Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray Wimbledon Semifinals

[rafabull]

It's sure to be a thrilling match. I think it's anybody's match, seeing how Murray is playing a lot better than he did last year. My guess is Nadal in a 5th set. Maybe 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-4. This a total guess obviously. Who's your pick?

 

[TennisBatman]

Murray may find some magic, but I don't think it will be enough.

I expect something very similar to the FO match...a lot of dramatic games and rallies, but when it comes down to the number, it will be a landslide...

 

[fps]

Murray hasn't been tested at all. This is going to be a lot closer than this time last year.

 

[fhdowntheline]

NAdal in straight sets 7-5, 7-6, 7-5 or something like that..if the crowd gets behind Andy, Nadal may oblige with a 7-5, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 kinda win..
Either way, he gets to the finals.
I just dont see Nadal losing to Murray at this stage. Mentally, he is in another league right now. Murray is to Nadal as a Roddick or a Hewitt was to Federer back in 04-05..

 

[rafabull]

Murray hasn't been tested at all. This is going to be a lot closer than this time last year.

Defiantly. Rafa isn't playing as well as he did last year and Murray is playing much better. Should be close.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal in 3 for the third time at Wimbledon.

 

[ledwix]

NAdal in straight sets 7-5, 7-6, 7-5 or something like that..if the crowd gets behind Andy, Nadal may oblige with a 7-5, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 kinda win..
Either way, he gets to the finals.
I just dont see Nadal losing to Murray at this stage. Mentally, he is in another league right now. Murray is to Nadal as a Roddick or a Hewitt was to Federer back in 04-05..

I agree. I'm going with 7-6, 7-5, 6-4, with Murray having the chance to serve for one of the sets. I've been sticking with this prediction since the draw came out, but probably a little too specific to be correct.

 

[zagor]

We should all wait for "tennis fan 182" input before we proceed here, that man is a fountain of tennis knowledge.

 

[rafabull]

Nadal in 3 for the third time at Wimbledon.

It depends if Murray can hold his nerve. He'll probably choke from the pressure.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal in 3 for the third time at Wimbledon.

I hope so Mustard!

 

[jaggy]

Heart says Murray in 4. Head not in full agreement.

 

[TMF]

Nadal in 3

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Nadal is going to the final.

 

[MixieP]

I also think it's going to be a tight contest but I have a feeling that Andy will prevail. I think the outcome will decided by the return of serve. Andy will put the pressure on Rafa's serve early in the match and the Spaniard will be nervous and start double faulting and going for crazy winners. Andy in three.

 

[rafabull]

Heart says Murray in 4. Head not in full agreement.

At the current level of play, Murray would win. But I don't think he will play like he has on Friday. He's proven in the past that he can't handle his emotions or nerves in the later rounds at Wimbledon. The UK need to lower their expectations for Andy's sake.

 

[Mustard]

At the current level of play, Murray would win. But I don't think he will play like he has on Friday. He's proven in the past that he can't handle his emotions or nerves in the later rounds at Wimbledon. The UK need to lower their expectations for Andy's sake.

Nadal has been playing excellent this Wimbledon, apart from a loss of intensity against Fish for a period of the match. Some people make it sound like Murray has been dominant this Wimbledon while Nadal has struggled all the way.

 

[batz]

We should all wait for "tennis fan 182" input before we proceed here, that man is a fountain of tennis knowledge.

+1 This
10 bluebottles

Rafa strong favourite. Murray needs to take 1st set to have a chance.

 

[TennisFan3]

One crucial thing is that Murray got some excellent practice against a lefty serve, spin etc, when he played Lopez.

That is an important advantage..

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nadal in straight sets!!!6-4 -7-5 6-3

 

[rafabull]

Nadal has been playing excellent this Wimbledon, apart from a loss of intensity against Fish for a period of the match. Some people make it sound like Murray has been dominant this Wimbledon while Nadal has struggled all the way.

I suppose so. Nadal has had more challenging opponents than Murray. There are a lot of factors to think about

 

[Murrayfan31]

Murray is taking Nadal down. 6-4 3-6 6-4 7-6. Come on!

 

[danb]

Nadal in 4 maybe 3. I think he is playing very well.

 

[rafabull]

Murray is taking Nadal down. 6-4 3-6 6-4 7-6. Come on!

you forgot the :O

 

[Crayola Oblongata]

I have a horrible(sorry) feeling that Murray made win this. But you know, it's just a feeling. Hopefully, Ralpha comes through.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Murray's serve stinks!!!The guy will feel the pressure.

 

[Hood_Man]

Nadal in 3. I've gotten carried away before and predicted 5 set epics with Murray being the victor, but in all honesty there's nothing to suggest that will happen on Friday.

Murray's played really well, but so has Nadal. As tight as the semi final will probably be, Nadal will win all the important points.

 

[ruerooo]

It'll be tight. I don't even know what to say more than that.

 

[norbac]

Murray in three. Something like 6-0 6-0 6-0.

