[PaulRyansew]

Arguably the more competitve semi final on the mens side tomorrow features the battle of the Andys. World #3 Andy Murray vs. World #6 Andy Roddick.

Both have been having a solid run at Wimbledon, beating former #1s in the quarterfinals, having a recent 5 setter to test their mettle (Roddick in the quarters, Murray in the 4th round). Both are top 5 in aces thusfar (though Roddick has about double the amount Murray does).

Will be curious to see how the crowd impacts both - Murray is going to be hearing a lot of cheers, and will be carrying a lot of pressure onto Centre Court. Roddick has always used positive crowd energy to his advantage, and will be feeling the opposite side of that in a match where the crowd wants Murray to get to the final.

Career H2H 6-2 Murray (same as Murray's h2h against Federer). They played at Wimbledon in '06, with Murray winning in straights. Their other grass match was a walkover win for Roddick.

[sFs4aOok]

hmm. It could go either way, IMO, but I'll go with Roddick in 5.
I think the pressure might be too much for Murray. And even though he beat my boy in straights, he looked spent and out of sorts during that match (well, the first two sets. I didn't watch the third )

[PaulRyansew]

Maybe it's just me, but there's a reason Henman never got to the finals. And I think its the same reason Murray doesn't win tomorrow. At the same time, I think Andy R is probably thinking this may be his last great chance at a Slam.

I'm going Roddick in 4.

[Super-Luser]

I voted Murray in 4. Actually Haas is a better grass player than Roddick right now.

[Super-Luser]

Maybe it's just me, but there's a reason Henman never got to the finals.

The reason is Henman was never good enough to win anything big. On grass or elsewhere.

[TheBest-Host]

I took Roddick in 4. Davis Cup atmosphere (even against him) should be good for him.

[TheBest-Host]

The reason is Henman was never good enough to win anything big. On grass or elsewhere.

I agree with you on that. Murray is gonna win this thing. Not this year, though.

[altosburg]

I voted Murray in 4. Actually Haas is a better grass player than Roddick right now.

I don't see how this statement has any merit at all, nor does it have any relevance to the match in question. Roddick has looked great most of the tournament.

My heart says Roddick, but my brain says Murray, so I'm torn.

[Super-Luser]

I don't see how this statement has any merit at all, nor does it have any relevance to the match in question. Roddick has looked great most of the tournament.

Have you whatched their matches THIS year? I am not talking about what they have done in the past. I am NOT impressed with Roddick at all.

[tarmpriopay]

Maybe it's just me, but there's a reason Henman never got to the finals. And I think its the same reason Murray doesn't win tomorrow. At the same time, I think Andy R is probably thinking this may be his last great chance at a Slam.

I'm going Roddick in 4.

I'm with you there. Roddick has been in this position before so my gut tells me he's going to win. (Aslo, I want my prediction in the weekly contest to be correct. )

[PaulRyansew]

The reason is Henman was never good enough to win anything big. On grass or elsewhere.

4 Wimbledon semifinals, and you say he was never good enough? Sorry, suliso, but I think there's a lot of very good ATPers who wish they could say that. And I think nerves, and crowd pressure played a huge factor in those four Wimbledon semis for Tim- and will do the same for Murray in his first Wimbledon semifinal.

[altosburg]

Have you whatched their matches THIS year? I am not talking about what they have done in the past. I am NOT impressed with Roddick at all.

Yes, but you never are. I think he's been playing great. Serve looks terrific, the improved backhand has been impressive, and the movement is the best its been in awhile, if not ever.

[Super-Luser]

4 Wimbledon semifinals, and you say he was never good enough? Sorry, suliso, but I think there's a lot of very good ATPers who wish they could say that. And I think nerves, and crowd pressure played a huge factor in those four Wimbledon semis for Tim- and will do the same for Murray in his first Wimbledon semifinal.

And what has he done in other GS tournaments in the absence of this pressure? And could it be that he reached those 4 semi finals BECAUSE of home support not despite it???

He has won only one MS event and a bunch of MM tournaments... Sure there were hundreds of players who would have sold their souls for his career, but what does it have to do with being or not being good enough to win GS titles?

[abossakon]

Have you whatched their matches THIS year? I am not talking about what they have done in the past. I am NOT impressed with Roddick at all.

I don't think you can declare the past irrelevant. Haas plays well for 2 1/2 weeks and all of a sudden he's better on the surface than a guy in his 4th Wimbledon SF? I've watched much of both of them this year and I don't think Haas is playing any noticeably better than Andy.

[PaulRyansew]

And could it be that he reached those 4 semi finals BECAUSE of home support not despite it???

I think that argument would have more validity if he hadn't reached the semis of both the French and the US as well.

I'm not saying Andy Murray is Henman 2.0. I just think that what we have seen from Murray is steady improvement. This is allready the deepest he's gotten at Wimbledon, and I a) don't think he's ready to win it yet, b) is going to feel a lot of pressure, c) is possibly going to be looking ahead at Federer, instead of living in the moment with Roddick, and d) is going to be playing a highly inspired Andy Roddick, who has been playing very well so far this tournament. And I see the combination of those factors resulting in Roddick winning in 4.

[abossakon]

And what has he done in other GS tournaments in the absence of this pressure? And could it be that he reached those 4 semi finals BECAUSE of home support not despite it???

He has won only one MS event and a bunch of MM tournaments... Sure there were hundreds of players who would have sold their souls for his career, but what does it have to do with being or not being good enough to win GS titles?

He made the SF of the French (ran into Coria) and the US Open (ran into Federer). I think it's safe to say that he reached the 4 Wimbledon SF because he was an excellent serve-volleyer and grass back in the day supported that play style. His quality of play, I feel, was certainly high enough that he could have won a grand slam (I'm thinking Wimbledon 2001 specifically but alas...rain).

[TheBest-Host]

While I agree with Suliso about Henman (Murray is clearly more talented than Henman was), I respectfully disagree about Haas and Roddick. As a matter of fact, my greatest fear, suicide pool-wise, is a Roddick-Haas final, because I'd be stuck with Haas. I don't think Haas would win that match-up.

[ultramDoctoo]

I think Murray will take it in 4. I think he will lose the first set, then when he gets over the atmosphere and gets a handle on Roddick's serve he will get back into the match.

[Super-Luser]

I doubt very much we will find it out. Maybe I just like Haas game better...


As for Henman I think he and Tommy are similar level players. Tim's career stats are slightly better, but he wasn't struggling with injuries as much as Tommy. Both could have won a slam under favorable circumstances, but not many players of their ability are lucky enough for that...

[PaulRyansew]

Actually, given how the Suicide Pool has gone this time around, the answer is clear. Murray wins in 5. The consolation for Roddick fans will be the rush they get when he takes the 4th set, and they have their faith temporarily restored that their fave can win the match.