Andy Murray: I’m Like LeBron James, I’m In A Similar Situation, Hopefully It Will Click And I’ll Win

Poor Murray. I hope he does it this time around. But things are not going to be easy as he has Tsonga and Novak or Roger on the way.

July 4th, 2012 at 8:39 pm

I have to pinch myself when I was watching the Murray Vs Ferrer match. Although the quality of Tennis was high, I was bemused as to whether I was watching Rolland Garros or Wimbledon ?? Poor Ferrer. He played his heart out but I would say he was unlucky in the second set which would have turned the match around. Nevertheless, a very good display by both the players.

July 4th, 2012 at 8:49 pm

just watching some of murray vs ferrer. wow, what a match. These guys games match up very well, its hard to pick who will win. the difference is just two or three points. unbelievable from both. So happy for murray he was able to come through.

July 4th, 2012 at 9:30 pm

Lebron James is the King

July 4th, 2012 at 9:58 pm

Congrat to Murray, also David for gave us a good match,,,

Well, Murray deserves to have 2 pretty ladies around him after all his hard working, any body jealous?? Wk wk,

But for the final battle, I will prefer the frenchman to execute, he has the edge better than murray,,,,,,,
Any body?

July 4th, 2012 at 10:00 pm

Michael, I thought Ferrer threw the match away in the 2nd set while serving for the set. This could have been a different match if he did not choke at that game.

July 4th, 2012 at 11:13 pm

Comparing yourself to the most hated sportsman in America is a waste of time. Title or no title – Lebron is arrogant, treats his coach and fellow players as though their only purpose is to serve him. A sense of entitlement the world have never seen. Not even Michael Jordan was like this.

I think Mr. Lady Forehand is better off looking for other role models.

July 4th, 2012 at 11:18 pm

I think Murray gets through to the finals. He is a counter puncher and likes targets. If he can serve the way he did in last 2 sets he should not have trouble getting through, though the match could be very competitive.

This is a great matchup. They played a fantastic match at Queens which I think Murray came through. Though on paper, I give edge to Murray, Tsonga still has a good chance as long as he can serve well. He is one guy who can handle the Top 4 guys at the net. He has a fantastic stop volley which is very difficult to chase even for Murray’s speed. His athleticism at the net is unmatched by current players and has a fantastic smash at the net.

I would give 55-45 for Murray, just by the form he ended his match against Ferrer.

July 4th, 2012 at 11:19 pm

If you are Mr. Lady Forehand, you should smell a choking opportunity just about now..actually on Friday.

July 4th, 2012 at 11:34 pm

http://tennisabides.com/2012/07/04/wimbledon-2012-ladies-semifinal-predictions/ I have my Ladies’ Semifinal picks up now – Back on topic, I think Murray gets to the final. I have not yet settled on a pick for the Nole-Roger match.

July 4th, 2012 at 11:37 pm

Nirmal,

I thought Ferrer threw the match away in the 2nd set while serving for the set. This could have been a different match if he did not choke at that game.

I would not use the word choke. But obviously Ferrer didn’t serve well when he was serving for the set. In the second set tie breaker too, he was up 5-2 when first serves saved the day for Murray, I believe. Overall, Murray’s first serve percentage was low, but he served well at critical moments which turned the match head on and this applies to the fourth set tie breaker too. It was a high quality match but somehow it gave me a feeling that they were not playing on a grass court. Poor Ferrer, this was his last chance at Wimbledon and he couldn’t utilise it. Yet he tried his best amd that is sports. As regards Murray, now he is in the semi-finals and he has to break this barrier before thinking about the finals. The opponent is no lilluputan but Tsonga who has a fire power game which will trouble Murray. It all depends on Tsonga and how well he plays in the semis. If he plays well, then Murray has less chances of making the finals in my opinion.

July 5th, 2012 at 12:00 am

Nirmal,

I think Murray gets through to the finals. He is a counter puncher and likes targets. If he can serve the way he did in last 2 sets he should not have trouble getting through, though the match could be very competitive.

