2013 Australian Open...Melbourne, Australia

[stotty]

Murray

Murray looked good today...bossed the rallies...looked a lot better off the ground than Federer...should have won in four or even three. Murray's second serve is a weakness going into the final. It really was woefully short and slow at the key pressure moments. His forehand still cracks here and there, also. But boy can Murray cover the court...he shrinks it.

Federer's legs went in the fifth...nothing left to fight with other than the hope Murray might choke, which he can. Lendl looking over him when he plays seems to give him backbone he never had in the past.

I wonder how long Federer can carry on, physically? He cannot play two big five setters back-to-back anymore. That means he cannot win another major without a strong element of good fortune.

Who's your money on in the final, everyone? I'm going to have to go with Djokovic. He'll be fresher and looked awesome against Ferrer.

[tennis_chiro]

Of course he's going to need a little luck

...

I wonder how long Federer can carry on, physically? He cannot play two big five setters back-to-back anymore. That means he cannot win another major without a strong element of good fortune.

Who's your money on in the final, everyone? I'm going to have to go with Djokovic. He'll be fresher and looked awesome against Ferrer.

I read something today that said he had never played two five-setters back to back before. I missed the match, but it sounds like fitness definitely decided the fifth. The stat line is overwhelmingly in Murray's favor, almost every statistic. Fed was lucky to get a couple of tiebreakers. Take those two tie-breakers away and Murray was ahead overall, 170 points to 135. But I'm with you Stotty. I'm taking Djokovic in the final, but not because of fatigue from this match. Murray will be fully recovered for that. Maybe a slight edge to Djokovic if they go over 5 hours, but I just think Djokovic is a little solider. That chink in the armor on the forehand will cost Murray against Novak. But it should be a helluva match.

don

[stotty]

Murray and Federer

I read something today that said he had never played two five-setters back to back before. I missed the match, but it sounds like fitness definitely decided the fifth. The stat line is overwhelmingly in Murray's favor, almost every statistic. Fed was lucky to get a couple of tiebreakers. Take those two tie-breakers away and Murray was ahead overall, 170 points to 135. But I'm with you Stotty. I'm taking Djokovic in the final, but not because of fatigue from this match. Murray will be fully recovered for that. Maybe a slight edge to Djokovic if they go over 5 hours, but I just think Djokovic is a little solider. That chink in the armor on the forehand will cost Murray against Novak. But it should be a helluva match.

don

The stats are right. This was a straight sets victory in one sense...but for the breakers. Federer spent himself rescuing the fourth set out of nowhere and had no gas left whatsoever for the fifth.

You can sense Federer dislikes Murray and hates losing to him. Federer got really annoyed with himself and even swore using the F word...which is something I've never heard him do before. There was some verbal remark made by Federer towards Murray which Murray clearly didn't like. The mic didn't pick up what was said and the commentators couldn't shed any light on it either. I don't think the feeling is mutual. Murray, like all players craves Federer's respect. Being snubbed by Federer, the God of tennis, would be a blow for anyone unless you've got real proven credentials like Djokovic and Nadal.

Murray, if he's firing on all cylinders, is now better then Federer. In baseline exchanges he can soak up everything Federer can throw at him, barring a few outstanding forehands here and there. And Federer gets half a step slower after around three hours play.

Murray twice lost his nerve today at crucial stages, which is why the match became a five-setter...but after today he won't...from now on he'll put Federer away most times he plays him. This match will have given him all the confirmation he will ever need that he has Federer in his back pocket from now on if he plays assertively and aggressively. BTW, his defensive skills today were simply outstanding. He makes the court look tiny.

Murray's second serve can be a weakness, and his forehand folds up here and there when it really counts. These two things will be costly in a final where it's splitting hairs as to who is better. I felt Djokovic was too cautious in the US Open final against Murray (and throughout 2012) which proved costly. If he's cautious again he will lose. The Djokovic of 2011 will beat Murray if can revert to that form. The Djokovic of 2011 beats anyone that ever played tennis...except Rosol on a purple day.

