2013 US Open QF: Murray v Wawrinka

[Andrew William]

I actually think the opposite when Murray comes to mind. Business as usual. He doesn't give opponents a lot of cheap points -- a regular scrooge when it comes to those. Sure, he can have a hiccup or two, but that's normal for anyone. The way Djokovic and Nadal have been pummeling folk is more impressive, no doubt, but I'm sure Andy will keep on keeping on (as they say) and give Novak a run for his money.

Stan is very capable of making a match of this. He is a very hard player to predict. At one moment you would swear he was a world beater with that terrific 1-h backhand and thumping serve. At other times you clearly understand why he isn't. The good thing for Wawrinka in this bout is he's got an opponent that won't press him for time constantly like a Nadal. I'm sure Stan prefers Murray over a few of the other choices, but that said, it's going to be hard sledding if he's not comfortable taking it to Andy and pressing him at every chance he gets.

 

[Riotbeard]

I actually think the opposite when Murray comes to mind. Business as usual. He doesn't give opponents a lot of cheap points -- a regular scrooge when it comes to those. Sure, he can have a hiccup or two, but that's normal for anyone. The way Djokovic and Nadal have been pummeling folk is more impressive, no doubt, but I'm sure Andy will keep on keeping on (as they say) and give Novak a run for his money.

Stan is very capable of making a match of this. He is a very hard player to predict. At one moment you would swear he was a world beater with that terrific 1-h backhand and thumping serve. At other times you clearly understand why he isn't. The good thing for Wawrinka in this bout is he's got an opponent that won't press him for time constantly like a Nadal. I'm sure Stan prefers Murray over a few of the other choices, but that said, it's going to be hard sledding if he's not comfortable taking it to Andy and pressing him at every chance he gets.

It's not that he hits a lot of errors, but that he starts very passive, and lets shotmakers in early on.

 

[Andrew William]

It's not that he hits a lot of errors, but that he starts very passive, and lets shotmakers in early on.

I don't know that I agree with that. Perhaps he does have slow starts sometimes. Or it could be a lull in the 2nd or 3rd sets where perhaps he isn't quite as focused. This is normal however. He is the most passive of the elite players though, that has always been the knock on him. Murray has done well with the forehand to make it a tempo setter rather than just a rally shot in the last few years. Could be some truth to the starts, not sure. We'll soon find out if that is the case with Wawrinka.

Enjoy the match!

 

[Front242]

Stan's looking good. Hopefully he'll get the job done as Murray v Djokovic matches are often a complete stinkfest. Last slam match between Stan and Novak at the AO was one of the best matches of the year and would make a far more entertaining semi.

 

[kskate2]

WTF? Muzza can't get out of this game and Stan afraid to win it?

 

[Andrew William]

Well that certainly counts as a bad start for Andy. Neither one of them playing very well, but Stan seems a bit more composed and taking rips at the ball in key moments is paying off.

Do you guys think the breeze is bothering Murray a bit?

 

[Front242]

Well, it took him long enough and multiple break points but at least he finally got the job done and proved he's better at break point conversion than that other Swiss fella.

 

[Didi]

Great stuff from Stan! That was close to the level he displayed against Djokovic at the AO this year. When his entire game is clicking, he's a joy to watch. What a FH to get the 2nd set point, wow. Now, can he keep it up? I still pick Murray to win it but I wouldn't be surprised at all if this is going into a 5th set.

 

[Front242]

Well that certainly counts as a bad start for Andy. Neither one of them playing very well, but Stan seems a bit more composed and taking rips at the ball in key moments is paying off.

Do you guys think the breeze is bothering Murray a bit?

Very much doubt it. He's one of the best at handling wind. It did after all contribute a lot to his win last year. Completely killed Berdych's serve thanks to his Steffi Graf like crazy ball toss and his groundstrokes were all going miles long or wide. Novak couldn't handle the wind at all and it took him 2 sets before he adjusted.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Well, it took him long enough and multiple break points but at least he finally got the job done and proved he's better at break point conversion than that other Swiss fella.

Stan is THE Swiss guy these days...:blush:

 

[kskate2]

Could be Andrew. It seemed to have bothered the Bryans earlier. But a miserable showing by the defending champ early on.

 

[Front242]

Well, it took him long enough and multiple break points but at least he finally got the job done and proved he's better at break point conversion than that other Swiss fella.

Stan is THE Swiss guy these days...:blush:

Sadly yup

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Well that certainly counts as a bad start for Andy. Neither one of them playing very well, but Stan seems a bit more composed and taking rips at the ball in key moments is paying off.

Do you guys think the breeze is bothering Murray a bit?

Very much doubt it. He's one of the best at handling wind. It did after all contribute a lot to his win last year. Completely killed Berdych's serve thanks to his Steffi Graf like crazy ball toss and his groundstrokes were all going miles long or wide. Novak couldn't handle the wind at all and it took him 2 sets before he adjusted.

Murray, by FAR, has the worst forehand of the BIG FOUR. By a wide margin.

That, and his attitude is why it took him so long to win a slam. Lendl has helped but under pressure
that forehand goes.

 

[Andrew William]

I like the game plan for Stan being very aggressive and coming to net to force the action.

 

[Andrew William]

A lot of credit has to be thrown Wawrinka's way, but let's be frank, Murray is out of sorts right now.

 

[nehmeth]

Wow, Andy better give Stan a little bit of a workout... netted volley, netted approach and he's down 0-40

 

[Riotbeard]

Holy moly! Listining on USOpen radio. Stan up a set and a break!

 

[Andrew William]

Wow, Andy better give Stan a little bit of a workout... netted volley, netted approach and he's down 0-40

Just awful tennis. You'd think Stan was #3 in the world right now just watching the two of them.

 

[Front242]

The possibility of a decent semi is looking good.

 

[tented]

Holy moly! Listining on USOpen radio. Stan up a set and a break!

I just started watching myself, so I have no idea what happened up to the last couple of games.

That said, Wawrinka is playing awesome tennis, and Andy looks disheveled and frustrated.