Tennis Discussion Thread

Since Fed and Nad were reasons why Murray was in the hard half of the draw and they've both gone, he must fancy his chances of winning it now?

Given how well Berdych has played and the tactical changes Danny has made to Berdych's game in a very short period of time this is a much harder match than it would have been even last year. Berdych prior to yesterday had lost to Nadal 17 straight times. What made the difference was primilary the different tactics Berdych used against Nadal than previous meetings. Plus Danny worked with Andy for a long time so should be able to give Berdych an excellent tactical game plan to beat Murray

It will be an intriguing match against Berdych for sure.
The point about the coach of Berdych is not lost on Murray as he has already decreed that Berdych is a slight favourite to win.
The mind games have started.
To me the key is that Murray seems in a good head space right now. He seems at peace with himself in a similar way he was at Wimbledon in 2013.
He obviously needs to find his very best form to go on and win the tournament but I would not rule it out.
Murray could pull it off.

Match is live on BBC Red Button from 8.30am tomorrow(Thursday)

^ Or EuroSport on Sky channel 410 starting at 8am

1st set has gone to a tie break. Where Berdych won it 8-6.

Murray's up'ed his game in the 2nd. He's white washed Berdych 6-0.
Score 6-7, 6-0.

Well done to Andy

He came through to win in 4 sets. 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5

The final will be Murray's 4th Australian Open final and his eighth Grand Slam Final overall.
Murray is 0-3 in Melbourne finals and 2-5 overall.
He will be keen to set the record straight and win his 3rd slam.
An extra days rest over his final opponent could prove significant. Djokovic and Wawrinka face off tomorrow for a place in the final.

Elsewhere the Ladies final will be between the top two seeds Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.
The head to head record makes disastrous reading for the Russian as she trails 16-2 and has not beaten Williams since 2004. Williams has given Sharapova some fearful hammerings since then. With the form the American is in it would be a very brave choice to tip Sharapova for the win.

Maria Vs Serena. Will Maria be able to over come her mental block against Serena in a final?