leicsmac

Reckon Murray had one of his brain fades - doesn't happen as often as it used to but it still does, in spite of Lendl's work on his mentality. That combined with the heat and humidity made this match tougher than it should have been. Hoping Blake beats Raonic later today - not only would it mean an easier opponent, but a practically guaranteed night match on Ashe. Interesting factoid - the last two times Murray has played on Armstrong Court (before today), he lost to Wawrinka in 2010 and had to come back from two sets down against Robin Haase in 2011, so it's safe to say it's not really a place where he feels at home.

Robson has really impressed me this tournament - it bodes well for the future.

Wireless bluetooth headphones FTW here. Can pick them up on Amazon for around 25 quid.

Tsonga out...if Raonic goes out too today (possible) then Murrays path to a semifinal becomes a whole lot less difficult in one day,

Brilliant performance from Robson. Going to need something exactly like that to have a chance against Na Li in the third round, but if she plays like that again anything is possible. On the mens side...no real shocks so far. Glad to see Del P is in Djokovic's side of the draw and not Federer/Murrays...he will be a big threat if on form. People going on about Raonic being a threat to Murray don't have a clue what they're saying - he's a massive flake, as borne by the fact that he needed 5 sets to beat a qualifier yesterday. I doubt he'll even make it to round 4. Federer's corner of the draw looks pretty clean, apart from Berdych. Djokovic has a couple of potential banana skins, Del P amongst them. Murray's quarter seems ok, no real dangerous floaters. Tsonga in the QF would be tough, but Murray hasn't had many problems with him in the past.

Good shout - one of the best black comedies out there.

Best player never to win a Slam. So many statistics saying that this is the case. Could possibly make the case for being the world's unluckiest sportsman too (in terms of opportunities at least). It would be a bit of a shame if he was remembered as that - but there's still time. He just to keep putting himself in GS finals (this will not be his last one) and needs that bit more luck.

He needs one final - just one, when one of that Great Tirumvirate are not on the other side of the net. Each of those three won their first Slam playing a lesser player in the final. Murray sadly doesn't seem to have that same luck.

Federer has played some sublime stuff. Held on enough to nick the second set and from then has really turned it on. I'll be honest, I didn't think he had it in him anymore. I was wrong. It's good to see him back at world no.1. As for Murray...there will be other GS finals. He's too good not to keep putting himself in the frame...and maybe one day it'll come together.

Off to the local bar to watch the match. Good luck Andy. Either way, history is going to be made.

My tips for the Wimby final: Either Federer 3-0 @ 3.7 if the occasion gets to Murray... or Murray 3-1 @ 6.8 if it doesn't. Can't see it going to 5 as when these two meet one of them tends to get ahead and stay ahead for the most part.

Amazing match - was worried at the end of the third set, but he came through and the atmosphere for the last game was unbelievable. Oh, and to the people deriding him on account of his personality (not a fan of deadpan comedians then?) or because of a illusionary nationality issue (see the flag and three letters next to his name when he steps out onto court? THAT'S who he's representing, and no, he doesn't hate the English) I refer you to Ian MacShane's famous toast line from Sexy Beast. "Gentlemen. You're all cvnts." Irrational dislike for a reason that can be easily disproven is sad.

Yeah, to have three of the best players of all time playing at the same time as you is a real buzzkill. Still, if I think he wins one he'll go on a run and get more.

Fair enough - but if the opponent is stupid enough to let his guard down because he 'might' have an injury he deserves everything that's coming to him, quite frankly. Mind games are an integral part of high-level sport, and everyone uses them...Nadal's timewasting, Djoko's tactical MTO's etc. All about distracting the focus of the opponent and perfectly legitimate as long as no rules are broken. The age of 'taking part that counts' is long over.

I wonder who they're going to stick on CC first on Friday? For selfish reasons I hope it's the Murray-Tsonga match otherwise it's going to be a late one out at the bar for me, but I'm thinking it probably will be the Fed-Djoko match.

Understandable enough, I don't support Fed, but I do have the utmost respect for his skill - he's the most talented and artisan player on the Tour. It's such a shame with age and the court homogenisation now that Nadal and Djoko can just hit through him. It would be nice to see him win one more GS before spending more time with his family though.

Fair enough mate, we all have 'em. For me I'd like to see more high-level British players coming through the system, and a British GS winner would, I think, encourage that by fostering interest. One of the reasons I'd like to see Murray get that first GS.

Want another chip for the other shoulder?

4 tough, tough sets, but he outground the grinder. Now for Tsonga.

Murray gritting his teeth and holding on - now 2-1 up. One more set Andy!

Definitely a step up in difficulty for Murray, but if he can play with some variety rather than just trying to hit through Ferrer (as Del P did) then he should be able to carve out enough chances to win.

Of course not, because there's no rational reason for the hatred of a person who has done nothing to you. Annoying. Back on topic...looks like an interesting QF day for the men. Can't see Fed or Djoko losing their matches (though they may drop a set or two). Kohlschreiber is on form so he might give Tsonga a hard time, that one will be interesting. And then there is Ferrer - Murray. Ferrer looked very impressive against Del P, but then so did Murray against Cilic and I think off clay Ferrer will find it very difficult to grind Murray down and play the kind of game he has used to beat Murray in the past - their H2H is 5-1 in Murrays favour off clay. Expect Murray to come through, but could well go to 5.

Why didn't they put ANYONE on Centre Court to make up some time tonight? Would have made a lot of sense.

Praying the rain stays away at least for a little while today...otherwise there could be an almighty fixture pileup forthcoming. The thing about the roof is, while it's a good addition in situations like this it can give players an advantage by giving them guaranteed matches and more rest time...and that can lead to controversy.

Decent performance again by Murray - Baghdatis can be a handful on any surface so it was a job well done. Cilic up next - that'll depend a lot on how well he recovers from his marathon match against Querrey. Tsonga also looking very good - have to expect him to reach the semi-final given the potential opponents he has, but you never know. Not surprised by Rosol's loss...that kind of thing happens often. Actually now that I think about it I would make Kohlschreiber a dark horse for going quite far here...he knows his way around a grass court and if Fish were to beat Tsonga I think Kohli would fancy his chances against Fish in a QF... Also...is it me or are some of the Wimby crowd utter fvcking morons? Mind you, you get that with all crowds at the Slams - the French probably being the worst in terms of rowdy obnoxiousness. But at least they always get behind French players....