Whatever happens this weekend the winners will be a positive result for the game

[mattosgrant]

Thinking of the 4 possible winners this weekend:

Serena- Obvious here. Ties Graf at 22, and now talk of Court begins. Also matches Graf's feat of winning atleast 4 at each of the 4 slam venues.

Muguruza- I think what pretty much everyone would agree is the most talented of the younger up and coming generation (eg- those born in 94 and later) winning a slam in her 2nd slam final. A huge plus for the game if it happens (even though I hope it doesnt being a Serena fan).

Djokovic- Finally winning RG and also ties Emerson, and moves on the verge of pushing the player with by far the most inflated slam count in history down the board of that list further (sorry Roy but just being real here).

Murray- Finally wins his 3rd slam and even his most salty haters probably have to concede he has moved clear and solidly in front of the group of Hewitt, Safin, Wawrinka (laughable anyone is questioning him being above Stan, but such is reality of TW at times). Also now only needs Australia for his Career Slam, which nobody ever seriously even talked about with him.

 

[QuentinFederer]

I would like to see Muguruza win her first and I'd like Andy to win his 3rd. It'd be so funny to see the Djokovic fans on here if Murray could win this and the Australian next year.

 

[Chadillac]

The 150 people watching it will feel the same way

 

[mattosgrant]

I would like to see Muguruza win her first and I'd like Andy to win his 3rd. It'd be so funny to see the Djokovic fans on here if Murray could win this and the Australian next year.

Well I am a diehard Serena fan and badly want her to get #22 out of the way NOW to relieve the pressure, similar to how I want to see Djokovic get that darn RG out of the way to relieve the pressure all future times he plays RG. However I have a bad feeling about the womens final tommorow (for someone rooting for Serena to win), I hope I am wrong. That might be a good sign, since I had a super positive feeling about Serena's chances going into the semis of the U.S Open and finals of the Australian Open, so hopefully this time it will be the reverse.

Muguruza was super strong today though, very impressive. Serena definitely has not been at her best this tournament, not even close.

 

[mistik]

Well I am a diehard Serena fan and badly want her to get #22 out of the way NOW to relieve the pressure, similar to how I want to see Djokovic get that darn RG out of the way to relieve the pressure all future times he plays RG. However I have a bad feeling about the womens final tommorow (for someone rooting for Serena to win), I hope I am wrong. That might be a good sign, since I had a super positive feeling about Serena's chances going into the semis of the U.S Open and finals of the Australian Open, so hopefully this time it will be the reverse.

Muguruza was super strong today though, very impressive. Serena definitely has not been at her best this tournament, not even close.

If Muguruzza wins the first set she will win the match. Mark my words.

 

[QuentinFederer]

Well I am a diehard Serena fan and badly want her to get #22 out of the way NOW to relieve the pressure, similar to how I want to see Djokovic get that darn RG out of the way to relieve the pressure all future times he plays RG. However I have a bad feeling about the womens final tommorow (for someone rooting for Serena to win), I hope I am wrong. That might be a good sign, since I had a super positive feeling about Serena's chances going into the semis of the U.S Open and finals of the Australian Open, so hopefully this time it will be the reverse.

Muguruza was super strong today though, very impressive. Serena definitely has not been at her best this tournament, not even close.

It's going to be a great match. Both great players, although Williams has looked nervous in the last couple of matches and very easily could have lost. If Muguruza is aggressive and has a good serve percentage then I think she'll do it. She's probably the best under 25 in the WTA. I don't follow the WTA as closely as the ATP although I think the final tomorrow will be more entertaining than the men's. May the best woman win!

In the Men's I think it'll be straight sets and I have a feeling that Andy will take it. He has been hugely impressive on clay this season and if he can play how he did in Rome then I think he is going to win.

 

[OhYes]

In the Men's I think it'll be straight sets and I have a feeling that Andy will take it. He has been hugely impressive on clay this season and if he can play how he did in Rome then I think he is going to win.

What if he plays like against Stepanek or that nameless guy ?

 

[QuentinFederer]

What if he plays like against Stepanek or that nameless guy ?

