Murray Leapfrogs Federer; Tennis-X Wrap, Previews

COngrats to Murray again! Good fields this week, especially in Stockholm. Lots of interesting matches right from the get-go.

Hilarious about “Sugarpova” – seriously? :) Also interesting that Penguin will publish Li Na’s memoir; that’s generally a very “literary” publishing house, or it used to be. I.E., they don’t usually publish “popular” fiction. Makes me curious about what “she” will write (assuming she will have a ghost writer? Or perhaps not?).

October 17th, 2011 at 1:59 am

Good to know that Murray was finally able to win 2 back to back titles. He has to learn the key to anger management. But the big question is can he finally do the same at GS stage in front of Fedal and Djoker? Thats where he is known to choke:Here is good one on him and anger management:http://bit.ly/qhjpaO

October 17th, 2011 at 3:04 am

Good to know that Murray was finally able to win 2 back to back titles. He has to learn the key to anger management. But the big question is can he finally do the same at GS stage in front of Fedal and Djoker? Thats where he is known to choke:Here is good one on him and anger management: http://bit.ly/qhjpaO

October 17th, 2011 at 3:04 am

Now all Murray has to do is win some slams and right now he has quite a trio of players to pass.He can start with Novak who has 4 and then try and run down Nadal with 10 and of course Federer has 16.

Good luck Murray. You have about 5 years barring injury to get the job done!!!

October 17th, 2011 at 8:23 am

I find it interesting that the emphasis is on Federer falling out of the top three versus how long he managed to remain there. In addition to Murray getting a Slam, he only has 8.5 years to stay in the top 3 to pass Federer’s time there.

October 17th, 2011 at 12:18 pm

How can she call her candy Sugarpova when she always looks as though she’s sucking a lemon? Sourpussova would be more apt.

October 17th, 2011 at 1:00 pm

Deborah Says:
I find it interesting that the emphasis is on Federer falling out of the top three versus how long he managed to remain there. In addition to Murray getting a Slam, he only has 8.5 years to stay in the top 3 to pass Federer’s time there.

____________________

Because its just happening. Until Federer retires or wins something else big all you are going to here is dropping out of this, this streak broken etc etc. Then a year after he retires he will be glorified as the greatest of all time, which I acknowlege he deserves.

October 17th, 2011 at 1:13 pm

It doesn’t matter a damn about the career totals achieved by Federer and Nadal. Obviously Murray hasn’t got time to equal those, but so what? If he can win a major, I think he’ll win several, and if he does that he’ll still be remembered with respect.
True tennis fans do still talk about past players who had fewer titles than Roger or Rafa – which after all applies to just about everybody!

October 17th, 2011 at 2:03 pm

Hear, hear Colin! Johnny Mac will always be in my top 5, don’t care his total nowhere near Fedal!

October 17th, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Congrats Murray, hope you get a Slam next year. All this competition at the top is great for Tennis!!

October 17th, 2011 at 2:27 pm

nice one muzza,congrats on your asian swing hatrick,and bagging that no 3 ranking,well deserved,now go get that 1st grand slam,congrats to muzzas fans,margot,colin and myself,what a fantastic 3 weeks,a great achievement for us brits,go muzza bloody brilliant.

October 17th, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Congratulations to Petra Kvitova. I must say her game is not conducive to good heart health though. She is either hitting impossible winners or crashing out on playable shots. Great watching but gives me palpitations when I want her to win.

October 17th, 2011 at 7:09 pm

Mr.Lady Forehand from Scotland has had a good 2 tournaments. His chance to choke will come when the big boys show up. Bet on it!

October 17th, 2011 at 7:52 pm

The only thing I find funny about this is that Murray complained a lot at the US Open about the schedule. He raised the possibilities of a strike etc. He then goes and wins 3 events – 2 of which he was under no obligation to play. I am glad he won the 3 events. He is super talented. I just think the temptation to play when other guys may be resting is going to be too great to see serious schedule reform.

October 17th, 2011 at 8:38 pm

Remember: Until Murray can show that he can win slams he is not the favorite at any slam.

October 17th, 2011 at 11:00 pm

Federer not in top 3 for first time in eight years!! Speaks for itself what a great great player he is and why many people already consider him the GOAT. Salute the GOAT.

