RG 2014 SF : Nadal (1) vs Murray (7)

[veroniquem]

Sure, Murray just didn't show up today and many of us are understandably disappointed. I know I am. But Rafa is clearly coming into his peak form at just the right time at the tournament that is most precious to him.

But I think I should remind you that before we all get on Andy's case for playing such a poor semi-final, let's remember that most people on here didn't even think he could get past the first week! In the last 13 Slams he has played, he has never failed to make the quarter-finals and has made 5 finals and 5 other semi-finals.

Clay will always be his worst surface but he still regularly makes it deep into the 2nd week at Roland Garros just as he does at at the other 3 Slams! Messrs Nadal and Federer can't quite say as much, can they?

I agree. SF was a fantastic result for Murray.
Murray is not gonna morph into clay superman out of the blue and one HAS TO be clay superman to threaten Rafa at RG. Completely unreasonable expectations all around.

 

[rocketassist]

I thought Murray would compete out there for a while before gassing out, but he was pretty much spent early on out there. Only disappointing he didn't really try any other tactics out there.

Had nothing left to give and at RG in a SF vs Nadal, there's only one outcome. Still, good tournament.

He HAS to rediscover that stamina of once by if he's going to win more grand slams, though. He can't keep flagging and needing overnight stoppages or clowning like Monfils to get through long matches.

 

[rocketassist]

Murray fans seem to be happy with the result. All aboard the Nadul bandwagon for the final,Muzzards? :lol:

LOL no, Nole all the way

 

[TMF]

Sure, Murray just didn't show up today and many of us are understandably disappointed. I know I am. But Rafa is clearly coming into his peak form at just the right time at the tournament that is most precious to him.

But I think I should remind you that before we all get on Andy's case for playing such a poor semi-final, let's remember that most people on here didn't even think he could get past the first week! In the last 13 Slams he has played, he has never failed to make the quarter-finals and has made 5 finals and 5 other semi-finals.

Clay will always be his worst surface but he still regularly makes it deep into the 2nd week at Roland Garros just as he does at at the other 3 Slams! Messrs Nadal and Federer can't quite say as much, can they?

Yes we know clay is Murray's worst surface. However, that doesn't excuse him for showing up lifeless on court. This is the semifinal at the slam, not an exhibition. Murray was lazy and not care at all if he loses. People have problem with his attitude, not because of his of weakness on clay.

 

[clayqueen]

Yes, he's never beaten him at the French. But do you think he wasn't fearing him at the point that Novak touched the net in last year's semi? You bet he was. He was playing a 5th set against a guy who had beaten him in the final 3 other slams...

Nadal had already served for the match in the 4th set he also already had a break point in that 8th game of the final set. Nadalwas leading for most of the match. Nadal doesn't give up.

 

[Mainad]

Yes we know clay is Murray's worst surface. However, that doesn't excuse him for showing up lifeless on court.

As I said, it is disappointing and I'll be interested to hear his comments on what went so badly wrong. Maybe something was going on with him we don't yet know about because it is certainly uncharacteristic of him!

This is the semifinal at the slam, not an exhibition. Murray was lazy and not care at all if he loses. People have problem with his attitude, not because of his of weakness on clay.

That's unfair. He always cares if he loses. He fought through 2 tight 5 setters against Kohlschreiber and Monfils to get there, didn't he? If he was lazy and didn't care, why on earth would he have bothered to do that?

Murray always goes deep in Slams, even those on his weakest surface like at RG. You never see any 1st or 2nd round exits from him, do you! Would he have got extra marks from you if he had done a Wawrinka or what Rafa did at Wimbledon last year? He takes the Slams really seriously and he should always be given credit for that.

 

[Rebel-I.N.S]

As I said, it is disappointing and I'll be interested to hear his comments on what went so badly wrong. Maybe something was going on with him we don't yet know about because it is certainly uncharacteristic of him!



That's unfair. He always cares if he loses. He fought through 2 tight 5 setters against Kohlschreiber and Monfils to get there, didn't he? If he was lazy and didn't care, why on earth would he have bothered to do that?

Murray always goes deep in Slams, even those on his weakest surface like at RG. You never see any 1st or 2nd round exits from him, do you! Would he have got extra marks from you if he had done a Wawrinka or what Rafa did at Wimbledon last year? He takes the Slams really seriously and he should always be given credit for that.

I completely agree with you so far as Murray's incredible consistency in slams (for which he does not receive enough credit).

However, that is what makes today's performance so unsettling as a Murray fan.

I can't recall him ever having such a despondent attitude in a GS match.

