Please tell me how Murray's game 'matches up' to Djokovic's?

[tennis_fan_182]

...when in every single aspect of the game he is completely, completely, utterly, embarrassingly outclassed by Djokovic?

People have been saying that his backhand slice will give trouble, but Djokovic handled every slice with aplomb today - and that's WITH a broken shoulder.

Besides, Djokovic's backhand slice has also improved and is now much better than Murray's own. We saw how pathetically Murray dealt with Nadal's slice at the Wimbledon semi's this year, so Murray can't even handle his own medicine.

Volleys as well, now Djokovic is volleying 200% better than Murray and looks so much more comfortable at the net.

Djokovic has a good 70% more power, spin and consistency off both wings, his first serve is better, his second serve well and truly leaves Murray's in the dust, his movement, touch and feel also completely outclass Murray, and he drop-shots better off of both wings. Let's not even mention the mental side and intangibles.

Whatever game plan Murray choses to use - Djokovic can just attack Murray's strengths and break him mentally because Murray knows that even his best shots have no effect.

Djokovic will have MORE THAN completely recovered in a week and will be ready to burn Murray at the stake.

Of course, all of this is pointless, because Murray will be several matches short of joining Djokovic in the final or semi's.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Are you upset that Murray beat Djokovic?

 

[tennis_fan_182]

Are you upset that Murray beat Djokovic?

No, I don't like Djokovic either.

 

[HiroProtagonist]

 

[als47]

and that's WITH a broken shoulder.

What? When did he break it?

 

[Miso]

That's why I didn't like the way the match went. I knew once Djokovic started his shoulder problems, Murray beating him would appear illegitimate to the fans.

As for your percentage things. I don't see how any of that is true. You somehow have eyes that can see the actual psi of each stroke and the variances between each stroke? lol

When Murray is on, you better believe he matches up extremely well with Djokovic. The problem is, Murray hardly ever fires on all cylinders. Go watch Murray's 2010 AO campaign pre-finals. If he plays aggressive like that, he could give a so called "100%" Djokovic a run for his money.

 

[tennis_fan_182]

What possible tactic could Murray use when Djokovic does everything better?

If Murray rolls it in play, Djokovic will hit clean winners left right and center. If Murray tries to be aggressive, he will just spray and hand the match to Djokovic on a plate.

 

[Murrayfan31]

Murray's backhand and first serve is better.

 

[Miso]

What possible tactic could Murray use when Djokovic does everything better?

If Murray rolls it in play, Djokovic will hit clean winners left right and center. If Murray tries to be aggressive, he will just spray and hand the match to Djokovic on a plate.

Murray seemed to be handling Djokovic pretty fine before Djokovic fatigued his shoulder trying to smash and bash.

When Murray is firing on all cylinders, he hardly errors. Murray does that when he isn't confident in himself and he is trying to be aggressive while playing like Wozniacki.

I just wish Djokovic didn't fatigue his shoulder. Because beating Djokovic would have given Murray the confidence he needs heading into the open. Now, I doubt Murray will have that confidence needed to ascend to the finals of a slam and win.

 

[Achilles82]

Novak was tired and injured this who turnament. It's a surprise he got to the final.

I just hope he gets better for the US open.

Healthy Novak can beat Murray 9 out of 10 times.

 

[JustBob]

And the Oscar for Exaggeration and Hyperbole goes to...

 

[batz]

Novak was tired and injured this who turnament. It's a surprise he got to the final.

I just hope he gets better for the US open.

Healthy Novak can beat Murray 9 out of 10 times.

So how come their head to head is 6-4?

 

[JCF]

Murray is being branded now as a big threat for the US open by the british media now -- :shock: all cos he 'beat' a tired injured Djokovic ...

Murray will never win a slam - FACT

 

[Homeboy Hotel]

I didn't even bother reading your B.S, I just simply looked at the name of the poster to know this is another prime cut of stupidity from the local 12 year old troll, DRY YOUR EYES.

 

[Manus Domini]

People have been saying that his backhand slice will give trouble, but Djokovic handled every slice with aplomb today - and that's WITH a broken shoulder.

Djokovic will have MORE THAN completely recovered in a week and will be ready to burn Murray at the stake.

Djokovic has nothing on LeeD. Lee can recover from a broken shoulder in a day!

 

[Clarky21]

I think Murray matches up well with Novak because he has a solid two handed backhand that Novak can't pick on,and also moves just as well as Novak does. Plus Andy has the ability, and the shot selection to mix it up,throwing Novak out of his rhythm.

 

[DeShaun]

Murray's on the run forehand and retrieving-/foot-speed place greater pressure on Novak's down the line backhand forcing Novak to fire this one shot more accurately through a smaller window or else watch Murray start cracking forehands crossourt, so Novak's bread and butter figure eight hitting pattern isn't as successful against Murray who can destroy balls hit wide to his forehand side accelerating the rally and putting Novak on the run back to his forehand faster than Novak would like be.

