Anything you can Ninja... I can Ninja better?

Rafael Nadal and Aga Radwanska showing off their soft hands and amazing touch but who flicked the backhand better. The Magician from Mallorca or the Ninja of Krakow.

The Word of the Day is... Laces

Nadal breaks his shoelace! This really is the 20th anniversary of Tonya and Nancy! #AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 20, 2014

So watch for yourself and see who broken lace is more dramatic Rafa's or Tonya's. 

(Starts at 4:00)

Tucked or Untucked

Madison Keys and Genie Bouchard are both wearing the same Nike kit but in very
different ways. Who wears it better?

Final Australian Thoughts

Be Brave.... 
Play Brave tennis. As I was channel surfing last night I paused on tennis channel. It was the end of the first set Rafa had just had two set points and it was now at deuce. Martina Navratilova said playing not to lose is how he lost so many times last year that be can't be timid. He needs to be brave. I wonder what she said almost four hours later when he came back from 0-40 at 3-4 in the fourth set to go on to win the set in a tiebreaker coming from behind again. We all know what happens in the fifth set but the moment that I remember is Rafa earning a break point as Novak served for the match and went for that forehand that clipped the tape to give Novak match point. Even though it didn't have the preferred outcome for Rafa doing it at that point of the match was brave. That moment proved that he really did 'fighted to the last ball'
Vamos Rafa! Stay Brave! 

Fight On!

To the runners up of the just concluded Australian Open. I want to thank you for your fight and your grace and class in defeat. Even though their matches were drastically different they showed why they are champions and will be back as winners soon. I am very proud of them both because they both play themselves into form over the course of the fortnight. Maria is headed to Moscow for Fed Cup this week while Rafa's next event will not be until Indian Wells.

“The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.”  

-Vince Lombardi 

Who gets to determine when the old ends and the new begins? It’s not on the calendar, it’s not a birthday, it’s not a new year, it’s an event —big or small, something that changes us, ideally it gives us hope, a new way of living and looking at the world, letting go of old habits, old memories. What's important is that we never stop believing we can have a new beginning, but it's also important to remember amid all the crap are a few things really worth holding on to.

-Grey's Anatomy

I am very hopeful that they will both be hoisting trophies this season this is just the begining.

Vikatorious

Victoria Azerenka. Australian Open Champion. World Number One. Take a bow. 

I'm still in shock too Vika. 

I love the shorts. 

Amazing speech from Maria and an amazing event. She will be back for more soon. 

More thoughts to come later. 

And then there were four.

vs.

Vika Azerenka will take on Kim Clijsters. Vika is in her second Slam semi and Kim is in her first Slam semifinal since she won this title a year ago.  They play not before 1:30 PM (9:30 PM est) on Rod Laver Arena. 

vs.

Petra Kvitova will face Maria Sharapova in the semifinal following Azerenka & Clijsters in a rematch of last years Wimbledon final. 

Bring it Ladies! 

Watching on Day 9

Quarterfinals start along with some doubles and juniors.

Rod Laver Arena

 Not Before: 12 PM (8 PM est)
  Women's Singles - Quarterfinals: Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[3] vs. Agnieszka Radwanska(POL)[8]
 
  Women's Singles - Quarterfinals: Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[1] vs.Kim Clijsters(BEL)[11]
 
 Not Before:2:30 PM
  Men's Singles - Quarterfinals: Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[11]  vs. Roger Federer(SUI)[3]
 

7:30 PM (3:30 AM est)
  Men's Singles - Quarterfinals: Tomas Berdych(CZE)[7]vs. Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2]

Incase you missed it

The videos and interviews from this Australian Open have been very entertaining and informative. Here are a few of the  best from the past few days.

Serena Presser after loss:

Roger on ESPN:

Rafa on  ESPN: 

Lendl on ESPN:

Vika's Australian Open Crib

Fourthly....

Mostly all the quarterfinals are set and while the first week had a few minor upsets. They saved all the drama for the fourth round.

Serena Out.

In one of the worst serving performances by Serena in recent memory with six double faults and being broken five times her movement was clearly hampered. Makarova is now in her first Slam quarterfinal she held her nerve and played an amazing match going for her shots especially down the line. I am disappointed Serena lost but thinking that a year ago she was in a cast and ten months ago she had a life threatening medical condition that she still has to keep under control it is remarkable that she is playing tennis again and I appreciate that she will be able to play in a few weeks for Fed Cup.

Boo Berds
I will let the videos do the talking and let you decide for yourselves. I think its part of the game that you do. Fake it even but to just not do it after you ended up winning the match just makes you look like a bad winner.

