INDIAN WELLS 2013, QUARTER-FINAL: Del Potro wins, 6'7, 6'3, 6'1

[lynne]

Sorry Lynne! I actually don't remember your being there :shamed: I'm really sorry - maybe you didn't post much in those days? I remember so many people who were there then but have long gone, e.g. Braveheart, Rafa, Shaun, etc. Jambon who of course we still see occasionally.

Yes Linda I remember them also, and lots of other I could mention, maybe as I don't post as much as other people, but I have always been here & it is such a shame that some of those members have left!:thumbup:

[DaveArneRiise]

Dave, you weren't there right at the start, but I remember your joining! I remember when you were at school in the South of France and you visited Monte Carlo. You looked about 12 in your pics!

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Mou-ramos.gif

[david1610]

Phew!
Wonder if he can tire del Potro out here?
C'mon Andy!

[Caro]

His focus was slipping as was ours ;)

[Manaus]

Manages to hold but going to have to break soon otherwise it's onto a 3rd. Come on Andy!

[ljs]

Bouncy is FULL of admiration for Delpo , of course :laugh:

[Linda]

His focus was slipping as was ours ;)

Sorry about that folks. I guess that's what happens when you get old, you keep reminiscing about the past :shamed:

Back to the present. Vamos Andy! :swingin:

[Caro]

Yay, get in there Andy! 30-30

[david1610]

Time running out ... has to hold and break to keep the set going.
C'mon Andy!

[Caro]

:rolleyes::rolleyes:Botheration!!

[Sallydaisy]

Sorry about that folks. I guess that's what happens when you get old, you keep reminiscing about the past :shamed:

Back to the present. Vamos Andy! :swingin:
Meet Ollie the Off-topic post truck ... delivering to a chat room near you.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/Malinda777/SmileyInTruck.gif

[DaveArneRiise]

It's the Pot with the grit between his teeth now.

[supergran]

Bouncy and Barry are a pair of boring Windbags! Can I say that?

[Caro]

Andy, please , please can you hold and break please

[ljs]

this is a battle now , after the other dud quarterfinals , this is exciting to watch , cmonnn Andy !!!!

[RoastLamb]

Good golly miss Molly. Go away for dinner, come back and Andy's about to lose the set. :eek:

[DaveArneRiise]

Bouncy and Barry are a pair of boring Windbags! Can I say that?

Listening to them is worse than water torture!

[Linda]

Right Andy, you need to at least hold here and make him serve out the set.

[Caro]

Break, break, break ....

[banskogirl]

Come On Andy!

[supergran]

Better Andy.....Come on!!!

[Manaus]

Must break game for Andy, come on! :sofa:

[KnightOwl]

Still only one break, so the set's not over yet - but they did say Potty hasn't been broken so far in the tournament, so it's a big ask...

[DaveArneRiise]

Hussle!

[Sallydaisy]

Still only one break, so the set's not over yet - but they did say Potty hasn't been broken so far in the tournament, so it's a big ask...
It'd be good if Andy could stop that particular run.

[Caro]

Come on Andy, you can do this!!!!

[banskogirl]

Yes! Go Andy!

[supergran]

You're a fighter Andy....keep going!

[dewster99]

I must've been around near the beginning. This certainly wasn't the first match I watched but I remember watching st petersburg v youzhny on a terrible stream which was tiny but boy were those days exciting. 2006 was when Andy hooked up with brad and I was definitely a fan before then so who knows

[ljs]

have just muted the sound , cant take anymore of him

[Hawkeye]

When was the last time Andy failed to get a break point in 2 sets?

Amazing consistency from delPo.

[banskogirl]

Flip.....

[Caro]

Oh no ... One set all :sofa:

DelPo playing very well at the mo .... And Petch is still backing Andy as are we, aren't we forumites?!

[supergran]

I need to sit on the sofa...so tense. Hate the crowd.

[Manaus]

3rd set it is then. :coaster:

[Sallydaisy]

Pffft...!!!

