Wimbledon 2012

[jaccol55]

Five reasons Andy Murray lost to Roger Federer

Spoiler:

Andy Murray failed to take the chances he created before Roger Federer was back at his
best when the roof was closed.

1 He did not take the chances he created

There is no question that Andy Murray played well against Roger Federer. Really well, in fact, and for the best part of two sets he was probably the better player. But this sport is one of fine margins and the difference between winning and losing can be something as simple as a double-fault, a poor line-call or a net cord. In Murray's case, he created two break points in two of Federer's service games in the second set and if had taken one of them, a two-set lead might have proved too much, even for Federer. In fairness, the backhand error was the only one he might really regret as the forehand pass landed just an inch wide. Federer snatched his chance at 6-5 to win the second set and the momentum had changed.

2 The change in conditions did not help

As Murray pointed out in his post-match press conference, you have to go back to 2010 to find the last time Federer lost a match indoors. When the roof was closed at 1-1 in the third set, though it could have halted Federer's momentum, the benign conditions under the roof were right up his street. His serve was suddenly restored to its usual levels and he felt more able to attack Murray when he had the chance. Federer's racket-head speed is so high that he frames a lot of balls anyway; when there is a bit of wind around, or shadows on the court, the ludicrous half-volleys he hits from the baseline can go haywire. Murray is also a good indoor player but, under the roof, Federer was able to be more aggressive without fear of a gust of wind or something to upset his rhythm.

3 Dropping his first serve percentage

Murray had plenty of success on the Federer second serve, too, so this is not just about what he did not do so well. In the first two sets, Murray served well – he hit 16 aces in all – but in the third set, his percentage dipped just slightly and that was enough to let Federer in. With his confidence rising, the Swiss began to attack the Murray second serve, swapping the largely ineffective chip returns with hard, driven returns, immediately forcing Murray on to the backfoot. Not only that, but knowing that if he missed his first serve he could be in trouble, Murray took some of the pace off his first serve and then Federer could attack that, too.

4 Federer was back to his incredible best

Sometimes you just have to say, "too good". The last two sets of the match were vintage Federer as the Swiss ripped through his repertoire to win yet another – an amazing 17th – grand slam title. Federer is the best attacking player the world has ever seen and if he gets a chance, he is going to take it. For two sets, Murray more than matched him but Federer found a way to work himself into the match in the second and it must have irked Murray to be one set all when he was arguably the better player in each set. Federer's experience in big matches was key and he never allowed himself to stop believing that he would be able to turn it around. Murray's time mayyet come but Federer was too good on the day.

5 He did not want to upstage his coach

OK, so this one is a bit frivolous but Murray's performance on Sunday was his best in any of the four grand slam finals he has now played, so to criticise too much might be churlish. Perhaps he realised that if he had won, he would have outdone his coach, Ivan Lendl, who lost his first four grand slam finals before breaking through at the 1984 French Open and then going on to win eight grand slam titles in the end. Murray must have a good chance to get his first slam sooner rather than later but as Lendl sat at Centre Court with his chin on his hand, maybe Murray knew that upstaging him was not the best idea in the world.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/ju ... er-federer

[Jacuszyn]

Go Figure: Stats, numbers from Wimbledon 2012

7: Wimbledon titles for Roger Federer. In the Open Era, only Pete Sampras has as many titles at the All England Club.

286: Weeks Federer has now spent as the ATP’s No. 1, again matching Sampras’ mark.

484,805: Total attendance at the 126th Championships.

76: Years since the last British men’s singles champion at Wimbledon. Fred Perry won in 1936.

76: Years since the last British men’s doubles champion at Wimbledon before Jonathan Marray snapped the drought. Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey won in 1936.

102: Aces from Serena Williams throughout the tournament, the most of any player, male or female.

3: Women’s winners not named Williams since older sis Venus won Wimbledon in 2000.

17: Grand Slam titles for Federer, a men’s Open Era best.

