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. 

Olympic Ticket Punched

The USWNT has qualified for the Olympics with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica in the Olympic Qualifying tournament.  The roster for the Olympic will be named July 2nd and the first game will be on July 25th. Canada also qualified for the Olympics and the US will play them in the final of the qualifying tournament Sunday at 8pm est.

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! 

3 for 1

With Caroline Wozniacki's lost to Kim Clijsters in the quarterfinals she will now drop from the number one ranking and can fall as low as 4 if Sharapova were to make the final. How I understand it will work out is that who ever gets the farthest will become number one. So if two of the three make it to the final the winner would become number 1. 

Maria Sharapova can regain the number one ranking which she last held on June 8. 2008

Petra Kvitova could take the top ranking for the first time. 

Vika Azerenka can take the ranking for the first time as well. 

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]

The Road to London

The qualification process for the United States Women's Soccer team on Friday. The first game was a 14-0 routing of the Dominican Republic that came at a cost because of a bad tackle by and inexperienced Dominican player. Ali Krieger suffered a torn ACL and MCL in her right knee as a result of the play and it is extremely doubtful that she can return to form in time for the Olympics. The main talk after the game was how team USA was too ruthless in the amount of goals they scored. I look at it differently this was the first competitive game that they played since the World Cup final they are a team on a mission that wants everyone to know it. The second game was played at a much higher level by Team USA as well as their opponent Guatemala with the final score being thirteen goal victory. They play Mexico in the semifinals for a berth in the Olympic on Tuesday at 10:30 EST.

Dominican Republic 0 - 14 USA

1’,19’ Wambach
4’ Lloyd
6’ Buehler
17’, 31’,78’ O’Reilly
30’ Heath

47’,48’, 58’,70’,75 ’Rodriguez
64’ Cheney


USA 13 - 0 Guatemala

12’,14’ Wambach
24’ Cheney
29’ Rodriguez
33’ Lloyd
34’ Lindsey
2nd half
48’, 50’,57’, 70’, 87’Leroux
75’ Rapinoe
83’ Morgan

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.

What I am Watching: Day 3

Day Three is here! The second round and double begin!




Rod Laver Arena 11 AM (7 PM est)
Match 2: Women's Singles - 2nd Round: Kim Clijsters(BEL)[11] vs.  Stephanie Foretz Gacon(FRA)
 Match 3: Men's Singles - 2nd Round :Tommy Haas(GER) vs.  Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2]

Rod Laver Arena 7 PM (3 AM est)
Match 2: Women's Singles - 2nd Round : Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[3]vs.Casey Dellacqua(AUS)

Margaret Court Arena 11 AM
 Match 2: Women's Singles - 2nd Round: Francesca Schiavone(ITA)[10] vs. Romina Oprandi(ITA)
 
 Match 3: Men's Singles - 2nd Round: John Isner(USA)[16] vs. David Nalbandian(ARG)

Show Court 3 11 AM
 Match 2 : Women's Singles - 2nd Round: Eleni Daniilidou(GRE) vs. Julia Goerges(GER)[22]

Court 6 11 AM
Match 4: Men's Singles - 2nd Round: Grigor Dimitrov(BUL) vs. Nicolas Almagro(ESP)[10]

Court 8 11 AM- Match 2: Men's Singles - 2nd Round : Flavio Cipolla(ITA) vs. Feliciano Lopez(ESP)[18]


Matches that aren't on streamed courts:

Court 10 1:00 PM
  Women's Doubles - 1st Round: Vania King(USA)[3] /Yaroslava Shvedova(KAZ)[3]vs. Kristina Barrois(GER) /Anna-Lena Groenefeld(GER)
  Match 2: Men's Doubles - 1st Round: Ryan Harrison(USA) /Ryan Sweeting(USA) vs.  Colin Fleming(GBR)[15] /Ross Hutchins(GBR)[15]
Court 11 11 AM- Match 1: Men's Doubles - 1st Round: Marc Lopez(ESP) /David Marrero(ESP) vs. Andreas Seppi(ITA) /Simone Vagnozzi(ITA)
 Court 13: 11:00 AM- Match 2:  Women's Doubles - 1st Round: Ashleigh Barty(AUS) /Laura Robson(GBR) vs. Dominika Cibulkova(SVK) / Jill Craybas(USA)

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.  

Doubles Fun

Doubles is one of my favorite parts of Slams is doubles some of the pairing are dreams come true, while others leave you scratching you head in confusion. Here are my teams to watch.                                                                                            

Women's:


Shuai Peng CHN and Francesca Schiavone ITA: What a random pair.

Vania King USA andYaroslava Shvedova KAZ (3) : The three seeds seemed like a random pairing until the won Wimbledon & the US Open back in 2010
Gisela Dulko ARG and Flavia Pennetta ITA: The four seeds are the defending champs and both were knocked out of singles in the first round
Ashleigh Barty AUS and Laura Robson GBR : Really looking forward to this pairing of two Jr. Wimbledon Champions.  Another righty and lefty pair.