[DaveArneRiise]

Well played Juan to be frank

[RoastLamb]

James is on schedule for a PS!!!

[Hawkeye]

Most of us felt this was going 3 sets, don't want a tie-break though...

[Jane]

Hm, my last post made me feel nostalgic - for all the members that are no longer here. Apart from me, the only ones here that have been here from the start are Speedy, Xenon and RoastLamb. So many that we don't hear from any more. But of course, so many new ones have joined us over the years also :)

Linda - I have been a member of Any's forums since the very beginning and have followed his tennis career since he was a little boy - long before the rest of you had even heard of him:)

OMG - Andy has just lost the second set:sad:

[RoastLamb]

I must've been around near the beginning. This certainly wasn't the first match I watched but I remember watching st petersburg v youzhny on a terrible stream which was tiny but boy were those days exciting. 2006 was when Andy hooked up with brad and I was definitely a fan before then so who knows

St Petersburg was the worst livestream EVER!!!

[Linda]

Well, I am a little miffed with Andy. He should have had one more game in that set. My FTM was 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.

[banskogirl]

Ok Andy regroup! We know you are capable and expect you to do this :thumbup:

[david1610]

When was the last time Andy failed to get a break point in 2 sets?

Amazing consistency from delPo.
After his wrist injury I am coming to the conclusion that he must have worked a lot on consistency. He still has a lot of power but it is that consistency of length that makes him so hard to break.
Oh well. So be it.
Andy at least looking up for it.
Just needs to hold and hopefully get that break!
C'mon Andy!

[JAMES4578]

oh well I was expecting a tough match, let's hope Andy has a good start in the decider and can keep Del Potro at bay.

[dewster99]

bit of fan envy going on :P. Cracking set from Juan, crazy good

[ljs]

James is on schedule for a PS!!!

so he is , yayyy teamie !!! cmon Andy 6-4 please for James

[david1610]

Focus. Find those aces. C'mon Andy!
Thank you for the first!

[Caro]

I really like DelPo these days .... but not when he's playing like this against our boy!

[banskogirl]

Yes game on!

[supergran]

tHAT got me on my feet

[david1610]

Phew! If he had been broken there would have been really hard to come back.
Well done.
Now PLEASE get that break! C'mon Andy!

[Manaus]

Good start. :) Now go for a break!

[KnightOwl]

Great stuff - and he's got his determined look back on his face too - I like that!

[ljs]

wow that was incredible from Andy :cheer:

[banskogirl]

tHAT got me on my feet

If I jump up the cat will land across the room.....

[supergran]

Mr Cool:cheer:

[banskogirl]

Sweet!

[KnightOwl]

BP!!

[david1610]

Houston we have a break point! Take it please!!!!!

[Hawkeye]

Finally a BP! Come on Andy!

[banskogirl]

Come on Andy Kitkat?

[Linda]

Suddenly realised that I was getting cold - of course the heating will have clicked off nearly 2 hours ago!

Come on Andy! KitKat!

[Hawkeye]

Ach.

[DaveArneRiise]

Monstrous 2nd serve

[david1610]

Serving too good. So be it. Regroup and refocus.
C'mon Andy!

[KnightOwl]

Suddenly realised that I was getting cold - of course the heating will have clicked off nearly 2 hours ago!


Good point! I'm off to switch ours back on for a bit...!

[Sallydaisy]

Fran held for 1-1 but at least Andy seems to be back on the ball and going for a break.

Although a DF won't help his cause on his own service!

[david1610]

Focus. Focus. C'mon Andy!

[banskogirl]

Good point! I'm off to switch ours back on for a bit...!

I have a candle almost burnt down, I'm pretending I'm warm!

[Linda]

:sofa:

[KnightOwl]

:grrr: not so good....

[david1610]

He is not hitting so well so has to take a bit off until he gets his radar back. Aces please! C'mon Andy!

[Manaus]

Oh no, hold Andy! :sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

Steady the ship andy!!!

