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View Full Version : MIAMI 2012, SEMI-FINAL: Andy thru' to the Final, w/o after Rafa withdrew



Sallydaisy
29-03-2012, 09:58
Andy v Rafa

These 2 have played each other so many times (18) and their games analysed so much that it's difficult to put a new 'spin' on the possible outcome of any of their matches.

Rafa leads their H2H (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=MC10&oId=N409) by 13-5 but on outdoor hard courts it's 4-4. The table below is the best way to show their on-court history - for the last 5 years they've mostly met in Semi's and Finals.

Despite the fact that Rafa is only a year older, than Andy, he turned pro' 4 years earlier in 2001 aged just 15 (Andy in 2005 at 18). I've always thought that gave Rafa a leg up in terms of competing at a higher level sooner than his contempories; there's no doubt he was a precocious talent. When they played against one another for the first time, at the AO in 2007, Rafa was ranked #2 and Andy #16 which perhaps best illustrates how far ahead Rafa was by then (and for the record Nole was #15 at that time just 1 ranking place above Andy).

Coming into this match they both appear to be suffering from minor illness/injury worries.
Andy was close to throwing up in his match yesterday (until he took some Tums!!!).
Rafa's knees are playing up again apparently so he'll deffo need the day off to recover.

This Semi-Final will be played on Friday 30th March - time tbc but the commies last night seemed to think it would be the 3pm match so 8pm in the UK again.



Andy versus Rafa - the record so far (further details to add later today)



Year
Name
Out H
In H
Clay
Grass


2012







2011
Rafa

USO S
6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2

RG S
6-4, 7-5, 6-4
MC S
6-4, 2-6, 6-1
Wim S
5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4



Andy
Tokyo F
3-6, 6-2, 6-0





2010
Rafa

WTF S
7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6)

Wim S
6-4, 7-6(6), 6-4



Andy
Can S
6-3, 6-4
AO Q
6-3, 7-6(2), 3-0 RET






2009
Rafa
IW F
6-1, 6-2


MC S
6-2, 7-6(4)





Andy

Rot F
6-3, 4-6, 6-0




2008
Rafa
Can S
7-6(2), 6-3

Hamb R16
6-3, 6-2
Wim Q
6-3, 6-2, 6-4



Andy
USO S
6-2, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4





2007
Rafa
AO R16
6-7(3), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
Madrid R16
7-6(5), 6-4





Andy






TOTAL
Rafa
4
2
4
3



Andy
4
1
0
0

Madeline
29-03-2012, 14:40
Great list, makes things very clear. One small point though, Sally: Andy was 18 in 2005 not 19.

Maza1987
29-03-2012, 18:45
comon muzz.
you know you got the game to beat rafa.

JennieF
29-03-2012, 19:01
I'm not sure I'll be able to cope with another nail-biter like last night's! :lol:

Sallydaisy
29-03-2012, 21:06
Mr Harman confirms the time:

As one tweeted earlier, Murray v. Nadal semi final is 3pm local, 8pm UK tomorrow. Fine and dandy!

Jan
29-03-2012, 21:34
Great time! Hope Andy's fit and raring to go. We'll have our sofas ready!

traveller7
29-03-2012, 22:58
nail biting times I am sure, see how they both fare with their ailments!

lynne
30-03-2012, 01:11
The Very Best of Luck Andy!!:thumbup:

WimbledonAce
30-03-2012, 06:42
Mr Harman confirms the time:

Schedule says 7pm so midnight here.

JAMES4578
30-03-2012, 06:52
I hope Andy has recovered and is at optimum fitness for another battle with Nadal *** he is likely to have to give it us all. Whilst Rafa has been his most difficult opponent he has generally matched well witrh him on hard courts, so let's hope he puts in an inspired performance at a least does himself justice. He knows he has to mix it up and gets the balance righht between defence and attack, as often it will be a matter of execution and dependent on what Rafa brings to the table.

-J-
30-03-2012, 07:37
Schedule says 7pm so midnight here.:confused:
schedule says


Not Before 3:00 PM



[4] Andy Murray (GBR)
v

[2] Rafael Nadal (ESP)




so 8 PM HERE

OR are talking about noles match?



Starting at 7:00 PM


[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
v

[21] Juan Monaco (ARG)

Elenive
30-03-2012, 08:29
Nice time to watch what should prove to be a great match on a friday night!!
All the best to Andy :)

DaveArneRiise
30-03-2012, 08:37
Andy is night match no? So will be like midnight start?

Katie
30-03-2012, 08:41
Andy is night match no? So will be like midnight start?

No he's got a day match - start time 8pm UK. Novak's got the night match.

DaveArneRiise
30-03-2012, 08:45
Ok thanks, shame I'll miss it :( but my spirit will be with the Muzz :cheer:

Sallydaisy
30-03-2012, 08:54
The thread title includes the correct time for this match ............ as do all the posts made today.
:p

david1610
30-03-2012, 10:42
Good luck Andy. Let's see if you can find your A game and your "Rafa game" tonight!
C'mon Andy!

