Andy has a shot if he plays like he did today. He was playing much more aggressively and as long as he is dictating pace and controlling the court, I don't mind him coming to net as much. The forehand he showed today was like the one he featured back in his best years. It was a real weapon and it kept Ferrer on the defensive. Isner is playing well enough to beat anyone, but Murray has been playing so well since he survived that marathon against Haase. He's gone now, but let me reiterate what an incredible tournament this was for Donald Young. He beat some guys that he would have lost 2, 1 and love against at this time last year. It wouldn't surprise me to see him challenging to win events next season. I hope he tries to play in some of the smaller tournaments between now and the end of the year. It can be tempting to go home and rest your body, but he needs more match play against top players.
It amazes me how physical tennis is these days. Late in the 4th set, both Isner and Murray are limping around the court and looked gassed. It seems that the number of matches that end with one of more players limping or favoring something are more numerous than the ones where both players come out looking healthy.
Does Roddick ever have a plan when he goes up against the best? it looks like he just tries to swing as hard as he can hoping something happens.
Roddick has zero game plan. He gets smoked when he plays the big boys...this match with Nadal is like watching the Texans play the Colts.
To be fair, Roddick has also been criticized for not swinging for the fences enough at times. There have been matches where he was good enough to win but he seemed more concerned with constructing points and showing off his all-court game rather than putting away winners. I guess at this point, the facts are just that he is not going to beat the top players unless he plays the match of his life. I'll be interested to see what he does with Larry Stefanki at the end of the season. He clearly peaked with Larry as his coach back in 2009. With all the injuries he has faced, it's hard to put too much on Larry (or even Andy), but maybe he just needs to hear a different voice.
He needs to go big. He has lost athletic ability to beat the guys like Nadal. It's time he flattens out his forehand. He spins it too much and Nadal just craps all over it.
