Nadal-Murray matches are underrated!!

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
These two always have battles. Murray always seems to play like he's possessed when he plays Rafa, and Rafa loves to make Andy run. I really enjoy almost all their matches, and when they play, I'm always nervous bc Rafa respects Andy's serve so much. What would you guys say their best match is?
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
What would you guys say their best match is?

Their 2007 Australian Open 5-set match in the Round of 16 was a cracker.

I personally liked their 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon matches. The 2008 match was Nadal at his very best delivering a beatdown. The 2010 match was a case of Nadal taking the crucial points and winning in straight sets despite coming under pressure.
 
D

Deleted member 77403

Guest
WTF 10 semi final for me was the best match that they played against each. That match was a thriller from start to finish.

Not a fan of their W matches, they were too one-sided for me.
 

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
I like Murray/Nadal matches. I think their best "best of 3" was their WTF one in 2010, extraordinary battle. My favorite best of 5 is the one at AO 2007. Murray was still young but that match was a cliffhanger, one for the ages. The problem with Rafa/Murray encounters is that there haven't been that many when both were playing well. (USO 2008: Rafa was a wreck, Rotterdam 2009: Rafa was injured, IW 2009: the wind ruined the quality of the match, AO 2010: Rafa retired.) Another good one that comes to mind is Canada 2008, that was at the time when Murray was starting to rise and Rafa was at his best and the match had some really spectacular rallies.
 
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Homeboy Hotel

Hall of Fame
US Open 2008 >

Nadal beasted Roland Garros, beasted Wimbledon, won the Olympics - Nadal was unstoppable in 2008.

But here, Murray made Nadal work so hard, he stops to lean over to the floor and grasp for BREATH.
 
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Sartorius

Hall of Fame
The problem with Rafa/Murray encounters is that there haven't been that many when both were playing well (USO 2008: Rafa was a wreck, Rotterdam 2009: Rafa was injured, IW 2009: the wind ruined the quality of the match, AO 2010: Rafa retired.)

This really got some giggles out of me, considering what these matches have in common.
 

Hood_Man

G.O.A.T.
US Open 2008 >

Nadal beasted Roland Garros, beasted Wimbledon, won the Olympics - Nadal was unstoppable in 2008.

But here, Murray made Nadal work so hard, he stops to lean over to the floor and grasp for BREATH.

I nearly got punched in the face because of this match. I was on a pub crawl for a friend's birthday that evening, and when we were moving on to the next place I overheard someone say something along the lines of "Hey did you hear, Murray beat that Spanish [AHEM]!" (I won't dignify what he actually said...), at which point I turned around and said, in a completely unintended aggressive tone of voice "What was that?"

The guy immediately sized up to me (presumably thinking I thought he was calling me a [AHEM]) and said something (this time I didn't catch what he said), to which I quickly replied I was just a tennis fan. I've never seen someone turn from aggressive to friendly so quickly :lol:

So there we go, tennis = contact sport.

Awesome video by the way. I've never gotten round to seeing the whole match, t'was from the dark days before I was able to stream live tennis matches on my laptop (rubbish internet + ignorance of online streaming outside of BBC iPlayer).
 

Homeboy Hotel

Hall of Fame
I nearly got punched in the face because of this match. I was on a pub crawl for a friend's birthday that evening, and when we were moving on to the next place I overheard someone say something along the lines of "Hey did you hear, Murray beat that Spanish [AHEM]!" (I won't dignify what he actually said...), at which point I turned around and said, in a completely unintended aggressive tone of voice "What was that?"

The guy immediately sized up to me (presumably thinking I thought he was calling me a [AHEM]) and said something (this time I didn't catch what he said), to which I quickly replied I was just a tennis fan. I've never seen someone turn from aggressive to friendly so quickly :lol:

So there we go, tennis = contact sport.

Awesome video by the way. I've never gotten round to seeing the whole match, t'was from the dark days before I was able to stream live tennis matches on my laptop (rubbish internet + ignorance of online streaming outside of BBC iPlayer).

Ah thats amazing, (not that you nearly got punched up) but the story associated with it. :lol:

Yeah its definitely worth a watch, never saw it live either so catching it on YT in this quality was just amazing.
 

kishnabe

Talk Tennis Guru
Personally liked the 2010 Aussie match...the first two sets were sublime. The 2011 Wimbledon encounter was entertaining....Nadal on the ropes...coming back after a Murray mental lapse.
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
They're certainly better than Nole/Murray matches! Their styles are just too close...

Murray plays ultra aggressive vs Nadal because Nadal is the only player the out-defenses him. Nole matches Murray's defense in their match ups.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Definitely, I think their 2010 AO and 2008 USO matches are especially underrated, Murray dismantling peak Nadal was very impressive.
 

Towser83

G.O.A.T.
They're certainly better than Nole/Murray matches! Their styles are just too close...

Murray plays ultra aggressive vs Nadal because Nadal is the only player the out-defenses him. Nole matches Murray's defense in their match ups.

Out-defends him. Out-defenses doesn't sound correct though I could be wrong..

Personally I much prefer Djokovic - Nadal matches, but any matches between these 3 can get a bit tedious. Probably right about Murray playing more agressive though, but Djokovic used to do this on HC 2007-2009. The thing is Murray is either really on it and he hammers Nadal or he isn't and Nadal shades every set. Not too many matches that have been down to the wire
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
Out-defends him. Out-defenses doesn't sound correct though I could be wrong..

Personally I much prefer Djokovic - Nadal matches, but any matches between these 3 can get a bit tedious. Probably right about Murray playing more agressive though, but Djokovic used to do this on HC 2007-2009. The thing is Murray is either really on it and he hammers Nadal or he isn't and Nadal shades every set. Not too many matches that have been down to the wire

Yep, I agree...
 

Netspirit

Hall of Fame
Nadal/Murray @ WTF 2010 was absolutely electric. It was one of those rare occasions when I was pulled into a match between the two pushers based on the quality and intensity of their rallies, not sure who to root for.
 
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