Farmers Classic 2012

[eliomelma]

Elias (Murray) vs. TWM-Fox (Federer) 7-6(4) 6-2


Quality wise it's probably the best match i've played since the tour started, the first set was really huge (at least i felt this way playing it), with much suspense and a very good level from both of us. At 2-2 i was 15-40 on my serve and could save 2 break points with aces (one being a slow kick second serve *lucky me*). At 5-5 on my serve 30-15 i'm doing 2 doubles, leading to 30-40, i could save this break point, then the game lasted 4 more deuces with 4 more advantages break points for Fox, wich i could all save as well and finally score my serve game (i couldn't believe it lol), then he holded his own serve game. Overall in this set i had 2 BP and he had 6, but there ain't any break converted. Then i finally won the tie-break 7-4.

In the second set, i guess i had some confidence edge, we both played at the same level until 2-2 when Fox on his serve game started to play a bit off doing 2-3 ue's wich gaves me the break. By then, Fox i guess lost some motivation, and although scoring some nice points here and there, wasn't as much consistent; on my side i was on a pretty good rythm and could then close the set 6-2.

Overall a very good game, as Fox told me he wasn't very cumfortable because he's usually the main attacker in his matches, and i was playing aggressively here so he couldn't play all the time in his favorite playstyle.

Let's see if Andy can do the same tommorow @ London Olympics




Great match!



gg Fox, & gl in the Olympics.

[VMoe86]

All the talking is history now, the match is finished: VMoe86 (Ferrer) defeats eliomelma (del Potro) 6-4, 6-2.

Elio started serving and so I was a little bit nervous at the beginning: Always having to serve to stay in the set, because it would be difficult to break him serving well. And he served well in the first set. I rarely go far behind the baseline on return, but in the first few games I did and it didn't help. Sure, I got the ball in play but he could hit return for a winner or control the point. Fortunately I served well with Ferrer, too, and did not face a break point in the first set.

At 4-4 in the first set I decided to return closer to the baseline and first point in this service game I won, 0-15. He then went to 30-15, but I had a good chance to make it 30-30 -- I was not positioned well enough and he won the point. I stayed tough in this game, got a good return in and controlled the point, which I then finished at the net after moving him around with some nice angles. On 40-30, second serve, return winner. Next point I was a bit lucky: Return was not really good, but I anticipated where his shot would go and so I won the point. Also on the break point it was a good point for me. Finally the break, phew. I served it out without problems.

Second set I immediately got a triple break point and one of them he made an error, so I got the early break. His and my first serve percentage dropped a bit in the second set and he immediately got a chance to break back. I did not put in a first serve on the break point, so I was aware that point could be over quickly with a return winner. He returned close to the center of the baseline and we had rally, in which I hit a safe shot: Here I just guessed the correct side, was lucky and won the point.

I held and then had double break point to go up 3-0. It reminded me of my match against Fox yesterday... On both break points I made errors because I wanted a bit too much on these shots. Elio held and kept on fighting: Another break point on my serve at 2-1, another second serve. Again, close to the center of the baseline, I responded cross court with the forehand and forced an error, phew. Both of us held for 3-2. Again he had a break point, on a second serve. He went full out cross court with his backhand, I think his return was on the line, very close to it, but I was there, responded with a cross court backhand winner on the line!

From here on it was easier for me and with another break I kind of secured the win. Serving out wasn't too difficult here.

Good match Elio, interesting match-up! Now Elias is waiting in my first final, looking forward to it.

[Elias]

Aah Elio, what happened I won a friendly yesterday using Del Potro vs Vmoe as Ferrer Now i'll lose with Murray So the first guess was right, Del Potro doesn't fit your game, you need good movers

Let's hope for a nice Final, hopefully it's not clay, uff

[eliomelma]

But the score is hard! Not play so bad. In first set until 4-4 and 40-15 i served very well and play te points with the tactic to end every point in 2-3 shots for del potro's stamina. And on 40-15 we had a long rallies and voilà , he wind the points , my stamina was low and i couldn't serve well and him broke me The second i tried to fight every point and i had some break points, but in those he played the best points and have me a heavy 6-2 . So good luck in the Final , hope in a even

[VMoe86]

And the final took place this evening: Elias (Murray) defeats VMoe86 (Ferrer) 7-5, 6-3.

I don't think there is much to say about the match, because we both played to the strengths of our characters: Elias served well when he had to (his serve percentage is low, but when he got the first serve I couldn't do much), I won the longer rallies. So Elias tried serving well and keeping the points short by attacking at the net, which is a good tactic against Ferrer (that's what I would do myself!).

I did not serve well: 52% first serve in the first set. I always had some rallies to win my service games, barely any free point. Even my placement was not good, although I can serve better Ferrer -- just one of those days.

I had to serve to stay in the first set and I was up 40-30, had advantage, but after another deuce, an error and an air swing -- first set to Elias, which he deserved because he also had more break chances before and I not a single one.

This affected my performance in the second set, where I started making more errors in the beginning and went down 0-5. But I don't give up, that's something I can assure everyone here. I served to stay in the match at 0-5 down, faced a match point or two and got to 1-5. Then, when he served for the match, I played two of my best points ever: Two beautifully timed lobs, one from the BH corner on my side down the line to the opposite corner. I think I saved another match point, here not sure anymore. At 2-5 I served again to stay in the match and did so. Did Elias crumble at 5-3, serving for the match? This time he came up with the goods, I couldn't break him here again!

Congrats to Elias for his second title, he played a smart match and deserved the win in the end. I'm a bit disappointed with my performance at the beginning of the second set, otherwise there are no regrets here -- next time I'll do better.

[Elias]

Thx 'Moe, it was a good match, probably not our best to date, but the first set was pretty good. Too bad indeed to lose a set with an airshot after a good battle and then losing a bit your game in the second set.

About this match, i though it would be very tough and i would lose it, after some discussions about Ferrer defending so well, having also good attacking abilities, or told being "unbeatable"' by some, just face it : the answer to such a good defender is to play a proper attacking game, take the net as much as possible, especially on fast surfaces, controlling a good server. Also Ferrer serve is his weakness and allows to put some pressure on returns and again rush the net sometimes. That was the key of this match, but i guess this would'nt have worked that well on clay

Sorry that you couldn't earn your first title here Vmoe, i'm confident that some crown awaits you somewhere, sooner or later

.

[C4iLL]

2 tournaments won in a row Elias, amazing run !