Australian Open 2019

Thought it was time to set up a dedicated thread for the Australian Open.  Federer is in same half as Nadal and Cilic whilst Djokovic has Zverev in his half and could face Tsonga in 2nd round, Shapovalov in 3rd round and Medvedev in 4th round, so will get some decent early tests.  

Some real tough draws for the Brits, with Murray up against Bautista Agut and Edmund's reward for his progress up the rankings is a 1st round encounter with Berdych.  Konta will play an opponent who beat her in Brisbane last week, though Norrie will play Fritz who he beat this week in Sydney.  

Raonic v Kyrgios looks like one of the picks of the 1st round, with Thiem also in same quarter, and fingers crossed for Dan Evans, still going strong in the qualifiers currently.

Out of the young guns I'm expecting Coric to go the furthest - he's got quite a nice draw.

Andy Murray's warm up match with Djokovic confirms Murray either needs another operation or will retire.  He was losing 6-1 4-1 before the session came to an end.   They had an umpire, line judges and ball people.  People that observed it said Murray's movement was worse than that at the US Open 2018:
https://twitter.com/stu_fraser/status/1083221057715294209 (and scroll upwards)

With the surgeon basically saying he did the best that could be done - indicating the surgery performed was the best that could be done at the time to ameliorate Murrays hip condition, and that there is a risk the hip could breakdown again while Murray continues to play - all this suggests that Murray will not be in the picture for much longer.  It is a shame.

Does anyone know what is happening with regard to Wawrinka - he seems to be pretty much out of contention as things stand.  Is he another one that has an irreparable injury?

Just read the reports of the Murray press conference today. Seems absolutely devastating for him. He’s clearly in a really bad place mentally. Have to say, I hope he does call it a day after the probable loss to RBA. He’s had a phenomenal career and, cruel though it is he’s been cut down by injury, it seems to be doing more harm than good for him to be continuing to try to play.

Methinks, a coaching career looms over Murray. I think he should stay away from the BBC Tennis Commentary Box.

Amid the sadness over Andy Murray, British fans can at least take heart from Cameron Norrie making the final in Auckland.

Great run from Norrie and a relatively winnable final as well. Nice to see him kicking on from the good season last year.

Some further good news for the Brits, Harriet Dart has made it through to the main draw from qualifying, as has Dan Evans - look up the wonder shot he did during one of his previous qualifying matches. Evans will play another qualifier in 1st round, with a great incentive for winning that with a 2nd round match with Federer potentially. This is the 1st slam tournament Evans has reached since his return from his ban. Whilst he was undoubtedly foolish his positive test for cocaine was about partying (in same way many other folk do) and not about cheating, and I think he's learnt his lesson.

Day 1 of the 2019 AO is almost upon us. Plenty of big names in action on the opening day. Could this be Murray's last match? let's hope not.
Rafa and Rog both on court on Monday . Dan Evans has a qualifier while Edmund has tricky opener against Berdych. Isner takes on a guy who is even taller than him in Opelka. I'm taking Djoko to make it three Slam wins in a row.
Kerber and Sharapova among the women in action. Picking a ladies' winner at Slams has been a difficult task for the last two years. A case can be made out for almost anybody. Halep has reached the final in three of the last seven slams and is a good bet if she can stay fit.
I would go for Serena but she performed horribly in the last two GS finals of 2018. Dangerous to write her off though.

I agree sirfredperry. Novak to win the title for me too.

Really hoping neither Federer or Djokovic steal another one. Djokovic lucked out twice last year when the roof at Wimbledon and New York saved his skin.

Time for Zverev to make his move

Murray now on court after Edmund lost in straight sets. Harriet Dart double bageled by Sharapova but good wins for Dan Evans and Katie Boulter who, I think, was the first to play a champions tiebreak at a GS event.
  Not many surprises so far, save for 14th seed Julia Goerges being dumped out.

Later: Forgot to add that Isner, seeded nine, beaten in four tiebreak sets by the even-taller Opelka.

No doubting Murray's courage and resilience, but is putting himself through this level of pain and discomfort, in a match he has precious little chance of winning, really the best thing for him in the long-term (in terms of his future life, not his career)?

sirfredperry wrote:  Later: Forgot to add that Isner, seeded nine, beaten in four tiebreak sets by the even-taller Opelka.

What?? I've never seen Mr. Opelka but I cannot believe any player is taller than Isner. He's 6ft 10in!

On the whole, despite a couple of silver linings, not a great day for British tennis...

Edmund out in 1st round in 1st sets, and his ranking will plummet - think he's just inside top 30 now? Of course Berdych is a nightmare 1st round draw and Edmund may have had some injury/fitness issues, but a 1st round straight sets loss is a disappointment.

Murray - most of us were expecting he'd lose today and to be honest the result isn't the most significant thing here, just the thought that this is likely to be either his last or penultimate professional match ever.

Norrie out in straight sets to Fritz - probably the biggest disappointment of the day, especially after he'd beaten him the other week and reached the final in Auckland.

