US Open Tennis

ILBB15 said:
Did Del Potro say "manners" or "mother"?
Click to expand...
Story: http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2008-09-02/200809021220405496347.html

Murray – Del Potro: Bad Blood?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
By Neil Schlecht

In a promotional bit before the start of the US Open, boxing promoter Don King staged a pugilistic-styled “Grapple in the Apple” weigh-in of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Perhaps those two mild-mannered players weren’t the best choice for the event.

Wednesday afternoon’s matchup of sixth-seeded Scot Andy Murray, 21, and the 19-year-old Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who’s riding a 23-match win streak, comes against the backdrop of a supposed feud that has piqued interest in an already anticipated encounter.

Del Potro and Murray, 16 months apart, have known each other since junior days, but it was their May match in Rome earlier this year that has the two of them, and others privy to their playing history, talking.

In a testy match, Del Potro allegedly launched a ball at the feisty Murray’s head. At a changeover at 5-4 in the second set, the two engaged in sideline trash-talking that the umpire tried in vain to extinguish. The sit-down squabble began with Murray complaining about the attempted beaning, to which Del Potro retorted, somewhat elliptically: “You and your mother, the same always.”

That set Murray off, incensed that the Argentine would dare invoke his mum: “If you ever speak about my mum again!” The umpire pleaded with both players “to save it ‘til later.” “That is unacceptable!” cried Murray.

Del Potro sat stoically, staring straight ahead.

Murray was asked whether there was some unfinished business between the two in his press conference, after defeating Stanislas Wawrinka to advance to the match against the 6-foot-6 Del Potro.

“I haven't spoken to him since, so whether there is or not, for me it's another tennis match,” said Murray. “When you get on the court you've got to put your emotions aside and get the job done.

"I've known him since we were really young," continued Murray. "I wasn't great friends with him before. I don't need to be friends with him now."

Murray won that first and only bout in a TKO. After Murray split sets with the big Argentine, Del Potro was forced to retire with an injury.

Looking forward to today's showdown, Murray said, “Whether I like Del Potro or not really doesn't make any difference. When you get on the tennis court it's another match, and you've got to win.”

For the curious, there’s charming YouTube video evidence of the incident (complete with amusing Eurosport commentators advocating for a throwdown then and there):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=muM-UQc_Tnk

Round 2 between these two combatants – technically the quarterfinals – is coming up Wednesday on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Be there!
 
Come on Murray! I hate you but you'll win me some mulahhh. :)

'You talk about my mum again..'
 
Well Lads - Whose watching.

Come on Murray Lad. MAke this easy in the First. Break him early and knock his confidence
 
bazalini said:
Well Lads - Whose watching.

Come on Murray Lad. MAke this easy in the First. Break him early and knock his confidence
Click to expand...

Got your wish Baz, Murray's a defensive machine, won't have to hit winners at this rate. Typical dropshot on the first point too! :lol:
 
Using his sliced Forehand and backhand alot. Looking for that weakness in Del Potro. Don't mind Del Potro, good player, but Murray should take him here.

If Del Potro does get in front I am sure you'll see aload of fire in his belly which to honest is owed to Murray after Rome
 
Bollocks look at Del Potro go now. Not Good by Murray. Come on Murray my man. Don't let him get this set
 
Ah bollocks indeed. I had a nightmare with Djokovic and Federer last night I'd like to avoid the same here.
 
Looks like the key is to disrupt this guy's rhythm, something Murray's pretty good at because Potro looks a nightmare when he gets that forehand going.

6 points in a row in the tiebreak. :cool:

(Although if he does the 'muscle' thing after the match I'll attack the TV).
 
Argh I hate the way he plays sometimes, putting the ball in the middle of the court and hoping his opponent hits more errors than winners. Better work.
 
Are you betting inrunning skelter??

Laid off mine after first set. However cann't see Murray lose this now. Del Potro looks injured with that knee
 
bazalini said:
Are you betting inrunning skelter??

Laid off mine after first set. However cann't see Murray lose this now. Del Potro looks injured with that knee
Click to expand...

Nope, I usually start doing stupid things in-running, so I'm just on Murray to win. I do set betting usually and do quite well (for a student!) but I wasn't confident about anything particular in this match.

Break! :cool:

Edit - That's why I don't do in-running! :lol:
 
I like Murray in this match. Total different style of play. More calculated and following a game plan.

Nice to see. Working well IMO.

Not good now break back
 
2 great points start of tie break there,

Fecking brillant

Come on Murray lad
 
28 was the age Henman was when he reached his highest ranking ever of No 4 in the World.

Murray will be 21 if Roddick loses tonight
 
Brilliant tiebreak again there, looking good now. Del boy might just implode from here in, or retire.
 
Murray two sets up now. Good chance of Del Potro blaming the injuries or maybe even retiring I think.
 
Will be interesting to see the end of this match and them shaking hands
 
Skelter said:
I think they will. They haven't clashed yet, a few times they could have but nothing has come of it.
Click to expand...

Didn't like Del Potro not acknowledging some of the net chords he got. Apart from that Civil. Del Potro is definitely one for future. Him, Gulbis & Monfils are class acts
 
He needs to close this out now, don't give Del Potro some momentum. The crowd seem to be behind him too, which is odd because Sky Sports News have been pushing all these packages with the fans loving Murray.
 
I hate Murray. If he loses this it's a complete disaster, bottled it big time, JT big man big time.
 
GSM Murray

Get in there you little bollocks

Should never have lost the 3rd


well done lads for respecting each other at the end
 
Hope Nadal now has a long one

has three days now to recover.....


Odds for Murray gone into 13's for BBC spoty
 
YES!!!!! That was bloody tense, nice touch at the end, they respect each other after that effort.
 
Glad for Murray. The Semi Finals could bring some quality games.

Im hoping for Nadal V Murray, Djokovic V Federer.

They are probably the best four players at the moment but I have a feeling Roddick will beat Djokovic.
 
Great to watch that, bit nervy at times though! I'm not touching Williams but I expect to be on Nadal 3-0/3-1 later. Nadal's not been in the best of form but Fish has never took a set off him.

Addict said:
Hmmm.. both in the semis.. should I lay them both off?
Click to expand...

Why not? Unless you're taking a big hit. Nadal seems to have the beating of Murray. Dementieva will do well if she keeps her head (and serve!).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.