TOKYO 2011, SINGLES FINAL: Magnificent Murray outguns Rafa - 3'6, 6'2, 6'0

[Sallydaisy]

Andy v Rafa meet again and in a Final not a Semi-Final.

Much has already been written about their previous matches so I'll leave comments to everyone else.
H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=N409&oId=MC10) is 13-4 to Rafa including 4 Semi Final wins this year.
In Finals they're 1-1 apiece - 2009 Andy won Rotterdam (both were injured!) and Rafa won Indian Wells.

May the best player on the day win!

Early start again ....... 6am in the UK.

Followed by the doubles Final.
:tennis::tennis:

[VamosVixs]

My dream final at last!!!! :dance::dance::dance:

[JAMES4578]

Of couse they've had some fantastic battles but not played too many finals, just hoping Andy can get another win to boost his confidence! They know each other games very well of course but Andy has come out 2nd best lately, Muzzah to get the both the tactics and mental preparation right to prevail. Howver, Andy has been playing very well lately and the fact that's it's not a slam may assist him. With Andy playing doubles of course he's spent more time on court but he's had a few straightforward matches.

[Linda]

Looking forward to this, should be a great match. In the overall FTM I predicted a Rafa win, but after watching the semis today I have predicted an Andy win in the match FTM. If Andy plays the way he did today, he could beat anyone. Though of course Rafa is very good at defending against tough opponents.

[Maza1987]

Andy knows how to do it. It's the executing it that is so difficult. Good luck.

[LC the fan]

What is it now ? 19 wins out of 20 matches or is it 20 out of 21. Whatever, the missing one is Rafa !!
Andy may just feel that this isn't a Slam so its now or never.

I'll be watching - if I can find a good stream - peeping tired eyes between my fingers (which will be tightly crossed)

[pabbers]

If the Andy who's played over the last few days turns up, Rafa should be quaking in his tennis shoes. On that form, Andy can beat anyone and hopefully stringing together so many wins in a row will fill him with confidence. Apart from the Nalby match his serve has been great too and I watched a bit more closely today and do feel that he's striking the ball from a more upright stance and not doing his bending back like a banana action so much. Mind you could be either my eyesight or wishful thinking! Really looking forward to this one and will be setting the alarm. Early to bed methinks.

[cazza99]

What is it now ? 19 wins out of 20 matches or is it 20 out of 21. Whatever, the missing one is Rafa !!
Andy may just feel that this isn't a Slam so its now or never.

I'll be watching - if I can find a good stream - peeping tired eyes between my fingers (which will be tightly crossed)

Andy has won the last 20 out of 21 matches. So if Andy beats Rafa it will be 21 out of 22.

[Aussie Andy]

Please cheer for me, I won't be able to make it (working). :sad: Good luck, Andy, play your best. I'm hoping to see pictures of you holding two different trophies tomorrow. :thumbup::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer ::trophy::trophy:

[rouges]

Sooooooooo looking forward to tomorrow and hope Andy does the double. The very Best to both of you .:wino::wino:

[traveller7]

Good luck Andy, I will wake up in time will go to bed early!

[pabbers]

Would be wonderful for his confidence if he could do the double and great for Jamie too. Would it benefit Jamie's ranking?

[davech]

I'm looking forward to this. But I'm not looking forward to seeing 6am again. It's not my favourite thing, and I end up being like this all day: :sleepy:

[ljs]

im going out 2night , and wont be home till late , so Im definitely seeing this one :cheer::cheer: cmonnn Andy boy !!!!!!

[Jan]

Plan to be here for this, alarm clock permitting!
Andy's been playing really well - if he can keep it up he must have a shot at the title :boogie:

[greatunclebulgaria]

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Andy :trophy::trophy::excited::excited:

really hope I'm up for this should be a good match

always a good match between these two :battle::battle::battle::trophy::trophy::trophy::

may I just say LOVIN these smilies

[40-15]

good luck Andy!!

the h2h is grim reading at 13-4 in favour of Nadal + Nadal has won the last 5 meetings!! - however
in finals its 1-1 - and going back to 2009 when they last met in any finals -

go on Andy - you can do it!!

