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I wrote this title and then got completely confused as to which top ten I should use. The top ten as of today, or the top ten as of before the Australian Open? I have decided to go with the top ten as of today, mainly because I am in love with Cilic and want to rave about his awesome performance.
So, here we go. I will do the women over the next few days.
1. Roger Federer: It’s obvious, isn’t it? He turned in his best tennis to beat Tsonga, and close to his best to beat Murray, Davydenko, and Hewitt. His backhand was at it’s pinnacle against Murray, and his forehand was close. Sure, his serve has been better, but his overall game was pretty damn good. Plus, he won the title and his sixteenth Slam. In straight sets.
10/10
I almost feel for people who don’t like Roger Federer. I mean how much must it seriously suck? Not only does he win a shitload of Slams, does a tonload for charity, (his racket just sold for over 28 grand for Haiti on Ebay), and is generally considered the greatest player of all time, Federer shows no sign of going away. Not with twenty eight years, not with all the records, and not with twins and a wife. The man just keeps on rolling. And he keeps winning. Being a Federer fan couldn’t be a more fantastic thing.
Tonight I watched Federer again play brilliantly to grab his sixteenth Slam, and his first as a father. It never gets old. Murray didn’t play badly. He didn’t serve great, but I’m yet to see him put in a great first serving percentage anyway. His forehand proved itself again to be the worst groundstroke in the top five, and he played his normal, defensive tennis. Against a lot of people, that would have worked. There is no denying Murray did some choking in the third set, but it just proves exactly how hard it is to beat Federer. The man never goes away at important moments.
( Some pics, some fangirling, maybe some sorta nice words abour Muzz. Sorta. )
The Australian Open isn't known for interesting fashion choices. Most players decide to leave their best outfits for later in the year at Wimbledon or the US Open. However, with fashion and tennis nowdays going hand in hand, you can always count on a select few to show off their style. Be it good or just plain wrong.
( You wouldn't believe who got good marks... )
I have a new least favourite player, folks. Andy Muzzah and Ana Ivanovic no longer top the list of the most annoying people in tennis. Nope, the new least favourite is Australia's own Bernard Tomic. Tomic is uglier than Murray, he pushes more than Murray (I know, it has to be seen to be believed), he is cockier than Murray, and he has worse outfits than Ivanovic. The worst part is, Tomic is only 17. Which means he is only going to get meaner, uglier, and more arrogant.
( Read more... )
Australian Open has been fantastic so far. Although del Potro and Federer almost gave me heart attacks.Doesn't help that del Potro was at the casino at 11pm last night!
Managed to get a few autographs. James Blake, Juan Monaco, Sam Querrey, and Nikolay Davydenko were only too happy to sign. There did seem to be one snooty tennis star though. This person was standing doing nothing waiting for Davydenko to finish using the practise courts. A child was hanging over the fence with a tennis ball seeking an autograph. The player completely ignored her. It isn't like there were fifty people wanting an autograph. There was one kid.
Who was it? Some big famous star? No. It was Laura Robson.
She's friends with Andy Murray. Go figure.
Sorry I havent read many entries yet. Between moving country and watching 10 hours of tennis a day I just don't have time. Hope everyone is well though and I promise I will comment eventually!
Continuing from yesterday’s post, today I have a stab at the top five women who need to either win or do well at the AO. Again, any discussions and additions are welcome.
( LADIES )
Entering a Grand Slam the favourites are the first set of people most fans look to. Conversations centre around who will win out of Federer, Nadal, or another member of the big five. Over on the women’s side, all eyes turn to Serena Williams, Clijsters, and Henin to give us an exciting Slam. But what we don’t always consider is not who is capable of winning the Slam the easiest, but who needs it the most. There are always players, regardless of their ranking, who need to put a in a good performance to either justify their ranking or remind the top players that they are not yet done and dusted. Having a look at both the men and women, I’ve created a list of the top five players from each tour that need the Australian Open most. Today’s list is for the men.
( Read more... )
I can't speak Spanish.
But delPo is a national hero there... I will be taking any photos of billboards with him in it!
Gutted I am missing the WTFs but I will be back to attend the AO and I am dead excited about that.
Going to miss you all, have a great xmas and holidays and I will prob update this a bit as a travel around!
Katie and Jane- let me know what happens on RAW please
Katie2 and Maya - message me ur numbers if u wanna meet up at AO :)
- Location:sydney!!!
For a while there I thought it was going to be a walkover. Nole got the first set 6-2, picking right up from where he left off against Nadal. He was smacking winners and making few errors. He went up 3-0 in the second and it seemed all but over. Nole doesn't like to make things that easy for his fans, though, and he soon played very patchy to give up the second 5-7. Nole was bad, but credit to Monfils, he really caught fire and played excellent tennis.
Nole went up a quick 2-0 in the third but proceeded to blow that lead. He then went up another break and blew that again. Monfils was barely making any mistakes and retrieving like a Mandy on acid, which was frustrating Novak no end. But credit to Nole, he kept his head and although he blew two leads, he never went behind. Eventually it went to a third set tiebreak, Nole managed to keep calm, showing great maturity he would never have displayed this time last year, and went up a well fought mini-break. Monfils doubled faulted on the first match point, and Novak won Paris.