As I said, it all depends on Tsonga and how well he plays. He can destroy any player like he did against Federer when he was two sets up. The only thing is he has to be on song. Now we are in the semis where there is little difference between the players capabilities, it will all boil down to the form on that particular day. As such, I am finding it difficult to pick my favourites as of now.

July 5th, 2012 at 12:03 am

Murray just like me. He make semi. He choke. He cry. Rinse and repeated.

July 5th, 2012 at 12:15 am

Having been beaten comprehensively in three major finals, I think Murray’s task is cut out. Being the home favourite, I think there is too much pressure on Murray’s head to satisfy the appetite of the British crowd. They want a British Champion at Wimbledon. But it is still a long way to go to fulfil his ambitions to win a major. If he does win the first one, then may be Murray might go on to win four or five majors easily since he has that high quality game of a top player. But it is winning that first one which is going to be very difficult. I hope Murray lives up to the promise the British crowd has placed upon him.

July 5th, 2012 at 12:23 am

As I said, it all depends on Tsonga and how well he plays.

Let’s not overrate Tsonga, because he had few match wins against Top guys. When he plays the Top players, the match is never in his hand, with some exception. He is a streaky player, but not someone unplayable.

His match against Roger last year, would probably be his best tennis played in his career. In the games where Tsonga broke Roger, Roger did not make a single 1st serves in those games. It was just a blip in concentration from Roger, which let Tsonga into the match. Still he needed the best tennis he has played to beat Roger. I doubt he will ever play that high quality tennis in a 5-setter again.

At FO, he had match points against Novak. But it again was a case of Novak dropping his level in 2nd set to let in Tsonga into the match. Also Novak was playing poorly at FO. He was down 2 sets to Seppi.

Murray has a 5-1 record against Tsonga. So, not sure what stats provides proof that the match is in Tsonga’s hands.

July 5th, 2012 at 12:23 am

Nirmal,

Let’s not overrate Tsonga, because he had few match wins against Top guys. When he plays the Top players, the match is never in his hand, with some exception. He is a streaky player, but not someone unplayable.

I am not overrating Tsonga. I know he is an inconsistent player but he is known for his brilliant Tennis at times. Do you remember his demoliton of Nadal at the Australian Open 2008 ? Nadal was at his best but still was consumed by Tsonga’s brilliance. Yes, you are right Murray has a positive H2H, but that might not count for much in this match. Even Tsonga had a positive H2H against Novak, but did that prevent him from beating him at the French or other tournaments ? Therefore, as I said the match is a flip of the coin. It may be heads or tails. But, you need to pick a winner based on your assessment and I have a feeling that Tsonga may turn this one in his favour. I may be wrong though because Tsonga is not playing against Gulbis, he is playing against Murray, the last British hope.

July 5th, 2012 at 12:44 am

I would not use the word choke.

If a guy hits 3 consecutive unforced errors for the 1st time in a match while serving for the set, I can’t find a better work. He did not even extent the rally to 4+ shots. He hit unforced errors in the first opportunity he got. Not sure how you describe it?

July 5th, 2012 at 1:20 am

I know he is an inconsistent player but he is known for his brilliant Tennis at times.

That’s why he is still a good player on tour, but not great player yet. It shows in his results compared to Murray. I think this will show up in their Semis too. But it’s not something like 80 – 20 for Murray. I would say 55-45 for Murray, if he serves the way he did in the last 2 sets of Ferrer’s match.

Do you remember his demoliton of Nadal at the Australian Open 2008 ?

Yeah, even Rosol has similar performance against Nadal right? I’m not sure if Rafa lost another match to Tsonga in GS after than match. It was their first match, so we expect such surprises to happen. I think Murray has seen enough of Tsonga so far. He knows what to expect.

Michael, It’s a great matchup. One with a fantastic graceful game, other the most dynamic tennis player. But still the sum total of Murray’s game is better than Tsonga’s. I give Murray a higher chance only with the assumption that he could serve like he did in the last 2 sets against Ferrer.

If Murray misses 1st serve, we all know Tsonga can turn it around in 2-3 returns, like he did to Roger last year.