The Rematch

The fourth round meeting of Kim Clijsters and Li Na was a repeat of the 2011 final in Melbourne. After breaks being traded for the first half of the first set the drama really started when Kim rolled over on her left ankle. Li then broke to take the first set and broke early in the second. Kim then broke back and the set climaxed in a tiebreaker down four match points at 5-6 in the breaker Kim pulled out a drop shot lob combo that had Li frozen like a tennis version of the terra cotta soliders. In the third set Kim quickly went up two breaks and even though she got broken serving for the match on her first attempt she closed it out in her next service game. It was a great display of heart and fight from Kim in what is expected to be her final Australian Open.

Controlled Aggression: Sharapova vs. Lisicki 

Maria got out of the gates fast going up 3-0 with two breaks in the first set against but then in a blitzkrieg of winners to win six straight games to take the first set. Maria fight won her the match as well as Sabine's inability to convert on the big points. But both ladies have a lot to take from this match and both improved their Australian Open performances from a year ago.

Kei Nishikori upset Tsonga in five sets to become the first Japanesse man to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals in 80 years. 

Thanks Lleyton for you fighting spirt and determination hope you have a healthy season. You are inspiring. 

What I am Watching: Day 7

Half way there... here are the matches of Day 7. The Juniors, Mixed Doubles and Doubles events are also in full swing.


Rod Laver Arena 11AM  (7 PM est)

Women's Singles - 4th Round: Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[3] vs.  Iveta Benesova(CZE)
Men's Singles - 4th Round:  Feliciano Lopez(ESP)[18] vs.  Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2]
Women's Singles - 4th Round: Kim Clijsters(BEL)[11] vs.  Na Li(CHN)[5]

7:00 PM
 Men's Singles - 4th Round: Bernard Tomic(AUS) vs.  Roger Federer(SUI)[3]
 Women's Singles - 4th Round: Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[1] vs.  Jelena Jankovic(SRB)[13]


Hisense Arena
 
 Not Before:12:30 PM
  Women's Singles - 4th Round:  Julia Goerges(GER)[22] vs. Agnieszka Radwanska(POL)[8]
 
 

What I noticed Day 6

• Maria Kirlenko retired to Petra Kvitova after calling the down 0-5 in the first set she then only played two more games. Through the seven games played Petra had 23 winners and 2 errors to say that she was zoning is a understatement. 
• Maria Sharapova defeated Angelique Kerber in straights sets with this clearly being the most hard fought match so far for the Russian. She said she was aware of Kerber's experience on big courts after making it the the semifinals of the US Open last year. I laughed realizing how obserd it was that the semifinal match was actually on Grandstand. 
• Sabine Lisicki came back from a shaky start to defeat Svetlana Kuznetsova in 3 sets. She was very happy to have reached the second week of the Australian Open for the first time.
• It was Nicholas Mahut's birthday he won two games of Novak Djokovic. 
• Andy Murray and Michael Llodra played a fun match there was, smiling, joking, hitting flying forehands. Murray advanced in straight sets. 
• Gael Monfils....I don't know what to say about this. It was something kinda comparable to a train wreck. 
• Serena texts Venus about boys and tennis. She also defeated Greta Arn in straight sets to set up a fourth round meeting with Makarova who seems to be the Pironkova of the Australian Open. 

What I am watching Day 6

Day 6 is upon us which means we are almost half way through the tournement. Today also brings the start of Olympic Qualifying for the USWNT Soccer team you can watch that here at 10:30 EST. Now on to the tennis.


Rod Laver Arena 11 AM (7 PM est) 
  Match 1: Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Maria Kirilenko(RUS)[27] vs. Petra Kvitova(CZE)[2]
 
  Match 2: Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Angelique Kerber(GER)[30]vs. Maria Sharapova(RUS)[4]

 7 PM (3 AM est)

 Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Greta Arn(HUN) vs.Serena Williams(USA)[12]

Hisense Arena 11 AM

  Match 2: Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Vania King(USA)vs.  Ana Ivanovic(SRB)[21]

  Match 3: Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Sabine Lisicki(GER)[14]vs.  Svetlana Kuznetsova(RUS)[18]

7 PM

  Men's Singles - 3rd Round: Andy Murray(GBR)[4]vs. Michael Llodra(FRA)

