Practice win gives Andy Murray hope of beating Rafael Nadal for real
grif
Guardian
If practice really does make perfect, then Andy Murray will go into
Saturday's semi-final at the Monte Carlo Masters with less to fear than
most. Rafael Nadal might be the world No1, the best player ever on clay and
closing in on a record seventh consecutive title here but the rejuvenated
Scot has a secret weapon - he has already beaten him this week.
That it was in practice should not lessen the feeling it will give Murray
going into his 14th meeting with the Spaniard. Nadal, who leads their
head-to-head record 9-4 and again looks unbeatable on the red clay, will be
a massive favourite to come out on top but Murray, having rediscovered his
form after a slump following his defeat by Novak Djokovic in the final of
the Australian Open, will believe that anything is possible.
"I know practice isn't the only thing that matters but there are not many
people who would beat Rafa in practice," Murray said, having cruised into
the last four with a 6-2, 6-1 demolition of Frederico Gil, a qualifier
ranked 82.
"That's not to say you'll win against him in a match but it helps when you
are with those guys to know you're not that far behind them and, even though
they're playing great tennis right now, you can compete with them. After the
Australian Open I was losing practice sets and thinking it didn't matter but
I've got the right attitude now in practice and training and the matches
will hopefully keep going the right way."
Murray made Gil look the relative novice he is at this level with his third
authoritative performance in three days. Having been booed off court after
his win over an ailing Gilles Simon the previous day because of his ruthless
use of the drop shot, he was cheered off this time and will relish another
contest with Nadal.
The Spaniard, who last year won all three Masters 1000 events on clay and
then a fifth French Open title in Paris, usually brings out the best in
Murray. The last time they met, in the semi-finals of the Masters Cup in
London last November, they produced a classic that Nadal won in a final-set
tiebreak.
The last time they met on clay was here in the semi-finals two years ago and
Nadal will remember the way Murray pushed him hard in the second set on that
occasion. "I thought I hit the ball very well today and I'll have to play
very well tomorrow," Murray said.
For about five minutes it looked as if Nadal might be in for a test against
Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic. But from 1-1 in the opening set he won eight
straight games and cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 victory. The Spaniard is now within
two victories of winning the tournament for a record seventh consecutive
time and only a brave man would bet against him.
Roger Federer, though, will have the weekend off after he was ousted 6-4,
6-4 by the world No9, Jürgen Melzer, finding a combination of the Austrian's
play and the wind, which really kicked up for an hour or so, too much to
handle. It was his earliest defeat since Wimbledon last summer but he did
not seem overly bothered by his early departure.
"I think it's been a solid tournament," Federer said. "He was aggressive,
played the right way and he played well when he had to. The chances I missed
today were just too much. I think I should have definitely got one of the
sets, but I was always down in the score, running behind. Every time I had
this slight opening, things didn't go my way. Either he shanks them and they
stay in play, he hits the line. I try to do something, I miss by a little
bit."
Melzer will now take on David Ferrer, in the other semi-final, the Spaniard
beating Victor Troicki 6-3, 6-3
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/apr/15/andy-murray-rafael-nadal-monte-carlo
uly...@mscomm.com
still beat an able-bodied Murray on clay.
Andy Murray will defeat Nadal on clay when hell freezes over.
grif
"uly...@msomm.com" <uly...@mscomm.com> wrote in message
news:ddf39e95-4981-463d...@17g2000prr.googlegroups.com...
>I honestly think Rafa would be confined to a wheelchair and would
> still beat an able-bodied Murray on clay.
>
Please stop exaggerating.
uly...@mscomm.com
former.
Court_1
I have to admit I agree with you. Can't see it.
grif
> Have you ever heard of "sarcasm?" This is not "exaggerating," it's the
> former.
"I honestly think Rafa would be confined to a wheelchair and would
still beat an able-bodied Murray on clay."
If you say that you "honestly think" then that doesn't really sound like
sarcasm. Also, sarcasm tends to be ironic, so what you said doesn't make
much sense in that context, since you obviously meant to diss Murray as
you're not exactly fond of him.
BTW, I'm not the only person in rst who has noticed your exaggerations.
felangey
uly...@mscomm.com
known to mortal man on this group and they get a pass? Interesting
logic.
Examples of exaggerations beyond description which happen constantly
here:
"Fed is the worst #1 ever"
"Rafa is anemic on clay"
"Borg was the worst HC player in the history of the game"
"Lendl's FH was crap"
... ad infinitum. Saying Murray wouldn't beat Rafa in a wheelchair is
nothing compared to the serious exaggerations indulged in by 80% of
others here (or is that an exaggeration too?!!) Let's ammend it to
76.4% to be perfectly accurate.
GOYLE
> "ulys...@msomm.com" <ulys...@mscomm.com> wrote in message
I believe he was "overstating" his position to emphasise his belief
Murray has no chance in winning the match tomorrow.
grif
"GOYLE" <jamesho...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:c8ed0d63-6be7-4007...@e8g2000vbz.googlegroups.com...
Erm, overstate means to exaggerate as well and I don't really mind
exaggeration usually, cos people use it for humour (including me), but
Ulysses has a posting history of using extreme exaggeration to diss players
she hates. Ofc, as she rightly points out, she isn't the only one who does
this in rst, or other forums for that matter.
drew
> Have you ever heard of "sarcasm?" This is not "exaggerating," it's the
> former.
It's neither. It's the truth.
Superdave
nah. Go ahead and exaggerate and make it an even 77%.
Superdave
It is possible that Murray will beat Rafa just not very probable.
Shit would have to happen and it sometimes does though.
drew
>
> I believe he was "overstating" his position to emphasise his belief
> Murray has no chance in winning the match tomorrow.
No, I think that if Murray saw Rafa roll out in a wheelchair, Murray
would get nervous,
shit himself, then sprain his ankle on the way to the toilet to clean
his bum and change
his shorts.
Upon returning to the court Murray would attempt to serve a few balls,
then he would
begin to wince that famous Murray wince. He'd go down and hold his
ankle, shit himself
again in the process and then limp to the net to shake hands with Rafa
and concede
the match.
And don't tell me to stop exaggerating or I'll fucking kill you.
Fan
No problem with exaggerations and sarcastic comments about the
professional athletes who are paid plenty for their troubles. These
lists are just for that. I only see a problem when some insane fans,
mostly insane Federer fans get so enraged at any negative comment
about their GOD that they would kill the other poster out of their
insane rage.
TT
> Simon Cambers
> Guardian
>
> If practice really does make perfect, then Andy Murray will go into
> Saturday's semi-final at the Monte Carlo Masters with less to fear than
> most. Rafael Nadal might be the world No1, the best player ever on clay
> and closing in on a record seventh consecutive title here but the
> rejuvenated Scot has a secret weapon - he has already beaten him this week.
>
> That it was in practice should not lessen the feeling
Yes it should.
And btw...their practice session ended at 5-5. Yes that is a GREAT
result, but not "beating" someone and not match-play...
Rafa in straights.
TT
Go girl, I like your attitude. :)
Professor X
GO MUZZ!
GOYLE
I don't agree with absolutes so to say Murray has no chance of winning
the match I would disagree. Thougfh his chance is slim, he still has a
chance, otherwise no point in playing the match.