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Murray 4-6 2-3 Nadal*
Has anyone seen a Mr A Murray? He appears to have gone missing. A double-fault starts the decline and before we know it, Nadal has three break points at 40-0. The first is saved Rafa goes long with a return. But an fizzing inside-out forehand winner seals the deal. Nadal breaks and is back in the ascendancy. Murray looking flat.
* Denotes next server
John Lloyd on BBC Two: “Murray has to win this set. Two sets down to Nadal on clay then good luck.”
BBC Sport’s Piers Newbery on Twitter:
“The wind is playing havoc here. Papers blowing all over the place, hats flying off, cups tumbling down the steps. Didn’t help Murray much either when a huge gust threw him off on break point. Nadal’s strength is helping him out in these conditions. Very slow pace of play and if this match goes long, Djokovic Federer might be a night match.”
*Murray 4-6 2-2 Nadal
At the changeover, Murray asks the umpire if he can speak to the trainer at the end of the game after this one… hmmm… hope he’s all right. A fairly low-key set of points ensue and Nadal – sweating like a… – holds to 15 when Murray nets a routine backhand. Real lack of intensity from Murray in that one.
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Graham, Edinburgh, via text on 81111: “It would be nice, just for a change, if Murray could play as well from the start as he does once he’s behind!”
Murray 4-6 2-1 Nadal*
Not for the first time, Nadal fails to deal with a well-executed Murray drop shot, dumping a forehand paddle into the net for 15-0. The Spaniard seems unhappy with the bounce as two forehands miss the court, and Murray is soon home and hosed. Think that might have been the first love service hold we’ve seen today…?
* Denotes next server
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on BBC Radio 5 live: “Murray is playing against the wind at the moment and he realised in that game that there was no point him just floating back his returns because Nadal will gobble them up. He went for it a bit and played some great shots where he got Rafa on the run. He was just unlucky in the end, because on both his break points the wind held the ball up and all he could do was poke it back.”
*Murray 4-6 1-1 Nadal
“There’s been a real shift in momentum – even though Nadal won that first set, Murray has forced his way back into this match,” says Andrew Castle on BBC Two. This is easily Murray’s most intelligent and aggressive game so far. A forehand winner takes him to 40-15 on the Nadal serve and that means two break points. But the wind is playing all sorts of tricks and knocked the Scot out of his stride, so much so that Nadal does precious little to win the next two points. And it’s not long before Nadal holds with an unreturnable delivery.
* Denotes next server
John Lloyd on BBC Two: “Andy will be disappointed to lose the first set, of course, but he’ll be heartened with what happened in it. There were a lot of mistakes by Nadal. He almost clawed his way back into the set. It’s so important for a good start to this second set. He cannot afford to go two sets down. Murray is good at that but not against the world number one. ”
Murray 4-6 1-0 Nadal*
Murray makes a purposeful start to game one of the second set, charging to the net to fend off a body shot with a forehand volley that clips the line. A Rafa error and Murray’s first ace of the day help the Scot to 40-0 before a in concentration enables Nadal to level at deuce. However, the Spaniard then fires long and Murray chalks up a second ace to come through. The serve was actually called out but Rafa went over, spotted a mark and called it good. Great sportsman.
* Denotes next server
FIRST SET:
BBC Radio 5 live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend at Roland Garros: “He may have lost it in the end, but there was still plenty of promise from Murray in that set. He battled so well, has stood toe to toe with the best player in the world and was so close there to recovering from a 5-1 deficit to level. In that last game, with the wind at his back, he was moving Nadal all around the court and he rattled him a bit.”
Andrew Castle on BBC Two: “That was the best set of tennis played by Andy Murray at this year’s French Open.”
