2015 Australian Open…ATP 2000...Melbourne, Australia

[don_budge]

The Keyboard Warrior…strikes again!

Murray has Berdych on his heels…literally. He cannot get his feet under himself. He is playing the wrong game…it is a losing game. But he doesn't have the necessary plan B. So his best bet it to continue to impose himself within his limitations.

In the first set and early in the first set in particular he had moved up a bit on the baseline and was taking the ball earlier and being more aggressive. But Murray has man upped and been rocking him with body shot after body shot to the point where Berdych has noticeably backed off and it only Murray who is consistently "maintaining pressure" on his opponent.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Tomas-Berdych.aspx

When you look at the Tomas Berdych bio you notice that he is fully 6' 5". Yet he plays predominately from the baseline with a two handed backhand. I have always maintained that he does not fit the mold of this type of player. He should have a very dominating serve that he could typically follow in behind. His backhand too is not the weapon that it should be. He would do well to practice this Bob Brett drill on the backhand and follow in…follow in. Or at least…step into…step into. Think Wawrinka here…with a slice down the line compliment. Ironically the courts are playing fast enough for this kind of tactic…but Tomas simply doesn't have the necessary repertoire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCGTbqT-im8

Not that he would do it on every point mind you…but when the situation calls for it. With his build and physique his game should be designed to disrupt the routine of a player of Murray's stature…not to play into his strength.

I really hope that he can find the resolve to push this thing into a fifth set…that would be the best thing for all concerned…meaning myself of course.

Philosophically speaking…as a "keyboard warrior" of course.

[don_budge]

Five sets…going the distance.

Having Vallverdu in his corner is paying great dividends for Berdych. He's played Murray perfectly so far. But he's choked his big chance in the first set at 5-3...if Murray can get in the longer rallies, Berdych must start misfiring sooner or later...

Good point Old Boy…Berdych is going to have to grow up and weather this storm. For damn sure Murray will. I say that because it appears to me that Murray has grown a pair in the past month or three. Actually it is a very long term process. Ebbs and flows and all of that.

Berdych has lost the cap. It's symbolic as well. He only has to buckle down and dig down deep. A five set match can be filled with a lot of ups and downs…the aforementioned ebbs and flows. It's like life. The key is to not get stuck in the down swell. Keep you nose to the grindstone. I really liked that about Andreas Seppi's performance this year. He just kept plugging…unfortunately his reservoir of talent is not that deep compared to the players remaining.

Tomas needs to stay in the moment and be assertive. He has to man up. Be a man about it. Take responsibility and believe that this moment is his and he must know that his opponent will not hand it over. He has to seize it by the throat and make it his.

I hope these two battle to the bitter end. It would be the best thing to happen for all concerned.

[stotty]

Having Vallverdu in his corner is paying great dividends for Berdych. He's played Murray perfectly so far. But he's choked his big chance in the first set at 5-3...if Murray can get in the longer rallies, Berdych must start misfiring sooner or later...

[don_budge]

Go Tomas!

That makes two of us. Believe in Berdych.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Make that three!

And Then There Were Three…Genesis (1978)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isYdNlnfpjg

Have a listen to this wonderful album…

[tennis_chiro]

That makes two of us. Believe in Berdych.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

I really think he is a little different this year. I was afraid he was going to "blink" at the end of the Nadal match and let him back in, but he didn't. Still, there was a little tentativity in those last couple of games.

It just seems like he is not spraying any of those forehands off to the right or long like he used to at key points in the past. Could it be that the new coach has actually been a difference maker? a real value-added ingredient? His private life seems to be in order and all the stars are aligned.

He has a winning record against Murray and that should help him even though he doesn't have the same level of Grand Slam semifinal experience as Murray.

This match tonight is a huge test for both players. Going to try to stay up. Both seem to be injury free and playing very well. Both should be adequately rested. I hope they have good conditions. The wind that plagued the women's semis usually calms down at night.

What's the over/under for total trips to the net for each player?
That should make an interesting wager at the betting parlors in London.
Good thing for all of us that we don't have access to gambling on tennis here. When are the powers that be going to figure out that it works fine in UK and Australia; can you imagine the difference in interest in tennis if we were allowed to place bets online like they do in Europe. Just look at what fantasy leagues have done for football. It's the right thing to do economically so I guess it will come eventually. If weed is going to be legal, why not online betting on tennis?! It's got to be coming.

don

[klacr]

I loved seeing Tomas absolutely take it Rafa--whatever Rafa's excuses...

