2016 Roland Garros SF: [2] Andrew Murray, OBE (GBR) vs. [3] Stan Wawrinka (SUI)

[masterclass]

This seems an important enough match to merit it's own sticky thread, no?
Please feel free to merge any other discussion into this thread.
Here is my take:

Stan has been a healthier, stronger, wiser and simply better player than Andy (and maybe anyone else) in big matches since 2013.

Smarter [17]Stan Dismantles [2]Murray in 2013 Monte Carlo

Even the Great Bjorn Borg acknowledges Stan's Genius.

Wiser [10]Stan the Man Ruthlessly Conquers Frustrated Defending Champion [3]Murray in Straight Sets at the 2013 US Open

Strong [4]Stanimal shows [2]Andrew the door at the 2015 Tour Final

2016 French Open? Stan Wawrinka - Vekic Au Revoir the Salty Murrays Back to Great Britain's Grassy Moors.

Stan Wawrinka - the new King of Clay?

Of course, Andy Murray has done well on clay this year, and maybe these previous meetings with Stan mean little and are excusable. The question is, can he better his level so far in this tournament to have enough to beat Stan?

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[britbox]

Oooo... this is tough to call. I got Andy winning this in my Tennis Bracket prediction but while he's been gutting out the wins, he hasn't been overly convincing.

Right now, I'm liking Stan to be honest... he's peaking when it matters and has formed a habit of winning when it matters at the business end of proceedings. He's won his last 9 finals... I know this is a semi but even so... He's also been beating Andy in their latest encounters. I'll go with Stan in 4... Andy wins one of the first two sets.

 

[britbox]

H2H: Murray leads 8-7

2015 ATP World Tour Finals 10 Hard Stan WawrinkaAndy Murray 7-6(4) 6-4
2013 US Open QF Hard Stan WawrinkaAndy Murray 6-4 6-3 6-2
2013 Monte Carlo Masters R16 Clay Stan WawrinkaAndy Murray 6-1 6-2
2012 Tokyo Outdoor QF Hard Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 6-2 3-6 6-2
2012 Olympic Tennis R64 Grass Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 6-3 6-3
2011 Shanghai Masters R16 Hard Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 6-4 3-6 6-3
2010 US Open R32 Hard Stan WawrinkaAndy Murray 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-3 6-3
2009 Wimbledon R16 Grass Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 2-6 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-3
2008 Doha F Hard Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 6-4 4-6 6-2
2008 US Open R16 Hard Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 6-1 6-3 6-3
2008 Canada R16 Hard Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 6-2 0-6 6-4
2008 Rome Masters R32 Clay Stan WawrinkaAndy Murray 6-2 7-6(5)
2008 Marseille R16 Hard Andy MurrayStan Wawrinka 3-6 7-6(5) 6-1
2006 Miami Masters R128 Hard Stan WawrinkaAndy Murray 7-5 3-6 6-4
2005 Switzerland v Great Britain - DC WG - PO 0 Clay Stan WawrinkaAndy Murray 6-3 7-6(5) 6-4

 

[isabelle]

the Scottish warrior"ll win in 4

 

[britbox]

I wish they hadn't scheduled these matches at the same time.

Stan holds to love in the opener.

 

[isabelle]

I wish they hadn't scheduled these matches at the same time.

Stan holds to love in the opener.

strange schedule indeed

 

[DarthFed]

Well I think it's due to having the women's semifinals today. They really had no choice. If you start one semi at 3 pm and it goes 5 sets then there is no hope for the other one to finish and that wouldn't be fair.

 

[britbox]

Murray takes the first 6-4 but makes heavy weather of it. Stan had opportunities to break...

 

[britbox]

Dangerous times for Stan. Needs a hold here or he's a double break down. Saves BP.

 

[britbox]

Murray gets the double break in Set 2. Stan needs to snap out of the "feeling sorry for himself" mode or this match is going to run away from him very quickly.

 

[DarthFed]

Stan's main issue is that he is barely serving 50% 1st serves. That's going to get you broken a lot on clay.

 

[britbox]

Big hold for Stan... That could have been the match if he'd failed to hold.

 

[britbox]

Murray gibbering to the umpire... might be a good sign for the Swiss.

 

[DarthFed]

Stan isn't the type that rallies from 2 sets down. This will be done in 3 or 4 now and both Djoker and Murray should feel good about themselves heading into the final.

 

[britbox]

Stan isn't the type that rallies from 2 sets down. This will be done in 3 or 4 now and both Djoker and Murray should feel good about themselves heading into the final.

Probably... Who are you rooting for here, by the way?

 

[DarthFed]

I'm rooting for Stan even though I do feel Murray has a better chance in the final (yes even with Stan winning it last year). I know the implications of Djokovic winning the final from a historical perspective but I'm also OK with him winning it. If he gets it, the RG and non calendar-year slam are well deserved. I truly think that would already boost him up to at least #3 all time, possibly #2

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Probably... Who are you rooting for here, by the way?

Personally would like to see Wawrinka win today. Not a fan of Murray v. Djokovic matches.

 

[britbox]

Stan should quit on those dropshot attempts... don't think I've seen him make one all match... anyone would swear he was wearing oven gloves with the feel he's getting.

 

[britbox]

I'm rooting for Stan here too. Not overly excited about the prospect of Djoker/Murray final either.

 

[britbox]

The crowd clearly want to see a fourth set.