What I noticed: Day 5

• Vika Azerenka had a tougher time today with Mona Barthel. But still came through in straights. She needs to work on her challenging skills though she ran out in the second set, this made her kinda angry. The crowd booed her reaction to the match.
• Rafa played Lucas Lacko it was a good match after a kinda flat first set over all. In the third set Laver had a visitor as bird sat on court as Rafa was about to serve, the ball kid had to shoo it off court, it was cute.  
• Julia Goerges defeated Oprandi in a comeback three set victory to reach the second week of a Slam for the first time. 
• Christina McHale had one more break point then JJ but that didn't matter as she only converted one in the 6-2 6-0 loss. 
• Roger Federer lobbed Dr. Ivo. That's really all you need to know.
• The post match interviews on Laver after the Nadal and Federer matches
• Feli Lopez out lasted John Isner in 5-settter. It was an up and down kinda match especially the second set where Feli had a break advantage but went on to lose the set in a tiebreaker. He plays Rafa next. 
• Kim Clijsters sported a black kit, it looked fierce. She played a solid match to move through to the second week. 

What I am watching: Day 5

Day 5 has a slightly front and  back loaded OOP. Here's what I plan to watch.


Rod Laver Arena 11:00 AM (7pm est)
 Men's Singles - 3rd Round : Lukas Lacko(SVK) vs. Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2]


Hisense Arena 11 AM
 Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[3] vs. Mona Barthel(GER)
 Match 3: Men's Singles - 3rd Round: John Isner(USA)[16] vs.  Feliciano Lopez(ESP)[18]

Hisense Arena 7 PM (3 AM est)

 Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Kim Clijsters(BEL)[11]vs.  Daniela Hantuchova(SVK)[20]
 


Margaret Court Arena 11 AM
 POSSIBLE MOVE TO ROD LAVER ARENA
 Not Before: 3 PM
  Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Christina McHale(USA) vs.  Jelena Jankovic(SRB)[13]


Show Court 3 11 AM
March 2- Women's Singles - 3rd Round: Romina Oprandi(ITA) vs.  Julia Goerges(GER)[22]

Doubles:

Court 6- Not Before: 3:30 PM-- Women's Doubles - 2nd Round: Vania King(USA)[3] /Yaroslava Shvedova(KAZ)[3] vs. Bojana Bobusic(AUS) /Sacha Jones(AUS)



Court 18- Not Before:2:30 PM--
Men's Doubles - 2nd Round: Marc Lopez(ESP) /David Marrero(ESP) vs.  Michael Llodra(FRA)[3] /Nenad Zimonjic(SRB)[3]
 Match 2-Women's Doubles - 2nd Round: Julia Goerges(GER) /Kaia Kanepi(EST) vs.  Svetlana Kuznetsova(RUS) /Vera Zvonareva(RUS)

What I noticed: Day 4

• Serena won in straight sets. She played well but seemed annoyed with herself or the sun, or the universe. Who knows. She told Stubbs in the post match interview that she wouldn't make a good ballerina with wobbly ankles. 
• Andy Murray is hitting his forehand harder than I remember. But I miss the muttering and monologuing. The winning however I do like. 
• Domi Cibulkova dress is always so short. It's like she is trying to make herself seem taller by showing more leg. 
• David Ferrer won in 5-sets after losing the first. If that surprises you. It shouldn't. 
• Ana Ivanovic won in straight sets. Her serve and forehand were looking good. 
• Maria Sharapova played crisply and has lost two games in her journey to the third round. She also talked doubles at the Olympics and the apocalypse in her presser. 
• Petra Kvitova was crusing against Carla Suarez Navarro then she wasn't dropping the second set and going down an early break in the third before rebounding to advance. 
• Nicholas Mahut advance to the third round which is totally awesome. 
• Sabine Lisicki had a much easier advancement to the third round then she did to the second. Defeating Peer in straight sets. 
• Andy Roddick won the first set. He injured his leg early in the second set took a time out to get it looked at or taped up. He lost the second and third sets even trying to bravely come back at the end of the third set in which he lost when a double net cord drippled over to give Lleyton the set. Then Andy retired. Get better soon Andy! 

Mixing it Up.

The Mixed Doubles draw has been released and their are some juicy teams.

Andy Roddick and Serena Williams (Team Besties) play the number one seeds in the first round.

Kimiko Date-Krumm and Kei Nishikori (Team Japan)

Jelena Jankovic and Bernard Tomic (Team Dramatic)

Iveta Benesova  and Jurgen Melzer (Team Lovebirds also the reigning Wimbledon Champions)

What I noticed- Picture Edition: Day 3

Christina McHale defeated Marina Erakovic in a comeback three set win to face Jankovic in the third round. 