October 17th, 2011 at 11:17 pm

goat fans:

The only good thing Murray has done this year is defeat Nadal….once….at a time of the year when Nadal is usually good for crap….big deal. He won these tournaments because he had weak draws and because Nadal was off his game in their Japan final.

So Murray had better stop kidding himself. He’s winning when the other three top guys are taking a vacation from tennis.

October 18th, 2011 at 12:02 am

goat galz – you make a valid point. ferrer couldn’t find a first serve to save his life in the final and kei basically imploded in the semis…those are the two rounds where murray gets wiped out in the GS’s, when the heavy hitters are playing.

October 18th, 2011 at 1:28 am

Goat Galz – your point of view is certainly a valid one, which (to a degree) I shared.

Now, I’m not so sure. Oddly enough, following the Nishikori rout, Skysports replayed last year’s Shanghai final, in which Murray overwhelmed Federer. Well, we know Murray can do that in 3 setters, and the doubt has always been that he can carry this form into the final stages of a slam.

The only question really is: has anything changed? It is absolutely not possible to be certain. We will have to be patient, and wait upon that stage in the earth’s orbit about the sun which signals the arrival of mid-January. Especially since they don’t – disgracefully – play five sets in the final of the Masters Cup.

But there are, arguably, signs that Murray is evolving. There is always the temptation to think that because so and so has always behaved thus wise, he always will. If that were really true (always, as opposed to sometimes) then there would be no possibility of development, ever – a depressing thought.

So what has changed – and remember, it doesn’t need to be much, at this exalted level of tennis? Primarily, I think, Murray’s level of confidence. This, in turn, has enabled him to give free rein to what has become an excellent attacking forehand, and to rely more upon what was always, potentially, one of the very great serves in the game – certainly far better than Djokovic’s or Nadal’s.

Such hopes could indeed prove illusory. Nothing is certain. Just as well – or why bother to go on living?

October 18th, 2011 at 6:48 am

@goat garlz i see your point,however it is nice to give a player credit for what they have achieved rather than critisism for what they havent achieved,the only thing any player can do is there best to beat whoever is stood in front of them,its not his fault that roger and nole have not played this past couple of weeks,and correct me if im wrong but did he or did he not beat rafa last week after rafa took the 1st set,come on give the guy a break,who knows this could be the start of something you never know.

October 18th, 2011 at 7:51 am

If Murray can win the WTF that would be a big stepping stone and perhaps give him the confidence to win in Australia.

October 18th, 2011 at 10:27 am

Agree grendel: life would be rather dull if we were always “assured of certain certainties.” Things change. Thankfully. I will believe that Murray cannot do it when he doesn’t. He still has time. Not loads, but he is only 24, so.

I have never watched “Curb Your Enthusiasm”; I should. I do like some of Larry David’s work. Thanks for your reply on the other thread. Definitely see what you mean about Fed’s life seeming to center around tennis, although with JMac, I am not as convinced. Yes, obviously he loves tennis, but he also quit tennis for a while to be in a rock band, and he tried to have a talk show, and he married a rock singer (after first marrying a film star). JMac likes the limelight. I gets the sense he’d’ve been seeking fame even if he hadn’t’ve, god forbid, found tennis. With Roger, even his wife was a tennis player. Not sure what he would have doen without tennis, but maybe soccer? Definitely sport, though, I’d think. All speculation, of course, but whatever works.

October 18th, 2011 at 10:30 am

yes, I see what you mean about McEnroe – he’s interested in paintings, too, isn’t he, or is it just their market value? But I do get the feeling he loves tennis where, for instance, Lendl, Sampras and Agassi came to hate it. Edberg became a farmer, I heard, which sounds a little hard to believe in one way, and yet I can imagine him up at 4 a.m., rounding up the cows, communing with nature….

October 18th, 2011 at 12:44 pm

Goat Galz – other than Rafa being there, you are right, the Asian Swing draws were thin. Nonetheless, Shanghai is 1000 points, Tokyo 500, why not take the opportunity to wipe up the points and pass Fed. Good on Murray for beating Nadal, too.

I think he’ll build on this and play well in Valencia, maybe Paris and do better at WTF than he did last year.

Then in my Alternate Universe Murray wins 2 slams in 2012.