 

[Towser83]

I was wondering if he is a bad matchup for Novak. I mean early on Novak destroyed him, but then Murray won 3 in a row which was stopped in Australia this year.. however we know what Murray is like in slam finals. Then the next time they play Novak should have lost, then he loses again. So in the last 6 times they've played, Murray has won 4 and should have won 5. Even "new Novak" should have lost 2 out of 3. Then again Novak played nothing like his best today, but Murray seems to mainly enjoy playing him, like he knows he's not as good so he enjoys embarrassing Novak by beating him.

 

[Bud]

Murray is Djokovic's worst match-up on tour. He can equal Djokovic in just about everything and makes Djokovic hit a bunch more shots to win a point versus other players. Djokovic starts leaking errors on both serve and groundies when he's winded and Murray has the ability to tire him out quickly.

 

[Mainad]

"Please tell me how Murray's game 'matches up' to Djokovic's?"

It doesn't. That's why Murray has won 3 out of their 4 finals. He wasn't feeling very well in the 4th!

 

[Tennis_Monk]

At the very top of the ATP ladder, the difference isnt much between the players.A little here and there is all the difference between a win and loss. Thats why it is amazing what Roger Rafa Novak was able to do what they did.

Murray was playing Djoker very well earlier this year when Djoker was in God mode. He couldnt win but the matches are close.
Today, against a Djoker who isnt 100% and Murray playing very well, it isnt surprising that Murray was the winner.

 

[Clay lover]

Murray is a VERY talented player himself, stop sounding like a 10-year-old.

 

[Sreeram]

At the very top of the ATP ladder, the difference isnt much between the players.A little here and there is all the difference between a win and loss. Thats why it is amazing what Roger Rafa Novak was able to do what they did.

Murray was playing Djoker very well earlier this year when Djoker was in God mode. He couldnt win but the matches are close.
Today, against a Djoker who isnt 100% and Murray playing very well, it isnt surprising that Murray was the winner.

Perfect answer. Let us stop this meaningless thread here. I think we need to open a new talk tennis forum in which such 10 year old OPs can start posting their meaningless threads.

 

[Murrayfan31]

The Fedal era is over. Now it is time for Murrovic.

 

[winstonplum]

Murray is Djokovic's worst match-up on tour. He can equal Djokovic in just about everything and makes Djokovic hit a bunch more shots to win a point versus other players. Djokovic starts leaking errors on both serve and groundies when he's winded and Murray has the ability to tire him out quickly.

Perfectly said. Murray's the second best mover on tour, just a tad behind Nole. His backhand is the second best of the tour, just a tad behind Nole. But I think in flat-out endurance over five sets (or one and a half) Muzza's got him. For all of Muzza's ranting and raving on court, I'm still convinced that he's a real fighter, and has a burning desire to win, and that he will win a slam or two. Watching that match today, I was struck by how these guys are almost mirror images of each other. That first set had some great hitting.

 

[winstonplum]

Perfect answer. Let us stop this meaningless thread here. I think we need to open a new talk tennis forum in which such 10 year old OPs can start posting their meaningless threads.

182's deep-seated hatred for Murray is kind of spooky. What is it all about?

 

[namui]

A tennis match is not a stroke exam. A player can seem to have inferior stroking techniques to his opponent and yet still beat his opponent, as long as he PLAYS the game better. John McEnroe looked like he didn't really have a real stroke when he set the world record of winning percentage in 1984. Murray has been good enough to have beaten all the existing number 1's. If his mind is sharp in the match day, he can beat anyone.

 

[glazkovss]

So, is Murray going to be the one who will dethrone The King?

 

[mnm]

Murray is the ultimate pusher.. not much more to say, everybody probably saw the match yesterday, Murray made a tactic triumph.

Was it in Rome, SEMIS, that Djoker beat Murray with all the luck in the world? And then cruised pass Rafa in the final?
Murray has the plan to beat Djoker.

 

[MariaRafael]

and that's WITH a broken shoulder.

And a couple of broken legs to make your story more convincing? OK, broken bones do not heal within 1 week, so we'll see in the US Open what fractures complicated Djoko's life this time.

If you haven't started watching tennis this year, you should know that Djok has a long history of retirements from the matches where he is a losing side.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Murray is Djokovic's worst match-up on tour. He can equal Djokovic in just about everything and makes Djokovic hit a bunch more shots to win a point versus other players. Djokovic starts leaking errors on both serve and groundies when he's winded and Murray has the ability to tire him out quickly.

and what do you know about tennis "MrPeterPolanskyisa4.5NTRP????