LC the fan
30-03-2012, 10:51
Afraid I'm booked to go out this evening - but perhaps its not such a bad thing for my blood pressure. I'll either come in and think 'Ah well :sad: ' or else be over the moon.

Must say I think the H2H showing on the ATP website for Rafa and Novak is a bit cheeky and premature.
If the right Andy turns up we could well be in for a triumph

Fina
30-03-2012, 12:08
Good luck, Andy. Fingers crossed.

patmoren
30-03-2012, 13:57
Schedule says 7pm so midnight here.

My schedule says 3pm = 8pm here

patmoren
30-03-2012, 13:58
Good luck Andy, we need one of your really good days.

Alis
30-03-2012, 14:15
Good luck Andy - think Tokyo!

Elenive
30-03-2012, 14:48
V. excited for this match- got the day off, been watching wimbledon (film) to get in the zone for later! :tennis:

oh Linda/James I took your advice, I've been using livestreams again the past few days :)

Katie
30-03-2012, 15:25
Really looking forward to tonight's match! As it's the first meeting between them since Ivan started coaching Andy, it'll be interesting if there are any new tactics used against Rafa.

Golden Lady
30-03-2012, 15:41
Feel really excited for this match tonight. What a treat on a Friday :cheer:

Jane
30-03-2012, 16:33
All the best, Andy:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:: )

WimbledonAce
30-03-2012, 17:12
Thanks, I was looking at ATP site. Checked again at lunch and they changed it! Better time anyway!

-J-
30-03-2012, 17:18
RT @NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/#%21/NeilHarmanTimes): We think that Nadal has pulled out!!!! Amazing situation

Katie
30-03-2012, 17:22
RT @NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/#%21/NeilHarmanTimes): We think that Nadal has pulled out!!!! Amazing situation

What a shame, hope Rafa recovers soon :sad: Was really looking forward to this match. Very unusual situation to have a player into the final of a Masters with two walkovers!

Sallydaisy
30-03-2012, 17:25
Looks to be right - Brad Gilbert tweeted also.

Brad Gilbert ‏ @bgtennisnation (https://twitter.com/#%21/bgtennisnation) What a bummer Rafa just pulled out with the knee injury

patmoren
30-03-2012, 17:27
What a shame, no tennis tonight then, Noles match too late. I hope Rafa isn't going to have al ong time out again. Maybe pulling out so that they don't get really bad. Not good for Andy either he needs the match play.

-J-
30-03-2012, 17:31
Neil Harman ‏ @NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/#%21/NeilHarmanTimes) Officially official. No Rafa, Andy into the final. Back to the practice court

RoastLamb
30-03-2012, 17:31
Oh poo!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's two walkovers Andy's had. Hard to believe. Hope Rafa's knees are OK. I remember in 2009 when he had his really bad knee problems it all started in Miami.

But another final for Andy! Brill!!! :yahoo:

Oscar
30-03-2012, 17:32
Sony Ericsson Open ‏
.@RafaelNadal has been forced to withdraw from today's match at the #SEOpen due to a knee injury. @Andy_Murray advances to the final #Tennis

Confirmed I think. What a shame - I was looking forward to the match.

Jan
30-03-2012, 17:32
poor Rafa. I was so looking forward to this. But I do have a million and one things to do this evening!
Andy could do with the match practice before the final. But hey, more points in the bag :)

ljs
30-03-2012, 17:34
Had a feeling this might happen , bummer :grrr:

Elenive
30-03-2012, 17:37
:sad: Was very much looking forward to this one- Shame.

Anyway not all bad, Andy into the final :)

banskogirl
30-03-2012, 17:37
Aw I was really looking forward to this match! Also I think it always looks better in the head to head when they pull out rather than be beaten :/ (and I say that as a Rafa fan)

Alis
30-03-2012, 17:46
poor Rafa. I was so looking forward to this. But I do have a million and one things to do this evening!
Andy could do with the match practice before the final. But hey, more points in the bag :)

Does Andy get the points if it's a walkover?

-J-
30-03-2012, 17:51
Does Andy get the points if it's a walkover?ye

Jennan
30-03-2012, 17:53
Was so looking forward to this. Really thought Andy had a great chance.
He will get the points.

JAMES4578
30-03-2012, 18:06
oh no was really looking forward to it:crying: Still it'd imagine Rafa didn't have much option really. I just hope it won't be a disadvantage in the final considering that's two walkovers now. On the other hand Andy does have more time to prepare for it, pretty certain Nole will be the opponent!

Golden Lady
30-03-2012, 18:07
Want to :crying: was so looking forward to the match! Still, Andy's through to the final and I can only be pleased about that!

lynne
30-03-2012, 18:17
Oh! well..was really looking forward to this match like everybody else, what a shame, do hope Rafa will be ok! Would be a turn up for the books if Noel didn't win tonight. Catch all you good folks later!:)

Linda
30-03-2012, 18:24
Well, I didn't expect much of a match tonight because Rafa's knees were bad again and he's consequently struggled through his last couple of matches - in the last set yesterday he had treatment at every change of ends (In fact as I posted my FTM, predicting an Andy win, it crossed my mind that it might be nil points for everyone as Rafa was very likely to have to either withdraw before the match or retire during it). So I think he's done the right thing in deciding not to play. I hope he recovers soon.

