Agree Ormy I somehow think that the Federer monkey is off Murrays back after the Olympic final. This is the Djokovic/Murray era now don't get me wrong for me Federer is the greatest player we have ever seen but his time is coming to an end and I don't believe Nadal will ever fully recover (I could be wrong) to be the force he was.
Would love to see Murray beat Federer - he can do it, but Federer is still scarily good. On a good day he is practically unbeatable. Djokovic has shown that he is vulnerable to aggressive play.
Agree Ormy I somehow think that the Federer monkey is off Murrays back after the Olympic final. This is the Djokovic/Murray era now don't get me wrong for me Federer is the greatest player we have ever seen but his time is coming to an end and I don't believe Nadal will ever fully recover (I could be wrong) to be the force he was.
The main reason I fancy Murray is that as a younger bloke he should be that bit fitter than Federer and better able to cope with the heat and fatigue of so many games so quickly.
Djokovic worries me though, he is awesome in Melbourne and very well supported by the huge local Serbian population.
All good points Le although Murray has a good record against Tsonga I wouldn't be too nervous if he had to play him. Ferrer agree the man is a fierce competitor but for me only really has a chance against Murray on clay, faster courts the age difference and power of Murray should see him through. But I like you think mens tennis at the moment is one of the most compelling sports to watch.
Ferrer has one trick. It's a very good trick. But if he can't outserve his opponent he shows signs of wear quite early on into the second set. Murray is one of, if not THE best returner in the world at the moment, and he also can vary his strategies throughout a match to respond to what his opponent is doing. If Ferrer is on form and banging aces past him he might drop a set, but I think he has learned not to be his own worst enemy, and has the resilience to come back, as we saw in the US open. Also let's not forget AM is on fire at the moment and hasn't dropped a set. Having said that Ferrer is also a fighter, and has the potential to dig in and make things uncomfortable for AM, but I think Murray is the better player.
Djokovic has an 11-1 h2h record v Berdych, his only loss against him coming on grass a few years ago. Can't see that changing.
Berdych is just like Ferrer in that they are both comfortably better than anyone outside the top 10, but neither are good enough to beat any of the top 4.
Djokovic beat Berdych in four. Ferrer through in five against Almagro after being two sets down.
In the women's side of the draw, Sloane Stephens (the US girl who knocked out Laura Robson) has just beaten Serena Williams in three sets in the last QF.
Was expecting Murray to be done by now, not only just starting...
Nineteen year old Sloan Stephens has just put Serena Williams out, albeit Serena wad playing with a back injury. This Stephens kid looks the real deal though.
Murray up next. Things just seem to be going his way at the moment with all the big names, except Federer, dropping out of his half and Novak having to work harder for his wins than usual. This Chardy bloke is dangerous though.I watched him beat Del Potro and Seppi and he had a massive forehand which is a real weapon if he's getting it to land inside the court. Murray should be a step too far but I'm not counting any Chickens yet.
Nervous for AM. RF on fire the last few games I've seen. Would have laid money on AM beating Tsonga, Federer still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Depends which players turn up. If AM can stick to his guns, stay calm under prressure he can roll over Federer. If Federer rises to his heights I see a brutal five sets.
Seems the Djokovic steamroller is pretty unstopable. Although Murray hasn't dropped a set he isn't, by his own admission, playing his best. But then again hasn't been pushed too either. I'm sure he'll raise his game against Federer. Although he has an excellent record against him he's never beaten in him in a Slam. Time to put that one to bed and I think he will. A final agianst Djokovic will be quite different.
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Djokovic worries me though, he is awesome in Melbourne and very well supported by the huge local Serbian population.
Berdych (5)
Ferrer (4)
Almagro (10)
Chardy
Murray (3)
Tsonga (7)
Federer (2)
QF line-up.
Bloody hell Ormy I have to say Djokovic looks awesome most of the time he is some player/athlete/competitor
Murray certainly has a half decent chance in this tournament and hopefully, having now won a slam, will cope with the pressure better too.
Berdych is just like Ferrer in that they are both comfortably better than anyone outside the top 10, but neither are good enough to beat any of the top 4.
In the women's side of the draw, Sloane Stephens (the US girl who knocked out Laura Robson) has just beaten Serena Williams in three sets in the last QF.
Was expecting Murray to be done by now, not only just starting...
Murray up next. Things just seem to be going his way at the moment with all the big names, except Federer, dropping out of his half and Novak having to work harder for his wins than usual. This Chardy bloke is dangerous though.I watched him beat Del Potro and Seppi and he had a massive forehand which is a real weapon if he's getting it to land inside the court. Murray should be a step too far but I'm not counting any Chickens yet.
Murray has apparently won something like 87 and lost only 6 of the matches in majors where he has won the first set.
Federer and Tsonga playing out a classic right now. Federer 2-1 up in sets but Tsonga is a break up in the fourth. Winner plays Murray in SF.
Seals it with an ace.
Tsonga 6-7 6-4 6-7 6-3 Federer.
7-6 4-6 7-6 3-6 6-3.
Djokovic currently hammering poor Ferrer in straight sets.
Wins 6-2 6-2 6-1 in 89 minutes.