I know a lot of people mostly remember Verdasco for the SF match against Nadal, but the truth is that Verdasco was insane throughout the entire tournament. He blew through his first 3 matches like it was nothing and he scored epic upsets against Murray and Tsonga.
Verdasco played the tourney of his life but that draw is too much for anyone not even prime Djokovic would have won. Murray - Tsonga - Nadal - AND Federer?
Amazing ball striking from Verdasco, and totally agree, the confidence and the mindset he was playing with in the beggining of 2009 was just another level
@@Luchon20082010 Running from side to side is "amazing"? Murray was incredibly good at defending, no doubt about that, but to say that his hits were better than the ones from Verdasco in this specific match... I don't think so.
@@Luchon20082010 Actually from the stats at the end, Murray hit just one more winner than Verdasco at 52-51. Murray is the better player for sure but this was in the middle of what I call "The Cat & Mouse" stage of Murray's career. Murray relied too much on his defense in the early parts of his career and it really hurt him in slams the most. When Lendl came on board, he forced Murray to be more strategic with his variety and pumped up his forehand, while making him dictate more in rallies. Watch how often in his match Murray just massaged the ball back into play and let Verdasco dictate the point, even when he would have an easy opening to take over the rally.
Murray was the better player Verdasco was just locked in and was on a form of his life. Murray played his usual here about 80% of his ability whereas Verdasco played 200% of what he had
I remember Verdasco during this run. The best he's ever looked was during a two year run from 2009-2010. He trained with Gil Reyes and Agassi for a few months prior to this tournament and it showed. I believe he was 25 at the time and right in his prime. The problem with Verdasco is that his game has always been built on offense but he lacks the defensive skills of Nadal, Murray, Djokovic and Federer. His defense was never horrible but it was mediocre, so he often went big on both wings. Great if he was on but when he was off, he was really off. If he had better defense and foot speed, he would have been truly formidable year to year. I'm also not sure he really kept up with the fitness he achieved here either. His fitness was truly elite here and it's why he played so well. He could keep up with Nadal and Murray and not tire out mid-point and just go for broke like he has for much of his career.
@@springfield03sniper Sure, his defense was decent enough, just not great. And you are right that mentally he couldn't keep it together. I think much of that stemmed from the scar tissue he built up earlier and in the middle of his career. Losing matches like this and against Murray a few years later at Wimbledon when he was up 2-0 in I think the quarters or semis.
@@TennisLover82 It sucks because he clearly had the fitness to be good defensively. I mean look at him. He’s quick and strong. And in this tournament he was pretty decent defensively and at counterpunching. But he lost those skills as time went on it seems.
It was a mentality problem for Verdasco, which most players go through. I read that he travelled a lot inbetween tours and never remained committed to the game. And his behaviour on court at times were very disrespectful and uncalled for, the match against Gasquet as an example. Also the arguing with his coaching box mid game showed his lack of taking responsibility. Nalbandian was another player who was too lazy to make his career a commitment 24/7, which the top 3 players who have that 1% do.
This match was a perfect example of why Murray lost on many occasions at grand slam level. His inability to play proactive tennis when encountering an in form, solid, big hitting ball striker or the big 3. He was too happy staying in his comfort zone playing the counterpunching game, hoping for his opponent to make errors. But once they weren’t, grew in confidence and started hitting winners or pushing Murray around. More often than not Murray looked lost and was unable to react and attack back, it became desperate towards the end of these type of matches, which he ended up losing. Certainly would have won more majors if he wasn’t stuck being passive. Which is still his problem today and the main reason for his injury issues. I remember even Federer said that he will end up like Hewitt if he doesn’t change his style of play. And that’s exactly what happened.
@@duartenoronha3172 It was at an exhibition event like Kooyong years ago. There used to be a video of it, but I couldn’t find it nor any article unfortunately. It might be mentioned in some tennis forums, but not sure as I haven’t checked. The closest proof currently I’ve read of Federer commenting on Murray’s style was when he played Murray in Dubai 2008 - there’s quite a lot of quotes from him in articles criticising Murray’s style. Hopefully that helps.
@@duartenoronha3172 Federer made a comment about Murray possibly running himself into the ground, as well as saying he thought Murray was an aggressive player, following his defeat to him at the Dubai 2008 tournament. With Murray's incredible anticipation, I can see why Federer thought he would be more aggressive.
