Australian Open Day 14 Open Thread: Men's Final
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 3:41 AM EST
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255 matches down, 1 to go...
Not Before 19:30
Roger Federer (SUI)[1] v. Andy Murray (GBR)[5]
I'm predicting Federer in 4. I think part of the reason he lost to del Potro in that final was a real lack of fight and killer instinct against an opponent in del Potro whom Federer seems to genuinely likes. Murray, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be on the receiving end of much respect from Federer. That said, this match is totally in Murray's hands (though Federer's serve does play a huge role, as Jsz pointed out).
Here's hoping for a great one. This match is our last taste of grand slam tennis for four months, so it'd better be big and delicious.
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Federer 1-0* Murray
Murray wins the first two points, but Federer gets the next four. Attacking the Murray backhand early.
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3 break points for Federer in Murray’s first service game…. and he breaks on the second one.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
Welcome! Happy to have someone else awake…
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 3:49 AM EST up reply actions
Federer *2-0 Murray
Federer breaks at 15. Nerves clearly an issue here for Murray.
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Federer 2-1* Murray
Murray gets this back on serve quickly, with some pretty ill-advised net approaches from Federer. Including a drop shot, which should just never be done against Murray.
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Quick question
Is Murray #2 in the world if he wins tonight? I know that both he and Djokovic are ahead of Nadal now, just not sure if Murray can pass Djokovic with a win.
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I think he’s #3 behind Djokovic, but I’m not 100% sure.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 3:59 AM EST up reply actions
Federer *2-2 Murray
Murray digs out of an early hole to make this a tie ballgame.
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Federer 3-2* Murray
That was actually a big game for Federer to stop the bleeding.
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Federer 4-3* Murray
A relatively easy hold.
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There could still be another break of serve in this set, but the service games have settled a little.
BTW, I’m getting the DVR ready. I’m not going to make it into the second set.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
Can’t blame ya, this is a real rough timeslot.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 4:22 AM EST up reply actions
Federer *5-3 Murray
Loose service game from Murray, and Federer totally dictates off the ground. Serving for the first set now.
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Federer 6-3* Murray
If the first set is as crucial as Federer said it would be, he should have this one in the bag.
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Heh, it might take more than that, but it’s a start.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 4:32 AM EST up reply actions
Heh.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 4:35 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, *0-1 Murray
Real loose game from Federer, just when he could’ve tightened the screws.
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Federer 6-3, 1-1* Murray
Easy hold, still on serve.
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This interview is funny
I always like it when the interviewee disagrees with the interviewer.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
Federer 6-3, *2-1 Murray
A few big forehands help Federer break at love.
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I think so
he’s getting annoyingly sloppy here.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:40 AM EST up reply actions
Or maybe he’s just trying to get the whole thing done before you fall asleep?
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 4:41 AM EST up reply actions
Murray needs to pump himself up here… get involved in this match at least emotionally.
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Perhaps staying focused is better for him
Mind you it doesn’t look like it!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:45 AM EST up reply actions
I remember him at Wimbledon a couple years back doing a flex pose… when he was pretty freaking scrawny (he’s much bigger now). It was kind of funny, but he needs some attitude right now.
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Yeah that was funny stuff
I’m not sure how many people were laughing with him…
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:48 AM EST up reply actions
Federer just looks all wrong for Murray right now
This is turning into a bit of a domination!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
Federer 6-3, *3-2 Murray
Murray digs out from 15-40, but every game is really a struggle for him at this point.
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Brilliant in the sense that he needs it badly
Or were you being clairvoyant?
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:53 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe I’m getting my feed quicker here in Canada than you guys are? I said that after Fed had held.
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Yeah mine must be running on a short delay
I just thought you guys were really fast typers!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:56 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, 4-2* Murray
No style points, but still a big hold at this point in the match.
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Hi
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:53 AM EST up reply actions
Evenin’, sir. Your Federer’s first serve percentage has held up real nicely.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 4:54 AM EST up reply actions
Ack. Stupid iPod typing
I’ve been watching this match from the beginning, Murray in a heap o’ trouble.
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Two break points saved, one to go…
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He pulled out a lovely serve there
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:57 AM EST up reply actions
Not much of one
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 4:59 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, *4-3 Murray
Murray saves triple break point, still really fighting for every game. He is still only one break behind, so perhaps this set could get slightly more interesting…
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It will get more interesting if he
Plays like he did there throughout the rest of the match.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:02 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, Murrays serve has been under siege, but still only the one break. That said, Fed will serve for 2-0 sets
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Alright, I lasted longer than I thought, but I’m turning in. I’ll read the recap after finishing watching tomorrow morning.
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Night
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:02 AM EST up reply actions
Night
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 5:06 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, *5-4 Murray
Chance here to serve for a two-set lead…
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Take that British Tennis!
You just got zinged by the greatest evar
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:08 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Haha, nothing like a good piling on.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 5:10 AM EST up reply actions
Ah well
All this drought talk is quite funny; I’ve never even heard it mentioned in Britain. I don’t think we expect much of our sportsmen, we are a very pessimistic and defeatist nation when it comes to sports.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:11 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, 6-4, 0-0* Murray
Federer one set from #16
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Nothing against ESPN,
But I swear the things I think to myself are more insightful than what the “pro” commentators say.
