the boy done good but not good enough.  He needed that third set. Fed just pounced on him in the service game at 5-3. 

I don't agree - with the point that he needed the 3rd set. he needed the 2nd! I do think that by 5-3 in the 3rd Andy was already hurting and Fed knew it. Sorry to say it but I think the thigh was a bigger problem than he was trying to show. I am not making exuses but did Andy really believe at that point that he was going to be able to take it to 5? Psychologically it must have been a huge downer for him.

^ sorry, forgot to say it is in Dunblane

The Hilton Hydro could offer to put on a Breakfast Party/Brunch.
It's the biggest hotel for miles...why don't you ask them to Mark?
I might even consider going!!!! Bucks Fizz is more my taste though

Don't you think there will be a bit of a gathering in Dunblane?

Surely!

When it all boils down to it Andy is currently playing his matches & tactics supremely well. He also has a winning HtH against both players 6-4 Federer & 2-1 Tsonga, surely if nothing else, this must be a psychological boost. If he manages to go out & continue with the same possitve & aggressive attitude (which he has shown recently, even when he finds himself in a bit of bother) I am feeling more and more optimistic that he can win this. No matter who the other finalist is.
But I do agree that the match will go to at least 4 sets. In a way he will probably need to loose at least one set to remain doggedly focussed.

ATM the betting odds are shortening for a Murray win and drifting slightly against Federer:

Federer: 10/11
Murray: evens

Revenge for all of Feds comments about Andy would be oh so so sweet though

[1]

I hope its Fed even though Tsonga is really cute and one of my faves!! , just because I'd get great pleasure outta seeing Murray wipe that smug smile off his face. Also it would make Murray underdog too and I think he relishes in these kinds of situations.

Even although Federer has been playing some majectic tennis I hope it's him too.....if he's watched any of Andy's matches, particularly the last two, deep down, he must be absolutely S.H.1.T'ing himself. He going to have to put his money where his big mouth is (not a s big as Andy's though) ...and knock the socks off Andy. That is pressure in itself.
And, if things weren't to go so well for him.....we might even see him loosing the plot and being fined!!!! For swearing
I do really think that Murray will be really up for this one as well. Think he knows Federers game a little better and would prefer to play him rather than another huge hitting and very unpredictable Tsonga.

[UNBELIEVABLE]

If andy doesn't win this one it will be a real banana skin and quite honestly UNBELIEVABLE - much, much worse than last years US Open.

Thoughout the past 10 days he has been getting steadily better and better. Everything is beginning to work well at the same time - his serving, ground-strokes, his confidence but more importantly his composure and DETERMINATION. I think he truly BELIEVES and has matured leaps and bounds over the past year.
I can't remember having ever seen all of these factors coming together so well, even in the leadup to the final in the US. He knows that he is 2 matches away from the title that he has always stated would be his best chance of winning his FIRST GS.
Even although Nadal withdrew today, Andy knows he played a wonderfully tactical game and beat the pants off of Rafa. He also achieved this when he played Isner in the previous round so this mornings performance was no flook. Some on this site were very concerned before that match and look what happened!

The fact that he did loose to Cilic last year will only increase his resolve, preparation and concentration. He has been particularly focused over the past few matches (very pleasing to see) and I think he will be even more so on Thursday. He does not want to be known as the "nearly man" and barring a brain storm, nervous breakdown or a total balls-up of an evening............he's through.
The final though, is another question!

Thank you Mark....you are just proving how good this web-site is.

This is for you and our boy

I wonder if they back Murray on the Nadal forums?...lol

Here is the English Rafa forum thread, not too many comments yet...they seem to be having problems logging into their site Just shows how good the AM set-up is but the few who have posted are not TOTALLY confident about him beating Andy. Although the general consensus is that if he plays as well as he did against Ivo he will do it! They have noted though that Andy has come through without loosing a set.

Comments are near the bottom of page 125

http://www.rafaelnadal.com/rafaforum/forum/viewthread_thread,77_offset,1240

Mod Notice

Fixed broken quote.

Put it down to being a newbie (not a very good start)

I forgot that Del P's 250 ranking points were not deducted until 18th.

[Hello to all and Just LOVE this website.]

 Hello to all and Just LOVE this website.

Can anyone confirm that del Potro has decided not to play any tournies leading up to the AO?

I have been looking at the ATP site and he doesn't seem to be mentioned in any of the forthcoming tournaments. A pity but Grrrrreat news for Andy's seeding for the AO if it is the case!