batz
G.O.A.T.
Got all my fingers crossed for Uncle Frederer to straight falcon punch this bottom-feeding catfish right out of the draw.
Hi Blinky *waves*
Got all my fingers crossed for Uncle Frederer to straight falcon punch this bottom-feeding catfish right out of the draw.
Agreed. But what happens if for a miracle, Grigor beats Nadal ?Irrelevant to some degree as neither has a hope of getting past Rafa in the semis.
Sir batz, how are you?
Hi Blinky *waves*
Yep. The old one-handed backhand conundrum that Wawrinka faces against Rafa too, and of course Fed. That match up alone is worth a two set head start.Agreed. But what happens if for a miracle, Grigor beats Nadal ?
This match will turn out to be the anticipated final for this AO. Now, that would be REALLY interesting to watch as its going to be THE match of the tournament.
However, chances Dimitrov could beat Nadal are minimal![]()
Murray at his best has a shot. But he isn't fit enough yet to go head to head with Rafa over 5 sets.Murray took Rafa to 5 sets the first time they played the AO - when Murray was 19.
The next time they played at the AO - Rafa retired down 0-3 in the 3rd set having injured his knee at the end of the second set as he went 2-0 down.
If Murray is fortunate enough to beat Roger, then he will have a decent chance against Rafa if he beats Dmitrov.
Chances of Stan playing Djoker like he did last year are slim to NONE. And even then it wasn't enough last year to bear Nole. Im assuming Nole breezes through Stan or beats him in 4.
Fed could steal a tiebreak from Nadal or something. He usually always plays Nadal tough ONE set. It just he can't keep it up. I don't want to see that even.
Theres just no way to win the AO without going to war with Nole. I don't want Murray beating Fed because he has the ability to zap all the energy from Nadal.
Nole no doubt has the EASIEST road to the finals. its been all bums and the rest of the matches he plays probably won't be much difficult either until the finals
Murray at his best beats Rafa on grass and hard. This Murray would give Rafa a run.Murray at his best has a shot. But he isn't fit enough yet to go head to head with Rafa over 5 sets.
I have shocked myself... but I think I want Murray to win. The only decent final that's got a realistic chance of happening is Murray vs Stan or Berd. Murray is a top player but has had trouble vs both and could lose to either. Nadal will crush them both. Fed can't beat Nadal, though if he was in the final, he could lose to Berd or even Stan at this point. For the sake of a decent final, Murray has to beat Fed and Nadal.I'm getting splinters on my @rse from the fence on this one mate. I honestly see it as 50:50 - I saw all of Roger's match on Monday and for me, it was the best he's played in a slam since July 2012. That said, Murray is hitting the ball much better than many on here think - especially his DTL backhand, a shot that had more or less disapppeared over the last 18 months.
He's fit enough - his challenge is to get sufficiently focused and to maintain it throughout the match.
Thanks. I was pretty entertained and that's the pointThat's a good post, Towser.
It was good to see Fed play so well again.
Gotta admit, last night was a thing of beauty.
Based on what exactly? The fact that Nadal beat Murray twice at wimbledon? Won wimbledon twice whereas Murray did once. Also that Nadal beat Murray in their most recent UsOpen encounter?Murray at his best beats Rafa on grass and hard. This Murray would give Rafa a run.
Anything Murray did at a major prior to actually winning one in 2012 should be discarded. He's a different player since he won the USO.Based on what exactly? The fact that Nadal beat Murray twice at wimbledon? Won wimbledon twice whereas Murray did once. Also that Nadal beat Murray in their most recent UsOpen encounter?
Let's be reasonable here. I like Murray. And yes, Murray has improved tremendously. But Nadal has NOT been sitting idle twiddling his thumbs. Didn't you see the improvements in his game that made him beat the Djoker in big matches last year? He's not the same player that got beaten so many times by the Djoker in 2011.
Right now if both Nadal and Murray are at their best, I would say it would be a hell of a match, but I would give an edge to Rafa. I really believe that it is ONLY Djokovic that can beat Nadal at his best on a hardcourt.
The reality is that Murray is still recovering from injury. Nadal too played crap against Nishikori. Neither of them is winning the tournament playing the way they have. Hell, for all you know, old man Fed might surprise us all and win slam #18. There's still ways to go, even if the favorite (Djoker) is out.
the "baby" card being used AGAINST Nadal. I love it. And it's fair you know :twisted:Anything Murray did at a major prior to actually winning one in 2012 should be discarded. He's a different player since he won the USO.
All the better for seeing you around these parts. It's a truly weak Murray bashing era these days. Young 'uns got no style or sense of humour.Sir batz, how are you?