It actually reminded me a little of his AO 2011 final loss to Djokovic.

That's about the only time I'd ever seen Murray adopt such nonchalant surrender.

Also, I by no means prefer to see Murray berating himself. Thankfully, he has taken great strides in addressing that part of his demeanour. However, if the alternative is glumly sleepwalking to defeat...


Let's just hope his flat performance today was a one off. There is much to look forward in the coming weeks.

Andy Murray stepping out on day one at Wimbledon as the defending champion for one.

 

[Hood_Man]

To think I was having second thoughts about going out tonight, in case I missed some tennis. It was all over before I even finished work :?

 

[TMF]

That's unfair. He always cares if he loses. He fought through 2 tight 5 setters against Kohlschreiber and Monfils to get there, didn't he? If he was lazy and didn't care, why on earth would he have bothered to do that?

Murray always goes deep in Slams, even those on his weakest surface like at RG. You never see any 1st or 2nd round exits from him, do you! Would he have got extra marks from you if he had done a Wawrinka or what Rafa did at Wimbledon last year? He takes the Slams really seriously and he should always be given credit for that.

Look, all fans including myself want Murray is to put all of his effort on court, and belief that he can win. If Murray takes it seriously then he should try his best, fight hard, at least force Nadal to play his best tennis. Watching that match I don't see Murray put in 100%, he was lethargic, absolutely have no desire to win. You can tell a player is hungry base on his reaction and body language. Murray gave no sign of wanting to win.

Roddick for example has a poor record against Federer. But when he's on court, Roddick always give it all out, play like it's his life on the line(eg Wimbledon 2009).

 

[Mainad]

Look, all fans including myself want Murray is to put all of his effort on court, and belief that he can win. If Murray takes it seriously then he should try his best, fight hard, at least force Nadal to play his best tennis. Watching that match I don't see Murray put in 100%, he was lethargic, absolutely have no desire to win. You can tell a player is hungry base on his reaction and body language. Murray gave no sign of wanting to win.

As I said, I'll await to hear Murray's comments on what went wrong with him but he has already said that Nadal played amazingly well and Nadal and Uncle Toni both said that it was one of the best ever tennis matches he has played at RG.

 

[heninfan99]

I and others have posted the fire in his belly is gone and has been gone since Lendl left him. I too was hoping he could make it interesting but he'll never want it more than Nadal. Not even close. He'll need that just to win a set.

Look, all fans including myself want Murray is to put all of his effort on court, and belief that he can win. If Murray takes it seriously then he should try his best, fight hard, at least force Nadal to play his best tennis. Watching that match I don't see Murray put in 100%, he was lethargic, absolutely have no desire to win. You can tell a player is hungry base on his reaction and body language. Murray gave no sign of wanting to win.
.

 

[Chanwan]

As I said, I'll await to hear Murray's comments on what went wrong with him but he has already said that Nadal played amazingly well and Nadal and Uncle Toni both said that it was one of the best ever tennis matches he has played at RG.

Can someone please give me a fair account of what happened in this match?
Nadal goating? Murray playing like s...? Both?

I didn't get the chance to watch it apart from the last couple of games.
What surprises me the most from the stats is probably Murray's complete inability to do anything at all in Nadal's service games.
He won 10!!! freaking points on Nadal's serve over the course of 3 sets. Nadal was 41 out of 45 on his first and 8/14 on second.
How is that possible vs. Murray? Goat-serving? Goat-groundgame? No return-game from Murray today?

 

[The_Order]

Look, all fans including myself want Murray is to put all of his effort on court, and belief that he can win. If Murray takes it seriously then he should try his best, fight hard, at least force Nadal to play his best tennis. Watching that match I don't see Murray put in 100%, he was lethargic, absolutely have no desire to win. You can tell a player is hungry base on his reaction and body language. Murray gave no sign of wanting to win.

Roddick for example has a poor record against Federer. But when he's on court, Roddick always give it all out, play like it's his life on the line(eg Wimbledon 2009).

Oh please Roddick's had heaps of matches where he's played like a mug at majors. First of all every RG attempt, weak arse performances against Federer at AO07 & AO09, against Nadal USO11...

Also need I remind you of your idol's pathetic RG08 final performance? You're so annoying with the crap you keep coming up with...

 

[Down_the_line]

I was honestly shocked at this result. I was pretty sure of the final outcome and I knew Murray would be a bit fatigued coming in but the final scoreline and Murray's performance in general still have me baffled. Something was up with him. It was a mixture of fatigue and something else going on in his head. Maybe he's injured, I don't know. I never know with Murray because, let's face it, he's always grabbing his thigh or something like that.

Either way, huge congrats to Nadal. Getting to the final doesn't seem like as big a deal when he's already done it so many times before but the other side of that is getting to the final of a particular Grand Slam 9 times is quite simply an astonishing achievement so I'm trying to appreciate it as much as I can.

 

[jm1980]

Can someone please give me a fair account of what happened in this match?
Nadal goating? Murray playing like s...? Both?

A bit of both, really. I think I can spot the exact moment Murray gave up: down a break point in the second, he sailed a forehand out by at least 2 metres. That was when I grabbed my keys and headed to work. Shortly after that, I saw Murray lost 6-2 6-1 in the last two sets and I wasn't surprised at all.

 

[spinovic]

Murray was flat at the start and allowed Nadal to settle in right off the bat and it just got worse from there. Rafa was sensational.

I marvel, after watching a match like this, at the people who refer to Nadal as a moonballer. He absolutely crushes the ball.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Can someone please give me a fair account of what happened in this match?
Nadal goating? Murray playing like s...? Both?

I didn't get the chance to watch it apart from the last couple of games.
What surprises me the most from the stats is probably Murray's complete inability to do anything at all in Nadal's service games.
He won 10!!! freaking points on Nadal's serve over the course of 3 sets. Nadal was 41 out of 45 on his first and 8/14 on second.
How is that possible vs. Murray? Goat-serving? Goat-groundgame? No return-game from Murray today?

Murray came out flat and got broken in his first service game. After that, the rest of the set was competitive. Both sides held serve until the set finished. Murray had a couple looks in Nadal's service games, but couldn't break back.

After that, Murray was just spraying returns and forehands everywhere. John McEnroe said it was one of the worst performances he has seen from Murray. I don't think he had any belief in himself. He just wanted to lose the match and move on.

When Murray's shots weren't going out or into the net, they were usually landing short, allowing Nadal to comfortably dictate points. So while Nadal looked good, it was almost impossible for him not to.

 

[Down_the_line]

Murray came out flat and got broken in his first service game. After that, the rest of the set was competitive. Both sides held serve until the set finished. Murray had a couple looks in Nadal's service games, but couldn't break back.

After that, Murray was just spraying returns and forehands everywhere. John McEnroe said it was one of the worst performances he has seen from Murray. I don't think he had any belief in himself. He just wanted to lose the match and move on.

When Murray's shots weren't going out or into the net, they were usually landing short, allowing Nadal to comfortably dictate points. So while Nadal looked good, it was almost impossible for him not to.

Yeah, it was definitely an odd match. Murray looked tired, laboured and distracted and even troubled. Nadal just cruised through the entire thing.

 

[jm1980]

Yeah, it was definitely an odd match. Murray looked tired, laboured and distracted and even troubled. Nadal just cruised through the entire thing.

The scary thing is Djokovic looked exactly like that in the 3rd and 4th sets against Gulbis. Tired, laboured, distracted, and even troubled. If he does that against Nadal the same fate Murray had will befall the Djoker.

 

[Mainad]

Murray offers some comments on what happened today. He basically sounds a bit shell-shocked!

Mauled Murray licks wounds after worst ever defeat by Rafa:

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news...-wounds-worst-defeat-rafa-172646612--ten.html

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Murray offers some comments on what happened today. He basically sounds a bit shell-shocked!

Mauled Murray licks wounds after worst ever defeat by Rafa:

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news...-wounds-worst-defeat-rafa-172646612--ten.html

He cut a forlorn figure in the presser after... which you can see on the RG website.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Can someone please give me a fair account of what happened in this match?

Rafael Nadal is the GOAT in waiting.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Oh please Roddick's had heaps of matches where he's played like a mug at majors. First of all every RG attempt, weak arse performances against Federer at AO07 & AO09, against Nadal USO11...

Also need I remind you of your idol's pathetic RG08 final performance? You're so annoying with the crap you keep coming up with...

Quoted for truth.

 

[Ralph]

I think people are overreacting here honestly. Djokovic may lose, but barring something catastrophic like injury, it should be MUCH more competitive than anything Nadal has faced in this tournament.

Did Nadal play well? Absolutely, positively yes, and it didn't really matter how Murray played he wasn't coming close to winning. That said, I don't think people deserve to be branded as "haters" (not saying that anyone here is doing that) for pointing out that Murray didn't play that well, and neither did Ferrer. And that probably had something to do with Nadal looking in great form.

Ferrer himself even admitted that he quit against Nadal because he knew he couldn't win.

We've seen this before with Nadal and Federer. Everybody swoons over Federer if he comes into a match with Nadal in good/great form and thinks he can keep it up and beat Nadal but then Nadal makes him play like crap.

I know, I know, it is not exactly the same scenario given that Nadal leads the H2H and Djokovic has never beaten him at RG, but there is no way Nadal will look that good against Novak, and there is a high likelihood that Nadal will not win 6-3 6-2 6-1. Novak is simply a much better clay courter than Murray or Ferrer and has more belief against Nadal. All I'm saying is, I really think people are overreacting here with respect to Nadal's form.

It is one match for all the marbles. When these 2 play you can throw recent form out the window. It will just come down to who is better on Sunday.

If I was to point to one thing that might be a small predictor it's recent history. For example, Novak had his run of 7, then Nadal won 3 in a row. Then Novak won MC last year, but Nadal won the next 3 matches after that. Now Novak is on a run of 4.

Yep, agreed.

Of course he fears Djokovic more than he does any other player but at the same time I think Nadal likes the challenge and he can be a little more confident at the FO because he knows only one man has defeated him there before. That is a strong record to fall back on. No doubt Djokovic can make it close but can he go all the way? I am not so sure. Hopefully it will be a competitive contest.

Again, I agree - can't argue with what you've said here. It is indeed a strong record and he also likes a challenge. I think part of the fear now works in his favour. Sure hope it is competitive. Not that I'll be able to watch it. It's my son's christening!

 

[pound cat]

Here's the sad reality of Murray's current game. (BBC sports)


"There have been many encouraging signs on the clay for Murray, and the grass will make him a much more hostile opponent, but he's still to beat a top-10 player since becoming Wimbledon champion."

 

[Hood_Man]

Well aside from all of that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

:lol: :twisted:

 

[Murrayfan31]

Regardless of Nadal's performance today, it will not go well in the finals for him. Djokovic is just playing unreal tennis these days.

 

[Outbeyond]

Nadal is also playing unreal tennis in this tournament. I wouldn't bet all my cookies on Djoker. :razz:

 

[Kirijax]

That was a truly pathetic performance by Murray. I'll be surprised if he gets past the semifinals at Wimbledon. I wish it would happen but after seeing that match, I'm afraid his days in the top 4 are a thing of the past. Just embarrassing.

 

[firepanda]

Murray never saw a break point. Nadal had 100% conversion. Nadal almost won double the points of Murray (if Nadal won the next two points at 5-1, instead of taking him to deuce, it would have been exactly double). More that half the time, Murray was returning serve into the third quarter (just beyond the service line).

A very ugly match.

 

[Boom-Boom]

Murray should be fined for lack of effort. He didn't care

Agreed. Not trying in a slam semi...

 

[JRAJ1988]

Late in mainly because I purposely forgot about that drubbing.

I was guessing a repeat of their 2011 encounter ie (set's being competitive) but yesterday was a mauling, a destroyed LOL moment for sure

Oh well we get the dream final but I hope Murray picks up the pieces for the Grass season because like Pound Cat quoted Murray hasn't beaten a Top 10 player since last years Wimbledon......

 

[nolefam_2024]

I think people are overreacting here honestly. Djokovic may lose, but barring something catastrophic like injury, it should be MUCH more competitive than anything Nadal has faced in this tournament.

Did Nadal play well? Absolutely, positively yes, and it didn't really matter how Murray played he wasn't coming close to winning. That said, I don't think people deserve to be branded as "haters" (not saying that anyone here is doing that) for pointing out that Murray didn't play that well, and neither did Ferrer. And that probably had something to do with Nadal looking in great form.

Ferrer himself even admitted that he quit against Nadal because he knew he couldn't win.

We've seen this before with Nadal and Federer. Everybody swoons over Federer if he comes into a match with Nadal in good/great form and thinks he can keep it up and beat Nadal but then Nadal makes him play like crap.

I know, I know, it is not exactly the same scenario given that Nadal leads the H2H and Djokovic has never beaten him at RG, but there is no way Nadal will look that good against Novak, and there is a high likelihood that Nadal will not win 6-3 6-2 6-1. Novak is simply a much better clay courter than Murray or Ferrer and has more belief against Nadal. All I'm saying is, I really think people are overreacting here with respect to Nadal's form.

It is one match for all the marbles. When these 2 play you can throw recent form out the window. It will just come down to who is better on Sunday.

If I was to point to one thing that might be a small predictor it's recent history. For example, Novak had his run of 7, then Nadal won 3 in a row. Then Novak won MC last year, but Nadal won the next 3 matches after that. Now Novak is on a run of 4.

Bump.
I hope fans can use this same logic for this friday.