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:11 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I actually think they are asked to keep it simple
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:11 AM EST up reply actions
Like
“federer good” or “down 2 sets bad” simple?
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Pretty much!
It’s a shame but a lot of sports networks do it. In my opinion ESPN and Sky are the worst offenders, actually maybe the Sky commentators are just a bit stupid…
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:18 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, 6-4, *0-1 Murray
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Want this last set to be 6-1 Fed
Cuz I want to go to bed
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:18 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Federer faces his first BP since the first set, but Murray misses a would-be BH winner.
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Federer 6-3, 6-4, 1-1* Murray
Closest Murray has come in a while though.
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Federer 6-3, 6-4, *1-2 Murray
Superfast love hold.
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Federer 6-3, 6-4, 2-2* Murray
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Don't want to tempt fate,
But it certainly looks like my initial predictions for the battle of the boards of Fed over Murray were right.
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:27 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Ok commentator we get it
You don’t think he has a legit injury, you can stop mentioning it every 2 minutes now.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
Federer 6-3, 6-4, *2-3 Murray
Looked like Federer might tuck this one away, but we keep going…
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Why is espn
Taking a crap on Cubs, Browns, Indians, Cavalier, and British tennis fans??
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:32 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Really not clear at all.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 5:35 AM EST up reply actions
Come to think of it, pretty much every Cleveland team.
And Murray breaks, extending the match for now
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:37 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
They are getting rather annoying
I may be muting my stream soon.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:38 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, 6-4, 2-4* Murray
Blows two break points, but converts on the third.
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That break could be something of a coup for Murray
I sure hope so!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
Federer 6-3, 6-4, *2-5 Murray
Rolling now, we look for sure to be going at least four.
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But their insights on tennis are so crucial to the outcome!
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 5:44 AM EST up reply actions
Hehe
I balked at this
The Scottish don’t like the English but we’ve always liked them.
Except all those times you invaded our country and exploited our people. Grr.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:45 AM EST up reply actions
Hard to dislike the people you get to exploit, I guess.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 5:47 AM EST up reply actions
Learn something new everday
Nice history lesson, espn
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Federer 6-3, 6-4, 3-5* Murray
Murray to serve for it…
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Wow, MASSIVE forehand for Federer to make it 15-15.
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Federer 6-3, 6-4, *4-5 Murray
Murray can’t close the deal—back on serve.
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Federer 6-3, 6-4, 5-5* Murray
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Mention of commentator doubting legitimacy of Murray's injury number 143231
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
Pffft
Only about 74 years err- I mean times.
(gotcha again, britsh tennis!)
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 5:58 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Zing!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 5:59 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, 6-4, *5-6 Murray
Could’ve gotten away from him, but Murray steadied himself nicely.
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Off tpoicv,
But the Knicks lost to the wizards…. This saddens and surprises my more than it should.
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 6:02 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I was going to go to that game if it hadn’t snowed, oddly enough.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 6:03 AM EST up reply actions
Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Murray
Time to dig up that TB picture, Jsz…
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Oy, bad Murray error there to give the minibreak back, 3-2 Murray
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Real well constructed point gives Murray 6-4 and two set points..
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One saved, but the next is on Murray’s racquet.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 6:11 AM EST up reply actions
And he dumps a forehand into the net. Epic choke, after a real nice first serve.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 6:12 AM EST up reply actions
What a choke!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 6:12 AM EST up reply actions
And another set point goes away after a real long rally and a missed Murray backhand volley. 7-7.
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Ace Federer. 8-7 and the first championship point…
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And again he has chances on the set point but there’s nothing clinical about his play.
by Gavbo on Jan 31, 2010 6:15 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Gutsy point by Murray to save the match point
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Real bad backhand by Federer, 9-8 Murray and his fourth set point…
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Real creative drop volley for Federer gives him 10-9 and his second championship point.
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WHY did Federer go for the drop shot there?!?!?!
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And Federer nets a pretty easy forehand that would’ve given him another match point.
11-10 Murray.
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11-11. Service winner by Fed out wide.
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Murray wrongfooted quickly, 12-11 Federer and his third championship point…
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Great Federer serve
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 31, 2010 6:22 AM EST up reply actions
No where near good enough, almost as disappointing as their US Open final.
by Gavbo on Jan 31, 2010 6:23 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Game, Set, Match, Championship -- Federer
Roger Federer (SUI)1 def. Andy Murray (GBR)5 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11)
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That FH on set point which he hit into the net was his chance, got to take them in a GS especially against someone like Federer
by Gavbo on Jan 31, 2010 6:26 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Definitely, Murray totally blew his chances.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 6:28 AM EST up reply actions
Epic tie break , but kind of a disappointing match
Those first few games made me think it wad gonna be a real tight match or a 5 setter.
What was fed’s 1st serve %??
by Jsz on Jan 31, 2010 6:34 AM EST via mobile reply actions
66%
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 31, 2010 6:35 AM EST up reply actions
thanks
I’ve relly enjoyed reading your blog and all the comments during the open! Loved the photos and interviews, too!
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