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. 

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.