French Open Tennis 2009

[dandannieldanok]

In love with Gonzalez's forehand shots though!

It's a fantastic forehand when he's on form like the first set, but as per usual it's already loosening up allowing Murray back in.

If Gonzalez could ever keep his forehand on it's top level over the duration of matches rather than just sets, I'm sure he'd be a multi grand-slam winner.

[Number 6]

Bagel for Murray, Chilian style! Woop!

[surrifox]

murray stuffed - can't seem to take opportunities when they are presented to him

[maddog]

Doors even wider for Federer now.

If he doesn't win it this year, he probably never will.

Although Super Soderling stuffed an inform Davydenko.

I would say if Federer doesn't win it, Soderling will.

[Milky]

Gonzalez had his pants down really. Just too good for him.

It is his best surface though and Murrays worst.

[dandannieldanok]

Gonzalez had his pants down really. Just too good for him.

It is his best surface though and Murrays worst.

Yes, I don't think Murray should be too downhearted, he's got plenty of years ahead of him to improve on clay. Gonzalez is a class act on clay and his semi-final versus Soderling is extremely difficult to call.

[Matt]

Andy Murray out? Now there's a surprise...I take it he's just Scottish now? Not British.

IMO he's always 'just' scottish, don't like the bloke, don't like tennis

Cue post's of "Do you actually like anyone or anything?"...Answer - Yes, read my post you will find my answer is true.

[Darkzzz_]

Unlucky Murray...

[StanSP]

I don't like Murray.

However, I must admit that he has improved his game. I was watching his game today and he was doing alright. Gonzalez just had too much power for him.

As he plays more (without injuries) he can become an even better challenger to Fed and Nadal.

Not sure where Murray is in the rankings but I'd be surprised if he isn't in top 5 or 6.

EDIT: WHy aren't doubles matches shown on BBC? Tuned in only to find a replay of Safina's match

[lildave3]

Andy Murray out? Now there's a surprise...I take it he's just Scottish now? Not British.

IMO he's always 'just' scottish, don't like the bloke, don't like tennis

Cue post's of "Do you actually like anyone or anything?"...Answer - Yes, read my post you will find my answer is true.

Shut up, you tit.

[maddog]

Yes, I don't think Murray should be too downhearted, he's got plenty of years ahead of him to improve on clay. Gonzalez is a class act on clay and his semi-final versus Soderling is extremely difficult to call.

It's very easy to call in my view.

Soderling

The Swede is easily playing the best tennis of the remaining players in the tourney. He bulldozed an in form Davydenko who had also been playing stunningly.

The question is though at 25 in the world can Soderling keep it up for 2 more matches

I think that question had been half answered, he clearly kept up his form after the Nadal match in thrashing Davydenko.

IF Soderling plays like he did against Nadal and Davydenko for the next 2 rounds, he should win the tournament.

I still think it will probably be Federer, but IMO it's in Soderlings hands. I do think it will be a Federer, Soderling final though.

As long as the Swede doesn't crumble under the pressure of his first grand slam semi-final he will be fine.

And anyone who beats Nadal on clay and follows it up with the demolition of one of the worlds best players in great form, has to be taken very seriously.

BUT today was the Swedes first ever grand slam quarter final, and he was about as crumbly as rock concrete.

But concrete can sometimes erode when it rains, lets hope the solid Swede doesn't succumb to the pressure.

[StanSP]

.

[SamL]

Andy Murray out? Now there's a surprise...I take it he's just Scottish now? Not British.

IMO he's always 'just' scottish, don't like the bloke, don't like tennis

Cue post's of "Do you actually like anyone or anything?"...Answer - Yes, read my post you will find my answer is true.

If you don't like him, or tennis, why comment?

He plays Davis Cup tennis for Great Britain, end of argument.

Considering clay is Murray's worst surface, he's done pretty well to reach the quarters. Personally, I don't think he played too badly today despite losing.

[StanSP]

If you don't like him, or tennis, why comment?

He plays Davis Cup tennis for Great Britain, end of argument.

Considering clay is Murray's worst surface, he's done pretty well to reach the quarters. Personally, I don't think he played too badly today despite losing.

Agreed

[purpleronnie]

Even though I am a murray fan I'm not convinced he will win a major anytime soon, he's really got to start putting players like this away especially after Nadal got knocked out.

[Milky]

Even though I am a murray fan I'm not convinced he will win a major anytime soon, he's really got to start putting players like this away especially after Nadal got knocked out.

Very disrespectful to Gonzalez that. He was outstanding.

Clay just isn't his thing. Federer has struggled on clay for years in comparison to other surfaces.

[purpleronnie]

I didnt mean to disrespect him but murray was seeded 3 and Gonzalez 12 so he should be beating players like that.

[maddog]

If you don't like him, or tennis, why comment?

He plays Davis Cup tennis for Great Britain, end of argument.

Considering clay is Murray's worst surface, he's done pretty well to reach the quarters. Personally, I don't think he played too badly today despite losing.

Actually they specifically built those courts up in Glasgow for Andy Murray to suit his game, and he didn't even play

And he dropped out of the match at Argentina a while back.

Frankly i think the Davis Cup is a bit mickey mouse and frankly and embarassment for us especially with the team John Lloyd picked last match.

But this isn't about the Davis Cup, this is about supporting the only British player we have with a realistic chance of winning a grand slam one day, and a realistic chance of becoming world number one.

Henman was never going to be number one in the world, we all prayed and supported him at Wimbledon and he was unlucky not to win one, or a least make a final or 2.

Murray is clearly less supportable because Henman was just so likeable, where i don't think Murray is, but i would love it if he wins something and just enjoy watching it.

