The big question for a lot bettors tonight is whether Andy Murray is at full 100% from his back surgery. I will answer that in two words ......NOT YET. Here's why:
Murray has been in decent form in this tournament. Not great , just decent and playing to his competition when needed. He's won his last four matches but if you take a look deeper, I am not quite convinced he's back at full 100% which he'll need to be to beat Federer tonight. Since coming back from surgery , Murray has lost to Tsonga in straights, Hewitt in straights, and a more surprising loss to Mayer all in the last 30 days. Now the pre-surgery/top form Murray would have never let that happen. Also, it seems to me that Murray has sort of resorted back to his defensive minded style of play. Not that the style is bad because we all know he's one of the best defenders in the game, but the Murray that won those two slams was the offensive minded Murray. I think it's more natural for Murray to play that defensive style and he has to be reminded sometimes to be more offensive.
Now for Federer, you can also say that he lost to Hewitt but I believe Roger gifted that title to his friend Lleyton. If you watched that match, Roger looked like he just wanted to finish quick and get the hell out of there. At this point of his career , Roger doesnt need any more money, he doesnt care about points or being number #1, all he cares about are SLAMS. Grand Slam titles are the only thing that will add more to this man's legacy and that's all he cares about tennis wise in his life at this point. So if you take away that loss to Hewitt, the only two people that beat him since November are the two best in the world .... Nadal and Djokovic.
I really like Federer's chances tonight and will be pounding the match for two dimes. I think he will play a focused and inspired match. It may end up being a tough and long four/five setter but in the end, I think Roger will show the world that even at the age of 32, he can still beat the elite players of the game.
Best of Luck everyone
Murray has been in decent form in this tournament. Not great , just decent and playing to his competition when needed. He's won his last four matches but if you take a look deeper, I am not quite convinced he's back at full 100% which he'll need to be to beat Federer tonight. Since coming back from surgery , Murray has lost to Tsonga in straights, Hewitt in straights, and a more surprising loss to Mayer all in the last 30 days. Now the pre-surgery/top form Murray would have never let that happen. Also, it seems to me that Murray has sort of resorted back to his defensive minded style of play. Not that the style is bad because we all know he's one of the best defenders in the game, but the Murray that won those two slams was the offensive minded Murray. I think it's more natural for Murray to play that defensive style and he has to be reminded sometimes to be more offensive.
Now for Federer, you can also say that he lost to Hewitt but I believe Roger gifted that title to his friend Lleyton. If you watched that match, Roger looked like he just wanted to finish quick and get the hell out of there. At this point of his career , Roger doesnt need any more money, he doesnt care about points or being number #1, all he cares about are SLAMS. Grand Slam titles are the only thing that will add more to this man's legacy and that's all he cares about tennis wise in his life at this point. So if you take away that loss to Hewitt, the only two people that beat him since November are the two best in the world .... Nadal and Djokovic.
I really like Federer's chances tonight and will be pounding the match for two dimes. I think he will play a focused and inspired match. It may end up being a tough and long four/five setter but in the end, I think Roger will show the world that even at the age of 32, he can still beat the elite players of the game.
Best of Luck everyone
