[Bonanzoid]

Surprised there's no topic for it already?

Anyone else watching it? I presume there's a few. I've found myself quite in to it, given the current lack of football. Glad to see the Williams sisters out, I don't like grunters. The women's game seems a bit crap compared to the mens' so there might not be as much interest.

I'm not a huge Murray fan, but it would be good to see him win a slam, I think he has a decent chance this year, but his toughest match will now be his semi against Nadal. Good to see Tsonga knock out a man who's level of smug and pretentiousness seem to be increasing with every day.

Thoughts?

[richbrown]

I don't like Murray and I'm not fussed on seeing him progress, even if he does represent us. I really like Nadal and I'd like him to win. I did like Federer and was surprised to see him go out, I think he played a weak game today which resulted the way it did. Let's hope Nadal annihilates Murray on Friday, that would be the one time I'd be happy to watch Murray whinge and pull that stupid jib of his.

[MK Chris]

I agree with Rich Brown, I am a big Nadal fan because he plays wonderful tennis and is true gent win or lose. I hope he wins the tournament and I think he will, barring trouble from his foot.

[Chris]

... and I'll be at centre court tomorrow cheering him on.

Oh, this should be in the What's making you smile/laugh today? thread I guess ...

[bmstinton93]

How much were your tickets? I've been told that going to Wimbledon is supposed to be a really good experience. You'll enjoy it.

[Yudster]

..... Murray...............he does represent us.

Speak for yourself, that scruffy, filthy looking whinging arse with a handy excuse for every bad day doesn't represent me.

I agree with Topher - Rafael Nadal is a stunning tennis player who epitomises everything that can be and ought to be good about professional sport. He's committed, professional, hugely competitive and remains generous, humble and well mannered in victory or defeat - the complete opposite of Andy Murray in fact. I want him to win, but his injuries are catching up with him more and more each match, not that you will ever hear him use that as an excuse for anything. Vamos Rafa!

[DarroM]

Can't stand Murray. Never liked him mainly because every time you see or hear him, he just sounds like he couldn't care less and looks a right moody ass. Nadal will whip his ass like he has done several times before since he is the superior player in all fronts.

[Yudster]

Murray has beaten Nadal - 4 times out of 15, which isn't a great record, but there aren't all that many players who have even done it once, so he knows he is capable. I hope not this time though.

[bmstinton93]

Personally, I have nothing against Murray and I will be cheering him on today and on Sunday if he gets through. I am also quietly confident that he may just about be able to pull one over on Nadal this year and beat him. He has done it before so he knows he can, as Yuds said. Come On Murray!

[MK Chris]

Murray has beaten Nadal - 4 times out of 15, which isn't a great record, but there aren't all that many players who have even done it once, so he knows he is capable. I hope not this time though.

Importantly though, Murray has only ever beaten Nadal on Murray's strongest - and Nadal's weakest - surface, hard court. That's not to say he can't beat him on grass, but it does render the statistic less meaningful for this tournament.

[Wykey]

I agree with Topher - Rafael Nadal is a stunning tennis player who epitomises everything that can be and ought to be good about professional sport. He's committed, professional, hugely competitive and remains generous, humble and well mannered in victory or defeat

Isn't he just the nicest bloody bloke? I really couldn't stand him before he started winning, all I knew of him was him pissing about with towels and taking months over every point.

And despite me not really liking tennis, the way Federer played was just beautiful to watch, so I wanted him to win.

Then this happened....



"It's disappointing for me that I am in the same time as the best player in history, Roger Federer.

"But I congratulate Roger because he always fights unbelievably. His attitude is always excellent when he win or lose. So thank you very much, Roger. His attitude is very good for tennis. I feel sorry."

You've just won the ultimate prize in your profession, and you have the presence of mind, the good grace, humility and frankly the class to say that?

Bloody hell.

[Yudster]

I know! What a role model.

I have to say also that Federer falls pretty well into that category too. The thing about Nadal though is that you don't expect that kind of class in one so young - its not the usual Sporting Whizz-Kid style is it?

[Wykey]

Everything about him says he should be an arrogant, aloof unpleasant piece of work.

Or it seemed that way to me. Even when the commentators were saying how down to earth he is, how he spends his spare time legging around Majorca and, essentially being a young lad with a bit of, oh sod it why not, a bit of spunk about him.

I think in summary, he's a nice young man and his mum should be very proud.

[Yudster]

I would be. Now if only he could meet my daughter...

[a-moron]

...essentially being a young lad with a bit of, oh sod it why not, a bit of spunk about him.

Alf Ramsay, Home and Away, circa 1990

[Wykey]

...essentially being a young lad with a bit of, oh sod it why not, a bit of spunk about him.

Alf Ramsay, Home and Away, circa 1990

Nearly. Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, circa 1974

[a-moron]

...essentially being a young lad with a bit of, oh sod it why not, a bit of spunk about him.

Alf Ramsay, Home and Away, circa 1990

Nearly. Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, circa 1974

Not much of difference really.

[Bonanzoid]

I think Nadal is a legend, but I don't think Murray fully deserves all the criticism directed at him. In interviews he does seem the most sullen, moody git around, but I'm not sure that's him. I have a feeling he just doesn't do well in the media. As a person admittedly, I prefer Nadal but I would like Murray to win a slam, and if it was Wimbledon it'd at least stifle the hype that's rife year in year out. The Wimbledon hype around Murray would just be worse next year if he lost then won a major in between times.

I like Nadal, but I hope Murray wins today. That said, I won't be upset if he doesn't, it just means the tournament is likely to be won by the nicest man in tennis. Or Djokovic (presuming he beats Tsonga, which at the moment looks likely.)