Not sure how you feel about it, Mahaloth, but I don’t see this as a bad loss for Murray. It’s the quarterfinals, I don’t think he’s feeling his best, and Ferrer is a better clay court player- arguably as good as Murray on that surface anyway, given that we’re talking about the #4 player against #6. But I may have lower expectations for Murray. I’ve been saying for what feels like forever that I won’t regard Murray as a threat to win a Slam until he wins one. He’s had too many chances to break through and hasn’t taken them, so it makes no sense to treat him as a threat to overcome Nadal and Djokovic and Federer to win a major until he goes out and does it. It’s been that way since maybe Australia in 2010. More interesting for now is whether Ferrer can give Nadal a sustained challenge since nobody else has come close.
I’m with you. There were people grouping the top 4 as a pack of talent ahead of the rest. Really, it’s a pack of 3, then Murray on his own. Then, the rest of the crowd.
No prob. 
The Wall’s the only player that’s really “troubled” Rafa this year, taking him to first set tie-breakers in both Barcelona & Rome. Still, Nadal in three close ones.
Yup. 'cept on clay I wouldn’t rank him fourth. Ferrer is now 4-0 against him on the surface.
The dullness of the ladies game is evident by our lack of chat during today’s matches.
Looks like Sharapova has an excellent shot at completing the career slam on Saturday.
Whomever he plays in the final should be his only serious competition. I’d put his odds in the final at 75% likely to win, whether it is Federer or Djokovic. Both of those guys could win if they play well.
I hope for Federer-Nadal.
And I will be cheering for Roger.
Nadal isn’t having any difficulty with Ferrer. RATS! David has really been on a tear lately as it’s a shame that he doesn’t seem to be able to break through the Trio of Death to win a major.
I, too, am rooting for Federer to beat Djokovic. The way they’ve both been playing, I doubt either of them has what it takes to beat Nadal, though. I have a feeling that Borg’s record is going to be shattered tomorrow. Hope he’s in the stands to watch because I love me some Borg.
As far as the women go, I declined to extend my DVR coverage of the match past 2 hours. Honestly, I think Sharapova will get it done in about 1.5 hours.
Nadal is flying right through. Is it raining or something? My footage here at work has cut out and it appears stalled at 4-1 second set.
Yes, there was a brief rain delay.
The rain slowed down Nadal more than Ferrer did. I did watch parts of the women’s semis and I happen to really like Kvitova’s game (not so much Sharapova). And Errani is a rising player who is having a career year and made the final in both singles and doubles. That doesn’t happen every day.
Wasn’t expecting that based on the prior matches they had this year. Guess Nadal’s form this year is his best ever; now there’s a scary thought…for anyone facing him! :eek:
I too, would like to see him against Fed, though honestly I don’t give him nor The Djoker much of a chance at all. Taking a set from him the way he’s playing would be a major accomplishment. That’s 51 straight sets on red clay…I can’t remember that kind of sheer dominance on any surface by any player ever. I just don’t think it’s been done, at least in the Modern Era.
Three more, Rafa.
Vamos!
Djoker takes the first set surprisingly quickly, but now Fed takes the first game of the second set(breaking Djoker).
Wow, a lot of breaks of serve.
And there’s another break for 5-5. Meanwhile Errani and Vinci won the women’s doubles title. We saw them at the U.S. Open last year, and I remember them losing a match they should have won. Congratulations to them. Tomorrow Errani gets to go for a rare double. The last woman make the final in both was Mary Pierce in 2000 (won the singles and lost in doubles).
It’s Roger’s error-fest that is making the difference. 29 thus far. Can’t possibly win on clay with that kind of inconsistency.
There it is, two UE’s on the easy forehands, gift Djokovic the second set. It’s going to take a major miracle for Fed to turn his game around – never mind winning this match. Put a fork in it.
PS-That’s 34 in two sets!
Yeah, it’s going very poorly for Roger. Yikes, another error just now.
And with that, Djoker is through and Roger is out. Much quicker than I expected.
It’ll be an interesting Sunday!
One going for a Career Slam and the other trying to break Borg’s “unbreakable” streak of 6 wins.
I don’t care who wins, I’m just hoping for a great match.
That was ugly. I can see Federer retiring after this season.
Question for tennis coaches and players, what needs to happen in the men’s championship match for Novak to win? Does Novak’s only chance to win come from Nadal playing badly or horribly breaking multiple limbs before the match? Or can Djokovic actually beat him if he does X, some Y, and lots of Z?