@@anup7604 For me it's disappointing because he's far more talented than Djokovic or Nadal. He's got better raw talent. He's massively underachieved. I'm sure he's aware of it, but sadly it's too late now. He has his family, dogs and Wimbledon trophies along with millions in the bank to soften the blow though.
dude...verdasco in his prime was fun to watch so much talent....if he wasn't such a headcase he could have gone down as one of the greats. Reminds me of a spanish version of Marat Safin except Safin obviously got a slam under his belt.
en el min 1:08 se ve el genio de Murray, me saca una sonrisa ver la inteligencia del tipo, hacer winners lento, jugando slice a contra pierna, approach en el momento justo, volea segura, que jugadorazo
Rafa was on fire...in his prime...Rafa would have had an easier semi against Murray. Verdasco had a slightly bigger game than murray his downfall is he was a headcase and murray was mentally tough (not discounting Murray's talent either. Murray has amazing talent)
Murray did beat Rafa in the semis of the 2008 USO and quarters of the 2010 AO. 2009 Nadal was not yet as offensive as he later would become. Andy would have had a good chance of beating Nadal here.
I know a lot of people mostly remember Verdasco for the SF match against Nadal, but the truth is that Verdasco was insane throughout the entire tournament. He blew through his first 3 matches like it was nothing and he scored epic upsets against Murray and Tsonga.
Agree!
I think if he beat nadal then fed would have either won in 4 sets or lose in 5 sets
@@chitrangadasingh9020no way fed would have lose to verdasco. Would have bet my entire life on it
Verdasco played the tourney of his life but that draw is too much for anyone not even prime Djokovic would have won. Murray - Tsonga - Nadal - AND Federer?
Amazing ball striking from Verdasco, and totally agree, the confidence and the mindset he was playing with in the beggining of 2009 was just another level
I think Murray hits were much more amazing. He hit far more winners than Verdasco as well🤔
@@Luchon20082010 Running from side to side is "amazing"? Murray was incredibly good at defending, no doubt about that, but to say that his hits were better than the ones from Verdasco in this specific match... I don't think so.
@@Luchon20082010 Actually from the stats at the end, Murray hit just one more winner than Verdasco at 52-51. Murray is the better player for sure but this was in the middle of what I call "The Cat & Mouse" stage of Murray's career. Murray relied too much on his defense in the early parts of his career and it really hurt him in slams the most. When Lendl came on board, he forced Murray to be more strategic with his variety and pumped up his forehand, while making him dictate more in rallies. Watch how often in his match Murray just massaged the ball back into play and let Verdasco dictate the point, even when he would have an easy opening to take over the rally.
Murray was incredible, Verdasco gifted many points to Andy at the beginning but got in heat from the 3rd set
Murray was the better player Verdasco was just locked in and was on a form of his life. Murray played his usual here about 80% of his ability whereas Verdasco played 200% of what he had
Fantastic highlights! More Verdasco highlights pleeeaaase
Thank you 💕
I remember Verdasco during this run. The best he's ever looked was during a two year run from 2009-2010. He trained with Gil Reyes and Agassi for a few months prior to this tournament and it showed. I believe he was 25 at the time and right in his prime. The problem with Verdasco is that his game has always been built on offense but he lacks the defensive skills of Nadal, Murray, Djokovic and Federer. His defense was never horrible but it was mediocre, so he often went big on both wings. Great if he was on but when he was off, he was really off. If he had better defense and foot speed, he would have been truly formidable year to year. I'm also not sure he really kept up with the fitness he achieved here either. His fitness was truly elite here and it's why he played so well. He could keep up with Nadal and Murray and not tire out mid-point and just go for broke like he has for much of his career.
I think his defensive tennis was decent, his biggest issue was his mental game. He could never keep it together mentally for two weeks at a slam.
@@springfield03sniper Sure, his defense was decent enough, just not great. And you are right that mentally he couldn't keep it together. I think much of that stemmed from the scar tissue he built up earlier and in the middle of his career. Losing matches like this and against Murray a few years later at Wimbledon when he was up 2-0 in I think the quarters or semis.
@@TennisLover82 It sucks because he clearly had the fitness to be good defensively. I mean look at him. He’s quick and strong. And in this tournament he was pretty decent defensively and at counterpunching. But he lost those skills as time went on it seems.