October 18th, 2011 at 1:10 pm

Humble Rafe, I did enjoy your post. Firstly because you can’t count – you meant 3 tournaments, not 2. Secondly, because it’s nice to see that you no longer regard Nadal as one of “the big boys”.

October 18th, 2011 at 2:18 pm

Carlo, I don’t think Murray’s going to Valencia. According to his website his next tournament is Paris.

October 18th, 2011 at 4:29 pm

DJOKOVIC VOTED AMONG WORLD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL MEN

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2011/10/Features/Djokovic-Rates-Highly-In-AskMen-Poll.aspx

October 18th, 2011 at 8:14 pm

Kimmi, thanks for posting that. :)

October 18th, 2011 at 9:04 pm

yeah jane, news about nole is everywhere now :) Nole the man.

something unrelated. I thought this sign from fed fans in shanghai is pretty good.

http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/large/6df07ea2gw1dm3zg2o62gj.jpg

October 18th, 2011 at 9:29 pm

Ha ha, cute sign Kimmi. I need to catch up on the news, apparently. Maybe will search google now…

I see Milos beat Baggy in a close one today: wish I could’ve seen that match.

October 18th, 2011 at 9:40 pm

yes, saw the end of that match. it was midnight in stockholm and the guys were still slugging it out. Great win by milosh. If he can stay away from injuries he can be good..

all the best milosh.

October 18th, 2011 at 9:50 pm

Interesting article for Andy watchers:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/murray-needs-wise-old-head-to-make-major-breakthrough

October 19th, 2011 at 2:35 am

Bummer, for some reason that’s not working, but just google instead :)

October 19th, 2011 at 2:43 am

Just ignore above! Click on link then click sport, then tennis and article comes up anyway! Aaahhhhh!
Right, I’m out, as Skeeze says……..

October 19th, 2011 at 2:46 am

Thanks margot. Here’s a quoted bit from the article:

“Murray would like to link up with a wise head – either a coach or a former player – who knows what it takes to cross the winning line at a Grand Slam tournament, but experienced coaches in particular are in short supply. Murray would no doubt love to work with someone like Agassi, who was his boyhood idol, but many of the former top players are reluctant to jump back on to the touring treadmill.

In the short term, the Scot may link up with Cahill in London at next month’s Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. He is also hoping the Australian will be able to come to his winter training camp in December. “It wouldn’t necessarily have to be for the whole time because a lot of the time in Miami I’m just doing physical work and I’m not doing that much time on the court,” Murray said.”

October 19th, 2011 at 10:43 am

Great win by Another Game For against the Crafty Shin Baller. Petzchner didn’t play great, but at this stage in Milos’ comeback, its great to see him win against solid veteran players that he SHOULD be beating, and after surviving Baghdatis yesterday, who’s having a pretty good year, the signs are very hopeful for Milos. He’s getting the match play and confidence he needs to be ready to solidify himself as a top 20 player in 2012.
I expect we’re going to see some serious shake up of the top 20 next year with Milos leading the way, and Dolgopolov, Young, Tomic and maybe Harrison following.
I think Milos gets the day off tomorrow before taking on the winner of Chela/Dmitrov.
If its Chela, they’ll actually be fighting for Chela’s ranking position.

October 19th, 2011 at 12:02 pm

Now, who those young guns will be knocking out is anyone’s guess. Looking at the top-20, there’s not much obvious aging-and-falling guys there. (aside from A-Rod, but I keep expecting him to launch a rearguard action and stay competitive- even if not, that’s only 1 spot).
Immovable object, meet irresistible force.

October 19th, 2011 at 12:27 pm

@Kimmi, isn’t that wonderful? :) Dear Nole is #19!

October 19th, 2011 at 3:05 pm

Tennis Academy Novak Djokovic is open, official opening in few days, in Belgrade.
Nick Bollettieri was involved in advising and organizing Tennis center Novak and academy itself. Novak’s father and uncle are running the show. It is the most beautiful spot, where river Sava meets river Danube in old town of Belgrade ( Beograd ), lots of restaurants, bars with water views. I was there few months ago, first class when it comes to conditions for tennis players.
I wish them all the best, lets Djordje ( youngest of three Djokovic brothers ) be next GS winner.

October 19th, 2011 at 8:27 pm

Really nice article by Tignor entitled”Give Murray his Due for Now” on
http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/44963009/ns/sports-tennis/
Like Tignor’s writing, very much. Someone on here said it was “poetic”, I agree.

October 20th, 2011 at 5:54 am

@margot

It is nice article. As Murray is my second favorite player, I am worried whether he peeked to early or at the wrong time, it is three months to go before AO. I would like him to get #2 so he and Nole can meet only in the finals.
BTW I booked my tickets for AO today. It is for QF, best chance to see all the best players in Rod Laver arena.

October 20th, 2011 at 6:27 am

It was a great morning commute read, margot. Thx for posting!
I’m getting the willies thinking about andy and AO next year.
If he just relaxes I imagine we could see some lovely stuff. No one knows. Go Andy!

October 20th, 2011 at 7:44 am

Agree margot: Tignor is a highly readable writer, and he brings something to his articles that others don’t. That was a good take on just enjoying Murray for its own sake, rather than always fretting about what he can or will do. I happen to think he will…but regardless, he is one of my favorite pllayers to watch, kevtches and all. And he is spirited: he keeps trying to get better, trying to break through, etc. and that is admirable.

Wog Boy, interesting news about the academy. Just hope Nole is practicing in it. ;)

October 20th, 2011 at 11:00 am

Jane, it is clay, I think he is someware else, getting ready for Basel, Paris, London……hopefully :-))

October 20th, 2011 at 5:47 pm

Big problem for Nole when he is in Belgrade, he is so popular that they don’t leave him alone. He is better of practicing someware else.

October 20th, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Wog boy
I hope they make a successful tennis center and the event gets even better.

October 20th, 2011 at 8:25 pm

@Sar

Thanks i hope so, too, for the sake of young people and his family, they did put so much in to this project.
We have saying ” iz tvojih usta u bozje usi” I hope there is somebody here who can translate meaning of saying properly, I can not and if I try I’ll probably stuff up:(

October 20th, 2011 at 9:43 pm

Wog Boy, of course, that makes sense. :) Well, wherever Nole is, I hope he is warming up. Be nice to see him playing again after a good break.

October 20th, 2011 at 11:54 pm

Glad u all liked it :) Remember match Tignor’s talking about and the commentator said something like, “When Murray’s smiling at his own brilliance, the other players better watch out!”
So very, very true, so very, very rare….alas.

October 21st, 2011 at 1:04 am

Somewhere and not someware, life is a learning curb and so is English.

October 21st, 2011 at 5:03 am

Wog boy, you’ve done it again, making me smile!
It’s learning CURVE. :))
But that’s just your point, no?

October 21st, 2011 at 5:44 am

I knew it. That was my doughter that set me up. I said learning curve and she said ” no, no it is curb ” and walked away with a sneaky smile . I should know better, like mother like doughter, they are having me on.
At least I made you smile, which is good:-)

October 21st, 2011 at 6:05 am

There is no tennis on TV, but there is UK film ” The Bank Job” is it worth watching or better to go to sleep?
I think I’ll keep watching, getting interesting.

October 21st, 2011 at 6:22 am

@wog boy nole,roger,rafa,very popular wherever they go,roger and rafa probably more so,goes with the teritory of been a top player,they get used to it.

October 21st, 2011 at 7:08 am

margot and colin great for us brits with 3 girls now in the top 100,baltacha,watson,keothavong,and baltacha just outside the top 50,hopefully laura robson to join them eventually, although i think she has some way to go yet,and a brilliant win for keothavong yesterday against a former world no 1,all in all a good time to be a brit in terms of tennis.

October 21st, 2011 at 7:54 am

Hi alison: Anne K doesn’t rock my boat, I’m afraid. Have seen her snatch defeat from the jaws of victory too many times. Of the 4, Heather is the one I really like. She is a gr8 mover, so gutsy and, although she doesn’t have a killer shot, she has a very neat all round game. Am hoping she can reach top 20, which would be very exciting.
Dunno about Laura. She a lefty advantage, huge serve, big forehand and…..? She, unlike Heather, doesn’t move well and has, what appears to me at any rate, quite a limited game.
I wonder if you can really substantially improve your movement, or if you’re stuck with what you’ve got? So much is to do with reading the game and anticipation of where the ball might be going.
A bit of exciting potential with our young men too, I feel.

October 21st, 2011 at 11:44 am