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Brad Gilbert: Even after a four hour bout with Federer, Murray will edge out Djokovic too

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Even after a four hour bout with Federer, Murray will edge out Djokovic too

By
Brad Gilbert

PUBLISHED:

01:12 GMT, 26 January 2013

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UPDATED:

09:16 GMT, 26 January 2013

After a four-hour match against Roger Federer, Andy Murray has a day less to prepare for the final than Novak Djokovic. But Andy is a very fit guy, and I’m not sure it makes that much difference.

It is not like the US Open where there is no rest day at all. Djokovic will know he had a cakewalk in the semis against David Ferrer; that will give him a little edge.

He made the world No 4 look like the No 100. He has won this title three times before. It is his most successful major.

Andy Murray has cut down on his tantrums and become far more focused on court

Head in the game: Andy Murray has cut down on his tantrums and become far more focused on court

He has a day less to rest and prepare for the final than Djokovic

Ice bath: He has a day less to rest and prepare for the final than Djokovic

Andy is playing as well as I have ever seen him. His serve is more accurate and heavy than before and his forehand is improved, too.

A few years ago, a lot of Andy’s game was about great defence, amazing movement and his backhand. But watching him against Federer, I was thinking it has been quite some transformation as his serve and forehand were the dominant shots.

He’s much more aggressive now and he’s not relying on defence any more.

He still has that in his locker but he’s much more attacking. It is partly down to confidence. He’s hitting a lot more winners. He served 21 aces against Federer, more than four times as many as the Swiss.

To have served only two double faults in the tournament is incredible. He will need to keep up that level as he is playing the world’s best returner.

Before, he too often was getting only 55 per cent of his first serves in. Now it’s 10 per cent higher. He can be freer on the court and take more risks.

Federer was gracious in defeat and admitted Murray outplayed him and deserved to win

Honest: Federer was gracious in defeat and admitted Murray outplayed him and deserved to win

His attitude is better, too. After that altercation in the fourth set with the umpire, he didn’t lose focus or mutter to his support team. He went and won the fifth instead.

It’s great watching him focusing on his tennis rather than getting distracted during matches.

Unfortunately for Andy, Djokovic does not have a weakness. His serve and forehand are also better than they have ever been.

Murray's serve demolished Federer for most of the match

Weapon: Murray's serve demolished Federer for most of the match

The pair are mirror images of each other and the world’s two best players at the moment. It will come down to who executes the big points best.

What will also be key is who can defend their second serve better. Andy showed resolve in his US Open final win against Djokovic. I’m sure that came from talking to Ivan Lendl about his experiences at the top.

I don’t think you’ll see the same probing rallies as in New York but more attacking, shorter rallies. It will be cool, which slows the court, too.

This match is what we call in American football a 'pick-em' – it's too close to call.

My hunch, though, is that Murray will edge it.

After looking rocking against Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic cruised past David Ferrer

Warning signs: After looking rocking against Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic cruised past David Ferrer

Philippe Gilbert climbs to victory in world road race

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No title repeat for retiring Cavendish as Gilbert climbs to victory in world road race

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UPDATED:

17:45 GMT, 23 September 2012

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert won the men's road race at the UCI Road World Championships after breaking away on the final climb of the Cauberg hill in Limberg.

The 30-year-old left rivals Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway and Spain's Alejandro Valverde in his wake towards the end of the 267-kilometre race through Holland.

On the home straight: Philippe Gilbert crosses the finish line in Valkenburg to win the world road race title

On the home straight: Philippe Gilbert crosses the finish line in Valkenburg to win the world road race title

The Belgian team had faced an early challenge from both recent Vuelta a Espana winner Alberto Contador and France's Thomas Voeckler, but Gilbert managed to break away on the final climb.

British rider Mark Cavendish was unable to defend his title after retiring with 111km of the race remaining.

Pleased as punch: Gilbert clenches his fist following victory

Pleased as punch: Gilbert clenches his fist following victoryPleased as punch: Gilbert clenches his fist following victory

The 27-year-old sprinter had already admitted the hilly terrain was ill-suited to his personal style, in contrast to the flat roads of Copenhagen where he raced to glory last year.

Cavendish's Team Sky colleagues and Olympic medallists Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome also dropped out of the arduous race before reaching the final stages.

