Did Murray's defeat shock you ?
- Thread starter Checkmate
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D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
Checkmate
Legend
Well, you can go to the match thread and observe that I picked Djokovic in 3
Great. AO will be great fun.
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
Who would you pick in a final between the 2?
Mainad
Bionic Poster
I'm not shocked that he lost (after all, this is Djokovic we're talking about) but I am disappointed because I believed he had a very good chance to win and, why not, he beat him just a few weeks ago in a far more important final than this one. Neither were at their best this week and Djokovic, in particular, almost went out in the semis. In the end, he upped his level for the final and did it more successfully than Murray was able to do. But, in the end, either player could have won that match.
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Checkmate
Legend
Djokovic in a tough 5 setter. 7-6 1-6 6-3 6-7 6-4.
Checkmate
Legend
He is in a better physical shape than 2016 i think. Defensively much better and attacking wise - the same ole or even less maybe,
TripleATeam
G.O.A.T.
Prior to it, I had my doubts. Djokovic is still extremely inconsistent. However, I picked him in 2 because I believe his H2H against Murray and recent wake-up-call against Verdasco would serve to his advantage, particularly in tiring Murray out in the first set. I expected the first set to be the contested one, with the second and possible third to be 6-4.
Mainad
Bionic Poster
His physical shape looks the same to me but he looked much more focussed in that match than he has looked for a long while.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
It just underlines things.
A #1 on paper only.
A #1 on paper only.
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
a world where a murray defeat would be shocking...... would be shocking
Noleberic123
G.O.A.T.
Even as a Djokovic fan. I had Murray winning the matc prior to it.
SinjinCooper
Hall of Fame
It was a tune up tournament.
QuentinFederer
Professional
It was certainly a shock for the world number one to be upset in a final, even if it was only a 250.
Purplemonster
Hall of Fame
Boredom
Purplemonster
Hall of Fame
Shock ?? He lost to a much better player.
QuentinFederer
Professional
I think Murray will steady the ship in Melbourne. It was inevitable he'd suffer a surprise defeat at some point during his time as no.1.
a world where a murray defeat would be shocking...... would be shocking
Perfect.
RF-18
Talk Tennis Guru
My money was on Murray. I didn't think Djokovic's game or confidence was where it should have been in order to beat Murray who was on an almost 30 match winning streak. So I was a bit surprised Djokovic managed to win. But Djokovic will always be Djokovic and you should never count him out in a one on one fight no matter how he looks prior to a match. Yesterday he showed what an incredible champion he is.
Still though, I find Murray to be more ready against the whole field on daily form. Yesterday Djokovic showed he is ready for murray but is he ready for other match ups? Questions aren't answered yet about 2nd half of 2016 Djokovic. So we have to see.
Still though, I find Murray to be more ready against the whole field on daily form. Yesterday Djokovic showed he is ready for murray but is he ready for other match ups? Questions aren't answered yet about 2nd half of 2016 Djokovic. So we have to see.
Newballs
Professional
What shocked me most was the whacked out theatrics at the end...
One minute I'm watchin' a tennis match, next minute I'm trippin' balls.
What shocked me 2nd most, was how much Murrays' trophy resembled the Thundercats logo.
To answer the actual question however no, I wasn't at all shocked.
Murray is fit, smart, dedicated, accomplished even (current #1). Next to the other 3, he can only be considered good, not great...
One minute I'm watchin' a tennis match, next minute I'm trippin' balls.
What shocked me 2nd most, was how much Murrays' trophy resembled the Thundercats logo.
To answer the actual question however no, I wasn't at all shocked.
Murray is fit, smart, dedicated, accomplished even (current #1). Next to the other 3, he can only be considered good, not great...
Djokodal Fan
Hall of Fame
I was not shocked, but fairly surprised that novak was almost about to shut him out in straight sets( which did not eventually happen). It's a good win for Novak who is undergoing confidence crisis.
I believe Novak will up his game at AO. A win against an inform no.1 is good either way you look it.
I believe Novak will up his game at AO. A win against an inform no.1 is good either way you look it.
C
Chadillac
Guest
Andy had two opponents that day, djok and the chair who doesnt enforce rules.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
Why would there be any shock in the no.2 beating the no.1?
Meles
Bionic Poster
Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
Try telling that to the numerous Fed fans that ridiculed Djokovic whenever he lost to Roger these past couple of years.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Bender
G.O.A.T.
I can get behind the mental exhaustion taking a while, but the Novak slam was half a year ago...how long does a guy need to recover physically? The guy played back-to-back five set epics against Murray and Nadal at the 2012 AO, and outlasted both of them!
Gary Duane
G.O.A.T.
I always pick Djokovic over Murray when both are playing well because they are about equal on defense, but Novak has a better service game. But today was REALLY close...
Gary Duane
G.O.A.T.
Pay attention to what comes next, because it may all point back to the Verdsaco match as the turning point.
It only takes one match to mount a comeback.
skynyrd1611
Rookie
Don't think it shocking in the slightest. A tightly contested match between the top 2 players in the world. As far as having bearing on Aussie Open, I think it would have had more had Djokovic closed it out in the 2nd set. Then it's an easy victory with nothing to fear.