[Orn]

Good luck Andy. xx

[LindyDRed]

Staying up late and getting up early. Good luck Andy. Time to sort out this h2h with Rafa.

[Aussie Andy]

Well, you never know, Andy has been improving his H2H records lately. Go Andy! I'm probably going to miss both matches. :grrr:

[Aussie Andy]

Browsing through another tennis forum (Talk Tennis) found this comment in a thread regarding the Japan Open:

"Yea but in this case, Murray is getting better and better. by the time aussie open rolls around,,,he could be unbeatable,,,,like scary good unbeatable."

Amen to that! :swingin:

[david1610]

Not sure if I will get up but all the best and good luck Andy!
While waiting... Nole has won 10 tournaments this year and Andy and Rafa have won 3 each. Which are the only other 2 players to win more than 2 tournaments this year?

[karanga]

Very best of luck Andy. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[lynne]

The Very, Very Best of Luck Andy!!!!:thumbup:

[traveller7]

Good luck Andy ive not been to sleep yet so will be awake for your match!

[Linda]

Not sure if I will get up but all the best and good luck Andy!
While waiting... Nole has won 10 tournaments this year and Andy and Rafa have won 3 each. Which are the only other 2 players to win more than 2 tournaments this year?

Soderling has won 4 and Almagro has won 3.

[Katie]

Morning! I really hope Andy wins today, he definitely deserves a win again and has been playing so well this week. :)

[jaysee]

Morning all!! Go for it, Andy!:swingin::swingin::swingin:

[RoastLamb]

Rafa's won MC and French - what is the third?

[traveller7]

Andy out in red

[Fina]

Good Luck today Andy. Will be cheering you on.

[Linda]

Rafa's won MC and French - what is the third?

Barcelona

[Aussiemum]

Afternoon here, AussieAndy is a work again so it's my turn.

Go Andy, :cheer::cheer::cheer:

[RoastLamb]

Barcelona

Thought he skipped it this year. Memory ain't what it once was.

[Linda]

No, that was last year, when he skipped it to have his knees done.

[pabbers]

Mawnin' all - good afternoon to AussieAndy's mum. Shan't be posting during match as our broadband struggles to compete with a snail and any attempt to do other than follow the livestream with give it a hissy fit!

[Linda]

I won't be posting either as I'm putting the stream on full screen and getting back into bed to watch it!

[MurrayAOne]

Go Andyyyyyy!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Livescoreboard for Tokyo doesn't appear to be working!!!
Stream anyone?

[Linda]

I'm watching on TennisTV so it must be on all the usual sources - livescorehunter, fromsport, Bet365 etc.

[Aussiemum]

Lying in bed watching tennis good way to spend a Sunday morning. :)

[Sallydaisy]

S'ok, LS swung into action. I'll search for a stream as well.

[lynne]

Link for anyone............http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/10/132/v-313385.html

[patmoren]

Looks as though this is going to be a tough one. Great start by Rafa.

[Aussiemum]

Nadal 1-0

[KnightOwl]

I'm watching on Livescorehunter - not exactly awake yet, but present in body at least - large coffee needed at the changeover!

[-J-]

could be'along morning

[davech]

Morning all. :sleepy:

[ljs]

oh dear , cmonnn Andy !!!!

[traveller7]

bp already for nadal

[Sallydaisy]

Rafa is going to run out court space to chase down the balls!!!

[ljs]

:grrr:

[Katie]

Oh no :(

[traveller7]

0-2 to andy

[davech]

Not the best start. :crying:

[patmoren]

Oh dear, I hate it when he loses his first service game.

[-J-]

gotta make so e impact on Nadal serve
cmonnnnnnnnnn

[KnightOwl]

Bit of a weak shot there, giving Rafa the break...:sad:

[JAMES4578]

Not the best start, Andy needs to find the serve!

[ljs]

woohooo nice Andy

[davech]

Fantastic point!

[-J-]

brutal way to win a point

[Katie]

Too many errors from Andy at the moment.

[JAMES4578]

Andy needs to find his feet, come on!

[davech]

Andy's pushing just a little too hard. Rafa has the psychological edge in this match-up at the moment.

[Aussiemum]

Oh dear this isn't looking good. Could be a roller coaster ride though. C'mon Andy.

[Madeline]

Come on, Andy, make it worth my while to have got up at stupid o'clock.

[-J-]

start the recovery with a hold
cmonnnnnnnn

[patmoren]

Andy is a couple of steps behind at the moment. Why does he have to play so dfifferently when he come up against Rafa, has be going for the lines all week instead of continually cross court.

[davech]

First serve working properly now!

[KnightOwl]

Got coffee now so feeling slightly more awake - hopefully Andy will wake up soon too!

This looks like a better game....

[ljs]

Come on, Andy, make it worth my while to have got up at stupid o'clock.

and me staying up at stupid oclock !!!

[Katie]

Much better game - what a difference a first serve makes!

[-J-]

that aboy

[Madeline]

Now that's more like it!

[davech]

Brilliant return! 15-15

[KnightOwl]

Lovely! :mexican:

[Aussiemum]

40-15 not so good.

[davech]

Still just about in this game...

[Aussiemum]

40-30 better :smile:

[Sallydaisy]

Andy challenged but thought it was out so headed to the chair but it was IN.

Replay the point ........

[davech]

Ah well. 4-1

[Aussiemum]

uggh 4-1

[-J-]

thought that point challenged was a clean winner :confused:

[RoastLamb]

:help:

[JAMES4578]

Pity about that call even if Andy won the challenge, not quite making it happen yet.

[traveller7]

nadal just returns EVERYTHING when other players murray has played recently make errors

[-J-]

consistent hiding now Andy then lol for the opportunity

[davech]

thought that point challenged was a clean winner :confused:

It was called out before Rafa hit it, so technically had to be replayed. I always wonder whether the player really has time to hear the call before playing the ball, though.

[Sallydaisy]

thought that point challenged was a clean winner :confused:
It was! But having challenged it Andy thought he was wrong and went to his chair ... he looked surprised when Hawkeye showed it in.

[Jan]

Morning everyone. Alarm went off at 6 and my head went back on the pillow.
Better late than never. 1-4 - is Andy not playing well, or is Rafa simply too good?

[KnightOwl]

A bit of both, Jan...:sad:

[Golden Lady]

Morning everyone, I see Andy is down a break :sad: Sorry if others have asked this but can anyone recommend a stream?

[KnightOwl]

Try this one: Livescorehunter (http://www.lshunter.tv/tennis-live-streaming-video.html)

[-J-]

Morning everyone, I see Andy is down a break :sad: Sorry if others have asked this but can anyone recommend a stream?http://www.livescorehunter.ro/streams/1/lshro2.html

[Jan]

A bit of both, Jan...:sad:

Thanks

[-J-]

close it out Andy cmonnnnnnnnnnnn

[Fina]

I seem unable to open any livestreams, so am concentrating on sending positive vibes to Andy via LiveScore. Not ideal.
Hope he can settle down and play like we know he can.

[KnightOwl]

That was a bit more like it...!

[Jan]

well held Andy - some nice play there

[Mandiemoo]

Morning all. Am watching as best i can while preparing for a day out to visit family (you wouldnt believe how much stuff is needed for a 15 1/2 month old for a day!) Nadal playing like....well, Nadal but Andy can do it. Some good rallies there.

UP THE MUZZ!

[patmoren]

Better game from Andy, more variety of shots.

[Golden Lady]

Ugh, Rafa is playing very well. Come on Andy!!!!

[Golden Lady]

Shot!!!

[Jan]

lovely point :yahoo:

[Aussiemum]

that's better.

[davech]

Brilliant point from Andy again! Just not quite enough of them.

[-J-]

well worked point

[davech]

Ooh - half a chance 40-40

[KnightOwl]

Mistake from Rafa for a change - deuce!

[-J-]

polio little glimmer
cmmmmmoooomnnnnn

[Jan]

deuce - come on!

[Aussiemum]

deuce yes!!

[Golden Lady]

Shot!!! BP

[davech]

Net point! Won point!

[Jan]

Andy at the net!! bp

[Sallydaisy]

break back point .........

[ljs]

beautiful Andy

[-J-]

chance
no
cmmmmmmmmon

[davech]

And break point!

[KnightOwl]

Kit-kat for breakfast, anyone...?