Men's:

Ryan Harrison USA and Ryan Sweeting USA: Ryan Squared

Julien Benneteau FRA and Nicolas Mahut FRA: Lacoste Twins

Marc Lopez ESP and David Marrero ESP: Always hope Marc does well.

Number 2 of the Rankings. Number 1 of the Adorable.

The Kia Open Drive is back! Rafa Nadal and Petra Kvitova were first up in the interview car. Aussie accents, giggles, smiles & precious English.

Bonus Rafa & the giant key:

What I am Watching: Day 2

Day 2 has the bottom half of the Women's draw and the top half of the Men's draw take the court.

Rod Laver Arena 11 AM (7 PM est)

  Match 1: Women's Singles - 1st Round: Vera Dushevina(RUS) vs.  Petra Kvitova(CZE)[2]

 Match 3: Women's Singles - 1st Round: Samantha Stosur(AUS)[6] vs.  Sorana Cirstea(ROU)

Rod Laver Arena 7 PM (3 AM est)
  Men's Singles - 1st Round : Cedrik-Marcel Stebe(GER) vs.  Lleyton Hewitt(AUS)
 
  Women's Singles - 1st Round: Tamira Paszek(AUT) vs.  Serena Williams(USA)[12]

Hisense Arena 11 AM

 Match 2:  Women's Singles - 1st Round : Gisela Dulko(ARG) vs.  Maria Sharapova(RUS)[4]

 

 Match 3: Men's Singles - 1st Round : Andy Murray(GBR)[4] vs.  Ryan Harrison(USA)

 

 Match 4:  Men's Singles - 1st Round: Robin Haase(NED) vs.  Andy Roddick(USA)[15]

 

Margret Court Arena 11 AM

Match 1: Men's Singles - 1st Round : Rui Machado(POR) vs.  David Ferrer(ESP)[5]

Show Court 2 11 AM

 Match 1: Men's Singles - 1st Round: Andreas Seppi(ITA) vs.  Richard Gasquet(FRA)[17]

 

 Match 4:  Women's Singles - 1st Round: Lourdes Dominguez Lino(ESP) vs.  Ana Ivanovic(SRB)[21]

 

 Show Court 3 11 AM

 Match 1: Women's Singles - 1st Round: Sabine Lisicki(GER)[14] vs.  Stefanie Voegele(SUI)

 

 Match 4: Men's Singles - 1st Round: Gilles Simon(FRA)[12] vs.  Danai Udomchoke(THA)

 

Non Watchable matches of interest from 11 AM:

Court 5: Match 3:   Women's Singles - 1st Round: Sloane Stephens(USA) vs.  Silvia Soler-Espinosa(ESP)

Court 7: Match 4:  Men's Singles - 1st Round: Julien Benneteau(FRA) vs.  Karol Beck(SVK)

What I noticed: Day 1

• Vika lost the first game of her match she didn't lose another to open up play on Rod Laver Arena against Heather Watson.
• Fernando "the highlighter" Verdasco shirt was bright the match was one of few highlights as he lost the plot being up 2 sets to love to lose to Tomic. 
• John Isner looks cute in a Lacoste polo. 
• It was French Open Champions Day on Hisense as Na Li, Fran Schiavone and Rafa Nadal all came away straight set winners. 
• Things I didn't watch I wish I did. Dimtrov vs Chardy, Pico Monaco. Both matches went five sets, Dimtrov won. Pico lost.
• The Jr. Wimbledon Champions Robson and Barty both lost their first round matches in straight sets. 
• Flavia Pennetta is the highest seed to lose on day one. 
• Remember when Andy Murray injured himself in his sleep. Well it seems Rafa has one upped him by "having the worst pain ever" in his knee sitting down. The full story sound so bizarre. 
• Fed got asked if he would coach the Twins at tennis if they played. His response was cute he said Mirka would do it. He won in striaght sets. 

It's Happening!

Australian Open Mixed Doubles Draw Look Out. 

Not 15 anymore

Michael Phelps, Stephanie Rice and Janet Evans agree that the events the once and for Rice and Phelps who are the defending Olympic champions in the 400 IM still dominate are not as easy as it used to be. 

Phelps won the 400 IM at the Austin Grand Prix Saturday in a time of 4:16.25

Evans is embarking on a comeback for the Olympic Games after sixteen years out of competition. She has qualified for Olympic Trials in the 400 Freestyle one of her signature events.

Trophy Case

Let's see who picked up the hardware in this pre-Slam week. 


Auckland:

 David Ferrer defeated Olivier Rochus in the final of the Heineken Open in Auckland 6-3, 6-4. 