1: Active players to have a winning record over Federer: Rafael Nadal. Andy Murray led the head-to-head 8-7, but Federer got even.


5: Wimbledon doubles titles for Serena and Venus Williams, making both sisters members of the elite ‘Five and Five Club’ after winning at least five titles in singles and doubles.

7: Years since Rafael Nadal lost before the Round of 16 at a Grand Slam.

7: Different women’s Grand Slam champs in as many majors.

1: Wimbledon men’s final played under a roof.

1: Loss for Roger Federer in Wimbledon finals, to Nadal in 2008. Federer is 7-1 in finals at the All England Club.

286: Weeks Federer has now spent as the ATP’s No. 1, matching Pete Sampras’ mark.

http://tennis.si.com/2012/07/09/wimbled ... =tn_bf1_a4

[Barty]

Wimbledon 2012: Men’s final recap

Roger Federer is back on top of the world, defeating Andy Murray in 4 sets to capture a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title and reclaim the world number one ranking.

Day 13 Recap

Having failed to win a set in his previous 3 Grand Slam finals, Andy Murray started Sunday’s final in far better shape, breaking Federer in the opening game of the match. Despite squandering that break, Murray broke again in the ninth game of the first set to claim the opening set 6-4.

Federer was attempting to dictate play and was making a lot of unforced errors in doing so. Murray was counterpunching effectively and serving particularly well. The fourth seed had break points in multiple games in the second set, but was unable to capitalise. That came back to haunt Murray when serving at 5-6 to take the set to a tiebreaker. At 30-0, having won 15 of his last 16 points on serve, Murray lost focus ever so slightly and Federer took advantage, breaking the Scot to level the match at a set apiece.

A torrential downpour early in the third set meant a slight delay and a change of environment, as the roof was closed on Centre Court. This proved to be a key change to the match, as Federer started serving a lot better without any rain or sun to bother him, and the Swiss master started to step inside the baseline and control the points with his fearsome forehand. A marathon game on Murray’s serve midway through the third set eventually went Federer’s way, and the third seed held on to the advantage to claim a 2 sets to 1 lead.

Federer was only a set away from victory now, and he charged towards the finish line, as a desperate Murray tried everything to stay with him. With Murray’s first serve percentage dropping to below 50 percent, Federer was getting plenty of looks at the Murray second serve, and a break seemed almost inevitable. It duly came, and Federer had the opportunity to serve for the championship. The Scot made the Swiss star earn the game but, ever the consummate professional, Federer made no mistake, with tears forming in his eyes as he celebrated an historic victory.

For the 17-time Grand Slam champion, it’s a clear reminder to the rest of the tennis world that he is not yet a spent force on the ATP Tour, and it’s a well-deserved victory after the Swiss maestro’s tremendous form in the past 9 months.

For Murray, it’s another devastating defeat in a Grand Slam final, but the Scot can at least console himself with the fact that he played well and wasn’t far away from winning. In fact, to my mind Murray’s defeat came down to 2 things: not being able to win the second set when he was clearly on top, and the rain, which changed the momentum of the match and the playing conditions when the match resumed.

That’s it for this year’s Wimbledon coverage. I hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage. I’ll be back later in the year to cover the US Open.

http://tennisconnected.com/home/2012/07 ... nal-recap/

[DUN I LOVE]

Wyniki finałów:

• Singiel
  
  [3] Roger Federer (SUI) d. [4] Andy Murray (GBR) 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4
  
  
• Debel
  
  [WC] Jonathan Marray (GBR)/Frederik Nielsen (DEN) d. [5] Robert Lindstedt (SWE)/Horia Tecau (ROU) 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 6-3
  
  
• Juniorzy
  
  [4] Filip Peliwo (CAN) d. [1] Luke Saville (AUS) 7-5 6-4
  
  

Wszystkie wyniki (turnieju singlowego, deblowego, juniorskiego oraz kwalifikacji) można znaleźć na 1 stronie wątku.