Andy Murray made it a point to call out the media's complete lack of respect for David Ferrer prior to this match. "I did one hour of press after my match and didn't get one question about Ferrer. The guy's #7 in the world." He has a point. While I've generally been ignorning much of what's been written down here (just so my thoughts don't get influenced too much), I did read a few preview articles for this match and yeah, it seems like a lot of folks were writing Moose into the finals.
Anyone who watches Daveed play knows how dangerous he can be, and given Andy's game, how tough a matchup this was. Daveed came out on fire. He was moving well and getting the ball deep on Andy, and while Andy wasn't playing poorly, Daveed seemed completely in control. They would grind each other through numerous 40+ shot rallies throughout the match, slicing, dicing, and hitting corners at will. There was tremendous shotmaking in this match. The key in the first set was Daveed's return of serve. Andy would actually break and go up 4-3, only to get broken two straight times to lose the set 6-4.
The second set started the same, with Daveed breaking again in Andy's first service game. But Andy finally (he's about as smart sometimes as he is cute) figured out that he wasn't going to be able to out-baseline Daveed. So he increased his aggression, hugging the baseline, getting to the net, and hitting out more. He would save a set point at 5-4, admitting later that he had no idea it was a set point until he held and the umpire called the score at 5-5. Like I said...he ain't that bright.
Moose would serve for the set and get broken. I blame Caro, who decided to sit in the MooseBox for the match. That's some bad mojo. STOP COPYING ANA. IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. But once the set went into a breaker Andy reeled off six straight points before finally taking the set 7-2 in the break.
Boyfriend would roll through the third set, taking it (and, we all thought, Daveed's spirit) 6-1, and he flew out of the gates to a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Then all hell broke loose as Daveed got his second wind and Andy lost his mind (LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THAT MISSED OVERHEAD DUCK AT 3-3). But they battled to a tiebreak, and since Daveed was 0-10 in tiebreaks at Melbourne Park, we pretty know how that went.
And so, for those of us who actually do get sick of Fedal hype and chatter, we get our dream final. Andy vs. Nole with a lot on the line. They've played each other since they were 13, Nole leads the H2H, Andy won the last three, but they haven't played each other for over two years. So basically, history is unreliable here. Nole is clearly the form player and rightfully the favorite. I don't know...a Moose win would be an incredible feat here under the circumstances. He just hasn't looked as impressive as Nole.
Plus Nole's got Ana in his box. I mean, you can't beat that. You LITERALLY cannot beat that. Can I tap out Caro and fly in Robbie? I'll pay for the flight and everything. That would at least give Pale Force One a fighting chance. Their tans are about even.
Either way, it's going to be great. I really really can't wait and I know I'll be happy either way.
But...I also know I'll be happier one way. So let's do this.
(Pic: Getty)