Harriet Dart, who did well qualifying, nevertheless had the humiliation of receiving a double bagel from Sharapova - here's hoping she's not too scarred by the experience.

On the silver linings...

Result of the day has to be Boulter beating former Aus Open semi-finalist Makarova, in the 1st ever Australian Open deciding set champions tie-break. To come through such a tight match against a player of Makarova's calibre bodes well for Katie's future - too often we've seen British players push the top players hard but come out on the losing side in a tough match.

Great to see Dan Evans back winning matches at the slams, and he has a match with Federer (providing he doesn't lose to Istomin) to look forward to in 2nd round. No pressure on Evans at all in that match - whilst he may not even win in a set against Federer, playing against him is a great experience and good opportunity to raise his level as he continues to try and push up the rankings over subsequent months.

What spirit, guts and fight from Andy Murray.

Sure he will still probably lose but when 6-4 6-4 and a break down in the third he pulled something from somewhere with a wonky hip to take the third set on the tie-break.

Bear in mind he is rusty, he is not match fit and Bautista Agut is fresh from winning a tournament beating an impressive set of players.

MrInvisible wrote:... Edmund out in 1st round in 1st sets, and his ranking will plummet - think he's just inside top 30 now?  Of course Berdych is a nightmare 1st round draw and Edmund may have had some injury/fitness issues, but a 1st round straight sets loss is a disappointment.

He is predicted to drop from his current ranking of 14 to a ranking of about 27 (1440 points).

This will affect his seeding - in the Australian Open he was seeded 13 (so expected to reach R4). Subsequent seeding will be lower - so he will face higher ranked opponents earlier, making life for him more difficult. This may be the last time he is in the top twenty. His Australian Open 2018 result was a real outlier compared to his other results. His general form seems to be of a '32 to 64' ranking player - a player expected to get to the second or third round of a grand slam before being knocked out. He is no Andy Murray. Kyle is 24 so may be a late developer.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Bear in mind he is rusty, he is not match fit and Bautista Agut is fresh from winning a tournament beating an impressive set of players.

& Murray is limping and his movement is clearly restricted.  Murray has all the talent but unfortunately no longer the same movement.  Murray would easily beat Agut if his right hip was working properly (the only issue would then have been his concentration).

CaledonianCraig wrote:What spirit, guts and fight from Andy Murray.

Sure he will still probably lose but when 6-4 6-4 and a break down in the third he pulled something from somewhere with a wonky hip to take the third set on the tie-break.

Indeed ...that third set was something to watch ! Looking as if he's not got enough left in the tank to turn the whole match around - though he is still fighting here in the fourth - but he's going to make Bautista Agut earn his win...

I know something about hip pain ; and how Murray is able to even function at this level of tennis let alone come back like that against a good player is a real tribute to his courage and determination. If this is his last match it is still going to be worth a salute...

If this does prove to be Murray's last match he's given more than enough fight and value for money for the spectators and it would make a good swansong to his career.

@NonameBertie: A good dose of reality regarding Edmund, though I do think he is capable of holding down a top 30-40 ranking regularly. Last year due to injury and loss of form he struggled during the US hardcourt Spring season, and he ought to pick up a few ranking points this year to cushion his fall down the rankings a bit.

This match., if it is to be his last, encapsulates Andy's career really. Hit with adversity time and again but a will and spirit to fight lost causes. Highly admirable. Bautistista leads 6-4 6-4 6-7 5-4. Is the end near?

Murray holds to love and pull the fourth set back to 5-5. Crowd going berserk.

Bautista responds holding serve himself to 15 and leads 6-5 in the fourth set. The match now approaching 3 hours 20 minutes.

On to another tie break...

Murray digs deep again to square the fourth set up at 6-6. Tie-break time. Surely, he can't do it again?

This is just mental. Pure mental. Murray takes the fourth set tie-break. A shot hip, two sets and a break down, no tennis of note for months playing a seeded player fresh from a tournament win and he pulls it back to two sets all.

Romped away with the tie break

Going to a fifth set ! What about the match ? he couldn't , could he ?


Canceling my early night and pouring a glass...

What a man

And for years people on forums have questioned why I so passionately back Murray. This is why.

He will probably still exit but he will go out fighting against adversity in what will be the match of the day.

THAT POINT

Bautista Agut breaks first in the 5th set to lead 2-1. Murray can't dig deeper again surely?

Bautista cements his break with a hold to love and leads 3-1 in the final set.

Whatever the result I suspect this might be Murray's last match because he is sure to have some sort of reaction from it.   When judging Andy Murray's position in the hierarchy of all time greats of tennis I think it is clear one has to take into account he was playing during a time with three all time greats at their peak. And what he has done for British tennis has been unfathomable.

Looks spent. Those two sets were worth it

Think that was his chance gone...with BA down 0-30 in the second game I was really hoping : but the chance slipped away and now it looks as if the Spaniard is getting on top.