[supergran]

What is going on? So many errors. Come on Andy sort yourself out.

[davech]

Just one more break point to save.

[ljs]

why do you guys turn your heat off at night if its cold

[davech]

Now let's get this game over with.

[supergran]

:sofa::sofa::sofa:

[TheHippyJesus]

Come on Andy!

[KnightOwl]

why do you guys turn your heat off at night if its cold

No point having the heating on when you're tucked up in bed...

[supergran]

why do you guys turn your heat off at night if its coldSomething to do with cost!!

[david1610]

What is going on? So many errors. Come on Andy sort yourself out.
Bit tired?
C'mon Andy!

[banskogirl]

why do you guys turn your heat off at night if its cold

Well my hubby was working out tonight that our oil is costing over £40 per week and we light a coal fire too!

[Sallydaisy]

Eeek! That's 2 backhands that have gone wayward in this game. Come on Muzzah!

[ljs]

We would freeze if we turned ours off , warm bed or not

[davech]

Oh dear. Potty is a break up at 2-1.

[Manaus]

Oh dang it, broken. :sad:

[Linda]

Oh @*%$**@@!

A warm bedroom is not conducive to a good night's sleep.

[TheHippyJesus]

No!!!!!!!!!!

[KnightOwl]

Aaargh! Early break again - I'm starting to get a slightly bad feeling about this...

C'mon Andy!!

[JAMES4578]

James is on schedule for a PS!!!

Would be a bonus but as long as Andy wins I'll be happy! oh no Andy broken to trail 2-1, will need to dig deep now and of course failed to take his bp earlier. I wasn't on the original forum at the very start but have been with you all for a long time. of course it's a pity some have either left entirely or are not around much but some will no doubt be busy. A pity though if folk let differences of opinion affect them. Still we have seen many new folk throughout the years.

[DaveArneRiise]

Still time to get back in this

[supergran]

We have a gas fire in this room which is on now but our heating goes off at 9 pm.

[david1610]

Think Andy is going to have to find something very special to break del Potro. Unless he gets a present.
Here's hoping.... c'mon Andy!

[Alis]

I'm afraid that might be it folks.

[RoastLamb]

We would freeze if we turned ours off , warm bed or not

We turn ours off around 11 - 5.

Oh no, Andy! :crying:

[banskogirl]

Bit tired?
C'mon Andy!

I think the first set in the heat took it out of him.

[Madeline]

All these unforced errors - so unlike Andy. Not looking too good now.

[DaveArneRiise]

I'm afraid that might be it folks.

Long way to go yet

[ljs]

crap . cmon Andy

[Sallydaisy]

Blimey a trout pout on camera.
:eek:

[Caro]

Nnooo!! If I am knackered all day tomorrow because I have stayed up to watch you lose Andy, I am NOT going to be happy!!

Come on Andy, sort this out! You can do this!! #alwaysbelieve

[ljs]

We turn ours off around 11 - 5.

Oh no, Andy! :crying:

right off :faint: good grief , Id freeze

[Sallydaisy]

Andy's backhand has got the wobbles ...

[Reef]

Too many UEs all through the match, not like Andy. Delpo has picked up his game.

[david1610]

I think Andy has to change his game quickly. He has been very aggressive today and the result has been a lot of winners but a lot of UEs. Suspect he is running out of steam. A bit of junk might not do any harm! Mixing it up, making del Potro move in and out.... C'mon Andy!

[DaveArneRiise]

Andy's one of the most resourceful players on tour. Even though he's not at his best here he'll find away to get back in this.

[KnightOwl]

No more challenges for Potty...

[david1610]

Deuce. C'mon Andy!
And again. C'mon Andy!
Surely longer than 25 seconds??

[Caro]

Andy's one of the most resourceful players on tour. Even though he's not at his best here he'll find away to get back in this. Yes, indeed

[Sallydaisy]

Fran's out of challenges ... and it's deuce.

[Linda]

Delpo's having no challenges left could prove crucial :)

[Caro]

Ouch, another one in the net!

