So here's my first post on the Australian Open which is now into day 3, and well actually nearly into day 4 as I write this, and we are already into the second round of the singles matches, with one or two upsets along the way. So here is a bit more on them....
To start off with, the biggest upsets (yep upsets) of the tournament so far have been the knockout of all the British singles players, except the British No.1. So on day 1 we saw the defeat of Heather Watson (lost to Azarenka in 6-1, 6-0), Elena Baltacha (lost to qualifier in 6-2, 6-4), Laura Robson (lost to Jelena Jankovic in 6-2, 6-0), and Anne Keothavong (lost to Mona Barthel 6-0 ret), and James Ward (lost to Blaz Kavicic in 6-4, 6-3, 6-4) all in one foul swoop! So it was a pretty grim opening for the British players in the singles draw, and what's even more shocking is that none of them managed to win a set between them! Naturally I expected Heather and Laura to go out in straight sets, particularly with Heather, as she played Azarenka who is well known for not taking any prisoners when playing lower ranked players, and Jankovic was by far the more seasoned player against Laura Robson. But I was really surprised that Elena Baltacha didn't get a win against the qualifier Stephanie Forez Gacon, as she was a lower ranked player. But Elena in her post match interview said she just felt it wasn't her day on court, and that she was uncomfortable and didn't move well, also alot of players complained about the heat and the lack of shade. So its disappointing as well as alarming, but it is just one tournament (albeit one of the big ones), there will be many more to come, and more opportunities for the Brits throughout the year.
Which of course leaves the World No.4, Andy Murray in the draw, who himself got off to a rusty start as he faced a tough opponent in the young talented American, Ryan Harrison, who came out swinging in the first set, and broke Andy to take the first set. However, Andy stepped up a gear in the second and took it, to level the match, and after that it was Muzza who took control to seal out the victory in 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. While it wasn't the most encouraging of starts, Andy did at least finish up fairly strong, but I could still see him hampered by that serve of his, and usual more 1st serves were being dumped into the net. And the worrying thing is, even a lower ranked player like Ryan Harrison managed to take advantage of Andy's 2nd serve, so again, if Andy will have any chance, it hinges on him serving better, but is he capable of it????? Hmmmmmmm. On the positive side though, Andy so far has shown an improvement in his mental attitude, as even when he was a set down, he didn't lose the rag, so hopefully Ivan Lendl, his new coach, is getting him to finally cut out the histrionics on the court. But the important thing is Andy is through to the 2nd round, next up he faces a Frenchman Eduardo Roger-Vasselin, so hopefully it will be a straight set victory for the Muzza, but you can never tell, but he definitely should make it through.
Anyway quickly onto the top three guys, so far Rafa and Roger have made smooth progress, as Rafa made it past his first round opponent with little trouble in 6-4, 6-1, 6-1, and Roger got past a Russian qualifier, in a slightly more tricky match in 7-5, 6-2, 6-2. And Djokovic once again demonstrated just why he is the World No.1, as he put in a frighteningly good display against Paolo Lorenzi, conceding only two games, winning in straight set drubbing, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. With a display like that, it is hard to imagine Djokovic not defending his title this year, and out of the four slams, Melbourne definitely seems to favour him the most. So the other players will most likely be quaking in their boots when they are due to take on Djoko on the court. Next up he will face Santiago Giraldo, an unseeded qualifier, but at this rate, Giraldo might as well shake hands and walk off court before the match begins! And one thing is for sure, Djokovic is going to be mighty hard to stop in this tournament. And there was one big upset on the men's side which saw Mardy Fish go out in straight sets against the qualifier Alejandro Falla. In other matches, Berdych made it through easily against Oliver Rochus in straight sets, Alexandr Dolgopolov, last year made the quarter finals, lasted against Tobia Kamke, in a five set battle. And probably the most controversial match of the 2nd round on the mens' was between the giant John Isner vs the Argentine David Nalbandian. Nalbandian throughout showed his anger toward the umpires, who made some calls that he thought were unjust, especially in the 5th set where Isner was awarded a game point at 8-8 all. But this sees Isner go through to the next round anyway, and on the other side of the Yankee fence, Andy Roddick made it through to the 3rd also, where he will play a much anticipated match against Lleyton Hewitt, so should be good!
Now onto some of the ladies results, and the biggest shock on the ladies draw so far was the defeat of home favourite, Sam Stosur, who lost to Sorona Cirstea in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3. This was a real upset for the Aussie fans who no doubt were hoping that Stosur could have gone all the way, being the US Open champion last year, it definitely seemed possible, but I guess it just wasn't to be, and Stosur herself said you don't get to pick when it will all come together for you. Caroline Wozniacki, the current World No.1 made it through to the 3rd round with fair ease, winning in 6-2, 6-1 in her first match, and 6-1, 7-6, in the second. Azarenka also ruthlessly brushed past Casey Dalleqca in 6-1, 6-0, a home qualifier, and the defending champion Kim Clijsters breezed through her match in 6-0, 6-1. And Li Na and Jelena Jankovic also made through in their repsective matches, both in straight sets. There are also four players in the draw, who are vieing for the top spot, with Kvitova, Sharapova and Azarenka with their eyes on it, if they can make it all the way. Kvitova herself will gurarantee the top spot if Caroline loses before the quarter finals. So its all happening!
And that's enough for now.
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