Then he'll be on the receiving end of a thrashing.

 

[Krish872007]

If only the rest of TTW is as receptive to this.

 

[Mainad]

What if he plays like against Stepanek or that nameless guy ?

Then it will probably be a very quick match. But I doubt he's fought his way through a fairly tough draw to reach the final only to revert to his 1st round form.

 

[Goosehead]

it is indeed a historic weekeed, I think we need a 16th century town crier to bellow out the score's this weekend.

OH YAY OH YAY..etc..and yes he will be ringing his big bell (oo-er sounds a bit rude).

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yes, I am very happy with all four finalists. I like all of them, and while I favor one over the other, I wouldn't mind at all seeing the other player win. Especially Murray, who I have cheered and supported for a long long time. I still remember how sad I felt when I heard his W 2012 speech after he lost that fantastic match to Roger. What a champion he is, and for me there is a big four, and he is part of it. If Novak is to lose the RG final, I couldn't think a player I would rather see him to lose than Andy.

 

[OhYes]

Then it will probably be a very quick match. But I doubt he's fought his way through a fairly tough draw to reach the final only to revert to his 1st round form.

It was not actually form per se, it was rather that he has taken himself too seriously after Rome. Serveboats came to the rescue.

 

[Krish872007]

Then it will probably be a very quick match. But I doubt he's fought his way through a fairly tough draw to reach the final only to revert to his 1st round form.

He's improved with every round, I just hope those early 5-setters don't come back to bite him in terms of match-fitness. And Djokovic of course saved his best performance for today - it looks like we're building up to a great final! Would be nice to have a 5-set match

 

[Mainad]

It was not actually form per se, it was rather that he has taken himself too seriously after Rome. Serveboats came to the rescue.

Can you never bring yourself to give credit where credit is due (no matter who the player happens to be)?

What the heck is a 'serveboat' by the way?

 

[OhYes]

Can you never bring yourself to give credit where credit is due (no matter who the player happens to be)?

What the heck is a 'serveboat' by the way?

What credit please. Stepanek in 5, that noname guy in 5, Karlovic and Isner (servboats which Murray prefers) were done rather quickly, + Novak had to play several matches in succession and Thiem was much better opponent than Wawrinka.
But if Murray wins, he will get deserved credit, no question about that.

 

[Mainad]

What credit please. Stepanek in 5, that noname guy in 5, Karlovic and Isner (servboats which Murray prefers) were done rather quickly, + Novak had to play several matches in succession and Thiem was much better opponent than Wawrinka.
But if Murray wins, he will get deserved credit, no question about that.

1. He had a rough start to the tournament. So what?

2. Karlovic and Isner can be very dangerous (ask ANY player if they want to face those 2 back to back). Both of them have beaten Djokovic for instance.

3. Murray had to play 3 days in succession last week. Djokovic had to do the same this week. Both of them are tough enough to deal with it.

4. Thiem...a better opponent than Wawrinka? Do me a favour! Funniest comment you made in that post.

 

[VamosBamos987]

Positive result for the game? Are you high? Both of these guys are boring. Djokovic being extremely boring and Murray being neutral-slightly below average but is somewhat above average when in top form.

 

[Mainad]

Positive result for the game? Are you high? Both of these guys are boring. Djokovic being extremely boring and Murray being neutral-slightly below average but is somewhat above average when in top form.

Yep, we were all bored rigid by those boring finals they just played in boring old Madrid and Rome!


Oh wait.............!!!

 

[VamosBamos987]

Yep, we were all bored rigid by those boring finals they just played in boring old Madrid and Rome!


Oh wait.............!!!

Borepushovic vs Neutralray

 

[OhYes]

1. He had a rough start to the tournament. So what?

2. Karlovic and Isner can be very dangerous (ask ANY player if they want to face those 2 back to back). Both of them have beaten Djokovic for instance.

3. Murray had to play 3 days in succession last week. Djokovic had to do the same this week. Both of them are tough enough to deal with it.