That makes two of us. Believe in Berdych.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[GeoffWilliams]

There will always be variety and innovation in tennis. We don't need Rafa for that. I used to call him, :"Rat boy", for his rat nose, and now it's just: The Butt Pick Kid.

[johnyandell]

I loved seeing Tomas absolutely take it Rafa--whatever Rafa's excuses.

Funny that Rafa has been quoted saying the exact style he plays is the death of tennis.

[klacr]

Yeah…he virtually dismantled Nishikori with his backhand too. I don't know if I have seen a player do that…ever. He really delivers a big roundhouse punch with that thing from different positions. It is an absolutely amazing shot.

Nishikori I find rather one dimensional…but I think that Stan and Novak Djokovic are slated to have a donnybrook. At least I hope that it turns out that way. You absolutely have to be able to go down the line aggressively against Djokovic and not let him camp out on the backhand side playing aggressively with his forehand.

The former big four is down to the big ***…with Murray clawing his way back to the top. How much farther he goes from here should be interesting…particularly because there is a huge supporter in Berdych's corner here on the forum. It's a great move for Berdych to lose the baseball cap.

like hair is to Samson, the cap is to Berdych. It gets sunny there in Australia. ESPN2 is showing it live at 3:30am here in the east coast of the states. Which is perfect, because that's my normal wake up call. Out of bed, rested and ready for tennis.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[lobndropshot]

You cant say two until the clay court season is over.

[don_budge]

Wawrinka's backhand…and Berdych's cap

Wawrinka dismantled Nishikori this time. Great backhand.

Yeah…he virtually dismantled Nishikori with his backhand too. I don't know if I have seen a player do that…ever. He really delivers a big roundhouse punch with that thing from different positions. It is an absolutely amazing shot.

Nishikori I find rather one dimensional…but I think that Stan and Novak Djokovic are slated to have a donnybrook. At least I hope that it turns out that way. You absolutely have to be able to go down the line aggressively against Djokovic and not let him camp out on the backhand side playing aggressively with his forehand.

The former big four is down to the big ***…with Murray clawing his way back to the top. How much farther he goes from here should be interesting…particularly because there is a huge supporter in Berdych's corner here on the forum. It's a great move for Berdych to lose the baseball cap.

[gzhpcu]

Wawrinka dismantled Nishikori this time. Great backhand.

[don_budge]

Stan the Man...

I missed Wawrinka v Nishikori and saw only the first four games of Djokovic v Raonic. Djokovic looked really sharp from the outset and it wasn't boding well for Raonic when I left.

Last night I woke up in a cold sweat that Raonic and Berdych had made it to the final...classic tennis's worst nightmare come true...imagine it? They have to be the dullest guys out there...deadly boring...a couple of planks. I was relieved to see Djokovic playing in fine form when I left for work this morning, and felt confident he would dispatch Raonic with aplomb.

I really wanted to see Wawrinka v Nishikori. Nishikori hits the ball so cleanly and I love the way he has to compensate for his funny little serve. I was disappointed to see he was dispatched in straight sets.

I'll say this about Stan...he was really sharp.

[stotty]

I missed Wawrinka v Nishikori and saw only the first four games of Djokovic v Raonic. Djokovic looked really sharp from the outset and it wasn't boding well for Raonic when I left.

Last night I woke up in a cold sweat that Raonic and Berdych had made it to the final...classic tennis's worst nightmare come true...imagine it? They have to be the dullest guys out there...deadly boring...a couple of planks. I was relieved to see Djokovic playing in fine form when I left for work this morning, and felt confident he would dispatch Raonic with aplomb.

I really wanted to see Wawrinka v Nishikori. Nishikori hits the ball so cleanly and I love the way he has to compensate for his funny little serve. I was disappointed to see he was dispatched in straight sets.

[don_budge]

Djokovic/Raonic...

Novak wins his first service game at love. Milos struggled to no end but finally won his after a number of opportunities for Djokovic. Djokovic quickly wins his second as well. If Milos continues to struggle on his serve it certainly doesn't bode well for him. Advantage Djokovic.

Mats said the key to this match is Djokovic's serve. I agree.