Official Australian Open Thread

[1Parker1]

OK Tennis Fans; we could possibly be watching History in the making. If Roger Federer wins the Australian Open, he will be the first man to win 4 straight. He will also be one step closer to beating Sampras with the most Grand Slam titles. There hasn't been anyone who's come come to beating him (aside from Nadal in the French Open) in a major in quite some time.

On the flip side, IF Roger loses...and Nadal wins the Australian Open, Federer will be knocked out of the #1 spot in the rankings for the first time since 2003. :wow

Man, I love tennis. Not too interested in the Women's match-ups...though I'm rooting for Davenport or Henin (basically anyone but Sharapova or the Williams sisters and I'll be happy).

Any other tennis fans in the house? :)

[kingsfan]

I'm ready for some good tennis. I want Nadal to win and knock Rog out #1. He's been there long enough. I'd like to see Roddick and Blake do well but not holding my breath on that one. On the women's I don't really care although it's interesting Lindsay's back only 7 months after having a baby. Rep the moms girl!

[dbreiden83080]

Big Tennis fan right here, loving it now more than ever since i got my brand new 42 inch, plasma, so it is all in Hi DEF. Federer continues to dominate the game of tennis at a historic pace. The way he is going, people may look back and universally see him as the best player of all time, the way they do Jordan in basketball. It is very hard to pick against him here, he is so dominant on hard courts, Novak Đoković is coming up fast as the clear cut number 3 in the world, behind Nadal and Nadal has yet to prove himself on this surface. They are Fed's really only threats as i see it from winning the Aussie Open again.

[SAtown]

On the flip side, IF Roger loses...and Nadal wins the Australian Open, Federer will be knocked out of the #1 spot in the rankings for the first time since 2003. :wow


That means he would be knocked out of #1 spot until at least Wimbledon because we all know his record at the French Open.

[dbreiden83080]

That means he would be knocked out of #1 spot until at least Wimbledon because we all know his record at the French Open.

Well Roger is a great clay court player, he just can't beat Nadal but i don't see him being knocked out of number 1 being an issue here as he is one of the most dominant players of all time on Hard Courts.

[Purple & Gold]

My girl Martina was unfairly banned for 2 years. :soapbox: :soapbox:



But I'm looking for a big tournament from my new girl Ana. :clap :clap :clap

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/cc/fullj.666ac4e00fc8082747a3d2b4574fcea4/666ac4e00fc8082747a3d2b4574fcea4-getty-tennis-aus-open-ivanovic.jpg

[Purple & Gold]

Did anyone catch the Jankovic vs Paszek match. That was a great one. Paszek is pretty damn good for a 17 year old. It took Jankovic 2-6, 6-2, 12-10 to beat her.

As for the Men's side you just might as well take a nap and wait for the Federer/Nadal Final.

[1Parker1]

Roger Federer first round: 6-0, 6-3, 6-0. :wow

Nadal meanwhile struggled a little in his first round match-up.

[dbreiden83080]

As for the Men's side you just might as well take a nap and wait for the Federer/Nadal Final.

You can expect Federer to be there but Nadal who knows, he is not a great hard court player, not yet anyway.

[kingsfan]

Did anyone catch the Jankovic vs Paszek match. That was a great one. Paszek is pretty damn good for a 17 year old. It took Jankovic 2-6, 6-2, 12-10 to beat her. That was a good match and Blake looked great against Massu.
DId anyone see what happened today in the Gonzalez match with the Greek fans? I saw the police in the stands with pepper spray but don't know the details.

[kingsfan]

My girl Martina was unfairly banned for 2 years. :soapbox: :soapbox: How was it unfair? She tested positive for cocaine.

[dbreiden83080]

How was it unfair? She tested positive for cocaine.

I say it is unfair, that is not a performance enhancing drug, she is only hurting herself. Granted she needed to be punished but 2 years was a bit much, that is why she just retired.

[Purple & Gold]

I say it is unfair, that is not a performance enhancing drug, she is only hurting herself. Granted she needed to be punished but 2 years was a bit much, that is why she just retired.

