Diamonds are Forever Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 The problem with Nishikori is when he starts to lose he uses the injury as an excuse. The likes of Djokovic, Murray, Nadal and Federer just play through it. He had just broken Murray back at 4-3 and was 40-0 up and ready to square the set, when Murray obliterated him on his second serve, forced him into a double fault then zinged a winner from his first serve. He couldn't take the pressure and wilted. Not only was Murray stepping inside the baseline to return that second serves, he was at times closer to the service box than he was the baseline. Nishikori just couldn't deal with it. Nishikori's power generation, shot selection and variety means he can trouble anyone on any surface, but he hasn't quite got the physical and mental strength to really push against the top players currently. That's the impression I got from the match, as soon as it was obvious he was going to lose he seemed to be setting himself to use an injury as an excuse. He pretty much tanked the second set, wasn't bothering to chase shots down that he could have got. He could argue that he played a lot of matches last week and has a busy few weeks ahead so no point busting a gut when you've reached the point you know you're going to lose anyway. But still pretty poor from someone ranked number 4 in the world. If you compare Nadal and Murray's position on return it's incredible the difference. I know standing so far back has always been what's worked for Nadal, but it must be so much easier and less intimidating to serve against that than someone like Murray who has the ball back at you almost before you've set yourself after the serve. As he declines physically that position surely is going to be harder to maintain as well. Can't see him changing it at this age though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Simao Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Andy bossing this so far, 4-1 first set. Edit: Edited August 16, 2015 by Miguel Simao 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Simao Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Ooft! Despite choking a 4-1 lead and failing to challenge due to the interfering umpire at 40-15 when he would have won the game, Andy has still somehow won the set. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elixir Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 He did tremendously well there. I feared for him when he looked a bit rattled as that has happened so often against Djokovic in the past and then ended in tears. That call on his serve was woeful as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Drops his serve at start of second. Criminal 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
true_rover Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 But breaks back for 3-3 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
die hard doonhamer Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Then drops his serve again next game. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Held serve...so will prob be serving first final set. Small advantage 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Joker 6 4 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Early break for Scotlands finest 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elixir Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Djokovic. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraser Fyvie Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Pattern of play the last few points: 1. Long rally 2. Djokovic wins the point 3. Commentator purs at how he possibly managed to win the point 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elixir Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 This game is getting silly, man. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-coo-shed Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Quality has been brilliant. That lob in the last game by Murray was sheer class. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUFC90 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Outrageous tennis from the both of them 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraser Fyvie Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Yas. Huge bottle to win that last game. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Yassss 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peasy23 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Thank fcuk for that, Murray wins!!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elixir Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Superb. That could be massive going into the US Open. Thank f**k. I still can't quite believe that's his first win against Novak for over two years, though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Djokovic is like Terminator 1. Can't finish him. Yet Scotland's greatest ever sportsmen pulls off a Linda Hamilton again. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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