[supergran]

Losing the long rallies....worrying. Come on Andy!!

[Sallydaisy]

Darn it, Fran just took the pace of that ball and Andy hit his shot into the net.
:hmm:

[Linda]

Ummm who said Andy had been too aggressive? I don't think so - there have been so many long rallies like that, ending with Andy dumping the ball in the net :sad: Perhaps he needs to be more aggressive?

[Sallydaisy]

tee hee, that dropshot didn't work ... back to deuce.

[supergran]

Shot! Come onnnnnnnn

[Caro]

Ok, BP COME ON ANDY!!!!

[dewster99]

when did juan's defence get so good?

[KnightOwl]

Another BP - this time pleeeease!

[Sallydaisy]

Ad Andy.

[DaveArneRiise]

Ummm who said Andy had been too aggressive? I don't think so - there have been so many long rallies like that, ending with Andy dumping the ball in the net :sad: Perhaps he needs to be more aggressive?

Easier said done though. Especially when Del Potro is hitting the ball so well.

[Linda]

they both look absolutely knackered.

[banskogirl]

when did juan's defence get so good?

He's reminding me of Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

Argh! That ball catching the net altered the shot Andy needed. Deuce.

Ad Fran.

[banskogirl]

Really thought Andy would get that one!

[david1610]

Ummm who said Andy had been too aggressive? I don't think so - there have been so many long rallies like that, ending with Andy dumping the ball in the net :sad: Perhaps he needs to be more aggressive?
Andy does not come into the net so readily very often....
Anyway, safe hold needed. C'mon Andy!

[Linda]

OK the diet has been completely abandoned, I'm now on the choccy bikkies :crying:

[Hawkeye]

As many errors as Andy has made, delPo is getting all the luck of the let cords too.

[Caro]

Gotta give credit to DelPo, he is definately back! Come on Andy, keep fighting boy!

[Linda]

:sofa: :sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

I think Fran's 'defence' tactics have improved since he was out of action for several months to recuperate from that wrist injury. He's still a bit protective of it and has perhaps learned to play differently which is giving him more options than he used to have.

[davech]

It's all Del Potro at the moment. He's having one of those matches where he can't miss. Maybe one of those tournaments.

[KnightOwl]

Gotta give credit to DelPo, he is definately back! Come on Andy, keep fighting boy!

Absolutely - if it hadn't been against Andy I'd have enjoyed watching him play like this...

[supergran]

Great shot....can we have some more?

[Linda]

Great shot! Why haven't we seen more of those?

[Caro]

Woo hoo! Howitzer of ashot form Andy there!

[supergran]

Thanks Andy!! Keep it up!!

[Alis]

C'mon Andy - you really have to hold here.

[banskogirl]

Yes Andy! Another bit of that spark!

[Sallydaisy]

30-30

:phew:

[Caro]

Absolutely - if it hadn't been against Andy I'd have enjoyed watching him play like this... me too! DelPo has really grown on me over the past few years ... but not tonight!

[Linda]

:crying:

[Hawkeye]

Another break for delPo, this is all but over. :(

[banskogirl]

Aw yuk.....and Barry Cowan!

[Alis]

Oh dear!

[Caro]

:crying::crying::crying: Oh Andy, not what we wanted tonight ....

[supergran]

:crying::sad: Come onnnnn Andyyyy

[Linda]

I really think Andy should have played another tournament before this one, to play himself into form :grrr:

[david1610]

Oh well. del Potro playing really well but...
Let's have a break.
C'mon Andy!

[Caro]

Just have to get the no 2 ranking next week then ....

[dewster99]

as well as del po has done, andy has been poor in the last 2 sets

[Reef]

Delpo is on fire....a threat to everyone now methinks.

[supergran]

Really hate this crowd.

[Sallydaisy]

DF from Fran.

[Caro]

Would love to see DelPo beat Novak ..... but would prefer to see Andy beat him!