*Murray 4-6 Nadal
A second chance for Rafa to serve out the set, and this time he does it. Just. Murray opens with a horror point but staves off two set points to force deuce after a few gripping rallies in which the momentum swirls like the Chatrier wind. The tension is palpable but it’s Murray who seems to be the more relaxed and Rafa shanks another forehand to hand the British number one break point. He was down in this set, don’t forget. Nadal averts the danger when Murray nets but back comes Andy with a super return and it’s a second break point. Rafa races into the net for a feathered volley. Cool as you like. Murray then looks on with contempt as a groundstroke sails wide. Set point number three and Murray dumps a relatively routine forehand into the net.
* Denotes next server
Murray’s former coach Brad Gilbert on Twitter at Roland Garros:
“Nice fightback from AM, might have some carryover to the 2nd set.”
Murray 4-5 Nadal*
A beautifully-disguised drop shot gets Murray off to a strong start and despite Rafa benefiting from a huge net-cord on point two, Murray powers through to 40-15. It should be 40-30 when Rafa sees a ball into the tramlines but the umpire isn’t convinces and there’s no mark in the clay. He orders the point to be replayed. What?! It was way out. Nadal is far from happy and understandably so. Murray gets over the line with a winning approach and Rafa has a right go at umps during the change of ends.
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John Lloyd on BBC Two: “That was a strange game. Nadal misses a backhand by a long way. You’re not used to seeing these mistakes and that was three mistakes in a row – a strange lapse by Nadal. All credit to Murray though.”
BBC Radio 5 live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend at Roland Garros: “Good work from Murray to get one of these breaks back. He really stretched Nadal in that game, keeping him off his forehand and putting him on the defensive.”
*Murray 3-5 Nadal
Murray shows he’s still got plenty to give in set one with a pinpoint backhand winner down the line for 15-15. Rafa responds with the first ace of the match, only to make a right hash of two forehands and gift Murray a break point. Is Rafa getting nervous? A third successive dodgy forehand… he finds the net… Murray gets one of the breaks back. Game on.
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Murray 2-5 Nadal*
The net receives plenty of loving at Rafa (twice) and Murray (once) engage its services at the start of game seven. Murray follows up with a tidy forehand put-away for 40-15 and a first double fault for 40-30 before his opponent slices a return long. A little “comon!” from Andy as we get a shot of three-time champion Gustavo Kuerton in the stands. What a mop of hair he has these days.
* Denotes next server
Kev, Cambridge, via text on 81111: “I may be a little premature but I think the game in which Rafa ‘framed’ it and still fought his way back in to the rally to win is how it’s going to go for Muzza today.”
*Murray 1-5 Nadal
“This is probably the best I’ve seen Murray play all tournament but Nadal has just been too good so far,” says John Lloyd on BBC Two as the British number one forces Nadal to net for 30-15. But Murray then miscues two forehands, the first sailing wide and the second finding the net. Rafa in cruise control.
* Denotes next server
BBC Radio 5 live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend at Roland Garros: “Andy Murray isn’t playing badly but that’s the problem against Rafael Nadal. These matches can very quickly slip away from you when you’re playing the best player in the world.”
Murray 1-4 Nadal*
Murray’s serve under pressure again at 15-30 and Nadal senses an opportunity and he gets two break points with a thunderous smash at the net. “Murray’s rolling” says Andrew Castle. More aggression from the Spaniard and he makes the double break easily after storming into the net. Murray’s head a little bowed right now.
* Denotes next server
Coach and commentator Brad Gilbert on Twitter:
“Expect Andy Murray to work a lot of drop shots today to try and open up the court and also sneak in quite a bit.”
John Lloyd on BBC Two: “Murray threw everything at him there but it just kept coming back. He literally might just have top drop-shot the best he has ever done to win this match. Sometimes he overplays it but he needs to choose the right time to do it. This match is high quality and excellent tennis from both players.”
BBC Radio 5 live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend at Roland Garros: “How on earth did Nadal save that second break-point? If ever there was a point to emphasise how difficult it will be for Murray to breach his defences today, it was that one. But there is nothing wrong with Murray’s tactics at the moment, and I like the way he is dictating play from the back of the court. There will be plenty of occasions like that game when he doesn’t get his reward for some good play against Nadal but he has to be patient and wait for more opportunities when they come.”