It was a mentality problem for Verdasco, which most players go through. I read that he travelled a lot inbetween tours and never remained committed to the game. And his behaviour on court at times were very disrespectful and uncalled for, the match against Gasquet as an example. Also the arguing with his coaching box mid game showed his lack of taking responsibility.
Nalbandian was another player who was too lazy to make his career a commitment 24/7, which the top 3 players who have that 1% do.
This match was a perfect example of why Murray lost on many occasions at grand slam level. His inability to play proactive tennis when encountering an in form, solid, big hitting ball striker or the big 3. He was too happy staying in his comfort zone playing the counterpunching game, hoping for his opponent to make errors. But once they weren’t, grew in confidence and started hitting winners or pushing Murray around. More often than not Murray looked lost and was unable to react and attack back, it became desperate towards the end of these type of matches, which he ended up losing. Certainly would have won more majors if he wasn’t stuck being passive. Which is still his problem today and the main reason for his injury issues. I remember even Federer said that he will end up like Hewitt if he doesn’t change his style of play. And that’s exactly what happened.
Wait, when did Roger say something like that, can I get the actual quote?
@@duartenoronha3172 It was at an exhibition event like Kooyong years ago. There used to be a video of it, but I couldn’t find it nor any article unfortunately. It might be mentioned in some tennis forums, but not sure as I haven’t checked. The closest proof currently I’ve read of Federer commenting on Murray’s style was when he played Murray in Dubai 2008 - there’s quite a lot of quotes from him in articles criticising Murray’s style. Hopefully that helps.
@@duartenoronha3172 Federer made a comment about Murray possibly running himself into the ground, as well as saying he thought Murray was an aggressive player, following his defeat to him at the Dubai 2008 tournament.
With Murray's incredible anticipation, I can see why Federer thought he would be more aggressive.
Yes and he is hurting his body even more, it's tough to watch him, it always was.. Wawrinka has same number of Slams with half the effort
@@anup7604 For me it's disappointing because he's far more talented than Djokovic or Nadal. He's got better raw talent. He's massively underachieved. I'm sure he's aware of it, but sadly it's too late now. He has his family, dogs and Wimbledon trophies along with millions in the bank to soften the blow though.
Most hillarious grunt in tennis is Andy Murray service grunt. Once you hear it 6ou cant stop hearing it
The catch from the ball kid at 31:22 thoughhhh 🔥
dude...verdasco in his prime was fun to watch so much talent....if he wasn't such a headcase he could have gone down as one of the greats. Reminds me of a spanish version of Marat Safin except Safin obviously got a slam under his belt.
hermoso cómo jugaba Murray a otra velocidad
One of the classics.
WOW I didn't notice this match. Everyone just knows he and Rafa's classic SF.
Check out the encounter with David Ferrer in US Open the following year!
this Verdasco was insane! unfortunately, Verdasco is his own enemy. His arrogant character does not allow him to develop further..
en el min 1:08 se ve el genio de Murray, me saca una sonrisa ver la inteligencia del tipo, hacer winners lento, jugando slice a contra pierna, approach en el momento justo, volea segura, que jugadorazo
Young Murray seemed like a threat to any player
Prime Verdasco.
Wow 👍👍👍
8:28
Temps passe très vite
ESTO ES TENIS!!!!!!! QUE NO OS ENGAÑEN! NO SE PUEDE COMPARAR CON UN KORDA-SINNER O UN ALIASSIME-ZVEREV
With due respect to Verdasco performance,
What if Andy won this QF, Will Rafa reach the final?
Yes and it probably would’ve been easier that the Verdasco match. Nadal was playing incredible tennis. Verdasco played the match of his life.
Rafa was on fire...in his prime...Rafa would have had an easier semi against Murray. Verdasco had a slightly bigger game than murray his downfall is he was a headcase and murray was mentally tough (not discounting Murray's talent either. Murray has amazing talent)
Rafa would have blown away Murray in 3, it was only after Lendl that Murray started being a bit aggressive
Murray could have won, he was playing insanely good
Murray did beat Rafa in the semis of the 2008 USO and quarters of the 2010 AO. 2009 Nadal was not yet as offensive as he later would become. Andy would have had a good chance of beating Nadal here.
So passive and weak on these groundstrokes. Half of these powder puff balls are easy put aways
Yet they would beat you without even blinking under 30 minutes