Up a break and threatening to take another...and there it is . Can't see even Andy coming back from 1-4 down , alas.

But what a fight it's been !

Not surprising that Andy is tired and hurting. Bautista breaks again and move 4-1 up in the final set.

Didn't think he'd let the set go 6-1 - although the way he saluted the crowd showed he feared it might have been his last game ! But no , he's kept it going one more game at least...

BA to serve it out at 5-2 ...

And there it is...

If that was his last match he gave us a last memory or two .

Hope he does get to sign off at Wimbledon .

And so Bautista finally gets the job done winning 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 6-2 in five sets in well over four hours. The story here is Murray's fightback and possibly him leaving a tennis court in competitive tennis for the last time.

Andy leaves the court to an emotional standing ovation saying goodbye to the Australian fans for the last time.

Incredibly emotional ovation.

alfie wrote:... Hope he does get to sign off at Wimbledon .

I suppose it is a question of how soon he feels he needs to try to get another fix (operation) for his hip.  He had his first operation in January last year in Australia - he could go in for a second operation while he is in Australia.

What an emotional set of tributes. And people on forums questioned the measure of the man. Look at those tributes. United in respect and admiration for Sir Andy Murray.

If it’s my last...

Still got an op in mind to maybe keep it going

Fair to say that Murray's exploits are the big story of the day, and elsewhere its been fairly quiet, but here's a recap of what else has gone on:

Shock of the day: Dimitrov winning a match perhaps Though it was against Tipsarevic who I didn't realise was still playing, and Grigor had to drop a set of course.

Elsewhere, routine wins for Federer over Istomin and Nadal over Duckworth, several young guns safely through with Tiafoe, De Minaur and Tsitsipas winning, whilst to further demonstrate that warm-up tournaments aren't the best indicator for progress in Melbourne, Sandgren, last week's winner at Auckland and surprise package from Aus Open last year, lost, sparing us all from seeing tennis/tennys spelt wrongly for rest of the tournament. A good straight sets win for Cilic over Tomic whilst in the womens' aside from Sharapova drubbing poor Harriet Dart, Kvitova, Wozniacki, Kerber and Stephens won in straight sets. However, Ostapenko is out.

Tremendous effort from Murray. Few probably thought he could win but no doubt everyone reckoned that - hip or not - he would fight like mad, which he did.
At least he hasn't said it's definitely his last match, although it would be a good one to go out on.
I see Fed has a potential third-round meeting with Monfils. All depends which version of Monfils turns up. Cilic also lies in wait. Not expecting Fed to get to the final this year.

Djoko a set up in his opening match. Nishi was two sets down but came thru in the fifth when his opponent had to retire. Last year's semi finalist Hyeon Chung also trailed two sets to love but won in the end.
No such luck for Cecchinato who bt Djoko at the French last year. He was two sets up but lost in five to Krajinovic. The Man was trailing by one set to love to Gulbis but Ernests had to retire.
Konta came thru in a final set tiebreak against Tomljanovic. Number 10 seed Kasatkina is out, beaten in straight sets by Bacsinszky. Nearly all the other big names safely thru. A couple of the teenaged girls - Potopova and Andreescu - won, as did 19-yr-old Aussie WC Popyrin who bt Mischa Zverev in straight sets.

A lot of injury retirements today, which is always sad to see. Good to see though Chung coming back from 2 sets down. Halep has just beaten the dangerous Kanepi, who has pushed her to 3 sets. In a match which some might have thought could go the distance, Raonic has beaten Kyrgios in straight sets.

sirfredperry wrote:...    Konta came thru in a final set tiebreak against Tomljanovic. Number 10 seed Kasatkina is out, beaten in straight sets by Bacsinszky. Nearly all the other big names safely thru. A couple of the teenaged girls - Potopova and Andreescu - won, as did 19-yr-old Aussie WC Popyrin who bt Mischa Zverev in straight sets.

Is the women's game still characterised by women screeching (grunting) - I haven't watched it for a long time and have lost touch as to what is happening in the women's game.  Are the new players quiet or screechers?  All I seem  to remember is that Wozniaki plays quietly and most of the others are screechers.

With regard to Djokovic some people are saying that he looks a bit scratchy and they are not sure if he is carrying an injury.

I expect Federer to have a good tournament - he is looking sharp and fresh (after the winter break).

With Nadal people are mentioning he has modified his serve - which may be a method to keep his body lasting longer (reducing further risk of muscle strains and joint sprains).

Dan Evans performed spiritedly against Federer, taking the defending champion to tiebreaks in the first two sets before going down in three.
Katie Boulter also played well but lost in straight sets. Fed won't have to play Monfils after all as the Frenchman was beaten in 3hrs 24 mins by Taylor Fritz. Big shock in the men's was Anderson's defeat by Tiafoe. Cilic was pushed but won in four. Kiki Bertens, seeded nine, is out.

Bautista Agut looks set for the Third Round as he is Cruising to a win against John Millman.