4. Thiem...a better opponent than Wawrinka? Do me a favour! Funniest comment you made in that post.

1.So....he obviously thought it would be walk in the park. t's his own fault that he had to play 3 days in succession and it was last week, Novak had to play this week due to bad organization (weather if you want).
2. We all know that servebots have been always very tough for Novak and piece of cake for Andy. Don't know why.
4. I've watched both matches. Thiem was pumped, Stanislas was rather flat.

Now, just to put things into perspective... Murray played this year 22-5, and only tournaments he has gone far (had tougher opponents in them) were AO, Madrid and Rome. Novak played 37-3, with having finals in 5 different big tournaments. Guess who is more tired ?

 

[Mainad]

Borepushovic vs Neutralray

Take your biased blinkers off and try and get over the fact it's not your fav player in the final on Sunday!

 

[jm1980]

The irony of Nadal fans calling Djokovic and Murray boring

 

[VamosBamos987]

Take your biased blinkers off and try and get over the fact it's not your fav player in the final on Sunday!

At least I'm neutral towards Murray. Maybe slightly towards the good side because he doesn't reak of desperation, or kiss ball boys and the crowds's ass. He's genuine off the court.

 

[Mainad]

1.So....he obviously thought it would be walk in the park. t's his own fault that he had to play 3 days in succession and it was last week, Novak had to play this week due to bad organization (weather if you want).

1. So what point are you (rather desperately) trying to make)? Murray was playing subpar in his 2 opening matches but still came through. Now he has upped his level. End of.

2. We all know that servebots have been always very tough for Novak and piece of cake for Andy. Don't know why.

Maybe because Andy has the better skills to handle them. Maybe that's why.

4. I've watched both matches. Thiem was pumped, Stanislas was rather flat.

Stan came out firing on all cylinders in his opening game and almost broke Murray in his opening game. Had he done so, he would have played with much more confidence and may have won the match. It was Murray's shrewd tactics that wore him down and stopped him playing as well as he could have. Murray had a plan for dealing with him and he executed it almost to perfection. If he had been given the choice of which opponent to play today, he would have picked Thiem without any hesitation and so would Novak.

Now, just to put things into perspective... Murray played this year 22-5, and only tournaments he has gone far (had tougher opponents in them) were AO, Madrid and Rome. Novak played 37-3, with having finals in 5 different big tournaments. Guess who is more tired ?

Didn't look tired when he played today. His cake draw has allowed him to get plenty of rest ahead of Sunday's final.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

4. I've watched both matches. Thiem was pumped, Stanislas was rather flat.

I've watched both matches, and I'm not biased like you (no Federer in the tournie, so...), and Thiem was worse. Being pumped is no help when you keep making errors and your serve is awful. I'll give that Stan wasn't much better than Thiem off the ground today, but he served okay, while Thiem served poorly, and that's a big difference.

 

[mattosgrant]

4. I've watched both matches. Thiem was pumped, Stanislas was rather flat

This part is actually true. I didnt want either match in their entirity, I was flipping back and forth and doing some other things. However from what I saw I think Thiem was playing better than Wawrinka today, despite that he didnt get a set and Wawrinka did. Wawrinka only was strong the first couple games and last couple games of the 1st set, and latter part of the 3rd, and otherwise his play was pretty forgettable; although in fairness I think Andy's strong serving was a large part of unnerving him and affecting his entire game. Thiem was hitting extremely big and agressively, and not making as many sloppy errors as Wawrinka (both made alot of errors, but Thiem's were moreso eventually overhitting due to Djokovic's insane defense, while in Murray-Wawrinka they often didnt get that far with Wawrinka spraying silly errors early in many points and going through long periods of lackluster focus). Which is one reason I am confident in Djokovic's chances currently, to put away a pretty in form Thiem so easily was extremely impressive.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

This part is actually true. I didnt want either match in their entirity, I was flipping back and forth and doing some other things. However from what I saw I think Thiem was playing better than Wawrinka today, despite that he didnt get a set and Wawrinka did. Wawrinka only was strong the first couple games and last couple games of the 1st set, and latter part of the 3rd, and otherwise his play was pretty forgettable; although in fairness I think Andy's strong serving was a large part of unnerving him and affecting his entire game. Which is one reason I am confident in Djokovic's chances currently, to put away a pretty in form Thiem so easily was extremely impressive.

Did you miss the part when Thiem could't put a 1st serve in when it mattered and made several inopportune DFs?
Serve is just as important as groundgame.

 

[Man of steel]

If muguruza wins tomorrow i'm hoping for her to raise her consistency so that a rivalry can actually develop between her and serena posisibly. How sick would it be if the played each other at both RG and wimby finals. I'd really enjoy that.

 

[mattosgrant]

Did you miss the part when Thiem could't put a 1st serve in when it mattered and made several inopportune DFs?
Serve is just as important as groundgame.

Fair enough, but it is not like Wawrinka was serving any better either. I didnt see either match in their entirity and if I did maybe I would feel differently, but from the parts I saw Thiem's play was better looking than Wawrinka's today.

 

[mattosgrant]

If muguruza wins tomorrow i'm hoping for her to raise her consistency so that a rivalry can actually develop between her and serena posisibly. How sick would it be if the played each other at both RG and wimby finals. I'd really enjoy that.

Such a rivalry would be great for the womens game.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Also, what will be good for tennis is actually good tennis, you know.
Serena winning playing like a mug with 50 UEs because her opponent is overwhelmed and makes dozens of UEs herself would be terrible for the game. And that's the way she's been winning recently, most of the time. Age takes its toll, but the era is weak and barely makes any use of that. Then ignoramuses start claiming Williams Jr. to be better than Federer because she's winning heaps of majors past 30 and he doesn't... yeah, he has to play Djokovic, while she gets to play scrubs.

PS. Of course if Serena was young and GOATed at will, she'd sweep everything and that would be totally praiseworthy, but when she plays at 50% or worse and still wins it, that exposes the state of the tour really.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

How sick would it be if the played each other at both RG and wimby finals. I'd really enjoy that.

Well, they played each other at the last Wimbledon final so that combo is already complete.

 

[OhYes]

1. So what point are you (rather desperately) trying to make)? Murray was playing subpar in his 2 opening matches but still came through. Now he has upped his level. End of.



Maybe because Andy has the better skills to handle them. Maybe that's why.



Stan came out firing on all cylinders in his opening game and almost broke Murray in his opening game. Had he done so, he would have played with much more confidence and may have won the match. It was Murray's shrewd tactics that wore him down and stopped him playing as well as he could have. Murray had a plan for dealing with him and he executed it almost to perfection. If he had been given the choice of which opponent to play today, he would have picked Thiem without any hesitation and so would Novak.



Didn't look tired when he played today. His cake draw has allowed him to get plenty of rest ahead of Sunday's final.

I am trying to say that he isn't that good level vise as you think. Further more that it's his fault that he had to play in 3 days. Novak otoh was doing brilliantly from the start of the season, and was screwed by the weather. If Murray has better skills, why was he lousy this season and any season before ? As I said, I don't know, but skills shouldn't be the answer. And about Stan... shoulda, woulda... we will just agree that we can't agree on Stan/Thiem level. Stan is heavier in theory, but I know everyone were disappointed (neutrals I mean) with his level today. Guess they all expected 2015 Wawrinka.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Fair enough, but it is not like Wawrinka was serving any better either. I didnt see either match in their entirity and if I did maybe I would feel differently, but from the parts I saw Thiem's play was better looking than Wawrinka's today.

I think Wawrinka's ground game overall throughout the match, including better and worse patches, was as good or slightly better than Thiem's, from what I've seen of both matches. His serving was below par but still somewhat better than Thiem's. The key difference was Thiem's game after catching Djokovic veer off and getting 3-0 up in the third vs Wawrinka breaking relaxed Murray from 40-15 at 4-4 in the third. Thiem was overwhelmed and lost the next four games, while Wawa broke Murray and served out the set. I don't think Wawa loses the set after being 3-0 up, although he may run out of gas and lose the fourth quicker than against Murray. In that sense, Wawrinka was better than Thiem because he had a better mentality, considering their level of play was pretty close.

