Wimbledon

Murray gave it his all, but Nalbandian had the experience and technique to defeat him.

Murray played impressively and, for a while, I thought he might win it -- he had plenty of chances in the fourth set! But, for me, there's just a leeeetle too much fist-pumping -- from both Mom Murray and Andy. I know it's good once in a while to get the adrenalin going, but not after every point! I guess I just prefer the Henman/Sampras style.

Murray played impressively and, for a while, I thought he might win it -- he had plenty of chances in the fourth set! But, for me, there's just a leeeetle too much fist-pumping -- from both Mom Murray and Andy. I know it's good once in a while to get the adrenalin going, but not after every point! I guess I just prefer the Henman/Sampras style.

I think it's his youth.  He's like a puppy - all adrenelin and enthusiasm.  Although of course he has a great deal of talent and isn't just all about power and always trying to ace his opponent.

His lack of experience definitely showed in that 4th set, he fell right into the trap Nalbandian set him.  Nalbandian never looked flustered, and he just came right out in that 4th set with a reserve of energy Murray had squandered.  And made Murray run all over the court on his bum ankle.  And flub up point after point w/poor returns and unforced errors.  A classic Federer strategy as well.  But you could see that kid's mind working, and that's so important.  He'd try to put a lot of spin on his ball, but he sometimes lacked that little nuance it takes to get it over the net and bouncing low so it's harder to return well.  He also didn't come into net a la Federer and Sampras.  Important matches can be won at net.  Remember how Navratilova played at net?  She was brutal.  He's young and has a lot to learn, but he knows that. 

Sampras, well, don't know if there'll ever be anyone in his league again for a while.  Man, that serve!

Sampras, well, don't know if there'll ever be anyone in his league again for a while.  Man, that serve!

Tell me about it! I saw him win his last US Open in 2002 --- it was a joy to behold.

I think Murray has HUGE potential. The fist pumping didn't bother me. It was far more genuine than Henman's ever has been. The only reserved players I've ever really been a big fan of were Borg and Lendl.

So, is it over yet? 
Wimbledon is yet another thing i dislike about summer...

So, is it over yet?
Wimbledon is yet another thing i dislike about summer...

Crazy woman! 

I think Murray has HUGE potential. The fist pumping didn't bother me. It was far more genuine than Henman's ever has been.

I totally agree!  He really tries to strategise on the court.  That in addition to his talent makes it exciting to see how he'll play once he's had more experience against world-class players like Nalbandian.  Nalbandian himself later said he was surprised at Murray's performance and that once he (Murray) builds up his conditioning he'll be a formidable opponent.  It'll be interesting to see how he does at the US Open this year.

Never could get my head round Henman - seemed sort of like a male Anna Kornokova.

Never could get my head round Henman - seemed sort of like a male Anna Kornokova.

Except that he's talented. And not exactly beautiful. So ... not really like Kournikova at all? 

So, is it over yet?
Wimbledon is yet another thing i dislike about summer...

Blasphemer!!!!! 

Except that he's talented.

That's debatable 

That's debatable 

Not really. He's never been #1, but he's consistently been in the top 10 in the world -- a feat Anna Kournikova would only have dreamt of. I don't think you can argue that he's not talented.

Not really. He's never been #1, but he's consistently been in the top 10 in the world -- a feat Anna Kournikova would only have dreamt of. I don't think you can argue that he's not talented.

Whatever you say . . . I'm going to walk away from this.  Discuss amongst yourselves.

Whatever you say . . . I'm going to walk away from this.  Discuss amongst yourselves.

Aw c'mon, expat. Don't sulk!! We're just having a conversation! Come back!!   

Interesting speculation about Murray and why he lost the Nalbandian match.

I would say that playing the net is now no longer a requirement to winning Wimbledon.  I know Henman sounds like a bit of a whiner when he says it, but the grass and balls at Wimbledon have been slowed down to counteract the huge servers that have come of age in the past number of years.  When the ball sits up a bit more on the grass, it is all to the benefit of a baseliner and a detriment to a server & volleyer.

Look at Lleyton Hewitt, a baseliner thru & thru and he won Wimbledon from the back court.  It's not the same game even as when Sampras played.  The thing is, Murray's got a glimmer of Hewitt in him when he was out there at Wimbledon and that can only be a good thing.

As for his fitness, remember that a) he's only played about 4 ATP matches and b)  he was out for about 6 months in the past year from injuries.  At that level you can't afford to be out for 6 weeks much less 6 months.  Nalbandian was able to use this to his benefit but had this been 1 or 2 years from now it could have been a completely different result, even if it went to 5 sets again.

One thing about Henman, everyone likes to bust on him because he hasn't won a grand slam, but being #9 in the world does take loads of talent.  Getting to the semifinals of a number of grand slams takes tons of talent.

I can't remember who said it but it was a good quote, "Henman is the #9 tennis player out of 6 billion people!"

Matt

As for his fitness, remember that a) he's only played about 4 ATP matches and b)  he was out for about 6 months in the past year from injuries.  At that level you can't afford to be out for 6 weeks much less 6 months.  Nalbandian was able to use this to his benefit but had this been 1 or 2 years from now it could have been a completely different result, even if it went to 5 sets again.

You're right, Matt. I also heard that Murray had never played a 5-set match before.

As for his fitness, remember that a) he's only played about 4 ATP matches and b)  he was out for about 6 months in the past year from injuries.  At that level you can't afford to be out for 6 weeks much less 6 months.  Nalbandian was able to use this to his benefit but had this been 1 or 2 years from now it could have been a completely different result, even if it went to 5 sets again.

Nalbandian himself admits this.  In an interview published on BBC, he stated that Murray's problems were 'physical' and that he needs to get them sorted.  Murray has wisely left the doubles competition in order to let his ankle recover.  Hopefully he'll be in shape for the US Open.  Let's hope Serena recovers as well. 

Got one eye on the Ferrero/Federer match just now.  Ferrero is fighting hard to stay in.  He has been preparing to face Federer and it shows.