*Murray 1-3 Nadal
Nadal gets a taste of his own medicine as Murray plants a forehand down the line for 15-15. The British number one then constructs another lovely point and Nadal looks beaten, but the Spaniard guesses correctly to stay in the rally and a shocked Murray pulls a forehand into the tramlines. The wind is certainly a factor out there. Nadal misjudges a low forehand at the net to make it 30-30 and Murray then races in to thread a backhand winner up the line for 30-40 and break point. The defending champion saves it with a smash that wrong-foots Murray, who winces afterwards. Is it that ankle? He seems to be OK as Rafa puts a forehand long and here’s a second break point. Murray makes the early running and Nadal breathes a sigh of relief as a framed forehand drops on to the baseline. Suddenly, the Majorcan is on top and sends over a darting inside-out forehand that Murray can’t return. Yet back comes the Scot and an aggressive foray forward ends with a deft volley to bring up a third break point. This time Murray nets a backhand return off a second serve. Poor. Nadal’s forehand is on song today and it gets him to game point… but he can’t reach a Murray lob. Wonderful variation from the 24-year-old Scot. A Rafa smash takes us to game point once more and this time he takes it when Murray puts a backhand wide. Nadal pumps his fist at the end of that, a 12-minute game.
* Denotes next server
Murray’s former coach Brad Gilbert on Twitter at Roland Garros:
“Very warm today low 80s and getting warmer winds 17 miles an hour and swirling very tricky conditions.”
Murray 1-2 Nadal*
“Hitting to the lines is dangerous on a day like today because it’s very blustery,” says former British number one John Lloyd on BBC Two as Murray drills long for 15-15. Another miscue makes it 15-30 and Murray flexes his right leg. “This is what Nadal does to you, he really works you around, tires you out,” adds JL. Murray attack a forehand to level at 30-30 but a mishit gives Nadal the first break point of the match. Murray saves with a confident forehand winner only to net a backhand return off a viciously-spinning Nadal forehand. Break point number two… Murray comes in… terrible volley… Nadal sends a forehand pass down the line. There’s the break – advantage Nadal.
* Denotes next server
BBC Radio 5 live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend at Roland Garros: “Murray is firing from the word go today and this is very encouraging. The quality here in the first couple of games has been something else. If they can keep this up for three or four sets then we are in for something special.”
*Murray 1-1 Nadal
More positive play from Murray but an attempted crosscourt backhand pass lands inches wide on point one. Nadal follows that up by dispatching an attempted lob with an twisting backhand smash. Real crowd-pleaser, that. The day’s first double-fault checks the Spaniard’s progress, but he comes through when Murray shoots another backhand wide. Really going for the lines today, Murray.
* Denotes next server
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on BBC Radio 5 live: “I don’t think Andy Murray will win but he’s certainly got a chance. This is the first time for a while he is in a big occasion with nothing to lose. He is in reasonable form, while Rafael Nadal is not in form he was in years gone by. The conditions are fast, with these new ball encouraging big winners and I’m just not sure whether that suits Nadal’s game because other players can put away the short balls that he plays a lot of.”
Murray 1-0 Nadal*
Clean and aggressive hitting by Murray from the outset. The British number one gets us up and running by bringing Nadal into the net and then passing him with a crosscourt backhand volley. Another searing backhand can’t be controlled by the Spaniard and Murray gets in for a cute volley to make it 40-0. Murray nets for 40-15 before world number one Nadal goes long. Super opening from the Scot.
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1318: Murray to serve first, here we go…
BBC Sport’s Piers Newbery on Twitter:
“Just passed McEnroe on a pre-match stroll, looking pumped, now on an increasingly windy Chatrier. And I tell you what, its nearly full.”
John Lloyd on BBC Two: “I’m sure Rafa was happy when he woke up today and saw it was a blisteringly hot day. The longer the match goes on, the greater chance he will have of winning.”