 

[mattosgrant]

I think Wawrinka's ground game overall throughout the match, including better and worse patches, was as good or slightly better than Thiem's, from what I've seen of both matches. His serving was below par but still somewhat better than Thiem's. The key difference was Thiem's game after catching Djokovic veer off and getting 3-0 up in the third vs Wawrinka breaking relaxed Murray from 40-15 at 4-4 in the third. Thiem was overwhelmed and lost the next four games, while Wawa broke Murray and served out the set. I don't think Wawa loses the set after being 3-0 up, although he may run out of gas and lose the fourth quicker than against Murray. In that sense, Wawrinka was better than Thiem because he had a better mentality, considering their level of play was pretty close.

Fair enough. I dont really feel the same way, but either way it is pretty moot. Neither Wawrinka or Thiem today were great by any means, so it is just splitting hairs. Wawrinka is the one who has won slams, not a pretender kid with talent, so in that sense is the more imposing opponent regardless of his level that day.

I still feel very good about Djokovic's chances in the final after witnessing today.

 

[Mainad]

This part is actually true. I didnt want either match in their entirity, I was flipping back and forth and doing some other things. However from what I saw I think Thiem was playing better than Wawrinka today, despite that he didnt get a set and Wawrinka did. Wawrinka only was strong the first couple games and last couple games of the 1st set, and latter part of the 3rd, and otherwise his play was pretty forgettable; although in fairness I think Andy's strong serving was a large part of unnerving him and affecting his entire game. Thiem was hitting extremely big and agressively, and not making as many sloppy errors as Wawrinka (both made alot of errors, but Thiem's were moreso eventually overhitting due to Djokovic's insane defense, while in Murray-Wawrinka they often didnt get that far with Wawrinka spraying silly errors early in many points and going through long periods of lackluster focus). Which is one reason I am confident in Djokovic's chances currently, to put away a pretty in form Thiem so easily was extremely impressive.

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one. Thiem is an up and coming young player who has just made the top 10 but everyone knows he has not yet got the experience to handle the really top guys (with the possible exception of a sub-par Nadal) and so it proved. He made far too many unforced errors today which a more experienced player would not have made. I never had the slightest doubt Djokovic would put him away in fairly easy straights and so it proved. In a year or two, he may be mature enough to handle any re-matches much better.

Ahead of the Murray-Stan encounter, virtually everybody was expecting a win for Stan, some thinking Murray may be able to grab a set at most. Stan came out all guns blazing and could easily have overwhelmed Murray if Murray hadn't executed well a plan for neutralising Stan's power. At nearly all stages of the match Stan was potentially dangerous and could have turned things round sharpishly if Murray's level had dropped as happened in the 3rd set. Murray did well to recover and keep up the pressure on Stan by moving him round the court and varying the pace to take his timing away.
Eventually he broke Stan's spirit. IMO it was a remarkable victory for Murray's superior tactics against Stan's raw power.

 

[killerboi2]

Ahead of the Murray-Stan encounter, virtually everybody was expecting a win for Stan, some thinking Murray may be able to grab a set at most. Stan came out all guns blazing and could easily have overwhelmed Murray if Murray hadn't executed well a plan for neutralising Stan's power. At nearly all stages of the match Stan was potentially dangerous and could have turned things round sharpishly if Murray's level had dropped as happened in the 3rd set. Murray did well to recover and keep up the pressure on Stan by moving him round the court and varying the pace to take his timing away.
Eventually he broke Stan's spirit. IMO it was a remarkable victory for Murray's superior tactics against Stan's raw power.

Maybe this is a bit harsh on Stan the man but I think him winning the 3rd set was a bit of a fluke. Murray looked so comfortable on serve in that set (and indeed for the rest of the match) and had it not been for a couple of dodgy bounces, Stan would have probably gone down in straights.

