Australian Open 2013 Match Thread

[User 774433]

First topic message reminder :

Australian Open 2013:

Information: The Australian Open is a major tennis tournament held annually over the last fortnight of January in Melbourne, Australia. First held in 1905, the tournament is chronologically the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events of the year – the other three being the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. It features men's and women's singles; men's, women's, and mixed doubles and junior's championships; as well as wheelchair, legends and exhibition events. Since 1988 the tournament has been played on hard courts at Melbourne Park.
The Australian Open typically has very high attendance, second only to the US Open. It was also the first Grand Slam tournament to feature indoor play during wet weather or extreme heat with its two primary courts, Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, equipped with retractable roofs.

Day by Day Match Reports: http://www.sportpulse.net/category/tennis

v2 Preview: https://www.606v2.com/t39437-australian-open-2013-the-contenders#1785084

Dates: January 14 - January 27

Draw: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ms/index.html

Schedule: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html

AO Rankings Points Tracker: https://www.606v2.com/t39351-points-tracker-ao-2013


Ready? Play.

Amritia3ee

[carrieg4]

Simon may not even be fit to play R4, a W/O for Andy isn't out of the question....

Could happen but I hope not.

I think there must be something wrong with my hearing, I think I just heard Virginia Wade make a positive comment about Murray

[lags72]

Are you sure? Is she hawkeye in disguise?

Bet you've never seen them in the same room together.......

[carrieg4]

Are you sure? Is she hawkeye in disguise?

Bet you've never seen them in the same room together.......

Would have to wait to hear her comments on a Nadal match to be sure...............

[carrieg4]

Rusedski is really getting on my nerves lately. When talking about Ferrer yesterday he said that he was lucky to meeting a struggling Murray at FO last year!!!

Murray is improving a lot on clay but I am under no illusions.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Simon may not even be fit to play R4, a W/O for Andy isn't out of the question....

I think we can definitely say "Fognini effect".

[lags72]

Fognini effect has not only struck down Novak but also Federer (at USO 2012)

Here's hoping Andy doesn't become another victim of the dreaded plague .......

[bogbrush]

Fognini effect has not only struck down Novak but also Federer (at USO 2012)

Here's hoping Andy doesn't become another victim of the dreaded plague .......

Yeah, because he's got the chilling prospect of Chardy or Seppi after that........

[djlovesyou]

Fognini effect has not only struck down Novak but also Federer (at USO 2012)

Here's hoping Andy doesn't become another victim of the dreaded plague .......

Yeah, because he's got the chilling prospect of Chardy or Seppi after that........

Let's be fair though, the Fognini effect is so real and powerful, it could be Barry from Eastenders in the next round and he'll still be in danger.

[laverfan]

Very impressed with Tomic. Much better than last year, as Courier got Federer to confirm. Tomic did expose Federer's slowing down of foot speed, but still good enough.

The BH flick CC (reminds me of the one against Roddick in AO 2007), the mid-court half volley followed by a drop shot volley, some wonderful Tennis. Very good serving, but the DFs were uncharacteristic. The TB from 1-4 down to win the set was good.

Raonic may have the serve, but Federer should have learnt something from Murray (USO 2012) to make it easy, as has been stated already. Federer did state the closeness of matches with Raonic (and forgot if he played 3 or 4). Halle, IW (or is it Canada) and Madrid, IIRC.

Raonic is seeded 13 (tridekaphobia, and Federer needed a 14th BP to break Tomic because he could not capitalise on #13). Interesting numbers.

The only hint of Federer’s age and stage of his career was the white thermal vest he treated the crowd to a view of, presumably one of the ways in which he protects his sometimes troublesome back. Especially in the cooler temperatures of a night match.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2013-01-19/201301191358597679084.html

Strange for DelPo and Cilic to be waylaid early.

Also sad for Hampton's injury in her loss to Vika. Get well soon.

[laverfan]

Serena serving 207 kph!

No T/E ratio testing in tennis?

There is some question if the Olympics 6:1 is valid or not.

[Guest]

After rescuing my car I sat through over 5 hours of recorded tennis.

Tomic played well for 2 sets and well once he lost the TB, the match momentum shifted up a few gears in favour of the Fed man. Seeing Federer tested was refreshing and his defence at times was just ridiculous. Soaked up a lot of the Tomic FH and was able to win points when pushed behind the baseline. Good performance for Feds.

The Murray and Berankis match was an underwhelming affair. A scrappy victory for Murray. Berankis must be kicking himself because when he had control of the points he was moving Murray all over the place. Gave away too many UE's at the wrong times and against Murray it is something you don't want to be doing. Murray to come through in 3 was is more than I would've hoped for given how dangerous Berankis looked in that match.

The Simon and Monfils match. I would've asked for a refund! The most bizarre and powderpuff 5th set I think I have seen in a long time. Both players looked like they would struggle on the WTA in that form! Simon has Murray and he looks physically spent. I know I was mentally spent after that match!

[banbrotam]

Andy's still got the problem that he allows himself to be dragged down to the level of the lower ranked players

But at least it's not costing him sets or lots of time

[The Special Juan]

Nishikori to beat Ferrer? Anderson to beat Berdych? Hmmm.

[ryan86]

This Ferrer/Nishikori match seems to have been on an absolute age and they are only 4 games in.

26 minutes, 3-1 Ferrer.

[invisiblecoolers]

Rusedski is really getting on my nerves lately. When talking about Ferrer yesterday he said that he was lucky to meeting a struggling Murray at FO last year!!!

