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9/5/08 1:39 AM | David Cox
Andy Murray has been talking the talk to the press ahead of this one. The Scot is a massive boxing fan and after beating Juan Martin Del Potro on Wednesday night he sounded like one of the promoters at the legendary Madison Square Gardens, declaring he was now ready to win something this big.
Murray has come of age during this summer starting off with that first grand slam quarter-final at Wimbledon (a big psychological breakthrough), then that masters series title in Cincinnati and now a place in the last 4 of the US Open, the slam he's long regarded as his best chance to win a major
But to do so he'll need to achieve something which has proved impossible so far in his fledgling career, find a way past Nadal. The Spaniard has held the aces in all 5 matches and was on a different plane in the Wimbledon quarters. His 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win was a masterclass in modern grass-court tennis. However when they've squared up on a hard court, Murray has undoubtedly had his chances. Their matches in Melbourne and Madrid (both 2007) and Toronto last month have all been close but taking break point chances has proved Murray's nadir. No one's better at saving break points than Nadal, you always feel that the pressure's mostly on the opponent rather than on him.
Neither player has hits the heights regularly so far. Murray dazzled against Wawrinka on Monday but his other 4 wins have all been scrappy, drawn-out affairs while Nadal has found himself in big hitting dogfights with two home favourites Sam Querrery and Mardy Fish, both pushing him to 4 sets
Murray will be hoping for a return of the breezy conditions which dominated on Arthur Ashe on Monday. Nadal really struggled with his range against Querrey and I've never seen him miss so many routine forehands
Speaking after last night's win over Fish, the world no 1 was well aware of the danger Murray poses “It's going to be very difficult, I'm going to have to play my best. He's coming with big confidence. He's doing very well. I expect a very tough match.”
Verdict: As well as Murray has done to reach this stage my gut instinct remains with Nadal who will reach the final in 4 sets.
Murray wil be counting on good returns if he's to have a chance in semifinal against Rafael Nadal.
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Ed, we won't ask you to work your pins as we understand the conflict of interest. I like them both too, and I would dearly love to see rafa win but andy is playing unbelievably. he has such variety and being able to combat his emotions will hold him in good stead.
tenstar - did you read what i said about channel 9 screening this. make sure you don't miss out.
sstay , 9/5/08 9:08 AM
Yeah, I saw that. Thanks heaps. Was going to do something important but my priorities changed when your wrote that! I'll be watching.
tenstar , 9/5/08 9:12 AM
Nadal in 3. Vamos
FedalFan , 9/5/08 10:40 AM
Nadal in three - really easily. No disrespect for Murray (haha) but Nadal doesnt hit balls out. I'll stand on my head if Murray gets a set.
Haha I want Murray to win tho!!! how sad is that.
kaitepai , 9/5/08 11:13 AM
kaite: very sad indeed. Explain why. You seem to blow hot and cold. Or is it because Fed has a better chance if he meets Murray rather than Nadal?
ed251137 , 9/5/08 1:10 PM
Mr Murray in 5.
I know I'll have all Nadal fans coming at me but Rafa baby is going DOWN. Muahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
Nadi , 9/5/08 1:21 PM
Nadi: Several of us on this site are Rafa supporters - which is why we talk to each other a lot. But we are not blind to his shortcomings (cant think of any for the moment but I am sure he has some) and admire many other players.
If you go back through the message boards, you will see that we have accepted that Nadal might not get further than the L8 and are speculating who will make the final.
You don't say, or if you have I've missed it, who you would most like to see win this tournament.
ed251137 , 9/5/08 6:19 PM
ed, you are one of Nadal's die-hard fans and I don't expect you to agree with me.
BTW - Nadal's unbelievably annoying habits (and his 1,5-dimensional game) make it sooooo easy to cheer for his opponents, Ms Murray.
I want the best player to win the tournament. Not the most "efficient" one.
Nadi , 9/5/08 7:12 PM
ed- its all for roger, trust me. i like rafa alot more. ALOT MORE. after learning djok will be no.2 if he wins the tounry ive swiched to nadal. unless fed wins... .for gods sakes all i want is whats best for fed- i dont really care about neone else haha. if fed wins the tounry i dont care who he beats in the finals!
kaitepai , 9/6/08 12:01 AM
Vamos Rafa :-)
RafaNadalGirl20 , 9/6/08 12:53 AM
¡Vamos Rafa!
*crosses everything for FEDAL final*
mara2 , 9/6/08 8:08 AM
Rafa is in a lot of trouble right now. Down two sets BUT up a break in the 3rd..there is still hope. Play was suspended for today. Resumes tomorrow at 4pm. VAMOS RAFA MAKE YOUR GREAT COME BACK!
FedalFan , 9/6/08 10:02 PM
I wouldn't say I "post" here. More like I "write" here.
Actually I'm not banned from a single forum anymore. Those bans all wore off. I bet they will come back, however, if Nadal loses to Murray.
RickyDimon , 9/6/08 10:41 PM
I have to admit this is so ridiculous it's almost funny, but nonetheless, Johan please ban this user once and for all.
RickyDimon , 9/7/08 12:42 AM
Fedal Fan - you are right he is in trouble, but I am holding out hope that Rafa comes back for the win
Also does anyone know why Roger and Novak got to play the first match of the day?
Dynasty , 9/7/08 1:30 AM
If anybody can come back from 2 sets down, its Rafa. :-) I agree FedalFan
RafaNadalGirl20 , 9/7/08 1:42 AM
Did you know that... Michael Llodra is famous among other ATP players for his practical jokes.
kaitepai, Dec 2, 2008 4:51 AM
tennisfan2, Dec 2, 2008 3:42 AM
tennisgirl, Dec 1, 2008 11:48 PM
lendl, Dec 1, 2008 6:17 PM
jorgeedu72, Dec 1, 2008 3:34 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:33 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:21 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:15 PM
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I hope you're right! C'mmoonnn RAFA!!! Please, Please!
tenstar , 9/5/08 9:01 AM