 

[beast of mallorca]

So, is Murray going to be the one who will dethrone The King?

Dethrone is far fetch. But I do hope he finally wins a GS because for his talent, he certainly deserves one. Hope he can really be in the mix to beat Rafa, Djoker and Fed more consistently, vying for the GS. It will certainly add more color to our game.

 

[TennisFan3]

Baring any surprises, I'm pretty sure we'll see a Murray-Djokovic final. ( In the SF, Muzz will take out Nadal and Djoko will beat Fed -- if Fedal don't lose earlier).

The final will be the moment of truth for Murray. It could be the biggest statement of his career, if he manages to stop the seemingly unbeatable Djokovic.

All that said, given Djokovic is such a slam beast, he will have no qualms crushing Murray in straight sets as he did in AO.

I have to go with Djokovic in 3 in the championship match..

 

[MariaRafael]

So, is Murray going to be the one who will dethrone The King?

Whom do you mean by The King? If Federer, he was dethroned long ago.
If Djokovic, no, he is a top 20 slam winner. Actually 16 kings are more royal than he is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...Most_Grand_Slam_singles_titles_.28all-time.29

 

[tennis_fan_182]

If Murray and Djokovic meet in the final, Djokovic will walk over him.

If they meet in the semi's (which they should be considering how Murray has almost never been drawn in the same half as Djokovic before) Murray will also be destroyed.

But this is pointless, Murray will lose way before the semi's.

Murray is just a pusher, very similar to Nadal but with half of the movement, half of the spin and without an awkward left handed forehand to DJokovic's backhand.

All this put together (since Murray is less than the sum of his parts), he is less than half the threat to Djokovic than Nadal is - and we've all been seeing what Djokovic has been doing to Nadal this year...

 

[FlamEnemY]

So how come their head to head is 6-4?

Djokovic never loses when he wins.

And he always wins when he's healthy.

We've made a full circle, people.

 

[celoft]

The fact that on clay which is Murray's worst surface and Nadal's best surface, Murray was closer to beating Nole than Nadal was says it all. Nole does NOT want Murray in his half at the USO because at the SF of a slam Murray has no issues unlike at the final.... HC is where Murray can achieve the most.

 

[christos_liaskos]

Technically I think Murray is the most talented player out there along with Roger. The things these two can do with the ball and the way they can at times toy with their opponents at the very highest level of our sport is unbelievable at times.

Murray falls short because mentally he hasnt found to 'execute his game plan' at will in the most important moments (slam finals). Novak has moved ahead this last year or so because he has found the confidence to feel comfortable and like he belongs in slam finals, knowing that he should be and deserves to be there, on a level with Federer and Nadal. I think so far when Murray has got into the final against these guys he feels in a way inferior to them, like they are the true champions and he is still the challenger, like a slam final is 'their place'and he doesn't quite belong there. Novak seems to feel confident and like he belongs in these finals nowadays, like he is no longer the challenger but an equal to Roger and Rafa. That's where his confidence has given him the calm to execute his own strengths in the most important moments. Andy hasn't found this yet. As I said, pure technical talent Murray is better for me, yet he is hasn't 'figured it out' yet as how to put his weapons together in the most important moments.

 

[celoft]

The Fedal era is over. Now it is time for Murrovic.

If Murray wins the USO, yes.

 

[Clarky21]

Baring any surprises, I'm pretty sure we'll see a Murray-Djokovic final. ( In the SF, Muzz will take out Nadal and Djoko will beat Fed -- if Fedal don't lose earlier).

The final will be the moment of truth for Murray. It could be the biggest statement of his career, if he manages to stop the seemingly unbeatable Djokovic.

All that said, given Djokovic is such a slam beast, he will have no qualms crushing Murray in straight sets as he did in AO.

I have to go with Djokovic in 3 in the championship match..

I agree with this,but I still think Federer has a shot to make the final as well as Delpo. I just hope that Murray shows up in the final and takes it to Djokovic. I'm not holding my breath for that to happen though.

 

[jbpick920]

After watching this tournament and the one in Montreal, I actually commented to someone that Murray provides a terrible matchup for Djokovic. Probably one of the worst he will face. The first set of Djokovic v Monfils, Monfils played very Murrayesque. And he won. He the fell back to his usual self and got run all over the court. Fish had some very Murray-like points in the Rogers final but he couldnt string them together. Thats not to say Murray is the second best player in the world, just that his game matches up very well against the world number 1. I know I am about to get flamed but I think Murray's backhand is better than Djokovics. While I am at it, I also think the shoulder "injury" was more of a discomfort than an actual injury. He was losing, he was hot, tired, and a little sore so he quit.