As long as the winner plays outstanding tennis and is entertaining, il support whoever i'm watching really, and definitely want Federer to win the French but would love Soderling to shock the world and win it.

[Milky]

I didnt mean to disrespect him but murray was seeded 3 and Gonzalez 12 so he should be beating players like that.

Seeding isn't based on clay court history though is it. Gonzalez has won 8 clay court titles. Murray none.

[maddog]

Very disrespectful to Gonzalez that. He was outstanding.

Clay just isn't his thing. Federer has struggled on clay for years in comparison to other surfaces.

Yes he definitely was.

And i know this tourney is on clay so doesn't really represent the other grand slams, but the big four of tennis are clearly not invincible and there are a host of players who could raise their game and beat them.

Nadal out to Soderling, Djokovic out to Kohlscrieber, Murray out to Gonzalez, Monfils battering Roddick, Federer 2 sets down to Haas.

Thats why i hate John Lloyd so much because he always puts down the lesser players, refused to praise Soderling when he was playing Nadal for most of the match, just kept going on about Nadal playing badly and how the Swede was going to crumble, and had the nerve to say that Nadal was massive massive favourite at 2 sets to 1 down.

And also said if Soderling had gone 2-0 up on sets Nadal was still massive favourite.

Soderling was simply playing outstanding, and even if Nadal was at his best he may have still lost that match.

This is definitely the most competitive grand slam in the last few years at least.

They are all professional tennis players, all capable of hitting outstanding world class shots, some of them are just no where near as fit or as consistent as others.

But Soderling's win is fantastic for the game, and if he somehow wins this grand slam it will be a huge message of hope out to the other 20 or so players who could win a grand slam.

[Bert]

Actually they specifically built those courts up in Glasgow for Andy Murray to suit his game, and he didn't even play

And he dropped out of the match at Argentina a while back.

Frankly i think the Davis Cup is a bit mickey mouse and frankly and embarassment for us especially with the team John Lloyd picked last match.

But this isn't about the Davis Cup, this is about supporting the only British player we have with a realistic chance of winning a grand slam one day, and a realistic chance of becoming world number one.

Henman was never going to be number one in the world, we all prayed and supported him at Wimbledon and he was unlucky not to win one, or a least make a final or 2.

Murray is clearly less supportable because Henman was just so likeable, where i don't think Murray is, but i would love it if he wins something and just enjoy watching it.

As long as the winner plays outstanding tennis and is entertaining, il support whoever i'm watching really, and definitely want Federer to win the French but would love Soderling to shock the world and win it.

Couldn't be further off the mark.

Murray's less supportable due to his attitude. For never having won a major, he's quite arrogant.

Also, do you remember when he said he wanted England to go out of the world cup? Well most of Murray's support is English, and they found it a kick in the teeth and a bit disrespectful when he came out and said that.

[Uncle Albert]

Murray getting to the Quarter's was a massive achievment, the lad is 22 years old and is number 3 in the world. He has the Tennis world at his feet and the two remaining Slam's are clearly his favourite and I wouldnt be surprised at another Final for Murray.

Gonzalez was to good for Murray today and Murray would be the first to say that, no excuses. Even though I thought Murray played better Tennis today than he did against Cilic.

Wimbledon will show how far Murray has come in the last year because after Wimbledon last year that's when we seen him produce his best Tennis by winning his first Master's title in America and his US Open success.

Murray isn't everyone's biggest fan but aslong as he has enough support from people at Wimbledon then I dont think he will be to bothered. I also don't see the point in comparing Murray and Henman anymore, Henman is out of the picture, we should be comparing Murray to Federer, Nadal and Djokovic and the others.

And one last thing.. Maddog stop repeating yourself about Soderling, yes he beat Nadal we all know.

[purpleronnie]

Not sure Henman was that likeable the whole silver spoon upbringing and that fake fist pumping was pretty much (and rightly so) ridiculed in the press.

I think its stupid to not support murray because he made that comment, I'm sure most english fans want scotland to fail he simply told the truth, maybe he shouldnt have said it but it wasnt a surprise. And its pretty contradictory for people to dislike murray because of that comment.

The fact he is a bit arrogant for me is a good thing most top sportsman have that arrogant streak and I wish our players had a bit more of it tbh.

[Bert]

Not sure Henman was that likeable the whole silver spoon upbringing and that fake fist pumping was pretty much (and rightly so) ridiculed in the press.

I think its stupid to not support murray because he made that comment, I'm sure most english fans want scotland to fail he simply told the truth, maybe he shouldnt have said it but it wasnt a surprise. And its pretty contradictory for people to dislike murray because of that comment.

The fact he is a bit arrogant for me is a good thing most top sportsman have that arrogant streak and I wish our players had a bit more of it tbh.

That's very true, but some people don't see it that way. More stupidity than anything.

[maddog]

Couldn't be further off the mark.

Murray's less supportable due to his attitude. For never having won a major, he's quite arrogant.

Also, do you remember when he said he wanted England to go out of the world cup? Well most of Murray's support is English, and they found it a kick in the teeth and a bit disrespectful when he came out and said that.

It could have been much further off the mark.

I could have said Murray is very supportable and much more supportable than Henman was.

And Murray not been likeable is down to his mardy attitude so essentially i said the same thing And Henman when he was playing at Wimbledon just seemed likeable to me and i was always desperate for him to win and supported him. And even shed a tear or 2 when he lost at Wimbledon, and got very upset and pissed off.

Where with Murray i couldn't give a fook if he lost really, and can never see myself getting frustrated and annoyed when he does, like i did when Tim did because i desperately wanted him to get through another round and watch him play again.