Away support: A Belgian fan cheers on Gilbert

Away support: A Belgian fan cheers on Gilbert

Earlier, Matej Mohoric of Slovenia claimed the men's world junior title after stunning Australia's Caleb Ewan with a sprint on the final kilometre.

He told limburg2012.nl: 'When the whole bunch arrived at the Cauberg I managed to stay in the front and still had something left. This is incredible, fantastic. I can't believe it.'

Street spirit: Supporters came out in their hundreds to cheer on participants

Street spirit: Supporters came out in their hundreds to cheer on participants

Brad Gilbert was right with his tactics: Court Report

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Court Report: Semi-final turned out just like Brad said it would

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UPDATED:

23:17 GMT, 6 July 2012

Sportsmail's Brad Gilbert wrote on Friday about how Andy Murray’s backhand down the line could drag Jo-Wilfried Tsonga out of position and cause him problems.

Needless to say, Murray used it to great effect. The best example was at 3-1 and 0-15 in the first set, when he moved the Frenchman out wide before dispatching a winner into the empty court with the following backhand.

On the money: Brad Gilbert predicted Andy Murray's tactics just right

Why Oxfam want Fed win

Those of a charitable nature could be forgiven for not joining the rest of Britain in clamouring for a Murray victory tomorrow, as Oxfam will benefit by more than 100,000 should Roger Federer lift the crown.

In 2003 Nick Newlife, from Oxfordshire, put 1,520 on six-time champion Federer winning seven Wimbledons by 2019 at odds of 66-1.

He died in 2009 but left the betting slip, potentially worth 101,840, to Oxfam in his will. Perhaps Murray could donate part of the 1.15m cheque he would get for winning the title.

Net losses

Chapter one of How To Play Andy Murray For Dummies: don’t give him a target to hit. Tsonga did just that from the start, needlessly charging into the net time after time when the preceding groundstroke wasn’t up to scratch.

On form: Andy Murray

That meant Murray had plenty of time to pick his shots and he duly fired an endless stream of forehand and backhand winners past the Frenchman.

Une Grande Victoire

Murray's victory extends his very impressive record against Frenchmen at Grand Slams. He has now won 15 consecutive games since losing to Tsonga in Australia in 2008. For the record, the list of victims reads: Richard Gasquet four times, Gilles Simon, Tsonga twice, Fabrice Santoro, Michael Llodra twice, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Marc Gicquel, Florent Serra, Eric Prodon and Jonathan Eysseric.

murray v tsonga.jpg

Jo’s short game let down

One of the things Tsonga had to do if he was going to win the match was win the short rallies — Murray grinds you down in long exchanges. Tsonga has the big serve and forehand to do that but he failed to produce.

In fact, Murray won 59 per cent of rallies of two shots or fewer in the match — the only dip was the third set when he only won 39 per cent — and it turned out to be a crucial factor as the Frenchmen staged a comeback to win the set 6-3.

New balls please

Every man on Centre Court felt sympathy for Tsonga at 5-3 and 15-15 in the third set. Arriving at the net, Tsonga felt the full force of a Murray forehand in a rather sensitive area. He collapsed to the floor in pain, briefly got back up and then sunk down again.

Ouch: Tsonga

Ouch: Tsonga

A concerned Murray apologised but Tsonga recovered quickly, winning the next three points to win the set.

Brad Gilbert: Underdogs deserve credit for a great week

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Brad Gilbert: Underdogs deserve credit for a great week

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UPDATED:

21:32 GMT, 1 July 2012

Andy Murray's former coach gives his verdict on the first week of Wimbledon…

I have been involved at Wimbledon for 31 years as player, coach and commentator and I have never known a first week like it.

Big upsets, late nights under the roof, brilliant challenges from the underdogs, homegrown drama.

Perfect set: Yaroslava Shvedova produced a great storyline

Perfect set: Yaroslava Shvedova produced a great storyline

We have had some offbeat storylines, too, like the 'golden' set of Yaroslava Shvedova, or the rags-to-riches tale of American Brian Baker, now in the fourth round.

You are left wondering where to turn.

When Ernests Gulbis beat 2010 finalist Tomas Berdych in the first round it did not get too much attention but I thought it could be significant, even more so when top American John Isner went down to the Colombian Alejandro Falla.

The reason is that these kind of results send a buzz round the locker room, set a tone.