 

[batz]

Murray in three. Something like 6-0 6-0 6-0.

Meh - Rafa will be lucky to get love.

 

[veroniquem]

Murray hasn't been tested at all. This is going to be a lot closer than this time last year.

Agree. This is Rafa's big test here. Murray is much sharper and fresher than last year. I feel confident for the final but this one will be dangerous.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I dont think its that much of a test.Murray cant handle pressure.I think Murray will fight but he will be straight setted!

 

[Comet Buster]

Man it's that time of year again. When I get depressed that my three favourites never won Wimbledon yet some players I don't like got far. Having said that I dislike Murray but he's British. Doesn't cheat. I want a Murray - Djokovic final. The thought of Tsonga winning would completely p!ss me off. Although I do dislike all SF's.

 

[veroniquem]

ace of hearts : I sure hope you're right but if Rafa loses a set to Delpo and Fish, it's hard to imagine, he won't lose at least 1 to Murray unless Murray has a total brain cramp.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Murray will crap his pants on centre court,lol.Nadal will be ready.This is from a Fed fan.I just cant see Murray winning unless he serves lights out.

 

[mcenroefan]

I hope Murray will make a great match of it but I have a feeling it's Nadal in 3 or 4.

 

[NadalAgassi]

I wouldnt mind Murray winning if I thought there was any chance he would win the final as while I am not a fan it would be nice to see him get the slam monkey off his back. Since we all know he will crap his bed if he makes the final though I hope Nadal wins though, since Nadal unlike Murray will actually do as supposed to and win the final if he makes it.

 

[kishnabe]

Murray in 4! It his time now....just only Nadal to deal with no Federer in his way! Vamos~

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Murray's best chance to beat Nadal this year imo. He looks good, and enjoys playing Rafa.

It's time to take the next step and get into a Wimbledon final.

Murray in a tight match, since Nadal, as always will make him earn it.

 

[Beryl]

I think Nadal has too much power for Murray. Murray hasn't faced a real top power hitter yet and on this surface it might be too much for his counter-punching game to handle.

Nadal in 3 or 4.

 

[mcenroefan]

Nadal played really well today. As for Murray, I just feel that he's slipped a bit. I just don't get the feeling that he's as big a threat to the other top players as he used to be, notwithstanding that semi against Nole in Rome. I hope he raises his level but I haven't seen anything to make me think he will.

 

[Magnus]

Hoping for Murray in 3 easy sets so he can get to the final fresh, but probably Nadal in 4 and then he beats Djokovic/Tsonga in the final in straights. Nadal 11 slams.

 

[veroniquem]

I wouldnt mind Murray winning if I thought there was any chance he would win the final as while I am not a fan it would be nice to see him get the slam monkey off his back. Since we all know he will crap his bed if he makes the final though I hope Nadal wins though, since Nadal unlike Murray will actually do as supposed to and win the final if he makes it.

Excellent analysis. Watching Murray folding vs Tsonga in the final would just be preposterous and a terrible anticlimax to the tournament.

 

[sarmpas]

I watched a few minutes of the Lopez match today and saw Murray playing cutesy dink-dink-dinkerdy-dink tennis with Lopez around the net. Wow that's really the matchplay to prepare himself for Nadal.

Murray will be bent over on centre court and punished.

 

[mcenroefan]

Excellent analysis. Watching Murray folding vs Tsonga in the final would just be preposterous and a terrible anticlimax to the tournament.

Give Tsonga a little credit....he's playing great. Anyone who blasts through Ferrer the beast is playing very well.

 

[als47]

As I do every time, I'm gonna put in a pessimistic vote for Murray's opponent, since my boy can always find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. But again, while I'll be relieved if he takes it, I won't be surprised. Dude has the game, on any given day, to take anyone out.

 

[mcenroefan]

I watched a few minutes of the Lopez match today and saw Murray playing cutesy dink-dink-dinkerdy-dink tennis with Lopez around the net. Wow that's really the matchplay to prepare himself for Nadal.

Murray will be bent over on centre court and punished.

Murray needs to leave the slices and dinks at home and go for all of his shots....like Tsonga did today in the last three sets against Fed. Does anyone esle here think that Murray seems as if he's lost a little power in the last year?

 

[All-rounder]

See Wimbledon 2008 and 2010 for references. There shouldn't even be a thread for this.

 

[sarmpas]

Excellent analysis. Watching Murray folding vs Tsonga in the final would just be preposterous and a terrible anticlimax to the tournament.

Like every Fedal FO final.

 

[veroniquem]

Give Tsonga a little credit....he's playing great. Anyone who blasts through Ferrer the beast is playing very well.

I never said otherwise but I've also watched Murray in his last slam finals efforts, have you? Not 1 bit of fun.

 

[mcenroefan]

I never said otherwise but I've also watched Murray in his last slam finals efforts, have you? Not 1 bit of fun.

Yep, he's disappeared in the last couple of finals.