Another thought - will the other semi still be at midnight? If so I might have a few hours sleep before then as I want to watch. Pico has been absolutely brilliant in his last two matches and I really hope he can beat Nole!

Aya
30-03-2012, 18:28
I'm so gutted. I was sure Andy would've won for some reason. I was so confident.
Not so sure about the final because Andy needs to play matches. Hope he comes out firing. The Lendl effect makes me feel better.
Get well soon Rafa. You're a champion.

Hawkeye
30-03-2012, 18:33
I wonder if they'll make any changes to the OOP...

Madeline
30-03-2012, 18:34
Well darn, I went upstairs early to shower and wash my hair, so that I could watch the match without any difficulty. I really thought Andy had a good chance to overturn the losing-to-Rafa-in-semis streak. (Maybe Rafa thought that too, and decided to preserve his knees for the clay!)

-J-
30-03-2012, 18:38
I wonder if they'll make any changes to the OOP...ye, thought they might have Andy play and exbo lendll perhaps ?

scrapaddict
30-03-2012, 18:51
So can I ask what points that means for Andy then - is it 500 for the final?????????

really disappointed as I was looking forward to tennis tonight since I may not be able to watch on Sunday

Linda
30-03-2012, 18:52
Getting to the final is worth 600 points.

Jan
30-03-2012, 18:54
does anyone know what time the final is scheduled for on Sunday?

-J-
30-03-2012, 18:59
does anyone know what time the final is scheduled for on Sunday?12:30 pm so 5:30 here

Jan
30-03-2012, 19:00
thanks J

SamP
30-03-2012, 19:03
Ah well, the great GOAT hunt of 2012 is definitely back on, but any time we miss out on Rafa v Andy, its a sad day.

JennieF
30-03-2012, 19:15
Hello everyone....just logged on, but it seems I'll be saying cheerio sooner than I thought! So sad :sad: for Rafa and wish him all the best for a good recovery.
Happy for Andy though :) even though it means him not being able to keep the momentum going. Hope he's able to get in some really tough practices and looking forward to being with you all on Sunday. Go Go Go Andy!!! :swingin::swingin::swingin:

Hawkeye
30-03-2012, 19:18
12:30 pm so 5:30 hereBoooooo! No final for me.

JennieF
30-03-2012, 19:20
ye, thought they might have Andy play and exbo lendll perhaps ?
Now that would be well worth watching!

Linda
30-03-2012, 19:21
Andy being interviewed right now on ESPN (http://www.shadow-net.info/channels/usa/espn2.html)

rouges
30-03-2012, 19:28
Shame for Rafa having to pull out but better take care of the old knee, more important for Rafa is the clay season coming up where he'll collect his points. Take care Rafa and wish you speedy recovery. Good to Andy too and 600 points, well early night. In a way the stream has been sooooooo rubbish so I'm not complaining would not have seen any of the match on the crappy LSH.

Manaus
30-03-2012, 20:26
Have always enjoyed watching matches between Andy and Rafa so a shame that Rafa had to withdraw. Hopefully nothing seriously wrong with his knees. Great to see Andy in the final though and hopefully another Masters trophy will be added to his collection.

hfwardhouse
30-03-2012, 20:31
Gutted to hear the news - would much rather Andy had won through to the final having won the match ... feel sad for Rafa - hope his knee is better soon!

traveller7
30-03-2012, 21:06
Such a shame to miss such what would of been a great match, still good for andy to get another final get well soon Rafa!

Fina
30-03-2012, 21:58
What a disappointment. Peter Fleming mentioned he thought it would have been precautionary from Rafa since the clay season is so close.

For sure, no-one could have predicted Andy's week when the draw was first made! Glad Lendl is around, hopefully ensuring Andy can keep some momentum going. Good luck on Sunday...

david1610
30-03-2012, 22:05
There is an immediate sadness of missing out on a potentially great match, but more worrying is that Rafa's knees seem to be reaching a stage where the worry is he might not be able to play competitively in enough tournaments.
I presume the thought was also there of not prejudicing the clay court period. Last year he played twenty seven matches in under two months, earning 1 GS and 4 700 points, just having two defeats to Nole in Master's events to prevent a clean sweep of 5 500 points.
This is such an important but hard part of the season for Rafa, and with the Olympics this year I would imagine his team might be thinking clay, Wimbledon, Olympics and hopefully something left for USO and not much more. I really hope that his team also consider his long term well-being (he will have to walk on those legs for hopefully many decades after retiring) and not just short term tennis factors.

40-15
30-03-2012, 22:11
ok - so what are the chances of -
whoever wins tonight's other semi final -
trips and falls while leaving the court - injuring an ankle, leg.......whatever!!
and can't play the final!!

I hope not!! - but - it could happen!!?? ;)

ljs
30-03-2012, 22:43
Bite your tongue 40-15 ;)