[JAMES4578]

Has been a bit frustrating of late,hard to see Andy coming back now. Thought he would have got the focus and motivation to find a way through.

[Hawkeye]

In terms of focus, it's almost as if winning the first set was the worst thing Andy could have done...

[Linda]

Perhaps Andy is just using this tournament to play himself into form for winning Miami?

[dewster99]

outrageous net play

[david1610]

This has certainly reminded me why I am always glad when a draw comes out and Andy avoids del Potro!

[Caro]

I thought he would too James, but I guess you can't win 'em all.

The crowd are very pro DelPo aren't they?

[supergran]

I was always nervous when I saw Delpo's name. Andy has made a lot of errors though. Bit of a Murraycoaster all week for us.

[Linda]

:shocked: that was a Rafalike shot from DelPo

[Caro]

Please not a :breadstick:

[supergran]

He's giving it away. Poor Andy.

[Jane]

:crying::crying::crying:

[david1610]

Perhaps Andy is just using this tournament to play himself into form for winning Miami?
It may well have become so even if it was not the initial intention.
Maybe it is just one of those weeks for Argentinians....

[Hawkeye]

Well, Andy fails in his bid to get to world number 2 this week, but to be honest he hasn't played like a world number 2 this week.

It's coming though.

[Linda]

:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

[Sallydaisy]

GSM Del Potro 6'7, 6'3, 6'1

:sad:

Head back to Florida Andy and gear up for the Miami Masters.

[KnightOwl]

Oh dear. Shame to end with a DF. But Potty deserved the win tonight...

[RoastLamb]

Oy too bad! :crying: But Potty played well.

[Linda]

Potty played very well. And Andy hasn't played his best all week :(

[TheHippyJesus]

At least he has done better than last year

[Caro]

What was with all the DFs?? Big credit to DelPo though. Hope he plays as well in the semi.

[ljs]

Delpo deseerved that win , pains me to say it , but it is what it is .

Cant see him beating Djokovic tho

[Bardot]

Not to be, it's never been a happy Indian hunting ground and it's been an improvement on the previous 2 years. Well done to Delpo although I'm sure Andy would've got him in best of 5. :)

[dewster99]

can't remember seeing andy serve so many doubles. Terrible after he served well in the first. Disregarding the 3rd set I think that even though andy dropped off in the 2nd if Juan hadn't posted those ridiculous 1st serve %'s andy would've won in 2

[JAMES4578]

Disappointing but sure Andy can raise his level for Miami.

[Linda]

Although DelPo played very well today, he will have to play a lot better still if he is to beat Djoko.

[supergran]

Oh dear. Sorry for Andy but he didn't play well tonight and Delpo did. Oh well onwards to Miami and let's hope the real Andy shows up. Disappointed for him but the error count was a little amazing....it was as if he was tired.

[Reef]

Back to the drawing board for Andy - I agree, he hasn't played like a number 2 at all. How much has that been a pressure factor I wonder?? I also felt all along that the long break wouldn't help his match fitness but there you go, what do I know?

Didn't expect this scoreline after he won the first set though.

[lynne]

Not your day Andy, there's always another..............Well done Del Potro!

[Caro]

Night folks, I'm off to bed. Knackered and will be grumpy tomorrow now with that result ....

Onwards and upwards to Miami now Andy. Just gotta forget about that match - bad day at the office

[supergran]

I thought he'd sail through after the long first set. What do I know?:big grin:

[davech]

Sad, but Andy was outplayed today. His tennis fell away just at the point where Potty got into his stride. Hopefully, things will go a touch better in Miami.

[patmoren]

Not a good day for Andy, won't be so rusty for Miami

[banskogirl]

So maybe lack of full match time did tell. I think Andy looked pretty tired. And although delpo is known, with his game changes Andy was playing an unknown.

[supergran]

Exactly Pat...he's now match fit and I'm sure it will be a different story in Miami. #alwaysbelieve

[Alis]

I thought he'd sail through after the long first set. What do I know?:big grin:

Me too!

