|
Posted on: November 29, 2012, 06:00 PM
Posted by: ProdigyEng
|
I have a theory that some groups of people are given free seats prior to the event if they come and make a lot of noise.
Anyone remember the Berdych fans at the AO? They were outrageously vocal.
Well the bongo guy was there all week at the Paris Masters so I think your theory is correct. |
|
Posted on: November 07, 2012, 01:02 PM
Posted by: janetx
|
The touchpaper is the part on a firecracker or rocket that is lit in order to ignite the firework.
Oh! Thanks.  |
|
Posted on: November 07, 2012, 11:55 AM
Posted by: Ruthie
|
I have a theory that some groups of people are given free seats prior to the event if they come and make a lot of noise.
Anyone remember the Berdych fans at the AO? They were outrageously vocal.
do you think if I go along and ask for an audition with my loud voice they might give me a front seat?  |
|
Posted on: November 06, 2012, 07:33 PM
Posted by: scotnadian
|
|
I have a theory that some groups of people are given free seats prior to the event if they come and make a lot of noise.
Anyone remember the Berdych fans at the AO? They were outrageously vocal.
|
|
Posted on: November 06, 2012, 07:26 PM
Posted by: Alis
|
|
We could do with having some of the Stirling University crowd there tomorrow.
|
|
Posted on: November 06, 2012, 06:36 PM
Posted by: Ruthie
|
|
sound like you did your best Elena in difficult conditions!
can anyone who is there today let us know if they saw Andy practising and at what time as he tends to be a creature of habit with practice times on days he's not playing and would be nice to see him if I can on Thursday.
|
|
Posted on: November 06, 2012, 06:07 PM
Posted by: Elena
|
|
Haven't had time to read much since getting back from the O2 last night - so will just comment on the crowd.
I was really excited to be there for Andy's first London appearance since Olympics and Grand Slam, and when he was announced everyone around me was on their feet, cheering and clapping. It was hard to hear how much noise we were making because there was so much noise already with the music and announcements. It may well have been turned down a bit for TV.
When the match got going, I was surprised how quiet it was at times. It's only my second experience of live tennis, and I'd forgotten how different it is with no commentators wittering away between points! I was on my own, but I expeceted the people around me to at least talk amongst themselves after most points, but it all just felt rather tense - especially the first set. I thought we did better as Andy did, and we relaxed a bit.
I was up high, and applauded, whooped, cheered and clapped encouragingly as much as I could, with the odd "Come on Andy" (as did many others), but I was desperately hoping there'd be a group of people somewhere who would get something more going, and then I think lots would have joined in. Individual stuff all sounded a bit puny from where I was sitting, and I wasn't quite brave enough to boss the people around me - sorry!
There was one very loud "Let's go Andy, Let's go" - but it stopped abruptly and never happened again. I liked "Come on Olympic Champion" shouted out from way up high at one point.
The couple next to me had a large Saltire flag they waved occasionally, the couple in front of them had a small one and a Union flag, and in front of them was another large Saltire - so I'd hoped for some Braehead atmosphere around me, but it didn't happen.
I thought the evening match was going to be a lot noisier, as there were fewer empty seats, a lot more beer, and two of the biggest entertainers. But it all trailed off after a bit, as both players were a bit disappointing really with errors all over the place.
For anyone that's going - it was really hot, so wear layers you can take off and take some water! Have a great time.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks Nigel for the report.
|
|
Posted on: November 06, 2012, 08:56 AM
Posted by: Sir Panda
|
|
Good write-up Nigel. Spiffing.
|
|
Posted on: November 06, 2012, 08:27 AM
Posted by: Sabine
|
|
Nice report Nigel- sorry that I failed to mention it before..
|
|
Posted on: November 06, 2012, 06:47 AM
Posted by: adb..OH
|
|
Thanks Nigel, that was an exciting read, especially as I missed it. So glad Andy took care of Berdych right off the bat, couldn’t be happier with the result, though I’d love to have seen it. Good for him & bonus points for doing it despite a lousy crowd. Anyone who will be there next time, please give him many enthusiastic cheers for us all.
|
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 11:44 PM
Posted by: lashurst
|
congrats to andy - he really fought through today.
forgive me, but what's "touchpaper"?