 

[Mainad]

I am trying to say that he isn't that good level vise as you think. Further more that it's his fault that he had to play in 3 days. Novak otoh was doing brilliantly from the start of the season, and was screwed by the weather. If Murray has better skills, why was he lousy this season and any season before ? As I said, I don't know, but skills shouldn't be the answer. And about Stan... shoulda, woulda... we will just agree that we can't agree on Stan/Thiem level. Stan is heavier in theory, but I know everyone were disappointed (neutrals I mean) with his level today. Guess they all expected 2015 Wawrinka.

Well, I am trying to get you to understand that Murray isn't as bad level wise as you seem to think. Murray is an up and down player. Sometimes he plays well, sometimes he doesn't. He can go on streaks and he is definitely not as consistent as Djokovic (nobody is) which is why Djokovic is ranked number #1 and Murray is ranked number #2. But just because Murray isn't as consistent as Djokovic doesn't mean that he doesn't have the skills to beat him, does it? Well, we know for a fact that can be the case, don't we?

 

[DanFuller]

I think Murray in 4(a 3rd set wobble) and even though I'm in awe of Djoks acheivements I think underneath bubbles someone quite petulant. With his desperation to win the French he's now involving ball boys in celebrations to try and gain some of Rafas fan club.

In the women's it's Muguruza quite easily. Serena is injured and Garbine is playing very good tennis at the right time

Men's doubles. Lopez twins will take that

 

[OhYes]

Well, I am trying to get you to understand that Murray isn't as bad level wise as you seem to think. Murray is an up and down player. Sometimes he plays well, sometimes he doesn't. He can go on streaks and he is definitely not as consistent as Djokovic (nobody is) which is why Djokovic is ranked number #1 and Murray is ranked number #2. But just because Murray isn't as consistent as Djokovic doesn't mean that he doesn't have the skills to beat him, does it? Well, we know for a fact that can be the case, don't we?

I tried to scare you for Sunday, and just couldn't make it.

 

[Mainad]

I tried to scare you for Sunday, and just couldn't make it.

Trust me, I'm scared enough as it is!

 

[VamosBamos987]

Well, I am trying to get you to understand that Murray isn't as bad level wise as you seem to think. Murray is an up and down player. Sometimes he plays well, sometimes he doesn't. He can go on streaks and he is definitely not as consistent as Djokovic (nobody is) which is why Djokovic is ranked number #1 and Murray is ranked number #2. But just because Murray isn't as consistent as Djokovic doesn't mean that he doesn't have the skills to beat him, does it? Well, we know for a fact that can be the case, don't we?

Murray will prove em wrong on Sunday Mainad. I think He will finally get his revenge.

 

[Incognito]

Serena is already the woman GOAT. Another major would only make her GOATerer.

Graf?LOL, I have her below Martina.

 

[mattosgrant]

Serena is already the woman GOAT. Another major would only make her GOATerer.

Graf?LOL, I have her below Martina.

I dont rate Graf as highly as most people, but whenever I say that I get shot down so I rarely bring it up. I also do think the Seles stabbing deserves to be an asterisk on her career, and no I dont say that just because I am a Serena fan who would like to see her further her GOAT status (predominantly over Graf who is generally regarded the other main candidate). As @helterskelter who has known me as a mutual tennis fan a long time, I always held that against her, for a long time before Serena even started to somewhat regularly win slams, or despite the hype on the Williams long before anyone REALLY imagined Serena would ever be anywhere near GOAT contention. Granted I am not as hard on Graf over the matter as @helterskelter is, and we had some lively debates on that when I was a feisty teenager and he was already a stellar university student, mainly as he thought I wasnt hard enough on Graf over the matter, but we both agreed it was and absolutely should be a factor of sorts against her.

 

[OhYes]

Murray will prove em wrong on Sunday Mainad. I think He will finally get his revenge.

No, Djokovic is going to get his revenge for Wimb, UO and Olympics.
And for 10 years of not getting RG, for 3 finals he's been into, for that damn net cord, for blatant attacks from British media, and many other things.

 

[OhYes]

Trust me, I'm scared enough as it is!

I am scared of Murray's serve. He has been very lethal in that department.