[banskogirl]

Yip a better start than last year and we can cope with that!

[banskogirl]

Off to bed :) good night all!

[supergran]

Good night all!!

[Genbrit]

Well my recording ended at 1-3 in the final set and I was mad. :grrr: But looks as though it may have been just as well. :crying:

Just have to look forward to Miami now. :thumbup:


Hm, my last post made me feel nostalgic - for all the members that are no longer here. Apart from me, the only ones here that have been here from the start are Speedy, Xenon and RoastLamb. So many that we don't hear from any more. But of course, so many new ones have joined us over the years also :)

Just for the record I joined in January or February just after the first forum was started in the December and miss a lot of the people who used to be on here as well. As others have said there are a few of us who have been around just as long and yes, I know I don't post as often. This is mainly due to comments like these which fortunately are few and far between, but that does not mean I'm not around.

[rimarli]

I did not see the match but am just delighted that Andy got this far at IW. He cannot win them all and he has done better than any other player after winning his first slam. No-one else has reached a final of the first slam after winning their first and they were not playing in the most competitive era ever. Some had to even wait a year to get to a final. None of the top 4 can win every match they play even Nole. He lost the Olympics to Delpo. We must stop expecting perfection and some are blaming Lendl but so far he has come up trumps. I have noticed that Andy has been using some of his shots more than usual such as net play. When player does this they do not always do so well to start with. This happens when you have a new coach as well. I think Andy will always be better at 5 setters but after all he already has 8 masters whcih is a few more than Delpo.

[greatunclebulgaria]

was falling asleep on the settee so went to bed at the end of the first set thinking he has too much for del po:smashed::smashed::crying::crying::crying:

[Alis]

Like others, I think Andy was trying out things he had been working on in practice which would account for the unusually high number of unforced errors. He also had an unusually high number of winners. Have faith - Andy is too good a player to let a quarter final defeat worry him - particularly to someone playing as well as Delpo was last night. I don't think Djoko will have it all his own way with Delpo either - Tsonga looked beaten from the start, JM will be a different story.

[Reef]

Like others, I think Andy was trying out things he had been working on in practice which would account for the unusually high number of unforced errors. He also had an unusually high number of winners. Have faith - Andy is too good a player to let a quarter final defeat worry him - particularly to someone playing as well as Delpo was last night. I don't think Djoko will have it all his own way with Delpo either - Tsonga looked beaten from the start, JM will be a different story.

I agree - I also think Andy's "new" style (or changes to the old) perhaps does not match up as well to DP's style. DP always found it difficult to cope with the guile and unpredictability of the Murray tactics. I'm all for the added aggression to Andy's game but DP can still out-sledgehammer Andy (sorry, terrible English). I was pleased to see our boy at the net more but Delpo's movement and ability to change his game took me (and clearly Andy too) by surprise. Andy is usually so good at changing tactics but I always thought 7 weeks was too long without matches and it shows. When the heavy forehand is "on" it's a big weapon but still work in progress for our boy. He will work it out and approach DP differently next time I feel sure. As for the serve, it's the same story - inconsistent. That's where I feel Novak far ahead of the others -SO consistent in all respects these days.

[scrapaddict]

Andy played some briliant tennis and after the first set I felt sure he'd win.
Uncharacteristically for him he missed his serve on the big points and it cost him. Concerned he looked all in towards the end and was rushing as if he just wanted to get it over with but hope for better things in Miami and he is nearer to Fed now

[Jan]

What a shame. I saw a few games of the first set, but then it got too late for me, plus the stream I was watching got very bad, so I gave up.
Ah well, I suppose looking on the bright side, Andy's gained points here. Hope he can keep chipping away at the gap to Fed.

[Sallydaisy]

If you missed all or any of the match it can be found here - and also his post match interview.
I've not looked myself so don't know if you have to be a TennisTV user to watch.