Rags to riches: Brian Baker making a stunning return to the game

Rags to riches: Brian Baker making a stunning return to the game

Suddenly it puts in the mind of players, from the top ones to those hoping to make a name for themselves, that this could be a tournament when things start happening out of the blue.

It certainly seemed to energise Lukas Rosol when he played Rafael Nadal.

I actually do not think Nadal played that badly, but the final set from the Czech was insanely good – again I am not sure I have seen anything like it in all the time I have been here.

Nadal going out brought back to me the events of 2009 at the French Open, when the Spaniard suffered a shock defeat to Robin Soderling in the fourth round.

Stunning upset: Lukas Rosol beats Rafael Nadal

Stunning upset: Lukas Rosol beats Rafael Nadal

The next day Roger Federer went out and came desperately close to losing to German Tommy Haas, something nobody could have foreseen.

But that is what happens – if you are a player you cannot help but think that now might be my chance, and that interferes with the mind and adds to the pressure.

The way the grass is playing here might be a factor, although you cannot be sure.

What I do know is that I have never seen the ball bounce higher at Wimbledon, or 'kick' serves be more potent here, which is maybe not what you would have thought as I am told you have had a huge amount of rain in recent months.

I also think that the interrupted practice in the days before the championships, caused by the weather, might have had something to do with the air of uncertainty around the results.

Can Andy Murray take advantage

I have been pretty impressed with him so far.

Roaring back: Andy Murray has a great chance

Roaring back: Andy Murray has a great chance

The way he played so aggressively in roaring back from 2-4 down in the third set to Marcos Baghdatis, who was playing mean ball, caught my eye.

It was almost like watching speed chess by the end.

In a funny way I think it brings out the best in Andy when he is in a rough part of the draw and I do think he has a chance to go all the way, but my favourite to go through to the final from his half is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

It has opened up for the fifth seed, who could be the biggest beneficiary from Nadal's departure, and quietly he has moved through without dropping serve once.

It is an old cliche but Murray really cannot look ahead more than one match at a time on this occasion, as every game is fraught with danger.

Marin Cilic can do real damage with his flat forehand and he is clearly comfortable on grass.

Fine form: Tsonga, not Murray, is Gilberts tip to reach the final

Fine form: Tsonga, not Murray, is Gilberts tip to reach the final

His other main asset is that of all the real tall guys he moves the best and is very quick off the mark.

But for 6ft 6in his serve is not quite the blockbuster you would expect, and I think Andy will get plenty of 'looks' at it.

Andy will spin his web against him and Cilic plays to his defensive skills, so I quite like this match-up for Andy, but this is going to be a very difficult second week for him.

Overall I think the upsets are going to calm down a little now.

Opening up: The draw looks good for Roger Federer

Opening up: The draw looks good for Roger Federer

The draw looks good for Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to make the semi-finals and I will be surprised if we do not see that match on Friday.

On the women's side we have a titanic quarter- final looming between Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova, who is running nicely into form.

I would expect to see the winner of that face Maria Sharapova in the final.

I am loving this Wimbledon, and the supporting cast deserve a lot of credit.

I would sum it up with one of my favourite phrases: 'Everyone is coming to play.'

Defending champion Higgins on the brink as Hendry takes control of World Championship clash

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Defending champion Higgins on the brink as Hendry takes control of World Championship clash

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UPDATED:

21:27 GMT, 27 April 2012

Stephen Hendry swept to the brink of a
stunning victory over John Higgins in the Betfred.com World
Championship as the reigning champion's defence of his Crucible title
looked to have run its course.

On a big day for Scotland in
Sheffield, seven-time world champion Hendry won seven out of eight
frames this evening to storm 12-4 ahead of four-time winner Higgins in
their long-awaited first Crucible meeting on Friday.

In control: Stephen Hendry stormed into a 12-4 lead

In control: Stephen Hendry stormed into a 12-4 lead

Higgins' game, which took him to glory in the final against Judd Trump last May, looked to have completely deserted him in the second-round contest.

Higgins warned he was playing poorly as the tournament approached, but it was hard to believe the Crucible environment would not bring the best out of the 36-year-old from Wishaw.

And yet Higgins looked hopelessly
rusty in the second-round contest, missing most remotely difficult balls
and some utterly routine pots too. The same had applied in the first
round when he edged past Liang Wenbo in a deciding frame.