The touchpaper is the part on a firecracker or rocket that is lit in order to ignite the firework. |
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 10:57 PM
Posted by: teejay1
|
|
I'm delighted Andy came through. Sure, he didn't play his best to start, but once he broke in the second he was much, much better.
I think a nervous start at such a big event is acceptable. I think it shows that Andy isn't arrogant and won't take anything for granted. Also, the match up with Berdych has always been tough. The key, I think, is that Andy stayed focused today, even when down, and worked to get the win, which was convincing when it came. It seemed to me that once Andy got the break in the second set he took control and didn't look back.
I think this one was a good win in all sorts of ways. Andy has now leveled the head to head with Berdych. I am sure that it is his third win over Berdych this year too, having beaten him in Dubai, the USO and now today. Berdych can have the win on the clay for now.
I think Andy has shown again today that he can hold it together mentally when he is behind. He recovered so well today when he made mistakes. I think that is significant.
Having got that one over with will surely help. It's not going to be easy, but who wants that? Andy looks all right to me so far.
The crowd are pathetic. I mean, for God's sake! OLYMPIC CHAMPION, US OPEN CHAMPION, and he's ours!!!!! If Smugfed's every move is roared at I will personally spit blood!
|
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 10:16 PM
Posted by: janetx
|
|
congrats to andy - he really fought through today.
forgive me, but what's "touchpaper"?
|
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 09:29 PM
Posted by: blueberryhill
|
Phew! So glad he's got that one under his belt. Big Bird is a very tricky customer with astonishingly powerful serve and ground strokes. Also, Andy couldn't convert those break points in the first set because, at that point, Berd was able to produce some unreturnable serves. Get real some people  Andy looked tight serving out the match- that double, yikes  Hope he can now loosen up, relax and play some more of that second and third set tennis.  Let's Go Andy. Let's Go  |
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 07:56 PM
Posted by: Tasmanian Devil
|
I was VERY disappointed with the crowds reaction when Andy came out on court...
When I heard that ticket sales had took off after his US Open win, I was expecting a much more rapturous greeting for him. Mind you, there were still plenty of empty seats and that was disappointing too. |
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 07:12 PM
Posted by: TheMadHatter
|
|
If Andy gets through, would also much rather he plays Djokovic now than potentially Djokovic-Federer-Djokovic in succession.
|
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 06:39 PM
Posted by: Ruthie
|
|
ah I wondered what the logic of it was
|
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 06:38 PM
Posted by: Joe
|
I should have thought that Andy would have to face the loser of tonight's tie not the winner. That would provide a far greater match-up for the spectators.
Thank goodness Andy won - well done our man!
This victory will put Berdych's nose out of joint as he was convinced that the only reason AM won their semi match at the USO was due to the wind. Berdych assured himself that otherwise he, TB would have beaten Andy.
He'll play the winner, it keeps the group alive until the final match. |
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 06:33 PM
Posted by: Ruthie
|
|
Yes it was Kevin Mitchell who said that. But we know there's an underlying problem so I'm glad he'll be seeing a specialist asap after 02. It could have explained the poor serving but as he says his back tends to improve as he plays it could also explain why the serving improved as the match went on.
Re cap madabout: to be fair [as if I want to be fair to birdy] players including Andy do sometimes wear a cap indoors because the lights can dazzle their eyes.
|
|
Posted on: November 05, 2012, 06:31 PM
Posted by: madabouttheboy
|
|
Well done Andy. A real joy to watch you coming through against Berdy and his cap-didn't he realise it was an indoor match?
Someone posted after the first set that Andy's game had gone to **** since he won the AO.....what is he or she saying now?
Still worried about Andy's back as someone said in a recent article that he was seeing a specialist after this tournament and we did notice the stretching a couple of times. Can't wait for the next match on Wednesday.
|
