2020 Western & Southern Open 2R - [5.] Sascha Zverev vs [WC] Andy Murray

[Enceladus]

Sascha and Andy played only one single match against each other, in the 1st round of the 2016 Australian Open, world no. 2 (in then time) Murray won easily in 3 sets. Many things have changed since then - Murray became world No. 1, but then experienced a sharp decline, caused by hip injury, Murray announced the end of his career at 2019 Australian Open, but he changed his mind afterwards, when he underwent surgery. Zverev experienced a breakthrough season in 2017, when he penetrated into the TOP 10, reached 3rd place in the ATP rankings and won two Masters 1000 tournaments. However, he failed to become a threat to the Big 3 on Grand Slam tournaments, Zverev often lost with to outsiders before QF and only this year did he manage to advance to the SF on grandslams.

Like the rest of the players, Sascha and Andy could not play professional tennis matches due to the pandemic. Sascha is the favorite because of the ranking, but I wouldn't be surprised if Andy won this match.

 

[Flint]

Fantastic for Murray to have won a 3 set match at masters level on his return.

Sadly I don't see him beating Zerev yet but it should be great practice to get his level up and a workout for his fitness.

 

[Red Rick]

Tomorrow will decide if I'll live or die

 

[Terenigma]

Zverev in 2.

Murray did well to win his first match but Zverev will be too strong for him i think. Andy's service return looked fairly poor in his 1st round too so he won't get as many chances against a superior server this time and i highly doubt Zverev will be spraying errors around like Tiafoe did.

[Edit] just finished the match and I could not have been more wrong. Murray moved so well today and hit clean. Amazing to see!

 

[Zebrev]

This is gonna be payback for Australian Open.

 

[Red Rick]

Zverev in 2.

Murray did well to win his first match but Zverev will be too strong for him i think. Andy's service return looked fairly poor in his 1st round too so he won't get as many chances against a superior server this time and i highly doubt Zverev will be spraying errors around like Tiafoe did.

 

[zaph]

What amazes me is what happened with Tiafoe, How did Tiafoe lose to a man who has been out nine months and has a metal hip?

 

[Deleted member 770618]

 

[Third Serve]

Voted for Murray winning the whole thing so let’s go with him in straights pls.

 

[ForehandCross]

Murray looked physically good last match. His defense was great and his FHs were actually deeper than usual.

But he wasn't good at returns and sucked in match mentality.

Zverev might be too much for him but don't rule out an Andy win.Zverev might be rusty.

 

[MusterCoriaKuerten]

Zverev should easily demolish the pusher

 

[Mainad]

What amazes me is what happened with Tiafoe, How did Tiafoe lose to a man who has been out nine months and has a metal hip?

Well, Tiafoe hasn't been playing too much lately either and has only recently recovered from covid. I thought Andy was the one who looked like he might not have enough gas for the decider but it may have been Tiafoe judging by the breadstick scoreline.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Tomorrow will decide if I'll live or die

Should I prepare for funerals in advance notice?

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Well, Tiafoe hasn't been playing too much lately either and has only recently recovered from covid. I thought Andy was the one who looked like he might not have enough gas for the decider but it may have been Tiafoe judging by the breadstick scoreline.

Not so nice of you to rule out Murray.
I'm seriously offended

 

[I Am Finnish]

@Red Rick

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

@Red Rick

Welcome to Gboard clipboard, any text you copy will be saved here.Tap on a clip to paste it in the text box.Use the edit icon to pin, add or delete clips.Touch and hold a clip to pin it. Unpinned clips will be deleted after 1 hour.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Depends if Doublefaultrev shows up

 

[Mainad]

Not so nice of you to rule out Murray.
I'm seriously offended

Just trying to be even-handed and not crazily biased like many around here think I am.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Just trying to be even-handed and not crazily biased like many around here think I am.

I'm not at all stating that you're biased.
But if even me, a fed fan was rooting and hoping and believing in a Murray win, then a Murray fan like you is realistically not expected elsewise.

 

[Red Rick]

Should I prepare for funerals in advance notice?

I'll probably try twice and fail twice and it'll be a Zverev tribute by accident.

 

[Mainad]

I'm not at all stating that you're biased.
But if even me, a fed fan was rooting and hoping and believing in a Murray win, then a Murray fan like you is realistically not expected elsewise.

Of course I was hoping for a win but it's his first appearance in an ATP event for 9 months and the long term outlook for his hip is still very much uncertain so I'm hoping for the best but preparing for the worse. Naturally cautious me.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Murray will pull it out.

 

[Flint]

I'm not at all stating that you're biased.
But if even me, a fed fan was rooting and hoping and believing in a Murray win, then a Murray fan like you is realistically not expected elsewise.

there is a difference between hoping and realistically expecting.

I'm hoping Murray will win the calendar year grand slam next year.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Murray will pull it out.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

I wonder who this guy is cheering for:

 

[kevin qmto]

If this is even slightly competitive I'll be shocked. Murray has great anticipation but still can only muster a medium speed jog. His opponents are constantly wrong footing him and he just cant change directions like he used to.

 

[mike danny]

Unfortunately, a Murray win would surprise me.

 

[Breakpointerer]

When does this start?

 

[James P]

When does this start?

3rd match on Grandstand, so maybe 5-6 hours from now.

 

[Desertman]

If this is even slightly competitive I'll be shocked.

Agreed. Zverev will do well to compete.

 

[ForehandCross]

How many hours to go?

 

[ForehandCross]

3rd match on Grandstand, so maybe 5-6 hours from now.

Got it.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I wonder who this guy is cheering for:

Murray all the way. His parting with Andy was mutual and amicable. He walked away from Zverev after Z talked smack about him to the press.

 

[Picmun]

Agreed. Zverev will do well to compete.

 

[Third Serve]

Serena match just wrapped up. Expect the match to begin shortly...

 

[RF-18]

Hyped

 

[BeatlesFan]

Hyped

Go Muzz! They'll be on court in a few minutes.

 

[TheTennisReporter]

Interestingly, Zverev has a 0-5 record at Cincinnati, all in 3 sets.
2015: L to Coric 7-5 3-6 7-6
2016: L to Sugita 6-7, 6-4 6-2
2017: L to Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3 6-4
2018: L to Haase 5-7 6-4 7-5
2019: L to Kecmanovic : 6-7 6-2 6-4

 

[BeatlesFan]

Muzz on court!!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Interestingly, Zverev has a 0-5 record at Cincinnati, all in 3 sets.

Let's pray this trend continues.

 

[James P]

Interestingly, Zverev has a 0-5 record at Cincinnati, all in 3 sets.

That is odd.

 

[Zebrev]

Zverev just looks amazing!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Zverev just looks amazing!

I don't recall ever speaking or thinking one positive thing about Z, but I must admit his kit is awesome! He does look good.

 

[Third Serve]

Huh, didn’t know Murray’s been undefeated this whole year. Can’t see Zverev breaking the streak.

 

[Third Serve]

Good to finally see two decent kits on court.

 

[Rosstour]

What amazes me is what happened with Tiafoe, How did Tiafoe lose to a man who has been out nine months and has a metal hip?

Murray is an ATG with elite tennis IQ and is a better player on one leg than Tiafoe will likely ever be.

I'm going with Murray in 3 tight sets here.

 

[MeatTornado]

Anything less than 6-0, 6-0 by Andy will be a disappointment here at TTW.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Murray with a 74 MPH second serve.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Jim Courier just said he thinks Andy's movement is 85% of what it once was.

 

[MeatTornado]

Murray with a 74 MPH second serve.

So he's back to peak level then