Hendry, 43, would certainly not have expected to be gifted so many
openings, and to win his frames tonight he often needed several.

He finished off in style though with a polished break of 83, and needs
just one more frame tomorrow afternoon to reach the quarter-finals.

Out of it: John Higgins

Out of it: John Higgins had no answer

As Australia's 2010 world champion Neil Robertson became the first player to reach the quarter-finals by beating Tamworth's David Gilbert 13-9 on the other table, Hendry plunged one large boot in the last-eight line-up.

Hendry was rarely at his vintage 1990s best tonight but nor did he need to be.

He had six scoring visits as he pulled 6-3 ahead, a 51 break helped him make it 7-3, and after Higgins scraped the 11th frame by doubling in the pink and rolling in the black, the procession continued.

A run of 48 guided Hendry to 8-4, and the frames continued to be frittered away when Higgins missed repeatedly and increasingly waywardly.

It was largely Hendry's own work that brought him the final two frames of the night, as runs of 66 and the closing 83 left Higgins needing to win all nine tomorrow, but surely he is going home.

While Hendry made his Crucible debut as long ago as 1986, aged 17, Higgins' first appearance came in 1995. The pair have been ever present since, yet bafflingly have always avoided each other.

It was Higgins' stated desire that he should play Hendry this year, even before the draw created the prospect of a second-round encounter. He might be careful what he wishes for in future.

Hendry, down at 23rd in the world rankings, had to qualify to make the main draw this year but his maximum break against Stuart Bingham in the first round confirmed the Auchterarder player as a man in form.

He ploughed in breaks of 81, 69, 93, 123 and 67 to seize a 5-3 lead in the opening session, and despite having it made easy for him tonight by Higgins, an eighth world title – and first since 1999 – is looking increasingly attainable.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012: Ivan Lendl won"t put up with Andy Murray shouting and swearing

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'Lendl won't put up with Murray shouting and swearing at him'

Andy Murray goes into Saturday morning's trial by serve-and-volley against Frenchman Michael Llodra with some of the sport's most respected observers suggesting Ivan Lendl is already proving a positive influence upon him.

The British No 1 is attempting to reach the last 16 and launch an assault on the second week with the likes of Chris Evert pointing to the 'intimidating' presence of the 51-year-old Czech as a force for good.

On the ball: Murray is gunning to win his first grand slam in Australia

On the ball: Murray is gunning to win his first grand slam in Australia

'I was always afraid of Ivan Lendl, a lot of players were afraid of him, he is pretty intimidating,' said the American great, who is here commentating for ESPN.

'I think it will be good for Andy. He's a bit on the meek side and this will give him a bit of backing.'

Watchful eye: Lendl appears to be having a positive influence on Murray

Watchful eye: Lendl appears to be having a positive influence on Murray

Neither does she think Lendl will stand for any choice language directed by Murray at his watching support team if he gets frustrated, saying: 'That's not going to happen with Lendl. He will get up and walk out, he won't put up with it.'

Sportsmail columnist Brad Gilbert, a former coach of Murray, said: 'Lendl will be looking to make him more offensive from the centre of the court and will work on his second serve.

'I've liked what I have seen so far. He is hitting his forehand more side-on and turning his shoulders and ripping through it. He is hitting it flatter. I reckon Lendl has told him that is the shot that can take him to the next level.'

Murray has found himself as the last British player in the singles draw as usual, although the Anglo-Scottish doubles pair of Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming are into the last 16 and will face America's formidable Bryan brothers.

Going through: Nadal won in straight sets to book his place in the fourth round

Going through: Nadal won in straight sets to book his place in the fourth round

The duo seem assured of making Britain's Davis Cup team for Glasgow next month, where they will tackle Slovakia – whose best player Lukas Lacko was beaten 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 yesterday by Rafael Nadal.

Nadal remains on course for what would be a highly unusual semi-final against Roger Federer because, amazingly, they have not been in the same half of a Grand Slam draw since 2005.

The pair have called a truce after Nadal accused Federer prior to this tournament of looking after his own needs too much.

Roger that: Federer is on course to meet Nadal in the last four of the Aussie Open

Roger that: Federer is on course to meet Nadal in the last four of the Aussie Open

Nadal also wants to switch to a ranking system based on two years of performances, similar to golf, to protect higher-ranked performers, but the Swiss reckons that will be unfair on emerging talents.