 

[jbpick920]

I would prefer it if noone responded to the last part of that post, as after reading it, I realize how trollish it sounds.

 

[TTMR]

I'm not sure if Murray is necessarily a bad match-up for Djokovic. I think he is a worse match than, say, Soderling, Berdych or Del Potro, as Djokovic loves guys that give him pace as he can simply bend down, get behind the ball and redirect it. Murray gives him little of that.

I would actually argue, in terms of pure speed, Murray is faster than Djokovic. Where Djokovic has the edge is his flexibility and capacity to slide on all surfaces (how he does it so well on hardcourts, I am mystified). He is so acrobatic he contort his body in ways that enable him to attack a ball that others would have to resort to just returning in play.

Besides that, they are very similar players, each having small advantages over the other on certain strokes (Novak better forehand/second serve, Murray better first serve/slice-drop shot-volley). Murray's main problem is mental; under duress at the end of the big events, he looks like he hates tennis while his opponents (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic) live for and savor those critical high-pressure moments.

 

[Mainad]

I would prefer it if noone responded to the last part of that post, as after reading it, I realize how trollish it sounds.

I won't respond to the last part but I completely agree with the first part.
Murray and Djokovic are exactly the same age and grew up together on the tennis circuit. They know each other and each other's games very well. Djokovic has learned how to mix up aggression and defence better than Murray who still struggles to get the balance right. But Murray can still run Djokovic close in most of their matches. Curiously, in the 4 finals they have played against each other, Murray failed to win a set in their one and only Slam final whilst Djokovic failed to win a set in all 3 of their Masters finals.

They are a good match-up in playing styles but often a bad match-up in winning against each other.

 

[Achilles82]

So how come their head to head is 6-4?

because that was old Novak. This year Novak is something completley different.

 

[CDestroyer]

Baring any surprises, I'm pretty sure we'll see a Murray-Djokovic final. ( In the SF, Muzz will take out Nadal and Djoko will beat Fed -- if Fedal don't lose earlier).

The final will be the moment of truth for Murray. It could be the biggest statement of his career, if he manages to stop the seemingly unbeatable Djokovic.

All that said, given Djokovic is such a slam beast, he will have no qualms crushing Murray in straight sets as he did in AO.

I have to go with Djokovic in 3 in the championship match..

I agree with this. Unless Novak is dead tired or injured he will destroy Murray or anyone else. Yesterday he didn't have access to his usual firepower and he wasn't moving at 100%.

At full clip Novak is unstoppable.

 

[jbpick920]

TTMR, I like the language you used. "Bad" matchup is to strong, worse matchup than usual is a much better way of putting that. I am not a big fan of Murray's, although i do love that dropshot, but he is such a head case its hard to root for someone when you never know which player is going to show up. Its a shame that such a good player really can deal with the pressure on the biggest stages.

 

[batz]

because that was old Novak. This year Novak is something completley different.

Indeed. So it's 2-1 to Nole and it could easily have been 2-1 to Murray - which doesn't exactly fit with the hypothesis that Novak would win 10 matches out of 10 if they played them.

 

[Mainad]

I agree with this. Unless Novak is dead tired or injured he will destroy Murray or anyone else. Yesterday he didn't have access to his usual firepower and he wasn't moving at 100%.

At full clip Novak is unstoppable.

Although I concur that Djokovic looked very under-par in yesterday's finals, I am a bit sceptical about the 'they can only lose when they are tired or injured' argument. How many times has that argument been used to explain away Nadal's or Federer's losses and they too until recently were the dominant players whom nobody thought it was possible to beat!

 

[Wilander Fan]

...when in every single aspect of the game he is completely, completely, utterly, embarrassingly outclassed by Djokovic?

People have been saying that his backhand slice will give trouble, but Djokovic handled every slice with aplomb today - and that's WITH a broken shoulder.

Besides, Djokovic's backhand slice has also improved and is now much better than Murray's own. We saw how pathetically Murray dealt with Nadal's slice at the Wimbledon semi's this year, so Murray can't even handle his own medicine.

Volleys as well, now Djokovic is volleying 200% better than Murray and looks so much more comfortable at the net.

Djokovic has a good 70% more power, spin and consistency off both wings, his first serve is better, his second serve well and truly leaves Murray's in the dust, his movement, touch and feel also completely outclass Murray, and he drop-shots better off of both wings. Let's not even mention the mental side and intangibles.

Whatever game plan Murray choses to use - Djokovic can just attack Murray's strengths and break him mentally because Murray knows that even his best shots have no effect.

Djokovic will have MORE THAN completely recovered in a week and will be ready to burn Murray at the stake.

Of course, all of this is pointless, because Murray will be several matches short of joining Djokovic in the final or semi's.

They are almost identical. Murray has a better serve but Novak the better forehand.