Hobart:

Mona Barthel of Germany defeated Yanina Wickmayer  6-1, 6-2 in Hobart. 

Sydney:

Jarkko Nieminen defeated Julien Benneteau 6-2, 7-5 in the Men's final in Sydney. 

Victoria Azerenka defeated Li Na 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the Women's Final in Sydney. 

What I Am Watching.

With the OOP released here are the matches I am planning on watching on day 1. The first day of a Slam is always my favorite so much to watch wish I had a second set of eyes.


Rod Laver Arena 11 am:

Match 1: Women's Singles - 1st Round
Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[3] vs. Heather Watson(GBR)

Match 2: Men's Singles - 1st Round
 Bernard Tomic(AUS) vs. Fernando Verdasco(ESP)[22]

Match 3: Women's Singles - 1st Round
 Kim Clijsters(BEL)[11] vs. Maria Joao Koehler(POR)

Hisense Arena 11 am:

Match 3: Women's Singles - 1st Round
 Francesca Schiavone(ITA)[10] vs. Laura Pous-Tio(ESP)

Match 4: Men's Singles - 1st Round
 Alex Kuznetsov(USA) vs. Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2]


Margaret Court Arena 11 am

Match 4: Women's Singles - 1st Round
Laura Robson(GBR) vs. Jelena Jankovic(SRB)[13]

Show Court 2 11 am

Match 4: Women's Singles - 1st Round
Ashleigh Barty(AUS) vs. Anna Tatishvili(GEO)

Court 6 11am

Match 2: Men's Singles - 1st Round
Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER) vs. Juan Monaco(ARG)[25]


Other matches of interest that won't be watchable from 11 am.


Court 7: Match 2: Women's Singles - 1st Round
Polona Hercog(SLO) vs. Julia Goerges(GER)[22]

Court 8: Match 3: Men's Singles - 1st Round
Jeremy Chardy(FRA) vs. Grigor Dimitrov(BUL)

Court 15: Match 1 Men's Singles - 1st Round
Leonardo Mayer(ARG) vs. Feliciano Lopez(ESP)[18]


Court 19: Match 3: Women's Singles - 1st Round
Lucie Safarova(CZE)[24] vs. Christina McHale(USA)

AO Kids Day: When Forehands Attack

Rafa Nadal and Sam Stosur took on the defending Australian Open Champions Kim Clijsters and Novak Djokovic for Kids Day Saturday in mixed doubles. The highlight of the match was during one rally Rafa pegged Novak with a shot in which he in own his dramatic way fell down and was helped up by Kim. Rafa's responce with a cheeky smirk "that was for the six finals of 2011". Everyone laughed.

Sam looked to be on cloud nine partnered up with Rafa even though he was a bit late coming straight from practice. 

At the end of it all it seemed as if a good time was had by all.

Precious Medals

Nadal  has hopes for a golden July as he has aspirations to regain the Wimbledon title and successfully defend his Olympic gold medal. Which is a feat that has never been accomplished. This begs the question will this year Wimbledon's Champion be the favorite for the Olympics? 

“Sometimes, with stars in sport, what happens is that people around you are telling you everything you’re doing is great. Well, even stars are not doing everything great, doing bad things, so the most important thing is to have people around you who really love you, who are not afraid of telling you the truth, who don’t lie if you’re doing something bad or wrong. And my family do that for me.”

The importance of his family in keeping him grounded.

“To me, it’s special, different,” he says. “It’s true we have a fantastic tour, with all the facilities, all the money but the Olympics is the real spirit of sport. 

 “In the Games, you see a lot of sports that work really hard for that one event. It’s unbelievable; they are not winning money, they are just doing it for passion and for the personal satisfaction. And in my opinion that is what sport really is. It’s the spirit of sacrifice.” 

“No question about that. Everyone’s free to decide what is better for him but I think if you go to the Olympics, you have to stay in the village. If you’re not there, then somehow it’s as if you’re playing a normal tournament — and the Olympics is not a normal tournament. The experience of the Games is the village.” 

I love the fact that he totally gets what the Olympics are totally about and supports them.  He knows the Olympics are different experience then every week on tour. Even though the tennis will be held at the All England Club it will have a different feel to it then Wimbledon.

“I was No1 before for three years and for me it would make me more happy to win, for example, Wimbledon or the Australian Open, than to be No 1. It’s a different feeling for me today; my priority now is, one, to be healthy and, two, to be a better player than I was last year. If, as a result, that gives me the No 1 spot back, then great but the important thing is to be competitive in the biggest events.”

I think this result before ranking philosophy is good because without results you cannot achieve high rankings. 

“I think he deserves it because he’s been so solid for the last few years. And he’s a a fantastic guy who I like a lot. You put too much pressure on him. Let him keep doing it his way, he’s doing great. He will win that grand slam.”

His thoughts on the British media and Andy Murray. I agree Rafa.

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