Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
MobileSONY ERICSSON OPEN 2012
Nick's Picks Day 14
Miami, U.S.A.
by Joe McGovern
|31.03.2012
Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri offers his commentary and prediction for Sunday’s Men’s Final at the 2012 Sony Ericsson Open.
[1] Novak Djokovic vs. [4] Andy Murray
If we look at the games of these two guys and compare stroke for stroke, Djokovic comes out ahead. But Murray is honestly not much behind. Djokovic is just a little bit better. Djokovic won their big battle in Australia, which could have gone either way, and then Murray beat Djokovic this year in Dubai. For Murray to win this he needs to strike. If they battle in rallies that last ten or twelve shots, the advantage goes to Djokovic, just like it went to Djokovic versus Ferrer and Monaco. Andy has to get Novak five feet behind the baseline, because the ball has to travel that far to keep Novak on the run. And Andy has to really step up his second serve, because we all know that Novak is in the business of massacring second serves.
Ivan Lendl is bright enough to tell Murray that he won’t be able to outsteady Novak. Andy has to come out of his comfort zone, he needs to gamble, play offensive, and go for shots that he’s normally not supposed to. He can’t get very far with a guy like Djokovic by going north and south.
He needs to go east and west. And Andy cannot take chances by letting Novak get ahead of him. If Novak gets out ahead in the first four or five games, then Andy risks not getting back in the match and not giving himself a chance to win. I believe Andy is playing well enough to fight Novak for every point, but Novak’s little bit of advantage in the big categories will put him over the top.
NICKS PICK: Djokovic in 2 tight sets
Search News
Related News
PRICELESS EXPERIENCES
Collectors Club
Email
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
StumbleUpon