Agree it was unfair. 2 years for a non performance enhancing drug. Please...

Way to harsh. What they need to do is look at players like Serena and Mauresmo who definitely look like they are doing some type of steroids. Not saying they are, but that's the types of drugs that deserve 2 year bans. Drugs that give players an unfair advantage.

[Purple & Gold]

That was a good match and Blake looked great against Massu.
DId anyone see what happened today in the Gonzalez match with the Greek fans? I saw the police in the stands with pepper spray but don't know the details.

I only caught the end of it. I didn't know the police had to go in the stands. But the Greek player did get a loud ovation even though he lost in straight sets.


I did find this article. Doesn't really say why though.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Australian_Open_2008/Fans_sprayed_evicted_from_Melbourne_Park/articleshow/2702330.cms

[Purple & Gold]

You can expect Federer to be there but Nadal who knows, he is not a great hard court player, not yet anyway.

I would say he is definitely very very good maybe even close to great on hard court. Not nearly as good as he is on clay, but damn good. And he seems to be just getting better on surfaces other than clay. I'll be surprised if it's not a Federer/Nadal final.

[SAtown]

LOL, Greeks adding a soccer flavor to the Australian Open. :clap

[kingsfan]

They just showed a little more of it and after being sprayed apparantly a punch was thrown toward the police by a drunk guy. Tennis is turning into a soccer match.

[Kobulingam]

Some correctins:

Fed is not playing for his 4th straight AO. He is playing for his 4th AO, and 3rd in a row.

Nadal winning AO does not guarantee #1. Fed will also have to exit earlier than QF I think.

[kingsfan]

Great match with Safin and baghdatis. I'm watching the 5th set. Come on marat!

[1Parker1]

Sharapova ousts Davenport who I was rooting for...she just had a baby 7 months ago.

I actually think the Finals are going to be Federer vs. Novak not Nadal. But we'll see. I hope to see a Novak/Roddick vs. Nadal semi before that though.

[Kobulingam]

Sharapova ousts Davenport who I was rooting for...she just had a baby 7 months ago.

I actually think the Finals are going to be Federer vs. Novak not Nadal. But we'll see. I hope to see a Novak/Roddick vs. Nadal semi before that though.

Novak and Fed can only meet in semifinal.

[dbreiden83080]

Bye Bye Andy Roddick another dissapointing early exit for him in a Hard Court Grand Slam in what was a great match. Clearly changing coaches is not the answer for this guy. Conners made some difference in his game early on, Andy seemed more aggressive but he has been awful of late in the majors. Andy is going to go down as a never was in the game of tennis. Lots of talent but never really put it all together.


http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus08/news/story?id=3202014

[Kobulingam]

Bye Bye Andy Roddick another dissapointing early exit for him in a Hard Court Grand Slam in what was a great match. Clearly changing coaches is not the answer for this guy. Conners made some difference in his game early on, Andy seemed more aggressive but he has been awful of late in the majors. Andy is going to go down as a never was in the game of tennis. Lots of talent but never really put it all together.


http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus08/news/story?id=3202014


Andy no longer has powerful shots (except the serve). His forehand is weak. His backhand is local club-level.

[SAtown]

Incredible match. Kohlschreiber had Roddick at Match Point 4 different times, surviving all of them (?) via aces. It seems like he lost his composure in a few instances late in the 5th, while Kohlschreiber remained calm and NEVER changed his style (forehand, cross-court winners that went in about 60% of the time).

Props to Kohlschreiber

[1Parker1]

Damn, will Roddick ever win another major in his career?

[SAtown]

Damn, will Roddick ever win another major in his career?

If they take Federer to an alley and lynch him... then maybe.

[Behold The KING]

there's a fair few hot euro girls in there.

[SAtown]

EDIT: Are late night/early morning spoilers permitted?

[SAtown]

Does anyone know why they use a virtual replay for challenged calls? How do they know the exact angles and trajectory of the ball?

[Behold The KING]

Does anyone know why they use a virtual replay for challenged calls? How do they know the exact angles and trajectory of the ball?

Hawkeye

and the ball has hit the ground already they just use the computer to get the best angle of it.

