OT: For tennis fans

[wire chief]

After 7 losses in a row, Andy Murray has won the Japan Open over Rafa. I came in early in the 2nd set, after Rafa won set #1 6-3. But it was all Andy from then on, 6-2, 6-0. Yep he blanked the great Nadal. How who ever does that? Murray was brilliant in judgment & execution.
Rafa looked OK physically, but I can't remember a single instance of the Rafa-patented gallop way off court to hit a devastating winner.
Congratulations to Andy, a long time coming.

 

[caravaggio]

After 7 losses in a row, Andy Murray has won the Japan Open over Rafa. I came in early in the 2nd set, after Rafa won set #1 6-3. But it was all Andy from then on, 6-2, 6-0. Yep he blanked the great Nadal. How who ever does that? Murray was brilliant in judgment & execution.
Rafa looked OK physically, but I can't remember a single instance of the Rafa-patented gallop way off court to hit a devastating winner.
Congratulations to Andy, a long time coming.

I think Rafa has lost some steam mentally, and that impacts him physically/technically; the last few Rafa matches I watched (admittedly against Djoko), I saw him for the first time ever resigned to losing. Rafa also tends to struggle at the end of the season, when his highly physical game has taken more of a toll.

Am not a fan of Murray though, so was not pleased about the result.