[tennis_chiro]

3-4, first set, Worth Staying up For!!!

I think it might be a level I haven't seen before. Maybe Djokovic/Wawrinka approached this level of ball bashing, but you had the sense Stan was skating right at the edge of his capabilities. But with Andy and Novak, it seems they are perfectly set almost every time they hit the ball. It seems Andy is struggling physically a little less, but Novak is hitting the deepere ball. Can they keep this up??

don

[stotty]

I've recorded the game and will watch it later...can't wait.

[klacr]

Been AWOL for a while and to those that contribute to this forum, I apologize.

Luckily the Aussie Open Men's Final came on the TV the same time I usually wake up at 3:30am. Got to see the entire match. 1st set had lots of promise as did bits of the 2nd set. But Djokovic just stepped up and Murray started committing a few extra errors.

Was hoping Tomas Berdych could have left more of a dent in the Djokovic tank but wasn't meant to be.

Congrats to Djokovic for winning his sixth Grand Slam Title. With #6 he ties my two idols...Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. Similarities may stop there. Very interesting when you think about how much game and players have changed. Can you imagine Djokovic winning grand slams serve and volleying or Edberg winning six grand slams running around, contorting, ripping backhands, getting to every ball, grinding, turning defense to offense. Crazy how the game has changed.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

The Final

I found the final a little patchy, with outstanding rallies, but also plenty of errors. Djokovic certainly stepped things up when it counted. I love the way he can ratchet things up right at the core, right when it's needed. Nadal has the same gift.

Murray was impaired towards the end. He always has niggles (as all players do) which he allows to play on him when things aren't going well. He needs to learn to put his mind in another place...ignore pains that can be played through. Nadal gets horrendous blisters yet plays through with them totally unimpaired.

I thought Djokovic would win. Like tennis_chiro says he is that just that bit more solid. He's also without a doubt better mentally.

It was great to see Murray using the wide serve more often this year. It's been a key factor with his ace count and winning points on the cheap. His second serve really fell away, though, as it did against Federer in the semi. Djokovic started climbing all over it.

Djokovic was a worthy winner, no question.

I don't like the Djokovic/Murray match up. Their games-styles are too similar. I prefer contrast Nadal/Federer...Borg/Mac...similar game-styles don't do it for me.

[tennis_chiro]

Was I just too tired?

I will grant they were unable to maintain it (or certainly Murray was unable to maintain it), but I really thought the level and intensity of play in that first set was well above anything I had ever seen before. I loved how big they were hitting the ball and how classically they were executing their footwork. There was very little of the jumping, etc. The speed they were playing, they had to do things correctly.

Did anyone else see that or was I just hallucinating in the middle of the night? I was really surprised no one else was as impressed as I was by that first set.

don

[klacr]

I will grant they were unable to maintain it (or certainly Murray was unable to maintain it), but I really thought the level and intensity of play in that first set was well above anything I had ever seen before. I loved how big they were hitting the ball and how classically they were executing their footwork. There was very little of the jumping, etc. The speed they were playing, they had to do things correctly.

Did anyone else see that or was I just hallucinating in the middle of the night? I was really surprised no one else was as impressed as I was by that first set.

don

I agree! I thought the level of stroke production and consistency was impressive. They had some crosscourt backhand rallies that were classic and beautiful. Both were hitting clean, deep with very few careless errors. Good ball striking. Don, if you were hallucinating then I was in that same strange trip with you and it was fun to experience.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

I will grant they were unable to maintain it (or certainly Murray was unable to maintain it), but I really thought the level and intensity of play in that first set was well above anything I had ever seen before. I loved how big they were hitting the ball and how classically they were executing their footwork. There was very little of the jumping, etc. The speed they were playing, they had to do things correctly.