1312: Yes, people, we’re live on BBC Two, the Red Button and online. BBC Radio 5 live will be starting up in a couple of minutes. Raring to go? Good. This should be ruddy brilliant.
Andrew Castle on BBC Two: “Murray’s got the job done so far. It has been a fascinating tournament so far for him but now I think the tournament changes. For Murray to get through today, he needs to up the pace and watch out for Nadal’s sledgehammer forehand.”
1310: Chatrier starting to fill up as both men enter to huge applause. Rafa, greeted by a bunch of bananas on his chair, gets his water bottles in position and then bounces out for the toss. Murray whips out the baseball cap to shade his eyes from the sun and joins his opponent at the net. Both men in blue shirts and white shorts – I can see this getting confusing. Let the warm-ups commence.
Tiny, Dunblane, via text on 81111: “I hope Nadal wins. I must be the only person from Dunblane who is not an Andy Murray fan. Nothing against him personally. Plus I have a bet with a mate that he won’t win a major within a set timeframe. Come on Rafa!”
Neil, Leeds, via text on 81111: “Ready and waiting for another rollercoaster of a match today. Expecting Murray to step up a couple of gears and hopefully put on a similar display as he did in Monte Carlo. And I promise no more roller-coaster analogies from now on…”
1259: Our good friend
will be in position to talk you through Djokovic v Federer – but now it’s time to turn our attention to… ANDY MURRAY V RAFAEL NADAL. Enjoy…
1258: Let’s not be writing off Federer , though. He leads Djokovic 13-9 in career meetings and has reached his sixth Roland Garros semi-final without dropping a set. Federer may be without a Grand Slam title since the 2010 Australian Open – and he is 0-3 against Djokovic this year – but he is the only player to have reached the last four at this year’s French Open without dropping a set.
1255: Another couple of key points… Djokovic is seeking to reach his first final in Paris; if he were to win the title, he’d be the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian Open and French Open in the same year. If he beats Federer, Djokovic will be assured of rising above Nadal to number one in the world for the first time, no matter what happens in the Nadal-Murray semi-final or in Sunday’s championship match.
1250: By no means am I forgetting the day’s second semi-final – Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer. Nadal describes that “beautiful” match as “the best player in the world against the best player in history”. has won all seven of the tournaments he has played in 2011 and his win-loss ratio currently stands at 41-0. Victory over Federer would allow Djokovic to equal John McEnroe’s record for best start to a season in the Open era, 42-0 in 1984. Add in two victories for Serbia against France in the Davis Cup final in December, and Djokovic’s winning streak stands at 43 overall, three shy of Guillermo Vilas’ mark of 46 in a row in 1977.
“Fantastic days events about to unfold at RG-top 4 players squaring off..everyone can beat everyone..each has their own story #sportatitsbest”
Lisa, Cheshire, via text on 81111: “Wasn’t John McEnroe’s winning streak ended at the French by Ivan Lendl winning his first Grand Slam? Just saying…….”
1235: In the 5 live commentary box for the women’s semi-finals on Thursday was Andy Murray’s mother Judy and here’s what she had to say about today’s ding-dong on Court Philippe Chatrier. “If you are a player with ambition you live for these big occasions, they’re what you play for. If you can’t get yourself up for this, what can you get up for? I’m sure Andy will absolutely love it out there and hopefully we’ll have a great match. He’s had bits and pieces to cope with this week, from a groin strain to the ankle to a tooth. But he’s fine now and ready to go.”
1220: Plenty of chat about Britain’s finest so far, but what for arguably the greatest clay-court practitioner of all time? Let’s leave it to the man himself, non? “Playing against Andy is always a big challenge because you know how good he is,” says Nadal. “He has all the shots. He can defend very well, he can attack very well, he runs fantastic. The only way that you can beat him is playing at a very, very high level. Without that it would be impossible. That’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Murray’s part-time coach Darren Cahill on Twitter:
“The calm before the storm.. Murray v Nadal: Federer v Djokovic: 4 great stories and 2 great matches.
Anon via text on 81111: “Is there a more exciting sport than tennis right now? The 4 top players in the world going head to head, 1 day, 1 court, and each of them has the talent to beat the other three! The next few days and the rest of the tennis calendar are promising to produce spectacular entertainment! Bon chance Andy!”
1155: “It was definitely one of the best clay-court matches I’ve played,” said Murray of his battle with Djokovic in Italy. “And also my match with Rafa was a very high level. I have to maintain that for a long period. I’ll have to play as well as I did on those days to give myself a chance.”
“It’s one of the best challenges in tennis. His record here is incredible. I’m looking forward to it but I understand it’s going to be an incredibly difficult match for me. That’s why I need to make sure I do all the right things, watch some videos of matches that I played against him, and recover. Because you’re going to need all of your reserves to get through a match with Rafa at the French.
“I’m happy that I’m in the semis. It’s a good result. But it’s not worth going through what I’ve gone through the last four or five days to just be happy getting to the semis.
“He’s still playing pretty good, so I know Rafa will play excellent tennis against me. We’ve had some really good matches and he’s always played well. Even in practice he plays well against me, so I don’t expect him to play badly.
Anon via text on 81111: “Put me down for horrendously nervous and ridiculously excited. Nadal and Federer to win for another classic final and Rafa keeps his No 1 ranking for a bit longer, perfect!”
1140: We mustn’t, of course, forget to wish Rafa Nadal a happy birthday. Nadal turns 25 today. The world number one and defending champion, bidding to equal Bjorn Borg’s record of six Roland Garros titles, was
brutally honest in his assessment of his form
up until the quarter-finals, but he looked back to his old (old?) self
on Wednesday and will be hoping to celebrate in style today.
Will Andy Murray be the party pooper?
BBC Sport’s Piers Newbery at Roland Garros:
“It’s an absolutely beautiful day in Paris, although the usual breeze is blowing up the odd dust storm on court, and after Nadal had a hit on Chatrier an hour ago, Murray is down there now trading baseline blows with a junior lefty. Tickets are reportedly going for 1,000 euros outside and this certainly feels like the place to be today.”
1130: Right then, lots to get through over the next 90 minutes so let’s get going. First things first, a PoA. Murray and Nadal are due on court for the opening men’s semi-final at 1300 BST and the match will be shown live on BBC Two, the Red Button and the video console at the top of this page. The BBC Two coverage will switch to Epsom for the start of the live horse races and then back to the tennis asap, but both Murray v Nadal and the racing will be available uninterrupted on the Red Button and online as separate streams. Live audio commentary of the Murray match will be provided by BBC Radio 5 live (with breaks for the racing). Then comes Djokovic v Federer in the second semi-final. You can watch that one on the Red Button and online but not on BBC Two.
Former US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe on Twitter:
“I am going with Nadal in 4 and Djoker in an absolute classic, wins in 5. Roger will come to play. Can’t wait for the matches!!! Enjoy everybody-this doesn’t happen too often!!!”
Leading coach Roger Rasheed on Twitter:
“Paris Mens Semi Finals Day-27 degrees, Fast conditions with the ball biting off the court, interesting to see what style of play they choose.”
BBC Radio 5 live’s Jonathan Overend on Twitter:
“So the day arrives. Let’s not kid ourselves, a Murray win would be huge upset one of the stories of the year. Nadal substantial favourite.”
1110: An hour an 50 minutes until the start of one of the most eagerly-anticipated days in tennis history. A bit over the top? Not a jot. This is only the 12th time in the Open era, which dates back to 1968, that the top four seeded players have reached the last four of a Grand Slam tournament. And that’s before we even mention what’s at stake for each individual. These are very, very special times.
1100: French Open men’s semi-finals. Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal followed by Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer. The four greatest tennis players on earth doing battle on the Roland Garros clay. For the two winners, ecstasy and a shot at glory in Sunday’s final. For the two losers, agony and a flight out of Paris. Plots, sub-plots, records and history. It’s days like these that need no introduction.
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