Murray is improving a lot on clay but I am under no illusions.

Rusedski is a paid joked to entertain some die hard Murray maniacs

[invisiblecoolers]

Nishikori to beat Ferrer? Anderson to beat Berdych? Hmmm.

Nishikore can beat Fed or Nole but not Ferrer, this Ferrer can only be brought down by the top 3 not by anybody else.

[CaledonianCraig]

David Ferrer comfortably through to the quarter-finals. Tipsarevic V Almagro just getting under way.

Not out yet but are thought on tomorrow's schedule. Surely, it will have to be a night match for Andy Murray for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Andy has yet to play a night match and secondly Gilles Simon will need maximum time to recover from his marathon match yesterday.

[CaledonianCraig]

Almagro is a set and a break up and this may be done soon. Tipsarevic has already had a medical time out for a heel injury, has had his foot heavily strapped and is playing on but not moving freely. I sense a retirement coming soon.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Tipsarevic calls it a day trailing 6-2 5-1 and Almagro is through to face David Ferrer in the quarter-finals.

[CaledonianCraig]

Very poor scheduling for tomorrow. Murray and Simon are the final match in the day session on Hisense Arena. Sorry but that should have been a night match as Simon needs maximum recovery time from his last match and fair dos Murray has yet to pkay a night match where we know court conditions differ. Another night match instead for Roger Federer where he has now played 75% of his matches.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bedych V Anderson now under way.

[CaledonianCraig]

Berdych now in complete control against Kevin Anderson. He looks set to go two sets up and is looking very good so far.

[CaledonianCraig]

The third set is far more competitive and interesting. Berdych seemed to be cruising after an early break in third and it was almost as if he felt that was the job done. Anderson upped his levels as Berdych dipped slightly and the South African has broken back and earned a set point which Berdych saved. Now at 5-5 in the third set.

[CaledonianCraig]

Berdych's nerve and experience tells in a marathon tie-break (15-13)and he completes a straight sets win over Kevin Anderson. Next up for him is a quarter-final meeting likely to be against Novak Djokovic.

[HM Murdock]

Stan goes up a double break in the 1st!

Novak's serve is creaking today but Stan is taking it to him, really playing some attacking tennis.

[Guest]

Wow Stan is in the zone.

Come on!

[CaledonianCraig]

A staggering start by Stan. Playing some out of this world shots and Novak looks taken aback by it all. Stan leads 5-1. Djokovic needs to hang in there and wait for Stan's level to drop as it surely must.

[LuvSports!]

what is going on!??!?!
novak not got going>? outplayed? both?

[CaledonianCraig]

A bit of both I'd say LuvSports. Stan playing lights out tennis ans wins the first set 6-1 in twenty five minutes.

[Guest]

6-1 with three breaks. He's playing at a ridiculous level.

Can he keep it up.

I shall do the Stan-the-Man dance



rotapicname

[Guest]

Hold the phone stans good but where's this come from?
Novaks far, far from done though

[Guest]

Ah well, back to reality.

That didn't take long

[CaledonianCraig]

Djojovic breaks at the start of the second set. Has Wawrinka got the self-belief to carry him thriugh? I doubt it.

[Guest]

Every time Screech comes to the net you expect him to lose the point.

His volleys are probably the worst in the top 20.

[CaledonianCraig]

Novak dumps a routine shot into the net to hand the break straight back. 1-1.

[Guest]

The courts look faster this year, even at night.

[HM Murdock]

what is going on!??!?!
novak not got going>? outplayed? both?

Both. Novak below his best but Stan is absolutely redlining. Best I've seen him play.

And now he breaks straight back! This is worrying.

[Guest]

Stans first serve has gone AWOL.

Tightening up?

[LuvSports!]

2-1 stan after novak had a break point.

[HM Murdock]

It's 2-1 in the second set... and Novak has only held serve once!

[Guest]

Is that Federer is a warwinka costume?

[bogbrush]

Every time Screech comes to the net you expect him to lose the point.

His volleys are probably the worst in the top 20.

Didn't someone say last Wimbledon that he was singe-handedly bringing S&V back? Now who was that.......

[Guest]

OMG, that BH was insane

[barrystar]

It's 2-1 in the second set... and Novak has only held serve once!

It's now 3-1 in the second set... and Novak has only held serve once................!

I still have him as the favourite over 5 sets, but he's got to start doing something soon.

[HM Murdock]

It's 2-1 in the second set... and Novak has only held serve once!

Now 3-1 and he has still only held serve once!

This is one of those days where I am glad it is BO5. Surely Stan can't keep this level up.... can he?

[CaledonianCraig]

Stan breaks again to lead 3-1. He is hitting the ball so sweetly with power and depth.

[Guest]

Every time Screech comes to the net you expect him to lose the point.

His volleys are probably the worst in the top 20.

Didn't someone say last Wimbledon that he was singe-handedly bringing S&V back? Now who was that.......

Yeah that was the dumbest statement of the year!

[HM Murdock]

Barrystar - you beat me to it!

[CaledonianCraig]

Stan on fire and leads 4-1. He just seems to be in a perfect place just now playing lights out tennis and is pumped up. Djoko surely hoping he comes off the rails as he is just not getting a look in.

[Guest]

Holy Moly 6-1 4-1, I wont count Novak out till the last point though, he only needs Stan to drop 5% or soo and hes back in

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