[polandprzem]

All I want to say that radwanska could be a real good tennis player

Kuzniecova out!

[kingsfan]

Awesome match with Leyton and Baghdatis on right now. It's almost 4am there and they're battling in the 5th. Props to marcos though, he was out of it in the 4th and he won the tiebreak.

[SAtown]

The Federer v Tipsarevic match is being replayed on ESPN2 right now. If you didn't catch it at 3 am, then I HIGHLY recommend watching it.

[kingsfan]

^ Good match, I heard what happened and that alone is worth checking out. Good job by Blake coming back from 2 sets down to win. He has finally beat the 5 set curse. :clap
There was some great tennis yesterday, I can't wait to watch it what I missed.

[dbreiden83080]

The Federer v Tipsarevic match is being replayed on ESPN2 right now. If you didn't catch it at 3 am, then I HIGHLY recommend watching it.

I was up until 5 AM watching this match. I was about to go to bed at 2 AM then i saw Fed was down 2 sets to 1 and i was glued to the set till it was over, Amazing match. Boy was Fed pushed in this one, he was on the ropes several times, but like the champ he is, the KO could not be applied, GO FED!!!

[1Parker1]

Awesome match with Leyton and Baghdatis on right now. It's almost 4am there and they're battling in the 5th. Props to marcos though, he was out of it in the 4th and he won the tiebreak.

That was the most craZY game ever!! I almost wished they'd let them make a draw. Can you imagnge battling for 4 hours and 45 minutes and then LOSING??

[polandprzem]

That was the most craZY game ever!! I almost wished they'd let them make a draw. Can you imagnge battling for 4 hours and 45 minutes and then LOSING??
Accually - yes


Umm Radwanska's greatest success QF's in prestige turnament.
18yrs of age

[kingsfan]

Serena and Justine both out. Sharapova looked great, I don't remember her playing this well. This tournament is hers to lose.

[kingsfan]

Venus is gone too. I'm rooting for Ivanovic, I like that girl and she should beat Hantuchova.
Now go Blake! It's a tall order but Roger looked weaker than usual early in the tournament, it can be done.

[dbreiden83080]

Venus is gone too. I'm rooting for Ivanovic, I like that girl and she should beat Hantuchova.
Now go Blake! It's a tall order but Roger looked weaker than usual early in the tournament, it can be done.

Fed in straight sets over Blake, he played well but Roger was just Roger, too much for him in the end.

[Purple & Gold]

Venus is gone too. I'm rooting for Ivanovic, I like that girl and she should beat Hantuchova.

:clap :clap :clap Let's go Ana


But Sharapova just looks way to dominant right now. :depressed

[Purple & Gold]

I was up until 5 AM watching this match. I was about to go to bed at 2 AM then i saw Fed was down 2 sets to 1 and i was glued to the set till it was over, Amazing match. Boy was Fed pushed in this one, he was on the ropes several times, but like the champ he is, the KO could not be applied, GO FED!!!

That was the best day of tennis I've ever seen. I actually thought Federer was gonna lose for a second. Great matches all the way around.

Speaking of matches, the one coming up in 10 min. should be a good one as well.

[leonarth]

OMG !! TSONGA !!!!

Tsonga defeats Nadal 6/2 6/3 6/2 :elephant :elephant

[TDMVPDPOY]

nadal was exposed

[dbreiden83080]

nadal was exposed

He played very poorly off the ground and his biggest weakness if you ask me is still his serve. He gets away with it more on clay than on the Hard courts.

[Purple & Gold]

HaHa that was a great match. I don't know if he was exposed because Tsonga was making some amazing drop shots. Those shots he was making were just crazy. He owned the net. :clap :clap :clap


And props to my girl Ana for the comeback. :clap :clap :clap

[L.I.T]

Two upsets in a row.

Tsonga has got some serious skills, but it's easier to play loose in the semi's than it is the finals of a Grand Slam; that's the biggest unknown. And really, the guy was playing very loose.

Djokovic I thought had a great chance to win, just didn't see it in straight sets; that is the major shocker of the tournament.