None of this will have been on Federer's mind as he defused the enormous serve of 6ft 10in Croat Ivo Karlovic with a 7-6, 7-5, 6-3 win on Friday.

Federer now faces an intriguing fourth-round tie against 19-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic, who has shown his Wimbledon quarter-final appearance last year was no fluke with a five-set win over 13th seed Alexander Dolgopolov.

Yeovil 0 Fleetwood 2: McGuire and Varny fire Cod Army to FA Cup showdown with Blackpool

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Yeovil 0 Fleetwood 2: McGuire and Varny fire Cod Army to dream Blackpool showdown

Fleetwood marched into the FA Cup third round for the first time in their history and set up a derby meeting with a difference at Huish Park.

Goals from midfielder Jamie McGuire and striker Jamie Vardy saw off hapless Yeovil and delivered a tie chairman Andy Pilley has been dreaming of since the draw for round three was made.

Blackpool-born and a self-confessed Seasiders fan, Pilley appeared almost oblivious to having a replay to negotiate, as he began describing his emotions at seeing his home side follow Fleetwood out of the hat.

Bring on Blackpool: Jamie McGuire celebrates his goal for Fleetwood

Bring on Blackpool: Jamie McGuire celebrates his goal for Fleetwood

MATCH FACTS

Yeovil: Stewart, Ayling, N”Gala, Huntington, Ehmer, Upson, Clifford (Gavin Williams 46), Wotton (Gibson 83), Andrew Williams, MacLean (O”Brien 73), Agard. Subs uot used: Edgar, Gilbert, Johnson, Haynes-Brown.

Booked: N”Gala, Huntington, Upson.

Sent off: N”Gala (70).

Fleetwood Town: Davies, Beeley, McNulty, Pond, Goodall, Briggs, McGuire, Cavanagh, Till (Charnock 86), Mangan, Vardy. Subs not used: Stephenson,Junior Brown, Clancy, Vieira, Brodie, Wassmer.

Booked: Brodie, McNulty.

Sent off: McNulty (85).

Goals: McGuire 28, Vardy 90.

Attendance: 3,276.

Referee: James Adcock.

In the event, a second meeting with Yeovil seldom looked like denying him a Fylde coast showdown that will have all the spice but none of the spite that so often accompanies derbygames.

It is a mere nine miles up the North-West coast from Blackpool to Fleetwood, but Highbury boss Micky Mellon revealed why nobody at the Blue Square Bet Premier club has any misgivings about crowd trouble being an issue.

‘You probably have to live on the Fylde coast to appreciate what it is like, and how big this game is going to be,’ he said.

‘It’s a great rivalry but a nice one.After the first game with Yeovil, we received lots of texts from Blackpool players, wishing us all the best for the replay, and I got another from their assistant manager Steve Thompson just before kick-off.

‘It’s the same with the fans. A lot of them support both teams and will come and watch whoever is at home. It should be a great occasion. I’m delighted for the chairman. He deserves it after doing so much to put this club on the map.’

Pure delight: Micky Mellon and assistant Craig Madden are filled with glee at the final whistle

Pure delight: Micky Mellon and assistant Craig Madden are filled with glee at the final whistle

Yeovil’s Steve MacLean spurned two close-range chances before McGuire struck with a low drive through a crowded area in the 28th minute.

Yeovil defender Bondz N’Gala was shown a second yellow card for a 70th-minute foul, and it was 10 against10 for the last five minutes after Fleetwood’s Steve McNulty blocked off Andy Williams for a second booking.

On target: McGuire breaks the deadlock

On target: McGuire breaks the deadlock

A 55th-minute N’Gala header apart, Yeovil had scarcely looked like equalising, and they were facing the wrath of manager Terry Skiverton after Vardy skipped past a challenge inthe final seconds and fired home a second goal.

‘Only one team really wanted it, and I can only apologise to our supporters,’ said Skiverton.

The stuff of dreams: Fleetwood fans celebrate

The stuff of dreams: Fleetwood fans celebrate

‘Fleetwood had a bit more incentive, given who’s waiting in the third round, and they hammered it home.

‘Poor as we were, they thoroughly deserved it.’