finally got through the pvr of this. even after Nole's super extended semi I was still expecting him to play close to his best, which of course he didn't. the way Murray was keyed in though, maybe it still wouldn't have been enough. few thoughts:
- Andy's defense is always among the best, but against Djoko it just seems to reach a ridiculous level. the way Nole beats Nadal is he continuously pushes him back with side to side shots until Rafa finally puts up a short ball or error. that doesn't seem to happen at all against Murray...just when you think the point should be over, he hits an insane defensive slice or lob that lands right back at the baseline, resetting the point. it must have something to do with their familiarity with each other's game and Murray being able to anticipate the direction of the next shot. after that, you can count on Nole overhitting or pulling a weak dropper in desperation to end the rally. speaking of which...
- most commentators gave Murray the edge in tactics anyways, but Nole helped do himself in by lowering his tennis IQ a couple dozen points at the worst times. the drop shot is probably the last thing you want to try on Murray since he might be the fastest player on tour, but nope I guess Djoko just loved watching the inevitable passing shot whizz by time after time. and there were more than a couple of terrible half hearted smashes by Nole. I hate that, what I wouldn't give for an unnecessarily overpowered Nadal smash on opportunities like that.
- matches between these two guys are an acquired taste I guess. it gets to the point where it's hypnotizing (in a bad way) just endlessly watching the ball ping pong back and forth with no ground gained. but every 5 minutes or so one of them pulls off a superhuman shot that snaps you back to attention. I'd have to disagree that Fed-Nadal matches are more entertaining, because other than their 2008 Wimbledon classic, it's just one guy casually exploiting a weakness (high topspin to backhand) until the other guy screws up. an unfortunate case of a really bad matchup with no remedy, that does injustice to how great both of them are (were?)
- I celebrate Andy's win only because it gives me hope that they will stop bringing up the god forsaken 77 year drought. I get this bad feeling that one day I'll be an old man watching the US Open and having to listen to a geriatric Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock wax poetic about the last time an American won their home slam.
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