There are some who believe that Andy Murray shouldn’t have gotten credit for the US Open because it was played in windy conditions and Djokovic performed worse in the wind than Murray. But Murray’s made a good point about why he’s lost so many times in Slams.  Consider Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer.  Nadal’s first title was at the 2005 French where he beat Mariano Puerta who has never really threatened a Slam since then (and it was his first French Open).  To be fair, Nadal did beat Federer in the semis.  Federer won the 2003 Wimbledon title over first-time finalist, Mark Philippoussis.  Novak Djokovic won the 2008 Australian Open over first time finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  Again, to be fair to Djokovic–he did beat a mono-stricken Federer in the semis.  The point is: you win a Slam however it comes about.  If none of the top competitors are playing, it still counts.

Having said that, it’s interesting to speculate how the match might have gone without wind.

Since Murray’s epic five-set win at the US Open, he’s faced Djokovic two more times.  He lost in Shanghai despite being match point up when he, rather than Djokovic, cramped in the third set.  And yesterday, in the second of the three scheduled round robin matches for Group A, Djokovic again faced Murray.

Murray got off to a quick start with a very early break, and used a strong serve to capture the first set, 64.  However, as the match wore on, Djokovic was beginning to win the longer rallies as Murray sprayed hard hit shots.  Djokovic also took a lot more forays to the net, daring Murray to pass him, and was overall, successful at net.  Djokovic broke in the middle of the second set and won 63.  Murray was still struggling some in the third set, and was broken early.  He had to fight out of a very long game to avoid going down double-break.  Djokovic held again, but was broken in the next game while allowed Murray to tie the match at 4-all, then creep ahead.

However, Murray struggled on return and Djokovic held.  Djokovic then got Murray down 15-40.  Despite a Murray ace, Murray hit a groundstroke long, and gave up another break.  Murray was able to get Djokovic in a 15-40 hole, but didn’t play many good points after that, as Djokovic secured the match, 7-5.

This match, after the first set, just seemed it was going Djokovic’s way.  He seemed more sure of his ground game.  It was testament to Murray’s tenacity that he kept the match relatively close, and gave himself chances to win, but he was a bit inconsistent towards the end, and not playing his best tennis.  Much of that had to do with Djokovic having answers for Murray’s favorite angled crosscourt forehand.

It had been a while since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has beaten a top player.  Tsonga met Berdych in the finals of Stockholm which Berdych won.  Berdych won the first set over Tsonga, but Tsonga came back to take the second.  Announcers kept pointing out how Tsonga’s second serve was barely cracking 90 mph, but he still seemed to win games, which goes to show that at the top levels, you don’t need a blazing fast serve.  Finally, Berdych got an early break in the third set, then another.  This now puts Tsonga in an 0-2 hole.  Tsonga could still qualify, but the odds are against him.  Meanwhile, both Berdych and Murray are 1-1 with Djokovic at 2-0.

Thursday’s matches pit Federer against Ferrer and del Potro against Tipsarevic.