TennisTV ‏@TennisTV (https://twitter.com/TennisTV) This was a classic match! Highlights of Del Potro v Murray are here:
http://www.tennistv.com/video/clip/2174072 … (http://t.co/OTxibdyStp) #BNPPO13 (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BNPPO13&src=hash)

TennisTV ‏@TennisTV (https://twitter.com/TennisTV)

Interview: Andy Murray reflects on his match against Juan Martin Del Potro:
http://www.tennistv.com/video/clip/2174074 … (http://t.co/CGLSwiD6J4) #BNPPO13 (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BNPPO13&src=hash)

[Madeline]

I did watch the match to the end, but couldn't post. For the second time this week, although the livestream was playing ok, I suddenly couldn't get any other website. Once the match was over I switched off and made for my warm bed!

I just couldn't understand the very high number of unforced errors. Yes, he was playing aggressively, but still: most unlike him. And Del Potro's movement has improved out of sight since the last time Andy played him - it used to be terrible, now it is excellent for his size. That cut out the number of ways Andy could get him out of position.

Hoping for better results in Miami, his home from home.

[Alis]

Andy definitely looked tired in his presser. I assume he gets a bye in the first round of Miami - when is he likely to play again?

[Sallydaisy]

Andy definitely looked tired in his presser. I assume he gets a bye in the first round of Miami - when is he likely to play again?
Hi Alis. Miami starts on Wednesday (day earlier than I/Wells). R1 matches are played Wed/Thur.
R2 matches are played Fri/Sat so Andy will play on one of those days.

http://www.sonyopentennis.com/Schedules/Match-Schedule.aspx

[Reef]

I just couldn't understand the very high number of unforced errors. Yes, he was playing aggressively, but still: most unlike him. And Del Potro's movement has improved out of sight since the last time Andy played him - it used to be terrible, now it is excellent for his size. That cut out the number of ways Andy could get him out of position.

Hoping for better results in Miami, his home from home.

Yes pretty much what I was trying to say in my earlier post - I don't ever remember Delpo moving so well and Andy used to rely on being able to outrun him in the past. I think the unforced errors have increased with the more aggressive play generally but then that is balanced by the winners - unfortunately the balance didn't quite work out this time and that can be the price you pay against a strong opponent or when you haven't played competitively for some weeks.

Interesting Andy's comment in the presser that DP played like someone who had won a lot of matches, which of course he has. He (DP) looks like he is more than back to his best prior to injury and no obvious signs of wrist problems. Andy did look tired but hopefully come Miami he will feel more at home (in a manner of speaking) and will up his game.

[hfwardhouse]

was falling asleep on the settee so went to bed at the end of the first set thinking he has too much for del po:smashed::smashed::crying::crying::crying:

Ditto - was so disappointed to get up this morning and find out the result :crying:

[themass15]

Me too, I went to bed after the 2nd break of serve in the final set. Normally I want Delpo to win, but not against Andy or Rafa! It will be interesting to see how he fares against Djoko tonight. Do hope Rafa beats Berdych easily.

[Golden Lady]

I too went to bed after the first set fully expecting to wake up to an Andy win :crying:

[pabbers]

:crying: :crying: :crying:
Think Andy was deffo trying out some new stuff. Great to see him at the net which worked more often than not and he defended some tricky points well. In fact would like to see more of this especially against someone like Delpo.
Thought Andy looked a bit befuddled at times - maybe all these new weapons gave him too much to think about against such a strong opponent. I dare say the plan was to try things in the earlier rounds but he wasn't blessed with guys playing at their usual level! Bring on Miami and hopefully Lendl's steadying presence.

[david1610]

I think in retrospect the first thing to say about last night is congratulations to del Potro on how well he played. He is a much more well-rounded player than before and won this match on the quality of his defence and consistency as much on his power hitting.
I am not sure what to make of Andy's performance during the week and last night. Normally I would suggest things but overall I was hoping to see something - not sure really - special after the seven weeks. I am also puzzled by the contrast between Andy's rigorous training and the level of tiredness he was showing in the third.
I am going to be interested to see what happens in the SF today and I also feel on that showing that del Potro can beat Roger and that victory against Andy and the manner of it might enable him to push on and become a member of the top four, displacing Roger, presuming Rafa's knees hold up.