Djokovic over Tsonga in 4 sets I think and Ana in 3 over Sharapova. But no matter who loses in the women's final, we all win with them on tv.

[1Parker1]

WOW, I am in shock!! I feel almost as bad as I felt when the SPurs lost in 06 to the Mavs!

Federer outsed by Djokovic in 3 STRAIGHT sets! Amazing. Federer hasn't looked himself this entire series. I wonder if it's the remanents of his flue/virus that affected his game or if it's something else.

Somewhere Pete Sampras is cheering :lol

[kingsfan]

I was rooting for Rafa but Tsonga played out of his mind. I don't think in a thousand years he could play that well again but you never know. Awesome job Novak :clap When Rog started to come back in the second I thought the tide was turning his way but Novak hung on and won.
I think Maria will beat Ana but I hope not. Sharapova is playing great tennis right now and will be tough to beat.

[1Parker1]

Did anyone catch the post game Federer interview? He seemed frazzled and kinda like he was crying (kept rubbing his eyes). He definitely didn't look himself in that match...wasn't moving as well and smoothly as he normally does. Looks like he lost weight too, anyone else feel that way?

Anyways, all this talk of "Is this an end of an Era?" is a little too overdramatic for me by the tennis analysts. What do you guys think? Is this the end of the Federer domination? I'm sure he's going to win more grand slams and beat Sampras's record before he's done with his career, but I do think it may be harder for him to now maintain his winning record, reaching almost every grand slam finals, staying #1, etc with guys like Novak, Nadal, etc on the rise...

:(

[dbreiden83080]

WOW, I am in shock!! I feel almost as bad as I felt when the SPurs lost in 06 to the Mavs!

Federer outsed by Djokovic in 3 STRAIGHT sets! Amazing. Federer hasn't looked himself this entire series. I wonder if it's the remanents of his flue/virus that affected his game or if it's something else.

Somewhere Pete Sampras is cheering :lol

Fed was really off his game yesterday, his footwork was a mess, his serve was a mess, credit Novak he played well but that was not Fed at his best. I was laughing at the commentators saying "This may be the end of an era", give me a break. 2 of the 3 majors left this year, he has won 5 times and 4 times in a row respectively. Fed is a long way from done.

[Kobulingam]

Did anyone catch the post game Federer interview? He seemed frazzled and kinda like he was crying (kept rubbing his eyes). He definitely didn't look himself in that match...wasn't moving as well and smoothly as he normally does. Looks like he lost weight too, anyone else feel that way?

Anyways, all this talk of "Is this an end of an Era?" is a little too overdramatic for me by the tennis analysts. What do you guys think? Is this the end of the Federer domination? I'm sure he's going to win more grand slams and beat Sampras's record before he's done with his career, but I do think it may be harder for him to now maintain his winning record, reaching almost every grand slam finals, staying #1, etc with guys like Novak, Nadal, etc on the rise...

:(

He had the stomach flu "right before" the start of the Australian Open. He stopped getting the shits about 3 days before his first match. I knew he would be hard pressed to win this slam when that happened to him.

[1Parker1]

He had the stomach flu "right before" the start of the Australian Open. He stopped getting the shits about 3 days before his first match. I knew he would be hard pressed to win this slam when that happened to him.

Yea, but his first 2 matches he looked perfectly fine in I thought...I do hope that's what it was though.

Regardless, Novak is proving to be a tough match-up for him I think. He took it at Fed in the Open last year as well.

[Purple & Gold]

Wow Great Australian Open :clap :clap :clap


Some huge upsets, some great matches, some new blood showing what they have. Props to Tsonga and Djokavic for some huge wins. I won't give away who won in case you guys are catching the replay, but there is a changing of the guard. Ana did well even though Sharapova was just way too tough. Props to her.


Damn I can't wait till the French Open. :hungry: :hungry: :hungry:

[Horry For 3!]

I can't believe Federer didn't win this shit. :pctoss

[White Goodman]

4th set when it was 5/5 in games...when Novak was bouncing the ball and someone from the crowd yelled out something at him, after he won that point he turns to that particular section and yells out "Suck my ...... mfer" lmfao