Anyway, for the finals, I think Djoker will win in an unexciting four-setter and Li Na will win in a three-setter, the third set being a wash after a competitive first two.

Yeah that's what I mean. He got significantly out-aced by Murray last night, and failed to get the ball back a lot of the time when he did get a racquet to it.

In his peak he used to out ace Roddick consistently and give him a lot less free points than pretty much anyone else. And I don't think anyone's going to rate Murray's first serve anywhere near Roddick's. He would keep getting the ball back in play. That's not so much the case anymore and was the biggest difference between him and Murray last night (Federer got very few free points on serve).

With regards to movement, I feel like these guys can now dog the backhand and then hit it hard and wide to his forehand. A few years ago he'd get to the ball and either crush it down the line or hit an even sharper angle back cross court. Now he'll make a forced error a lot more often.

More than anything though I think the biggest thing age hinders in regards to tennis is recovery time. If tennis involved matches spaced a week apart (like football), Federer could still be dominating the game. But to be able to back up every 2 days playing best of 5 set tennis is obviously very difficult and relies a lot on recovery.

Out acing roddick really isnt that big a deal, cause Roddick was never a good returner. A better stat would be to see the number of unreturned serves. I think Roddick gets a lot more of those than aces to be honest.

To be fair, I don't think I've ever seen Murray serve as well as he did in that match. He was absolutely killing it.

I like how noone commented on the final

It was a god-awfully boring match. I'm pleased to see the result (though I wouldn't have cared to see Murray win either), but it was hard to maintain interest in the match. Neither played very well.

it was ok the first two sets, novac just looked more in control and too powerful, murray could'nt sustain his intensity the last two sets, i wouldnt say it was boring but it certainly wasn't a thriller by any means.

The first two sets really weren't that great, either, in my opinion. I think it's telling that there was no break of serve until 4-3 in the third. These are the two best returners on the planet, and neither served amazingly in the final. They just weren't playing well enough to trouble each other. The tennis wasn't awful, but it was very textbook. Nothing outstanding from either player outside of a few highlight-reel shots here and there.

It was an impressive display of athleticism and that's no to say good tennis wasn't being played, but I was disappointed at the lack of winners. Not the best shotmaking I've ever seen to say the least.

Does nadal really think the ATP is out to get him?

link?

mint had him pinned a long tima ago as a whinger, cant believe i doubted him haha. the 25 second rule is more than fine, tennis matches already go far too long as it is. how long does he expect people to sit around waiting for him? i agree that there should be more tennis on grass and clay though

Del Potro wins his 14th tour-level title over Benneteau in Rotterdam! Hopefully, Nalbandian can make it another Argentine victory against Nadal in Brazil as well.

Nalbandian's a bit of a twat though.