[-J-]

still in it cmooonnnnn

[Sallydaisy]

Ace from Rafa for Ad

[Katie]

Andy really has to take chances like that because he's not going to get that many.

[Sallydaisy]

Darn it - but Rafa upped the ante to take control back at the end of that game.

[davech]

Too good from Rafa in the end. 5-2.

[-J-]

gotta hold get one more chance to save the set
cmoooonnnnnnnnnnnnn

[RoastLamb]

bummer.

[Fina]

Oh what a shame - a break would have done wonders for his confidence. But hopefully more opportunities will come along. Come on Andy.

[davech]

Why are they playing "Pretty in Pink" on the tannoy?

[Jan]

my internet went at bp :grrr:

[Aussiemum]

real bummer.

[KnightOwl]

Why are they playing "Pretty in Pink" on the tannoy?

Well, Rafa is wearing pink, and I guess he's rather pretty :big grin:

[ljs]

wow

[JAMES4578]

Andy put Rafa under some pressure there but still up against at 5-2 down, come on!

[KnightOwl]

Good solid hold - now one more chance...!

[davech]

Get this game over with, and it's break chance again. And he's won it to love.

[Jan]

good hold - now let's try and get the break back

[Golden Lady]

Fab game from Andy. :clap:

[davech]

Well, Rafa is wearing pink, and I guess he's rather pretty :big grin:

Hmmm. :rolling:

[Oscar]

What a decisive service game - mow break back please

[davech]

Ooh - 0-15!

[davech]

Brilliant! 0-30!

[Sallydaisy]

0-30

[Jan]

0-30.........

[-J-]

little glimmer

[KnightOwl]

Great return - great point :clap:

[Golden Lady]

Come on Andy!!!

[davech]

Booo - 15-30

[davech]

Absorbed the pressure with a great lob, but it didn't work 30-30

[KnightOwl]

Not good enough - focus!

[davech]

Set point. Still in this just.

[Jan]

what a point!! Shame it gave Rafa the set

[davech]

Got to say - great point from Rafa to take the set.

[traveller7]

6-3
is this best of 3?

[KnightOwl]

Brilliant from Rafa - and Andy's going to have to do it the hard way.

[Madeline]

Drat.

[ljs]

just too good from Rafa

[Golden Lady]

Ok, first set gone but you can win the next 2. Come on Andy!!!! :cheer:

[-J-]

wide awake now, quite fancy a three setter

[davech]

OK. No loose opening service game in the second set. OK, Andy? Can you hear me? Is this thing on?

[patmoren]

Andy playing better, needs to hold his first service game in this set or he is toast.

[Katie]

Please don't lose your serve now Andy!

[ljs]

ohhhh hes changed to the black, a good sign :cheer:

[Oscar]

Aah - the black comes out - that's better!

[KnightOwl]

Ok, maybe Dark Andy can do a better job :big grin:

[Aussiemum]

Much better! Yay for the black.

[Jan]

lovely hold :)

[davech]

Great overrule from Mo! And great game from Andy! :clap:

[Sallydaisy]

Love hold from Andy to take first game of 2nd set.

[JAMES4578]

Some encouraging signs but pity Andy couldn'tr capitalise on bp or 0-30, must be rock solid and put Rafa under more pressure. First service game cost up but easy hold to start the 2nd!

[Fina]

Yess. his first ace! Come on Andy.

[lynne]

Good start to the second set...........good change of shirt!!!!:)

[pabbers]

Great start. See he's got the black shirt on! Also needs not to get down on himself.

[Golden Lady]

Back to black :) Time for a kitkat!

[ljs]

I told him to wear the black , when will he listen :shades:

[Aussiemum]

Commies saying he has played better than Nadal in the last part of the set.

[Jean]

just got in from walking poppy- don't like the score - how has Andy played so far ?
still time to get back in - come on Andy :cheer:

[davech]

just got in from walking poppy- don't like the score - how has Andy played so far ?
still time to get back in - come on Andy :cheer:

He's been playing well. Just had a poor opening service game.

[-J-]

one more point ?

[davech]

Ah well. Andy came back well in that game, but Rafa finished it off.