Did anyone else see that or was I just hallucinating in the middle of the night? I was really surprised no one else was as impressed as I was by that first set.

don

I did say there were outstanding rallies and, yes, the standard was high. But there was also an awful lot of hitting down the middle...very good shots, but down the middle. It took Djokovic quite a while to start really pulverising Murray's second serve, too. It's interesting that Djokovic doesn't do more with second serves, not just Murray's, but other players' too. I think Tim Henman and Frew McMillan are right when they say the standard of second serves on the tour have become slower...just rolled in. Djokovic is known for getting back big serves and being able to hit all the spots, yet he doesn't wop second serves or take them on as Federer would on his forehand.

Sets three and four really fell away for me. Murray didn't find his return of serve during the whole match despite have some good chances. I don't think he broke once, did he? Very unusual for him.

It's Nadal that brings out the very best in Djokovic. They set about each other with relentless focus, hit the extremes of the court, and make very few errors. The best tennis I've seen is their two 2011 encounters on clay where Djokovic rolled out the winner in both....very high standard....few errors...great strategic play from Djokovic...fascinating how there crosses a point in rally where Nadal cannot win it...trying harder and harder doesn't cut for Nadal...Djokovic just repeatedly, relentlessly out maneuvers him.

[tennis_chiro]

Gotta see those matches

I did say there were outstanding rallies and, yes, the standard was high. But there was also an awful lot of hitting down the middle...very good shots, but down the middle. It took Djokovic quite a while to start really pulverising Murray's second serve, too. It's interesting that Djokovic doesn't do more with second serves, not just Murray's, but other players' too. I think Tim Henman and Frew McMillan are right when they say the standard of second serves on the tour have become slower...just rolled in. Djokovic is known for getting back big serves and being able to hit all the spots, yet he doesn't wop second serves or take them on as Federer would on his forehand.

Sets three and four really fell away for me. Murray didn't find his return of serve during the whole match despite have some good chances. I don't think he broke once, did he? Very unusual for him.

It's Nadal that brings out the very best in Djokovic. They set about each other with relentless focus, hit the extremes of the court, and make very few errors. The best tennis I've seen is their two 2011 encounters on clay where Djokovic rolled out the winner in both....very high standard....few errors...great strategic play from Djokovic...fascinating how there crosses a point in rally where Nadal cannot win it...trying harder and harder doesn't cut for Nadal...Djokovic just repeatedly, relentlessly out maneuvers him.

I gotta get recordings of those 2011 Rome and Madrid finals. Never saw those.

I thought there was a lot of movement going on and I wouldn't characterize it as just hitting down the middle. I don't think they had that much choice at the speed they were hitting the ball and where they did, they seemed to exercise it pretty well. How about how well set up they were as they were crushing those balls. Not hitting off back foot, etc inspite of the speed.

don

[stotty]

The Final

I gotta get recordings of those 2011 Rome and Madrid finals. Never saw those.

I thought there was a lot of movement going on and I wouldn't characterize it as just hitting down the middle. I don't think they had that much choice at the speed they were hitting the ball and where they did, they seemed to exercise it pretty well. How about how well set up they were as they were crushing those balls. Not hitting off back foot, etc inspite of the speed.

don

Totally agree about the setting up business. The court coverage from both men was phenomenal. Djokovic has this thing about his shoes. He wants to be able to slide on hard courts yet not expect to slip...which he did 4 or 5 times. I don't know what the treads on his shoes are like but it's a fine line between slipping and sliding it seems.

I think Djokovic is amazing at converting defense into attack and vice-versa. The match point against Wawrinka sums it all up...retrieving twice under severe duress...then balancing perfectly for the backhand pass...terrific.

I think Djokovic is the best player I have ever seen. Yet with a limited repertoire compared to others. He reminds of Borg at the net. A bloody awful volleyer, yet he seems to stick them away.

I see Dr Fuentes has been arrested today. He has a databank of blood bags that relate to cyclists, soccer players and tennis players. The Spanish legal authorities wants answers...wants all those blood bags matched up to their owners. Dr Fuentes coded all those blood bags so that only he understands who they relate to. But he's going to have to pipe up or run the risk of a spell in prison. Seems the truth might finally come out on those Spaniards...and maybe others in Europe. Dr Fuentes has been a popular man for athletes to visit over the years.

