Miami Match Thread (Murray wins!)

[Silver]

First topic message reminder :

After watching Rafael Nadal complete a triumphant hardcourt transition at Indian Wells and break his own record for Masters titles won, the tour rumbles on and circles the wagons at Key Biscayne, Miami. The Miami Masters has been held here since 1987, after originally setting up at none other than Delray Beach in 1985. The cream generally seems to rise to the top at Miami, and by far the most prolific winner of the tournament is Andre Agassi, who notched up an amazing six titles over the course of his career. Amongst currently active players who are present at the 2013 tournament, only Djokovic, Murray and Davydenko have lifted the title previously - though Berdych was a finalist in 2010. Although Federer and Nadal are missing, the vast majority of the tour seems to have turned up, and hopefully we'll have an interesting tournament this year.

Prize: $719,160 (purse of $5,185,625), which marks an increase from last year. And of course, 1000 precious ranking points are on offer to the winner.
Defending champion is Novak Djokovic, who defeated Andy Murray in straight sets in 2012. He also won the 2011 tournament, and is therefore going for a hat-trick of wins.
Click for an updated draw on the ATP website.
Morning sessions typically begin at 11:00 local time, and evening sessions around 20:00.

[Dave.]

@Dave... The USO scheduling has been corrected, IIRC - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/sports/tennis/us-open-tennis-will-scrap-the-super-saturday-model.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

@LS... TV all over the world, not just US, is a long repeat and localised versions of American Idol, Survior, bad comedies, etc.

A three-setter would be good for the final. I was hoping to see Haas on the other side with Murray.

Aye saw that. And about time too. Wednesday first rounders are silly.

[lydian]

LF, you've been listening to tenez 'over there' too long.
Ok Miami is slow but it isn't clay.
The too surfaces are completely different....Murray has won nearly all his 25 titles on HC..how many on clay? Exactly. Not even a final.
The issue is the HCs are getting to all be similar speed.

This is Murray's match to lose, HC - and yes slow HC at that - is perfect for Murray. This will be routine straights unless Murray is 80% today.

[LuvSports!]

boy is he losing it

[Silver]

Well, this is a turn up? Ferrer in control, but...

[CaledonianCraig]

Just far too patchy. Andy needs more aggression and better serve percentages. Full credit to Ferrer as he is playing some great stuff.

[LuvSports!]

andy has the break, 2-1

[CaledonianCraig]

Any impartial posters....what do you think has been Andy's problem today?

[LuvSports!]

The problem is I don't have sky to watch the match! There is one problem for you!

[CaledonianCraig]

The problem is I don't have sky to watch the match! There is one problem for you!

Sorry.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Just a reminder folks Federer has never lost a single match to Ferrer.

[Cogen]

[summerblues]

Just a reminder folks Federer has never lost a single match to Ferrer.

Tennis is so much about match ups, there is no point picking up a player and saying this or that guy has a better record against him than another guy.

And if you are trying to show that Roger is somewhat superior to Andy, that is kind of obvious anyway, is it not?

[Guest]

The crowd firmly in Ferrer's corner.

What is it about Murray and Djokovic that seems to inspire such little support

[Guest]

Daveed choking.

[Cogen]

Got there in the end. The set could have been done and dusted 6-2 if Andy hadn't been so terrible at the net at 4-2 break point.

[Josiah Maiestas]

The wind will again save Andy..

[Guest]

I feel short of breath listening to Rusedski speak.

[CaledonianCraig]

Andy level again. Murray still patchy but hanging in there. This is not over yet as Ferrer is a battler. Murray must improve his first serve percentages I feel as they have been in the low to high 50% only.

[summerblues]

I actually think Ferrer's grunting is verging on gamesmanship as he's still grunting as Haas is hitting the ball.

I never noticed this before but you are right. It is very odd, it often sounds as if he only starts grunting after he hits the ball

[Cogen]

Definitely noticed it at the end of the second set. Don't think it is gamesman ship though. Just think his natural grunt is extended as he is gasping for air. Maybe it should be deemed unacceptable, I don't know? But I don't think he's doing it to intentionally put off the opponent.