You know, I almost fell off the barstool when I, mistakenly, read your avatar to say "Keep Calm and Suppress Andy Murray".
I was so ready to officially initiate you into the brotherhood.
Alas.
OK - who are you and what have you done with Towser?I have shocked myself... but I think I want Murray to win. The only decent final that's got a realistic chance of happening is Murray vs Stan or Berd. Murray is a top player but has had trouble vs both and could lose to either. Nadal will crush them both. Fed can't beat Nadal, though if he was in the final, he could lose to Berd or even Stan at this point. For the sake of a decent final, Murray has to beat Fed and Nadal.
Right. And Nadal is the same player as he was in 2011 when he was beaten by Djoker in Wimbledon, UsOpen and AO?Anything Murray did at a major prior to actually winning one in 2012 should be discarded. He's a different player since he won the USO.
I tend to agree with you, but whilst the H2H on clay and grass is heavily loaded in Rafa's favour - it's not the case on hards. Since Murray entered the upper echelons of the game in late summer 2008, he leads Rafa 5-4 on hards (2-1 in hardcourt slams).Right. And Nadal is the same player as he was in 2011 when he was beaten by Djoker in Wimbledon, UsOpen and AO?
Both Murray and Nadal have improved. To say that Murray is the favorite against a 13 slam champion, current World #1 and one who has a decisive H2H record against Murray -- is absurd.
Only Djoker has earned the right to be the favorite against Rafa. That's because he's beaten Nadal several times in big matches.
Let's wait till Murray-Nadal play in slams to make any outright claims.
That is reasonable and I agree. Murray did beat Nadal in UsOpen 2008 and AO 2010, fair and square. But Rafa has beaten Murray in Wimbledon. And also in their most recent encounter in the UsOpen.I tend to agree with you, but whilst the H2H on clay and grass is heavily loaded in Rafa's favour - it's not the case on hards. Since Murray entered the upper echelons of the game in late summer 2008, he leads Rafa 5-4 on hards (2-1 in hardcourt slams).
Rafa would definitely start as favourite should they meet.
Lol. I've changed since I've been away maybeOK - who are you and what have you done with Towser?![]()
Murray at evens is worth a go!Yep it's nearly even though for the bookies, very close.
On the eve of the AO QF, Murray announces new sponsor:
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I r very sorry. Won't happen again.You're wrong for that Batz, to your room!
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Quite an accolade from the King of the GIFs. Thank you Squire.10FedExits.
I lol'd at this and I believe it's very true... Nadal is heartless...nadal would want federer to win against murray... just for federer to lose to nadal in his next match :lol:
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Indeed. His bloodlust in insatiable. His ruthless tactics deplorable.I lol'd at this and I believe it's very true... Nadal is heartless...
You ********* might be in for the same shock as Djoker fans.Indeed. His bloodlust in insatiable. His ruthless tactics deplorable.
His opponent's humiliation hilarious.
LOL good one mate! Will probably happen unfortunatelyOn the eve of the AO QF, Murray announces new sponsor:
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This.Tsonga starts to play well in the 3rd set and get some retuns back and Federer suddenly looks average. GOAT played well against Jo but Murray's returns will be far more testing.
Andy in 4.
Lol Murray's not the only player whose DTL backhand has disappeared in the last 18 months believe me batz! And like I said in another thread earlier on, now that Novak's out I really hope Murray wins the tournament after coming so close the last few years- I feel he deserves at least one. Come on Andy!I'm getting splinters on my @rse from the fence on this one mate. I honestly see it as 50:50 - I saw all of Roger's match on Monday and for me, it was the best he's played in a slam since July 2012. That said, Murray is hitting the ball much better than many on here think - especially his DTL backhand, a shot that had more or less disapppeared over the last 18 months.
He's fit enough - his challenge is to get sufficiently focused and to maintain it throughout the match.
Good one! much like Rafa looked after Stan's match this morning.nadal would want federer to win against murray... just for federer to lose to nadal in his next match :lol:
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What gives you that idea? Tsonga has been declining since last year and can be a mental midget in big matches. Murray is a big match player and has had a lot of success against Federer outside of slams and a win against him last year on the same court. Federer could win, but I do not think it will be a straight set thrashing.Murray should be a little easier to beat for Federer then Tsonga was. Fed in 4.
Pretty sure you're only got 10 minutes or so, maybe 20what time is this match approx. starting now? Need to catch just a bit of sleep before it starts
no **** - got 2,5 hours of sleep this night (am in Europe).Pretty sure you're only got 10 minutes or so, maybe 20