His celebrations were hilerious. He went absolutely mental, probably releasing a lot of frustration and built-up fistpumping from the match. Monfils was pretty annoying throughout, as well as running down balls he had to right to get to, he was pumping the crowd up before Nole's serves, which I thought was pretty unclassy. The umpire agreed.
Congrats to Novak, he is the in-form player going into London and must have a chance to gain the number two ranking. I'm trying to stay oblivious to the rankings race, it is never good for a Roger fan to start fretting about that sort of thing. Good luck to Nole, can't wait to see him play like that at the AO.
Djokovic faces Monfils in the final, who needed three sets to overcome uglyStepanek. There is going to be a huge amount of support behind Monfils, but if Djokovic plays anywhere near the level he did last night, it is hard to imagine him not taking home his first Masters series of 2009. Of course, Monfils is not Nadal, so who knows what game Nole wil bring.
Thank god I don't have to look at Nadal's outfit anymore. Worst outfit of 2009, anyone? Also, Novak should cut his hair. It looks even more lego-man than usual.
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Also, does anyone want to break down the rankings stuff going into London for me? ... Please?
Nadal saved multiple match points in his first round victory over Almagro, world’s biggest choker. He is currently playing in a third set against Robredo. Not really players he should be challenged by, even on the fast courts of Paris.
Back to Federer’s loss. He posted on facebook earlier in the week that he had been practising at Roland Garros. Here’s an idea. When you are about to play in a tourny on a fast hardcourt, it is a wise idea to practise on one. Hard court, at least. Not CLAY. Seriously, clay?? Why did he bother entering?
Davydenko has qualified for the WTF, and he bloody deserves it. He may have lost in Paris to Soderling, (who is still in the hunt), but he will have a real shot at the end of year finals. Especially if Nadal, Muzz, and Fed remain uninterested.
Verdasco’s end of season has been as bad as Federer’s … but he didn’t win two Slams and make all four finals this year so it baffles me why he seems to be running out of steam. If he is going to play this averagly, I don’t want him in WTF. Give it to Soderling, who is playing well and deserves it.
Speaking of playing well, Cilic beat Verdasco today and boy is just looking better and better. He is going to be a real contender next year.
Safin retired after losing against delPo, but I’ll post on him properly later in the week. Delpo takes on Gonzy next … please win.
EDIT: Well Nadal snuck through that one 7-5 in the third… I’ll reserve further judgement.
In a match reminescent of Miami, Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer to take home the title in Basel today. It was absolutely terrible tennis. I started watching, (at 4am on a work day), at the end of the first set where Federer managed to blow a thousand break points, Novak managed to double fault hundreds of times but eventually take the first 6-4… after about 7 previous set points. Federer was slicing his backhand like a man with zero confidence and hitting forehands consistantly into the net. Novak was better but only marginally, his groundstrokes Ok until an important point, and his serve woeful.
Federer somehowwon the second set, picking up his play enough to make him look like he belongs in the top 50, whilst Novak let his drop. The third set was a joke, with Federer going down a double break at the start and never recovering. Novak hit some nice returns off pathetic serves… and that is about as bigger compliment as I can give to the entire match.
Federer said after the match, “I thought I missed plenty of opportunities. I’m not looking for excuses. He played tough and he played well when he had to, and saved a ton of break points that were crucial.” The first sentence is bang on, the third incorrect. Novak didn’t play well at all on the big points, Roger was just worse.
What is concerning for Novak fans is the following quote, “I played by far my best match. It came at the right time.” How bad was Nole playing before this match, exactly? Must have been nothing short of awful.
I am really suprised to see Roger play this badly at home. It wasn’t actually anywhere near as bad as Miami, but it was awful. Great that Novak won a trophy but I still don’t hold much hope for him in slams. His nerves turn to jelly under pressure and you can see on his face he is strung up like a piano wire.
In other news, Muzz smashed Youzhny to take home yet another non-slam title.
Bring on Paris already.
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Yanina Wickmayer, world number 18 and US Open semifinalist, has been banned for a year after failing doping regulations
Wickmayer failed to tell doping authorities of her location on three seperate occassions. Her compatriot, Xavier Malisse, has also been banned.
Pretty bad form from the Belgian and highly suspicious considering her success this year. Really bad news for Auckland’s ASB classic, who was hoping to have her as one of the drawcards in Jan.
The naughty tennis players list so far:
Ernests Gulbis, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse.
Tut tut.
You know it is the end of the season when you are not getting nervous about matches anymore. Federer has cruised through his first two rounds in Basel, swiftly beating Seppi 3 and 3 today. That man gets the worst draws. Wawrinka overcame Ljubicic in a tough three setter, and is due to meet Marin Cilic next. Cilic has an outsider’s chance to get to the WTFs. He has to win Basel though. A field with both Roger and Novak. Mmm. Good luck with that one.
Tsonga retired against Youzhny this morning in Valencia. I guess this makes his WTF chances basically nil. Monfils also lost to Garcia-Lopez (embaressing). Verdaso cruised and Simon beat my man Berdych in three sets.
