Although the French Open is the only Grand Slam that Andy Murray has failed to reach the final of and known that Grass and Hard Courts are his stronger services, the Scotsman is certainly looking in good shape in 2015 to be a challenger at Roland Garros being now one of the very few people to claim a victory over Rafa Nadal on clay (there has been more humans on the moon than those that have beaten Rafa on clay), after beating him in the final of the Master Series Madrid Open 6-2 6-3.
Murray Mints has shown impressive form on the red stuff so far with a 100% record on clay in 2015 having won in Munich the week before albeit winning the final there on a final tie break, and in Madrid beat two other top 10 players (Raonic and Nishikori), and only dropped one set in 2nd Round. So can Andy keep this form up and possibly make his first final at Roland Garros, though as ever will be other challengers like Djokovic, and Rafa Nadal has only ever lost to one person at Roland Garros a certain Swede named Robin Soderling, is a different kettle of fish at French Open but is his amazing run there about to come to an end? We shall see.
Soderling the only man to beat Rafa at Roland Garros but Federer and Djokovic the other 2 (not including Murray of course) to beat him on the dirt.
ReplyDeleteAmazing performance from the Murray mint. The way he dispatched Nadal in the Madrid final, while worrying for Rafa fans, is great for Andy! He's certainly a happier person in general since his marriage and this is transferring to his tennis. He's never looked as good and must now be in the mix for The French Open. Djokovic is the favourite for me still and maybe Rafa can prove the people who think he might be beyond his best wrong. It certainly makes for one of the most eagerly anticipated French Opens for a long long time.
So, is Nadal past it? Have his previous injuries all finally taken their toll on what was one of the truly great players of all time? King of clay yes, but it's important to remember he also won the other 3 slams.
Can Murray stun everyone by winning his first Roland Garros crown?
How will the G.O.A.T Roger Federer measure up? Surely he can't be discounted.
Or will there be another first time winner? Djokovic most likely but also do we think Nishikori has a chance?
Whatever happens, may the best man win. I just hope the best man is a certain Andrew Murray.