[Sallydaisy]

I am going to be interested to see what happens in the SF today and I also feel on that showing that del Potro can beat Roger
Del Potro is playing Djokovic in the top half SF.

It had occurred to me that there was a bit more impetus for JMDP to beat Murray because the Brit had not only beaten a fellow Argentine player the day before but also that there'd been a bit of needle between them too.

With regards to Andy looking 'tired' ... I don't think the conditions at I/Wells suit him as well as Miami. He's always said he likes playing in the heat but yesterday was particularly hot (the 90's) and that was an energy sapping first set. I know the conditions are the same for both players but personally I think a guy born and brought up in a hot country is going to deal better when playing in very hot temperatures. It's just my view.

I wonder too about the different playing conditions in Indian Wells? As I understand it from the commentators the courts themselves play slow but the air quality/temperature means the balls fly fast through the air making things a bit harder to read. If your timing is a little bit off that would exacerbate the matter and contribute to errors reading the ball.

There were certainly a lot of unforced errors from Andy's racquet yesterday, whatever the reason, but he's doing a lot better this year than he has in the past after the AO.

Whatever he and Ivan were working on, during the 3 or 4 week training session (it wasn't the full 6 weeks people are quoting!), may take time to 'bed' into Andy's game and for him to feel fully confident about.

[david1610]

Del Potro is playing Djokovic in the top half SF.

I know. I was referring to that, then spoke of del Potro's future matches with Roger. I think del Potro showed he is capable of becoming part of the top four and was pointing out that based on 2013 form the person most likely to give way would be Roger. I also know the training period was not the whole time.. I was referring to the time between tournaments (though may have got it wrong by one week).
Sorry for not being clear.
Even though Miami may well suit Andy better, I certainly hope del Potro's name does not appear again in Andy's part of the draw and he does not play him again in Miami!

[ljs]

feel disappointed today :(

but Andy is human , and will lose from time to time , no getting around that .

Hopefully a better result in Miami.

[cazza99]

I wonder too about the different playing conditions in Indian Wells? As I understand it from the commentators the courts themselves play slow but the air quality/temperature means the balls fly fast through the air making things a bit harder to read. If your timing is a little bit off that would exacerbate the matter and contribute to errors reading the ball.
.

The playing conditions have probably contributed significantly as Andy has often not performed well at Indian Wells. The weather changed suddenly from cold to very hot (in the 90s) within a few days too, making it even harder, as the conditions would have changed again with the temperature difference.

[LC the fan]

I too went to bed after the first set fully expecting to wake up to an Andy win :crying:
Me too !!
I also think Delpo will now work his way into the top 4, with Fed dropping out by year end.
Also feel Andy is still a work in progress. So much improved mentally, so much stronger on court but still with some
Vulnerability. Llendl will be back for Miami and has some more work to do

[ljs]

The playing conditions have probably contributed significantly as Andy has often not performed well at Indian Wells. The weather changed suddenly from cold to very hot (in the 90s) within a few days too, making it even harder, as the conditions would have changed again with the temperature difference.

I get what your saying , But he has made the final before . I think it was just a bad day for him.

[SamP]

In Short, Del Potro maintained a high level through the three sets, Andy did not.

Del Potro's win in the Semi's shows what good touch he's in right now.

My only small gripe with Andy's season so far, and it's a little rich, is the way he's fallen away in his last few big matches since the US Open.

When physically he starts struggling in deciders now, this attacking style he's taking on starts falling apart, there doesn't seem to be a back up plan, and the solid Andy we know just isn't there at the death.

I'm sure he'll sort it, but he does need to find a happy medium when he starts feeling it physically in close matches, because I think he does himself a bit of a disservice.

Onwards to Miami with Mr Llendl!