What's this whole thing about looking at the coach for a sign whether to challenge a call or not. Djokovic was twice incredulous about calls and wanted to challenge, but after glancing at his coach decided against it. Is that allowed?

[tennis_chiro]

Fascinating about Fuentes

Totally agree about the setting up business. ....
I see Dr Fuentes has been arrested today. He has a databank of blood bags that relate to cyclists, soccer players and tennis players. The Spanish legal authorities wants answers...wants all those blood bags matched up to their owners. Dr Fuentes coded all those blood bags so that only he understands who they relate to. But he's going to have to pipe up or run the risk of a spell in prison. Seems the truth might finally come out on those Spaniards...and maybe others in Europe. Dr Fuentes has been a popular man for athletes to visit over the years.

What's this whole thing about looking at the coach for a sign whether to challenge a call or not. Djokovic was twice incredulous about calls and wanted to challenge, but after glancing at his coach decided against it. Is that allowed?

That's wild about Fuentes. And terrifying at the same time. I don't really want to know the truth if it's as bad as some people on this site seem to think. But it would be better to get it out sooner rather than later.

As for the challenging, it is against the rules but it seems impossible to completely control. The umpires do seem to have gotten better about having them respond immediately when they want to challenge. I think I saw one of them say to Azarenka, "Too late." And that was after she said she thought a far side line call might have been wrong.

I have to say I think they did a much better job in this tournament of respecting the continuous play rule, except for the Azarenka injury time-out against Stephens. Seemed like they kept things moving pretty well. And in the Murray/Djokovic match, in spite of some very strenuous points. Gotta commend both Novak and Andy on that.

don

[tennis_chiro]

Doesn't look like tennis cheats will be revealed

...
I see Dr Fuentes has been arrested today. He has a databank of blood bags that relate to cyclists, soccer players and tennis players. The Spanish legal authorities wants answers...wants all those blood bags matched up to their owners. Dr Fuentes coded all those blood bags so that only he understands who they relate to. But he's going to have to pipe up or run the risk of a spell in prison. Seems the truth might finally come out on those Spaniards...and maybe others in Europe. Dr Fuentes has been a popular man for athletes to visit over the years.

...

All I could find just now from Google indicates the prosecutors are not going after anyone besides the cyclists. Is there something further that makes you think they will reveal the tennis players and footballers connected to those blood bags?

don

[stotty]

Dr Fuentes

All I could find just now from Google indicates the prosecutors are not going after anyone besides the cyclists. Is there something further that makes you think they will reveal the tennis players and footballers connected to those blood bags?

don

The Spanish authorities have a list of athletes known to have used Fuentes' services but for legal reasons have declined to reveal any names. The blood bags are strongly rumoured to include those of athletes from soccer and tennis as well as cycling. Rumours will continue to persist until the list is revealed.

The trial is set to revolve purely around cyclists, and, if proven guilty, Fuentes and other defendants could end up serving a two year jail term. While the defense have managed to confine the legal inquiry to cycling, should Fuentes be found guilty and prosecuted then it could force "the list" to be revealed to the public, or at the least prompt wider investigation.

Another factor thing that could well play its part is public opinion. I don't know how it works in the U.S. but over here and in Europe if the press sense the public want answers, or want someones head to roll, then the tabloids will stop at nothing until answers are extracted one way or another. Public opinion in Spain is quite strong on this one, especially since the Armstrong revelations. Soccer is a huge sport in Spain, and soccer players are rumoured to be on that list. The public are likely to want answers. If the soccer players get named, then all athletes will....any tennis players involved will just end up victims of the domino effect...when it all comes crashing down.

It's all rumours but Nadal is thought to be on the list....but it's innocent until proven guilty in my book...could never be any other way for me. In my country people have been wrongly convicted and spent decades in prison for crimes they did not commit. It's cast iron proof or the suspect walks...

The story of Fuentes' arrest broke yesterday.

I'd like to believe Pete Sampras who says PEDs are not in the culture of tennis and never have been. I hope he's right.