FO 2017 QF: Andy Murray vs Kei Nishikori

[mike danny]

Their 3rd slam meeting, with Murray winning in AO 2012 and Kei in USO 2016.

This is also only their 2nd meeting on clay ever, with Murray winning their previous one on straight sets.

Their last 2 matches in BO5 format have proven to be absolute 5 set thrillers: Davis Cup 2016 with Murray prevailing and USO 2016 with Kei prevailing. Will this RG QF deliver as well?

Murray seems to be rediscovering the form that makes him dangerous, but so is Nishi.

Can Murray avenge his previous GS loss to Nishi or will Kei reach his first ever RG SF?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Muzz in straights, possibly four sets.

 

[TrustTheNinja]

Muzz in straights, possibly four sets.

wait what no NIshikori retirement?

 

[Sysyphus]

Nishi to retire at 6–0 0–6 6–0 0–6

 

[BeatlesFan]

wait what no NIshikori retirement?

Good point-- there's always a 50/50 chance of that with Kei.

 

[Red Rick]

Murray should have this pretty easily. I think the court will be too slow for Nishi to hit through and hurt Murray.

 

[gn]

Murray should have this pretty easily. I think the court will be too slow for Nishi to hit through and hurt Murray.

But if Murray sits with the audience, Nishi can execute drop shots.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Murray in 4 or kei in 5

 

[BeatlesFan]

But if Murray sits with the audience, Nishi can execute drop shots.

Never forget that Murray is unbelievably fast. The only two players I have ever seen retrieve a drop shot better were Nadal and Chang. Andy defends the drop shot as well as anyone out there.

 

[3fees]

Murray has the edge unless Nishikori pressures Murray out of his comfort zone.

Cheers
3Fees

 

[Feather]

I would prefer Kei to win this

 

[Charleneriva]

To follow the rules of balance of the universe, Nishi to win the first set 6-0, then lose the next 3 sets with or without a bagel.

 

[TennisFollower]

If Kei has recovered enough I'd say he is not without a chance to be honest. He was very impressive in withstanding the brutal barrage from Verdasco and wore him down with his relentless defence. To have a chance he'll have to be aggressive with his returning and use the forehand which has more spin to move Murray around. Kei is also underrated at the net and should look to close that down when given the chance and not let this turn into a 5-set grind fest which he is more likely to lose given vulnerability to injury, etc. He is very fortunate that the 1st and 4th sets with Verdasco were 6-0 and very quick. Perhaps it will benefit it to have faced Verdasco's assault so he is ready for what Murray throws at him - granted Verdasco doesn't have Murray's guile.

 

[LETitBE]

Muzzard will be way too solid unless Kei plays a blinder

 

[junior74]

Kei will lose in a clutter of injury/ quasi racquet abuse/ hopeless face expressions and a lot of cap adjustements.

May take one set, despite all this, because the Mudziah is blessed with the gift of gifting.

 

[Druss]

I would love for Nishikori to win, but that's just me grasping at straws :/

 

[gn]

I would love for Nishikori to win, but that's just me grasping at straws :/

Don't lose hope.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

When was the last time nishikori beat one of these top guys? He just hasn't done it in awhile. I think he gets overhyped in these matches. Hope he can bring out his best tennis today

 

[ojo rojo]

When was the last time nishikori beat one of these top guys? He just hasn't done it in awhile. I think he gets overhyped in these matches. Hope he can bring out his best tennis today

Kei beat Muzz at US Open over 5 sets last year

 

[heninfan99]

Sir Andrew is stretching in the hallway

 

[heninfan99]

nishi apparently dressed for winter weather

 

[heninfan99]

warm=up begins

 

[jaggy]

Pretty impressed that Kei hasnt retired yet today

 

[Duncan Donuts]

Unfortunately I'm thinking Murray in straights.

I'm pulling for Nishikori in 5 though.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Let's see if nishikori can make this a match

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Pretty impressed that Kei hasnt retired yet today

Match hasn't started yet so hold on to that

 

[heninfan99]

Pretty impressed that Kei hasnt retired yet today

HA!

 

[eliars]

I earlier pronounced The Muzz dead. It was warranted at the time.

But I do believe a while back, there was some chap whose name rhymed with "Feces" also believed to be dead and gone, just to be resurrected not too long after?

 

[NatF]

Nishikori to save tennis?

 

[ojo rojo]

dropper

 

[Duncan Donuts]

Let's go CLAY NISHIKORI!!!!!

 

[NatF]

If only Kei had a bigger serve...

 

[heninfan99]

nishi's groundies are so crisp

 

[citybert]

Kei beat Muzz at US Open over 5 sets last year

Yeah he beat him by serve and volley during big points. It was a ugly match

 

[NatF]

Deft touch from Ninja

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nishikori has to return better than that.

 

[citybert]

nishi's groundies are so crisp

Yeah they are working so far. He gotta hit those angles tho if he wants the W

 

[heninfan99]

the muzzard must protect that 2nd serve

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Well his serve has to hold up here

 

[dunlop_fort_knox]

poor Kei. we are at THAT stage of the tournament.

 

[citybert]

Who do we want in this match vs Stan/Cilic.

 

[heninfan99]

Who do we want in this match vs Stan/Cilic.

do you even need to ask hahahaha

 

[dunlop_fort_knox]

nishi's groundies are so crisp

yes but but he is going to be up against someone who plays big boy tennis now.

 

[gn]

Nishi looks solid so far!

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nishikori's so predictable

 

[heninfan99]

the muzzard pecks away at some left over sushi

 

[SeeingDusk]

Kei ftw. If coric can beat Muzz in straights then so can Nishi. Dropping 200 on Kei to win.

 

[jaggy]

Too many rubbish drop shots already

 

[gn]

This is going to be a long day.

 

[ojo rojo]

Kei ftw. If coric can beat Muzz in straights then so can Nishi. Dropping 200 on Kei to win.

This is Bo5. Muzz is much harder to beat over 5 sets