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I've seen a few posters on here the last few days protesting that there is no difference between 2015 Murray on clay and any other year.
Regardless of the final tonight, this is simply not true.
In 2011, Clayray 1.0 was born. He made the SF at Roland Garros, and lost a tight 3-setter to undefeated 2011ovic in Rome. Clayray also had the best return of 1st serve percentage on clay in 2011, and the 2nd best return games won percentage behind Nadal.
In 2014, Clayray 2.0 was born. This was a scrappier Clayray who blitzed Nadal in the first set in Rome, and fought his way to a second RG SF.
2015 is the year of Clayray 3.0. This big-serving, return-monster won his first clay title this week against an inspired Kohlschreiber and finds himself in a first clay Masters Final just a few days later, beating his 2nd and 3rd Top 10 opponents on the dirt back-to-back.
How is Clayray 3.0 different from the previous versions?
Clayray 1.0
Strengths... Return game, defensive skills, and hitting the cross-court FH and BH cleanly.
Weaknesses... 54th best on serve, no real BH DTL on clay. General movement.
Clayray 2.0
Strengths... The cross court backhand is an even bigger weapon, and stepping in even more on return to punish 2nd serves.
Weaknesses... Serve is generally AWOL, fitness levels are awful, forehand is poor.
Clayray 3.0
Strengths... The serve is finally a weapon on clay, the returns are used for winners and forcing opponent errors. The cross-court backhand is hit deeper, and the DTL BH is playable on clay. The forehand is used to finish points rather than extend rallies.
Weaknesses... No weaknesses can be found. :worship:
Regardless of the final tonight, this is simply not true.
In 2011, Clayray 1.0 was born. He made the SF at Roland Garros, and lost a tight 3-setter to undefeated 2011ovic in Rome. Clayray also had the best return of 1st serve percentage on clay in 2011, and the 2nd best return games won percentage behind Nadal.
In 2014, Clayray 2.0 was born. This was a scrappier Clayray who blitzed Nadal in the first set in Rome, and fought his way to a second RG SF.
2015 is the year of Clayray 3.0. This big-serving, return-monster won his first clay title this week against an inspired Kohlschreiber and finds himself in a first clay Masters Final just a few days later, beating his 2nd and 3rd Top 10 opponents on the dirt back-to-back.
How is Clayray 3.0 different from the previous versions?
Clayray 1.0
Strengths... Return game, defensive skills, and hitting the cross-court FH and BH cleanly.
Weaknesses... 54th best on serve, no real BH DTL on clay. General movement.
Clayray 2.0
Strengths... The cross court backhand is an even bigger weapon, and stepping in even more on return to punish 2nd serves.
Weaknesses... Serve is generally AWOL, fitness levels are awful, forehand is poor.
Clayray 3.0
Strengths... The serve is finally a weapon on clay, the returns are used for winners and forcing opponent errors. The cross-court backhand is hit deeper, and the DTL BH is playable on clay. The forehand is used to finish points rather than extend rallies.
Weaknesses... No weaknesses can be found. :worship:
