Does Murray have a chance?
 

Federer - Ancic seems predestined. Marat - FLo and Clement - Schuettler seem 50-50 matches. So the one possibly intriguing match is Andy Vs Rafa.

Andy has a chance
Not much of one, I think it depends more on the condition of Rafa's knee than the crowd.
Rafa won't miss the crosscourt shots that Gasquet did, and he will NOT melt.

So, the question is does he have a chance?

Well of course he does. But I think Rafa is 60-40 favorite.

NO!

Yes, but not a big one.

Bookmakers offer you 5 to 1 for a bet on Murray in this match.
So there you have the statistical odds.

Nadal's knee is the wildcard here. He might come out as Jankovic did yesterday..

But, if he is OK, then I think Murray will lose easily in 3 or 4 sets.

Too much euphoria I saw after Murray's great comeback win yesterday.
And Henman now predicts him to beat Nadal in 5 sets.
Henman is about as good a contrarian indicator as you will ever find one..

I actually think he does. Not huge, but maybe enough to place a bet (if that was my thing).

If Andy is focused and does not have a bad attitude, he will win. But I think it will be in 4 or 5 sets. Nadal is not going to lie down and just take it.

I'd love to see it happen, but really don't think it will.

No chance unless Rafa is injured

Didn't these 2 train together in Spain? No, Murray trained in Spain but Nadal stayed on Mallorca, right? Was wondering if a familiarity with Rafa's game would help Murray's chances.

Murray can get a lot of balls back - I think he has a chance if he can finish points at the net (kind of applies to everyone, right?).

Rafa's confidence is high as ever. If he has nothing serious in his leg, I am 99% confident he will win in 3.

I agree. Rafa will be so motivated to win against a pro Murray crowd.

three thoughts:

1. Nadal's confidence is very high ... but he hasn't had a reason to lose any. If Murray gets up early, Nadal's instincts are not tuned to grass; he may well react in a counterproductive way. Murray must get up early to have any shot

2. Murray looks different this tournament. He seems much steadier, much more confident that he knows what he needs to do. Especially after the Gasquet escape, I think he believes he can get there. (Reference his comments on not aiming for the QF but for the final.)

3. Nadal said the only time he was intimidated at the French was when he played Grosjean and (can't remember the other Frenchman). What will it be like playing Murray at Wimbledon, then?

The one thing Nadal hasn't really faced at Wimbledon is someone who comes to net constantly. Where are the serve-and-volleyers? I wonder if Murray will do a fair amount of that to keep putting pressure on Nadal. His passing shots are good ... but then again he hasn't ever had to produce them for two solid hours.

Murray has a shot. I like him to take the first set and make it a match the rest of the way.

A chance...a small chance.

The real question is....can he come out with the momentum that he did in his match against Gasquet?

And Rafa isn't Gasquet and the crowd won't faze him....And I think the crowd will be equally supportive of Rafa because he always gives 100% of himself and ......they may be looking for Rafa to win his first Wimby .....there are so many elements at work here....

But even with the crowds....Rafa's tennis is better than Murrays and that's the bottom line.

Absolutely no chance of that against the local boy.

I didn't realize Federer-Ancic was already determined. I would like to say Ancic will make it a match but who can say?

Anyways, for SP sakes, I would like Nadal to win. But I wouldn't mind him losing against a red-hot Murray. I think he'll have the confidence after the five-set scare over Gasquet.

Rafa should not allow it to happen (Gasquet DID let it happen but getting broken in 3rd set) but IF match will get very close and let's say Murray takes first set, the rage in crowd might very well reach unbearable levels.

I agree Vlad, that Murray can ride on the wave of the crowd...hence...let me again repeat: Rafa is not afraid or intimidated by the crowds....remember that the Frenchies are much tougher crowds than the Brits....

I think.....my boy takes it in three and send Murray following in Henman's footsteps! http://forum.talkabouttennis.com/ima...lies/smile.png

But I'll concur that...Nadal's knee needs to be in top form tomorrow! AH! I cant' wait!!!!!!

Not a chance in hell.