BERCY DAY 2 – FEDERER, MURRAY WIN FROM RICHARD EVANS, PARIS

Written by: on 4th November 2015
BNP Paribas 2015 Masters Tennis Tournament
BERCY DAY 2 - FEDERER, MURRAY WIN FROM RICHARD EVANS, PARIS

epa05010714 Britain's Andy Murray in action against Croatia's Borna Coric during their second round match at the BNP Paribas 2015 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 04 November 2015. EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT  |

Roger Federer felt that, maybe, he was a little over excited, having returned Andreas Seppi’s first three serves with clean hits. So the great Swiss told himself to calm down and proceeded to offer a packed stadium another master class in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters here, beating the Italian 6-1, 6-1 in 47 minutes.

“I felt I was just seeing the ball very well and it’s a great feeling because you feel that, whatever you do, you will find a solution.”

Federer had far too many solutions for a helpless Seppi but he will need a few more when he meets John Isner in the next round after Isner had disposed of the new Brit from Slovenia, Aljaz Bedene, in straight sets.

“Indoors, here in Paris John’s played well historically here and I know it’s not going to be easy,” said Federer. “Obviously, I have to see what I can do on his serve. There are only so many opportunities. I’m aware of that.”

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action against Italy’s Andreas Seppi during their round 2 match at the BNP Paribas 2015 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 04 November 2015. EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT

 

Andy Murray also had an easy win against the teenage Croat, Borna Coric who had beaten him at the start of the year in Dubai 6-1, 6-3. This time Murray returned the compliment, winning 6-2, 6-2.

Murray said it was difficult to judge how far Coric has come in the intervening months because this was an indoor meeting and “maybe he likes playing outdoors or on slightly slower courts.”

Murray went on to give some insight into why the men’s is suddenly producing some really promising teenage players. “I do think the game physically is tougher and that’s why, from a younger age, maybe it’s harder. But I do think if you are a special talent, and you are going to be one of the best players in the world, there is no reason why you can’t make a breakthrough. Of course, in five set matches it will be tough but over three sets, the skill level is what wins you matches, rather than the physical strength, I think.”

Murray believes Coric is a David Ferrer type of player in the making. “Extremely solid and consistent; moves very well, great attitude on court, fights extremely hard. I think some of the guys around him like Nick Kyrgios have flashier games styles and are more likely to cause upsets right now. I don’t know whether he’s a Grand Slam winner of the future but he’s obviously an exceptional talent.”

Murray is now set to play David Goffin of Belgium in a pre-view of their anticipated clash in the Davis Cup final in three weeks time. Even allowing for the fact that the surface is completely different – the Final will be played on indoor clay – Murray feels playing Goffin here will be a beneficial experience. “Any time you can spend time on court with your opponents you can learn about their game,” said the man who analyzes all aspects of his sport like few others.

Rafael Nadal is just concentrating on his own game at the moment and is doing a good job of it. Despite losing to Federer in the final of Basel last Sunday, Nadal looked sharp again in sweeping past the Czech Lukas Rosol, who had taken him to a decisive tie-breaker last week, 6-2, 6-2.

“For me, since the US Open, the big improvement has been that I am able to find solutions again,” Rafa said. “When I am able to think what I can do to change the dynamic and fight the way that I need to fight it is very positive for me. It has been a mental problem, a confidence problem. I don’t feel the nerves, the strange feelings I had on court, that I was having this year.”

Can Nadal climb all the way back to the top? That’s one of the biggest questions in the game at the moment and every win is step in the right direction as confidence builds. But Rafa is ranked 6th at the moment and he will need to win some big titles before he can start bestriding the courts like the Rafa of old. But at least he seems to be on the right track and, most importantly, he is enjoying his tennis again.

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