No doubting intentions here. Too Cute!!!! Petra and a puppy. 

Romina Oprandi upset Francesca Schiavone. File this under the "Well Fran will make it through past the second round, I'll watch it next match". Sorry Fran. 

Vika lost the first game then won 12 in a row again. Two virtual double bagels in a row.

The Rafa and Tommy Hass match well the match was great Rafa played aggressively and was moving well even though he still had half the tape in Melbourne around his knee. Tommy played some nice shot. It was the few moments at the end of the match that were sweet. They had a cute moment at the net.

Things I Noticed: Day 2

• Petra started off a bit shakey losing the first two games of her match. She then went on to win the next 12 games.
• It occurred to me that Novak's kits since he switched to Sergio Tacchini he very rarely is not in Serbian colors. To Davis Cup-ish for me. He won in straight sets. 
• I cannot stand the tweener. The need to stop.
• Stosur got knocked out in the first round by Cristea in straight sets. Ending Sam's Australian summer of tennis with only a single victory. I am thinking she will enjoy returning to the Northern Hemisphere. 
• The ESPN montages are just about my favorite part of their coverage of the Slams. 
• Ryan Harrison but up a good showing taking the first set from Andy Murray before eventually losing in four sets. Hope Ryan uses it as a spring board for a good season. 
• Andy Roddick won in straight sets. Brooklyn's dress was lovely. 
• Ana Ivanovic played a soild match for to advance to the second round. 
• Lleyton Hewitt had a dramatic fourth set to come back from 1-5 to win the match. He fell to the court on his back when he won it was and endearing reaction. He has a throw match with Roddick in the second round. 
• Maria Sharapova sailed through the first round 6-0 6-1 against Dulko the single game she lost was a game where she hit 3 double faults in a row.
• Serena won. She beat Pazek and the bugs late into the night on Rod Laver. 
• Nicholas Mahut won his first round match. 

Quotables: Round 1 Pressers

Q.  Do you think it's unfortunate that it's been played out as a split between the game's two biggest figures basically?  ANDY RODDICK:  Well, if you guys reported the facts, the issues, it wouldn't be as exciting as Rafa and Roger.  Those guys have been the model of a respectful rivalry in sports.  So for it to be represented any differently is unfortunate.
Like I said, same fundamental problems, same end goal, difference of opinions on how to get there, which is fine.  There's going to be that.  We're going to have to kind of negotiate through that to get anything done.
But the last thing I worry about is Roger and Rafa getting along.  I mean, they've been great throughout the years.  So, you know, I think this is all new territory for us.  I think, if anything, it probably taught us that we have to choose our words very wisely right now when talking about it, because it is a sensitive issue.  

Q.  What do you tell your fans when they ask, What happened in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne?  SAMANTHA STOSUR:  Well, I don't know.  I mean, it's hard.  It's not through lack of trying or not wanting it or anything like that.  I mean, you can't pick the times that you want to play well.
Of course, I wanted to do very well here.  You want it to come right now.  I'm thankful that everyone was behind me.  I'm sure they will stay behind me.
That's sport.  Unfortunately you can't pick and choose when it's all going to happen for you.  
  

Q.  Your thoughts on the match?
            PETRA KVITOVA:  Well, after slow beginning it was fine.  Yeah, I think that I can improve for sure my serve.
            But, you know, it looks easy, the score, but it wasn't.  The games, some was very close.  And, yeah, I'm glad that I'm through.

            Q.  Did you find it hard to shake her in some of those close ones?
            PETRA KVITOVA:  No, I didn't feel any shakers [sic]. 

Q.  He said you've got one view and the others have got something else.  ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I think that's normal.  We can't always agree on everything.  So far it's always been no problem really.  Back in the day he used to say, Whatever Roger decides, I'm fine with.
Today he's much more grown up.  He has a strong opinion himself, which I think is great.  It's what we need, especially on the council.  It's been nice working with him.
That he has a strong opinion also creates sometimes good arguments about where you want to move the sport forward to.
You know, we talked about that in London after we played at midnight before, I don't know, my semifinal match.  We called each other after Davis Cup, and then we met again here.
So we're always constantly trying to get on the same page, or at least talking about it, so we can do the best for the sport.  That's at the end of the day both our goals.  

I advise all of you.  You can try hard, but I gonna talk about tennis.  If I am here two weeks, if I am here two days, I gonna have less work.
 

THE MODERATOR:  Any more questions?

RAFAEL NADAL:  After that...  You are only interested in that, not the tennis (smiling).   

Pressers can be found here.