Over in Bali, the pretty Sabine Lisicki lost to Rezai. Wickmayer, Stosur, and Bartoli all won.
Can you just sense my enthusiasm for these end of year tournaments through my blogging? Yeah, though so. The men really should be playing the WTFs right now. Season. Too. Long.
Even Roger’s shirt is boring. Geez.
Speaking of shirts… Mandy Murray is ditching Fred Perry for adidas. Cannot WAIT to see what colourful creations they pop on him. Mandy in orange? Mandy in blue? Mandy in lime green? Very excited.
Nole is still rumoured to be going to K-Swiss (bad bad bad move).
That is all for now… will update at the end of Basel. Unless some super exciting news comes along… (any more excerpts, Agassi?)
Andre Agassi is no hero of mine. I fell for tennis when watching Roger Federer win the 2007 Australian Open. Andre Agassi had retired. Of course, I had heard of him. But without actually watching a player during his career, I cannot call myself a fan. From what I can tell, he is an amazing ambassador for the sport, and his retirement speech was incrediable. Other than that, I do not really know much about Agassi. Which is why I am looking forward to the release of his book.
( Rebel Rebel... )
Congrats to Serena. She won all five of her matches in Doha and has proven herself the queen bee of tennis for now… hope Kimmy, Justine, and Masha are practising hard.
More importantly… ROGER IS BACK.
Roger opens against a quali and his draw looks fairly sweet. In theroy, he will meet Djokovic in final. Let’s not look that far ahead, though. As we all know, del Potro has pulled out with a wrist injury, which is upsetting but hopefully he will be ok for WTF. Roger is also playing doubles in Basel with this seriously cute guy, Marco Chiudinelli.
Ok so not the best photo.
Over in Valencia Murray is returning to action, (as far as his tennis can be considered action), and will try and push his way past Fernando Verdasco in the semis (if all goes to plan) who is trying to qualify for the WTF.
Basel is the far tastier option.
I didn’t intend to be malicious when I smothered sarcasm all over the title of this post. I am genuinely happy for Serena and Venus. It is good for women’s tennis that the world number one is playing like the world number one, Serena hasn’t dropped a match yet. It will also be good to see her win a title that isn’t a slam if she makes it past her sister tomorrow. As for Venus, her year has been a bit of a disappointment, but a finals showing here, despite only winning two matches, has got to be good for her confidence and her game. If Venus wins it will be her greatest achievement of 2009 barring perhaps her runner up result at Wimbledon.
//
Despite all these facts, many of us tennis fans will heave a collective sigh come tomorrows match. Once again the Russians have disappointed. A win for either Dementieva or Kuznetsova would of boosted their 2009 results considerably. Dinara Safina’s year has gone from good to bad to worse, retiring in tears in her first match. As for the young guns, their enthusiasm didn’t falter but their bodies did. Wozniacki played her heart out but unfortuantly it wasn’t quite enough. Azarenka had a couple of close losses, one in which she retired after dropping a 5-2 lead in the second after winning the first. All around, Azarenka’s latter half of the year hasn’t lived up to the promise she displayed earlier on.
The Williams girls are fantastic for tennis. I am a fan of both and their matches are always high quality and fascinating. I really did want to see one of the others really make a mark in Doha, though. Wozniacki showed she had guts and impressed me, but her game is still lacking. As is everyone else’s except Serena’s, apparently.
Good luck to both the girls tomorrow, I hope it is a tight match. Oh and note to the WTA, can we please not have the finals in Doha? Somewhere that actually likes tennis would be nice, thanks.
Caroline Wozniacki may not have the game I like, but she sure does have the guts. I became a reluctant fan at the US Open, the way she acted in the presentation ceremony was utterly sweet and cute. She has none of the drama of JJ, Azarenka, Serena, or... and I say this reluctantly because she is my favourite, Sharapova. Caroline has something that a lot of the other players don't. She has charm. Elena Dementieva and Ana Ivanovic may display it from time to time, but with Caroline it really does shine through. Her behaviour, on and off court, is impeccable. Despite the fact she's a pusher, it is absolutely impossible to dislike her.
If her personality wasn't enough, I am sure there are a few more Caroline fans after Doha this week. With tears streaming down her face, a leg cramping up, abdominal injuries, and lord only knows what else, Caroline dogfought her way through Doha, eventually finding herself in the semi finals. I have no doubt that with the state her body was in, many other players, (do I even need to say her name?), would have retired or not played at all. Not Caroline, she proved that although she may not have the firepower of the likes of Sharapova and the Williams girls, she too has the mentality and the fight needed to win. I am sure there are a lot of girls in the top ten right now that would trade forehands with her if they could have her mentality. Afterall, a strong mentality is a lot harder to learn than a powerful forehand.
Caroline Wozniacki probably doesn't quite have the game yet to win slams. Eventually she is going to run into a Clijsters or a Williams or perhaps a back-to-their-best Henin or Sharapova, and I can't see her beating them. But she does have the mentality of a slam winner. At the age of 19, Caroline has plenty of time improve her serve and forehand, and if she does the rest of the field better watch out, because from I can see, mentally she is already on that podium.
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