July 5th, 2012 at 1:28 am

Nirmal,

Without doubt as you rightly said, Murray is a better player than Tsonga with more variety and ie. the sum total of Murray’s game is better than Tsonga’s.

I give Murray a higher chance only with the assumption that he could serve like he did in the last 2 sets against Ferrer

That is why I said it is hard to predict and it will all boil down to the performance on that day. If Murray doesn’t serve well as is normal, then he is in for real trouble irrespective of how well he plays.

Yeah, even Rosol has similar performance against Nadal right? I’m not sure if Rafa lost another match to Tsonga in GS after than match. It was their first match, so we expect such surprises to happen

It is cruel for Tsonga to be compared with a journeyman like Rosol. Moreover, Nadal was demolished in straight sets in that match by Tsonga and it did not extend to five sets as against Rosol. I do not think any other player has outclassed Nadal in a major in such fashion with contempt.

I would say 55-45 for Murray, if he serves the way he did in the last 2 sets of Ferrer’s match.

Underline in bold. He serves well. But all things considered, I give Tsonga an edge in this match. Let Murray surprise me with his “A” game.

July 5th, 2012 at 2:24 am

Nirmal,

I do not think any other player has outclassed Nadal in a major in such fashion with contempt.

I am sorry. I should add Del Potro too in the 2009 US OPen who demolished Nadal in straight sets.

July 5th, 2012 at 2:25 am

Michael, To be fair to Rafa, his health was copromised in USO 09. If you looked at the serve speed he clocked it was obvious. Nothing to take away from Del Po, he was fantastic and would have won the match anyway. But you cannot compare that match with the one in Australia. Tsonga sort of demolished when Rafa was completely fine. No one saw that coming. But it came only once, not again. That’s the key.

I’m not comparing Rasol as a player with Tsonga. But we cannot base anything on a single match in their career. One such matches do happen, but are they able to produce it consistently.

Though for Tsonga’s part, this health had been his major problem after his intial success. I think the last 12 months were the time he did not have much health issues. So maybe he can us something in this Wimbledon. Without doubt he is probably the most exciting player when he gets going. It would be a great final if he gets through. Though I still belive Murray has the edge, because he has been there consistently and is a better all court player, as a tennis fan I won’t regret seeing Tsonga in the finals.

July 5th, 2012 at 3:52 am

Nims,

Yeah, Rafa had health issues in 2009.

Now-a-days I think Tsonga is far more consistent as a player.

You think Murray has the edge. You may be right. As you said irrespective of whoever comes to the finals, it is going to be very interesting. But Novak, if he does get through Roger (which is a question mark) would prefer Murray more than Tsonga in the finals for obvious reasons.

July 5th, 2012 at 4:57 am

Yes Michael definitely. I think it’s both being healthy and having more experience about his own game has allowed him to settle down and play some good tennis. He is a dynamo and a exciting player. One of the very few to play fearless tennis and it’s a joy to watch him in full flow.

July 5th, 2012 at 7:49 am

Both Tsonga and Murray have the capacity to check out mentally for periods of a match; similarly, they can both wake up and crush winners from all over the court. Should they both choose to fall into one or the other pattern (but hopefully the latter), let’s hope they do so together at the same time.

July 5th, 2012 at 10:11 am

http://t.co/tF3olXR2

July 5th, 2012 at 11:09 am

@Mark: amazing. Thanks for sharing.

July 5th, 2012 at 11:41 am

The people on Sports Center were laughing at Murray comparing himself to LeBron. It’s great if he really has that kind of confidence, though. Let’s hope he can demonstrate it on court tomorrow.

July 5th, 2012 at 2:47 pm

will murray winning wimbledon open the floodgates like 2003 wimbledon did for Roger?

I would like murray to win Wimbledon to just see him play without this crazy unfair burden of a nation waiting for 75 F%^king yearS!

July 5th, 2012 at 2:59 pm

@mark, thank you.
Nice green but can’t wear it @wimby,,,,,,aghhhh

July 5th, 2012 at 7:40 pm