves.

This could be a quick match.

McEnroe, Lendl, Edberg and Becker all on Centre Court.

westisbest wrote:I hope Raonic wins.

Not a Murray fan and would like to see someone new win.

I think Murray will win in 4 sets.

On another note, Sue Barker needs to go.

Come on Andy lets go..... Pat Cash should go with her
And Andy (does my hair look alright) Castle

Easy as pie so far. Raonic looking every bit as 1 dimensional as I thought.

I had a feeling Federer made him look better than he was and now Murray making him look very ordinary.

This is looking very smooth for Andy.  He is returning Raonic's serve comfortably (Raonic only served one ace the whole first set), and he himself is holding fairly easily.

My gut feel tells me that - if anything - I would expect the match turn more and more in Andy's favor as it progresses.  You never know, but Andy could hardly have asked for a better start.

Danger though don't get complacent Andy..keep plodding away and you will be home in no time

Raonic having no impact on Murray's serve.

I do not know if it is just me, but it feels like Andy is finding it easier to return Milos's serves than vice versa - not a good sign for Raonic.

Well, Andy is winning 85% points behind his first serve, Raonic just 70% behind his. Very solid returning from Andy.

I think Milos has managed to get to 30 on Murray's serve twice so far and no break points yet.

summerblues wrote:McEnroe, Lendl, Edberg and Becker all on Centre Court.

Not forgetting the best of all : a certain guy by the name of Bjorn Borg

Raonic hanging by fingernails.

we all know Murray has won this, in terms of tennis quality, it's pretty average. Raonic is too one dimensional to trouble Murray.

Everything going so smoothly for Andy. In total control.

Raonic barely scraping by each of his service games; Andy cruising through his.

Fairly quiet here. Most Andy fans glued to their TVs busy biting their fingernails?

15 UEs in this set already from Raonic - by W's generous standards that is huge!

Worst Wimbledon final of all time in progress.

Murray as mentally weak as you'll ever see yet Raonic had proven to even supersede Murray

Well deserved two set lead for Andy.  That TB reflected the story of the second set well.  I do not really see Raonic coming back from this.  He only came back against Goffin because Goffin's level dropped - and Andy is far superior to Goffin.

Raonic is apparently winning a higher percentage of points on his 2nd serve than on his first - 69% vs 66%. Andy has been just superb returning those bombs today.

Jermaine2015 wrote:Worst Wimbledon final of all time in progress.

Murray as mentally weak as you'll ever see yet Raonic had proven to even supersede Murray

German humour!

Raonic has had no BPs and only got to deuce once on Andy's serve.

Raonic has been abysmal on the return. Just awful.

Come out from behind the couch CC (I know your there) Your boy is doing great

Four aces apiece.

summerblues wrote:Four aces apiece.

LOL, Raonic not hitting his spots?

Raonic has been really disappointing on the returns

Murray seems to be coasting, his main battle seems to be with his box

Andy has now served more aces than Milos.

Can he break this game or the next and avoid another TB?  Or can Raonic break instead ?

Andy guaranteed at least a TB. Still, he should try to break in the next game. He would be the favorite in TB, but anything can happen there.

Superb from muzz

Raonic has just proven how limited he is.

2 BPs against the Murray serve in three sets - woeful.

The sad thing is this guy is the leading light of the lost generation!

3 time champ!!!

Well done Andy Murray

He was excellent today.

Congrats Andy! Well done.

Went exactly as I expected. Once the Raonic serve is put in play he quickly runs out of ideas.

YES! YES! YES! 

CC and LK where the frig are you