I would consider Djokovic the slight favourite in Melbourne, but it's a lot closer than it has been in previous years. One thing that does bother me a little is that any time Djokovic looks hurt or down against Murray, Andy seems to mess up as though he feels sorry for him. Did the same again on Saturday, serving 2 double faults and dropping serve. Same thing happened in Melbourne in 2015 where he appeared to ease off when Novak was fatigued. I could just imagine peak Nadal in that situation He would have smelled blood.
I would consider Djokovic the slight favourite in Melbourne, but it's a lot closer than it has been in previous years. One thing that does bother me a little is that any time Djokovic looks hurt or down against Murray, Andy seems to mess up as though he feels sorry for him. Did the same again on Saturday, serving 2 double faults and dropping serve. Same thing happened in Melbourne in 2015 where he appeared to ease off when Novak was fatigued. I could just imagine peak Nadal in that situation He would have smelled blood.
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
Agreed, everywhere except maybe grass. Maybe.
abmk
Bionic Poster
NatF
Bionic Poster
Djokovic in the Wimbledon final of 2014 and 2015 was better than any Murray on grass as well IMO. But it's arguable there.
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
I know what you mean, I don't think it's feeling sorry though, but he lets up a bit like a reflex, similar to his lapses of concentration...see the feather in AO 2013. I think Murray is close to Djoko in pure tennis (not as good, but close), but he doesn't have that killer mentality that Djokodal and Federer have shown more often .
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
The problem on slow courts for Murray is Djokovic does the grinding and topspin groundstroke trading for hours schtick just a bit better.
NatF
Bionic Poster
Djokovic has the better serve and forehand which is what pays dividends in long matches. He generates pace more easily and has more margin on the forehand while still having good court penetration. Murray has to come out of his shell a bit to dictate off the forehand side and I find his rally balls off that side a little soft by comparison with lots of height but not too much court penetration. Looks to me like it's easier for Novak to tee off on Andy's rally forehands than the other way around.
Basically Djokovic is able to maintain a controlled aggression better and I think his forehand is a more efficient stroke as well.
skynyrd1611
Rookie
Yeah, probably wrong choice of words. Just meant that at the precise moment where you need to take advantage and pull away, making things that much harder on your opponent, he hasn't done it.
Roddick85
Hall of Fame
Not really, Djokovic owned Murray for most of his career in important matches. Murray might of had the edge last fall, that still didn't mean he had "solved" the Djokovic "puzzle". I said it before and I will say it again, Djokovic will likely rise again in 2017 and I expect him to be YE #1.
robbo1970
Hall of Fame
I think you could flip a coin to choose who would win. Yes Murray is currently number 1, but they are so close on points that it's almost a stat thing rather than a peak playing level comparison.
Murray had an outstanding second half of 2016, Djokovic had a poor second half of 2016.
Murray still seems to have moments when he strings a few bad points together and against most opponents he can get away with it, but against the very top players it's much more difficult to come back.
But top seeds can lose matches, it happens. Look at Wimbledon 2016, USO 2016, RG 2015. These were slams as well, not just warm-up tournaments.
It happened at Brisbane too, albeit with other players.
When you get a couple of players like Murray and Djokovic, who are now very close in terms of their level, it's often about who gets the rub of the green on the day. At the ATP final it was Murray in straight sets and in Qatar it was Djokovic in 3.
Murray had an outstanding second half of 2016, Djokovic had a poor second half of 2016.
Murray still seems to have moments when he strings a few bad points together and against most opponents he can get away with it, but against the very top players it's much more difficult to come back.
But top seeds can lose matches, it happens. Look at Wimbledon 2016, USO 2016, RG 2015. These were slams as well, not just warm-up tournaments.
It happened at Brisbane too, albeit with other players.
When you get a couple of players like Murray and Djokovic, who are now very close in terms of their level, it's often about who gets the rub of the green on the day. At the ATP final it was Murray in straight sets and in Qatar it was Djokovic in 3.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
I am picking RAFA to win the aussie open so Novak and Andy has no chance. this is rafa's year to win 3 of 4 majors.
D
Deleted member 3771
Guest
Muzz probably should have won but he muffed his bps(2/7 on bp compared to *Cvac's 3/4). I was a little surprised at how much more tired Muzz was towards the end of the match compared to *Cvac.
coolschreiber
Hall of Fame
+1, agree with every single point you make above when it comes to describing their rivalry in general.
I just watched the final set and Murray was just content on getting the ball back. He wasn't trying to dictate at all. Ze Djoker will make you run side to side all day if he has to. He'll keep hitting to corners , short angles rally ball after rally ball....Sir Murray has endless stamina but he started losing 1/4 of a step later on and that makes all the difference.
Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
The flip side to this however is that a tough 3 set win can sometimes do more to strengthen your confidence and mentality, especially given how shaky Djokovic's had been since winning RG last year. Of course when I was watching it, a straight set victory would've been preferable because I was bloody nervous and just wanted it over and done with but perhaps in the long run it was just what the doctor ordered for Novak. Time will tell.
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
Not shocked but pleasantly surprised.
Mainad
Bionic Poster
Well, he'd had tougher matches all week and last season's efforts are probably still taking a slight toll, mentally as well as physically. Djokovic maybe a little fresher and that little bit more determined given he hadn't won a tournament since last summer?
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