[summerblues]

Definitely noticed it at the end of the second set. Don't think it is gamesman ship though. Just think his natural grunt is extended as he is gasping for air. Maybe it should be deemed unacceptable, I don't know? But I don't think he's doing it to intentionally put off the opponent.

Yeah, you may be right, I should have worded my post better. Did not mean to say I was thinking it was necessarily gamesmenship, was just commenting on how late his grunt was coming.

[Cogen]

Andy got away with that one. Ferrer playing so much more consistently right now. Andy is dropping his shorts short frequently (by mistake I'm sure) and sometimes it is working out for him.

[prostaff85]

Just started watching at the beginning of the 3rd set, awful tennis... Has it been like this during the whole match?!

[Cogen]

Andy got a challenge right?!

[ryan86]

Ah, the rarer-spotted correct Murray challenge.

[CaledonianCraig]

Awful tennis? Define awful tennis please? Sure it hasn't been littered with outright winners and play has been patchy but there have been some absorbing rallies.

[prostaff85]

What I've seen so far is 'grinder' Ferrer trying to dictate points but just failing miserably to finish off the rallies. Murray probably knows that just keeping the ball in play will suffice!

[Cogen]

What is he dooooing?! Should not be losing games from 30-0 up like that. And cut out the damned double faults!

[ryan86]

Breaks are contageous.

[CaledonianCraig]

Don't get me wrong I am certainly not advocating this as a great match prostaff it is very patchy stuff. Some great some far from great particularly Andy's serving.

[Cogen]

5 breaks in a row...

[Guest]

Nearly every point is ending in an error. However the slow court probably has a lot to do with this.

[Cogen]

Nearly every point is ending in an error. However the slow court probably has a lot to do with this.

Definitely. Nearly impossible to hit a winner unless one player comes into the net allowing either a passing shot or a put-away volley.

[ryan86]

Perhaps part of the problem is American TV has dictated this final be played in the tropical midday sun.

[Guest]

I've heard a rumour that the women are receiving more prize money in Miami than the men. Is this true? Can anyone shed some more light on this?

[socal1976]

Another break point this is getting crazy, next person to hold could win the match.

[socal1976]

I like the match despite the errors, some very absorbing and tough rallies. And like a fight murray goes down for the count.

[Cogen]

I've heard a rumour that the women are receiving more prize money in Miami than the men. Is this true? Can anyone shed some more light on this?

Yup. Same base prize money, but women earning slightly more because of larger "fees, bonus, pool" ... whatever that is.

http://www.sonyopentennis.com/About/Prize-Money.aspx

[Guest]

This is really poor... ive never been one for the court speed argument, but we cant let this be the future, itll kill the sport... and the athletes

[Guest]

I make that 14 breaks in 24 games

[socal1976]

I've heard a rumour that the women are receiving more prize money in Miami than the men. Is this true? Can anyone shed some more light on this?

Yup. Same base prize money, but women earning slightly more because of larger "fees, bonus, pool" ... whatever that is.

http://www.sonyopentennis.com/About/Prize-Money.aspx

Probably because Serena and Maria showed up and Roger and Rafa didn't therefore less big appearance fees on the men's side.

[Guest]

Murrays turning into Coria, ive never seen someone be soooooo poor on their serve

[Guest]

I like the match despite the errors, some very absorbing and tough rallies. And like a fight murray goes down for the count.

It's only absorbing because it's such a close contest. The actual play itself is not great.

[socal1976]

Ferrer has a virtual set point with a game point on serve.

[Guest]

Ferrer Holds... GSM i think

[socal1976]

The streak is over, wow just a bizarre match, I think nerves on both sides are playing a roll along with the slow court and the fact that both guys are great returners and defenders.

[Guest]

Surely that is the decisive hold

[Cogen]

It is infuriating. He's standing further and further behind the baseline as he gets more tired. Just means more running. Stand in closer, shorten the points, take some risks.

[ryan86]

You'll probably find they'll hold until a tie break now.

[Guest]

You'll probably find they'll hold until a tie break now.

You Nostradamus you

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