Federer-Murray Shanghai 2012 semi-finals

[Rozroz]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

OK, update. Murray has an Asian flu. that is why he is playing so bad right now. so don't be surprised if Roger beats him tomorrow. Murray himself said this during the match today.

Asian flu -The category 2 Asian flu pandemic outbreak of influenza A virus originated in China in early 1956, and lasted until 1958. Some authors believe it originated from a mutation in wild ducks combining with a pre-existing human strain.[6] Other authors are less certain.[7] The virus was first identified in Guizhou.[8] It spread to Singapore in February 1957,[9] reached Hong Kong by April, and the US by June. The death toll in the US was about 69,800.[6] Estimates of worldwide deaths caused by this pandemic varies widely depending on source, ranging from one to four million, with WHO settling on "about two million".

Asian flu was of the H2N2 subtype (a notation that refers to the configuration of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins in the virus) of type A influenza, and an influenza vaccine was developed in 1957 to contain its outbreak.

The Asian flu strain later evolved via antigenic shift into H3N2, which caused a milder pandemic from 1968 to 1969.[10]

Both the H2N2 and H3N2 pandemic strains contained avian influenza virus RNA segments. "While the pandemic human influenza viruses of 1957 (H2N2) and 1968 (H3N2) clearly arose through reassortment between human and avian viruses, the influenza virus causing the 'Spanish flu' in 1918 appears to be entirely derived from an avian source (Belshe 2005)."[11]

[cc0509]

Originally Posted by tennis_pro

The only reason Murray does have a chance is that it's not a major. Federer is so much better in the big tournaments, even at 40 I'd favor him against Murray. Well at least if he's not after a 5 hour match like at the Olympics.

Federer owns Murray a** when it matters.

Unfortunately, I think that trend is going to shift now in Murray's favor.

[Warmaster]

What's up with Federer's serve? Going by the stats, he's winning less serve points than usual. Is it the serve itself, or sloppy follow-ups?

Could someone who has watched him play in Shanghai give some info on this?

[smoledman]

Murray in 2, something like 6-4 7-5. Federer is just not up to top form yet.

[batz]

For what it's worth, Murray is 3-1 v Roger in semifinals.

[smoledman]

If Roger can win this I will consider it a huge bonus!

[kaku]

Originally Posted by batz

For what it's worth, Murray is 3-1 v Roger in semifinals.

Murray has also lost only once to Roger in Masters

[ark_28]

Originally Posted by batz

For what it's worth, Murray is 3-1 v Roger in semifinals.

Good play Batz I think Rogers only win V Murray in a semi was Cincy in 2009 right? How do you see it going tomorrow?

[batz]

Originally Posted by ark_28

Good play Batz I think Rogers only win V Murray in a semi was Cincy in 2009 right? How do you see it going tomorrow?

Hey Ark, you are spot on.

Bookies have Roger as slight favourite - I probably agree with them - Murray hasn't been great this week.

[veroniquem]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Does Federer even have a chance against Murray ? He is so old, he might need a walker to play the match. and andy matches up really well and he is on hot streak.

Murray is not on a hot streak at all!! He couldn't even get past Raonic in Tokyo. I think Fed will be extra motivated because of #1 ranking.

[kishnabe]

Originally Posted by ark_28

Good play Batz I think Rogers only win V Murray in a semi was Cincy in 2009 right? How do you see it going tomorrow?

Impossible to forger that win because of Sureshs.

I see this match going to Murray favor like 2010 Shanghai. Though both are playing subpar. Murray however picked it up at the end of the Steps match...still look like he was suffering.

Federer was lucky playing Cilic that is still lost in the woods.

Murray in 2.....though Heart says Federer in 3.

[Hood_Man]

As of my vote, Federer is only leading this poll by one vote.

Excuse me while I go make a cup of tea, return, take a sip, widen my eyes and raise my eyebrows, and then curse as I have to spend a fortune repairing my laptop for liquid damage as I spray it in shock.

[underground]

Originally Posted by *Sparkle*

This is impossible to predict. Both can reasonably be described as playing badly, for them. I can't believe their fans might object to that, as it's actually a credit to their abilities that they can be described as playing poorly, but still make it to the semi-finals of a Masters 1000. It's the other players that have been left in their wakes that should be feeling the pain of this observation.

There is a possibility that "tired, wounded" Fed will have a bit more motivation to raise his game in the hope of levelling the H2H with Murray. He wasn't great today, but the match wasn't particularly tough.

It's hard to tell how much Andy's cold has been hampering him. He's plainly not at death's door and some of his tennis has been good, but he was plainly not playing at anything like 100% either. An on form Fed could have taken advantage of his sloppy play from the last couple of days. If Andy has a good night's sleep tonight, aided by a later start tomorrow, he could be much improved.

The comparison with the Olympics (and Wimbledon) are equally irrelevant. This isn't grass, this isn't five sets and Roger is still older than Andy.

The conspiracy theorists will presume that both players have been bluffing, deliberately throwing in some bad games, and sets, and will spring onto the court tomorrow like spring lambs, ready to take their opponent by surprise now they have a match against someone worth playing properly for. In reality, they'll both be motivated to lift their games, and we're just guessing which one can make the least stupid mistakes.

Well said. It's really impossible to predict.

Originally Posted by kishnabe

Federer was lucky playing Cilic that is still lost in the woods.

Yeah I was glad Fed played Cilic rather than Verdasco, because Verdasco might put up a fight but as soon as I saw Cilic through I knew it would be a lock for Fed to the semis. He was in a bad mood after the match against Stan, you can see both players were unhappy and Federer didn't do his usual walk around the court on Thursday. QF match probably let him regroup himself and get his game back. Fed still wasn't looking great though. 6-3 6-4 but still broken twice.

Originally Posted by Hood_Man

As of my vote, Federer is only leading this poll by one vote.

Excuse me while I go make a cup of tea, return, take a sip, widen my eyes and raise my eyebrows, and then curse as I have to spend a fortune repairing my laptop for liquid damage as I spray it in shock.

Wow the poll votes went up fast, when I voted it was 70% for Murray.

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by Warmaster

What's up with Federer's serve? Going by the stats, he's winning less serve points than usual. Is it the serve itself, or sloppy follow-ups?

Could someone who has watched him play in Shanghai give some info on this?

Maybe Fred's got asian flu, a wonky back, and halitosis.....

[Prisoner of Birth]

Murray in 3 but Federer in 3 is almost as likely.

[Netspirit]

Murray should take it. Federer has not impressed me so far.

[Mainad]

Originally Posted by Netspirit

Murray should take it. Federer has not impressed me so far.

Neither has Murray. This one could go either way.

[Towser83]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Oh now Roger has age excuse built in. so from now on, everytime he loses, it is his age, not that other guy was better.

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

OK, update. Murray has an Asian flu. that is why he is playing so bad right now. so don't be surprised if Roger beats him tomorrow. Murray himself said this during the match today.

Oh now Andy has Asian Flu excuse built in. so from now on, everytime he loses, it is his Aisan flu, not that other guy was better.

[Rozroz]

Originally Posted by Towser83

Oh now Andy has Asian Flu excuse built in. so from now on, everytime he loses, it is his Aisan flu, not that other guy was better.

right on the money.

[veroniquem]

Originally Posted by Towser83

Oh now Andy has Asian Flu excuse built in. so from now on, everytime he loses, it is his Aisan flu, not that other guy was better.

Sounds just like Fed's mono, doesn't it?