[-J-]

period of consolidation will do for now
safe hold please
cmonnnnnnnnnnn

[davech]

First really bad shot I've seen Rafa play in this match. Wonder what the stats are...

[Jan]

great 2nd serve

[KnightOwl]

Have a look on Livescore - interesting that Rafa has won 33 points so far and Andy 32, so not much in it....

[Jan]

oh Andy

[Jan]

ace :cheer:

[lynne]

I just don't believe it:doh:...........Yes Get Innnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Andy!!!!

[davech]

Andy needs to serve and volley more often, or he'll keep messing up like that. Good couple of aces next though to win the game.

[Aussiemum]

good hold!

[Jan]

and another! That's the way to do it :clap:

[-J-]

great save

[Fina]

So glad he held. C'monnnnn.

[RoastLamb]

good stuff

[Oscar]

Nice end to that game

[patmoren]

Good response from Andy to take his second service game. Still need just that little bit extra.

[tom]

Just logged in. what's the score?

[davech]

6-3 1-2 Rafa. No breaks in 2nd set.

[Golden Lady]

Good hold Andy!

[tom]

Thanks, davech. What was first set like?

[JennieF]

Good morning everyone. I've just logged on. How's Andy doing? Is there a livstream anywhere please?

[-J-]

http://www.livescorehunter.ro/streams/1/lshro2.html

[Golden Lady]

30-30 Come on Andy!!!

[LC the fan]

Must say Rafa is playing so consistently well. He also seems to have a sixth sense of where Andy is going to put the ball.
Andy seems to be playing pretty well though....keep up the serve Andy boy - you can still do this

[davech]

Thanks, davech. What was first set like?

Pretty even. one bad service game from Andy.

[lynne]

Nice Andy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jan]

great play bp

[Golden Lady]

Shot!!! BP, now take it Andy!!!

[davech]

BP!!!

[KnightOwl]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Aussiemum]

BP now finish it andy!

[-J-]

chance
no
cmmmmooonnnn

[Hawkeye]

I thought that first serve on BP looked long...

[davech]

Oh Andy!

[Sallydaisy]

ARgh! he was setting up that point so well too....

[Jan]

I thought that first serve on BP looked long...
me too!

[ljs]

beauty !!!

[davech]

Brilliant point! Andy could've come in earlier in the rally, though.

[KnightOwl]

Great point to bring it back to deuce!

[Jan]

nice play Andy. deuce. come on!

[Jan]

bp again :)

[davech]

One shot from that rally was out from Andy. Rafa didn't stop play, though, so he's only got himself to blame.

[Oscar]

I do wish this would auto-refresh - or does it? I keep either missing points or missing comments. Heigh-ho!

BP again

[KnightOwl]

Great play and he's got himself a BP...

[Hawkeye]

Come on! This time!

[-J-]

another chance
bp
cmmmmmonnnn

[KnightOwl]

I do wish this would auto-refresh - or does it? I keep either missing points or missing comments. Heigh-ho!

BP again

Try iSpy - top menu....

[davech]

2nd serve!

[davech]

Noooooo!

[Golden Lady]

Oh no, I thought he was going to do it there, stupid net!!!

[lynne]

That NET!!!:doh::doh:

[ljs]

frustrating !!!!

[KnightOwl]

Should have had that...

[david1610]

Hi guys! C'mon Andy!

[Golden Lady]

That's it Andy, keep up the pressure!!!

[davech]

Still in this game - 40-40

[Jan]

good hustle by Andy. come on:clap:

[Aussiemum]

fantastic tennis being played.

[-J-]

good stuff Andy, kee4p him working
cmmmmonnn

[Jan]

bp again

[davech]

Weird - short ball from Andy, and Rafa hits it long. BP!!

[Oscar]

Rafa pressing a bit I think. take the opportunity Andy

[Golden Lady]

Great stuff Andy! Another BP

[KnightOwl]

Another BP - this time Andy...!

[-J-]

this time
po
cmmonnnnn

[Golden Lady]

There it is!!!:yahoo::yahoo:

[Oscar]

And he does it! Now hold

[lynne]

:clap::clap::clap:

[davech]

YESS!!! :dance:

[Jean]

:clap::clap::clap: