Australian Open Tennis! Warning: Spoiler!

[joeybee12]

Ok, the spoiler will be right below. First, any bets on who will win? For the men, unless he's sick or injured, Roger will win it all.

For the women, ain't gona be Venus--she lost in the first round today. Everyone else rolled, except Serena, who was taken to three sets.

Anyway, don't think it'll be an American woman--Lindsey is seeded #1, but there are too many good players, and she has been #1 for about a year and a half now without breaking through with another Slam. Might be Justine, won't be Maria, could be Kim, but she's been injured.

Your thoughts?

[MaineDem]

1. I saw Venus' match last night

She made many many errors.

Lots of Americans out in the first round but a few have advanced.

I'm so thrilled Tim Henman lost! Now if the home town boy could lose in an early round I'd be one happy camper.

[joeybee12]

2. Aww...I always liked Tim...

...Home town boy? You must mean Leyton!

[joeybee12]

3. You ALMOST got your wish...

...I will say this for Leyton--he gives everything into a match--he's just a few too many notches below Federer.

[joeybee12]

16. Well, you got your wish...and it was earlier than I expected!

God, now I hope Roddick doesn't do well--he's such a brat.

[tishaLA]

4. I'm glad to see Venus gone

and somebody better tell Serena to get in shape. She might make it to the round of 16 if she's lucky.

Hingis played a hell of a match last night. I'm glad she's back. I love her game and she wants to take out Sharapova! And I want that, too. Kim looked awfully good last night for someone who has a bad hip flexor....

Just...please...someone tell Mary Pierce to retire.

I love Federer and Hewitt. I just can't help myself.

[joeybee12]

5. I want Mary to win one more big one!

She was the best comeback story of last year!

[tishaLA]

6. Not me

She might have to play Hingis in the 3rd round and Martina is a real champion--not a fake, twitchy, faux-French neurotic like Pierce. I'd root for a real comeback, like the adorable Martina's, any day.

[joeybee12]

8. Hey, Mary made it to two Grand Slam finals last year....

...Hingis has yet to prove her comeback is real. I always believed she was dominant during a very weak time in women's tennis--her game was all mental, which was impressive since she was so young, but she couldnt' compete once the other women started playing harder and better.

[tishaLA]

10. Her game wasn't all mental

She had (and seems to still have) a great all-court game that relies upon shotmaking rather than power. In that way, she's just like her countryman, Mr. Federer (although he comparatively has more power than her).

She was always a great volleyer, hits strong, deep groundstrokes with great accuracy, and has terriffic hands. I think Henin-Hardenne's game is probably closest to hers among the other top women, but Justine does not seem to have recovered from whatever it was that caused her listlessness and doesn't volley as well. On the other hand, Justine has a better backhand and can produce more power when necessary. And, althogh she has a weak second serve, it's not quite as weak as Martina's.

[joeybee12]

11. She had a good game, no doubt, but I really think it was her mental

ability out on the court--she dictated the points. While I haven't seen her play at all since her comeback, she really wasn't hitting anywhere near as hard as the top women when she left the game. I don't know if she's worked on her power, because that's what it takes these days to win.

[MaineDem]

14. Well...

... not the Australian this year. Mary lost in straight sets.

[joeybee12]

15. Yeah, I saw that...

...kind of surprising. I'd heard she didn't really play much prior to the OAustralian Open because of injuries, so they were saying it was hard to judge her condition. Guess when you reach the ripe old age of 29, your body falls apart!

[tishaLA]

17. She did?! Great!

I really dislike that fake Frenchie.

Martina won 6-1 6-1 though! Go Chucky!

[MaineDem]

7. I'm glad Hingis is back so I can root against her again

I always enjoyed doing that before.

Now that the Williams sisters aren't as dominant she returns to tennis. Cute.

:evilgrin:

[joeybee12]

9. Always rooted against her...now I just don't care...

...I can't imagine she'll be a top-tier player again--she was sliding for quite some time--the power in women's tennis surpassed her type of game.

[Awsi Dooger]

12. I rooted against her except for one time

That first Australian Open she won, maybe '97 or somethling like that. The sportsbooks are notorious for not paying attention to anything but football late in the fall. So they were completely ignorant that Hingis came on late in the year and nearly beat Steffi in the championship round robin tournament late in the year.

When the Australian Open odds popped up, suddenly Hingis was at 25/1. I was in absolute shock. Once in a while you get a bet where you're trying not to laugh at the betting window because it's obviously a huge mistake on their part, giving you way the best of it. My friends and I took Hingis for big money. Eventually the bgitime betting groups caught on and drove the price below 10/1.

It was awesome financially when she prevailed, but like others here I was never thrilled with her game, basically a human backboard, or the uppity attitude especially comments about the Williams sisters and Mauresmo.

[joeybee12]

13. Yeah, I'd forgotten her homphobic comments about Mauresmo, which

is strange considering she was named after Martina Navratilova!

[joeybee12]

18. And now there are no more Williams sisters left...

...Serena was dumped in straight sets. Lindesy had to go 3 to win--my original prediction appears to be coming true--no American woman will win.

[Awsi Dooger]

19. Hingis is now the second betting choice

Behind only Henin-Hardenne. I must say Hingis is looking fit and confident so far into the round of 16. She faces Clisters in the quarters assuming both advance, but of course Clisters is hurt and Martina's style of getting everything back may be a factor against an injured opponent.

[joeybee12]

20. I wouldn't bet on her...

...she hasn't played anyone really...so it's not obvious she can hold her own against the top tier players.

[Awsi Dooger]

21. I wouldn't either

Not without huge odds in my favor. I'm just going by what they said on ESPN last night, about her being the second choice. Kind of hard to believe since many top seeds remain. I haven't seen any updated odds around here. The sportsbooks have wimped out on that aspect in recent years. In the late '90s they used to screw up on the Australian Open and not update the odds even after matches had finished overnight due to the time difference.

I bet one time after knowing several results that Caesar's Palace was obviously unware of. It was an incredible advantage, virtually a guaranteed win. Then the sportsbook manager confronted me the next day and I had to wiggle around the truth. Hell, it's their responsibility to pay attention since there's money on the line, plus the little technicality that it's their job, not a sidelight. Somehow they tried to make me feel like the culprit simply by taking advantage of knowing who was already eliminated and betting accordingly. Just more evidence that you're not supposed to threaten winning, just donate and leave.

[joeybee12]

22. It's strange how the media seems to think she's the only story

coming out of the Aussie Open--maybe that's why she's the second choice--she's the only one they're reading about!

BTW, glad you made it out of Vegas alive!

[Awsi Dooger]

24. Uh, not yet

I'm still in Las Vegas although hoping to return to Florida if I can convince the boss to let me work 100% online.

Actually I like this time of year and the temps. Last night we hit the freezing mark, which is awesome. I can't take the 100+ summers so I bolt. I do spend far less time in the sportsbooks now since online wagering is so readily available.

[joeybee12]

27. If it hit the freezing mark, how warm did it get during the day? n/t

[Awsi Dooger]

34. The highs have been in the 55 to 60 range

Just based on the last weekly forecast I saw, which was a few days ago. It feels great. I'm from Florida but I prefer the cold. I walk around with just a golf shirt until late evening.

[joeybee12]

35. And it's DRY!

LOve Desert weather, but like you said, even 110 is too much!

[tishaLA]

23. She doesn't deserve that...

But she's played very very well so far. She's quite fit and she doesn't make errors. I hope, if she plays Clijsters, it's a good match. They are two of my favorite players.

I'm really glad to see Old Chucky back. The women's game needs someone who does more than hammer from the baseline time point after point.

[joeybee12]

28. How did she get that nickname, anyway?

Remmebr when Martina Navratilova dominated in her power game, because she rushed the net? She was one of very few--because after her Steffi and Monica took over--both from the baseline. Funny how serve and volleyers were so arre in tennis.

[tishaLA]

31. From Mary Carillo, IIRC

Who thought she looked like the evil doll in the film Child's Play

[joeybee12]

32. Seriously?

That's pretty rude!

[tishaLA]

33. Ms. Hingis, to her credit,

has a good sense of humor about herself off the court. She's not like some players *cough*williams sisters*cough* who are incapable of getting over themselves.

[MaineDem]

25. Another shocker!

Andy Roddick loses in the fourth round! I watched some of that match and he sure didn't look sharp.

Will he ever win another big one? I hope so but I'm beginning to wonder.

[joeybee12]

26. I don't think he ever will unless he gets his old coach back, whose name

escapes me. He was the only one who helped Andy get his temper tantrums under control--lots of talent, but pretty much a brat.

[tishaLA]

29. Brad Gilbert

He's an ESPN commentator now.

Roddick's game has always been bluster. Serve and forehand and that's it. I understand what he's trying to do with his slice backhand and his feeble attempts as serving and volleying, but they look so unnatural to him. He's just not smart enough as a player (i.e., he's not Federer) or natural enough as a volleyer (i.e., he's no Rafter, McEnroe, et al) to make it work.

[joeybee12]

30. That's it!

Don't know why I couldn't remember his name

The year he won the US Open, he took a set from Roger in the Wimbledom final, I believe, or maybe it was the year after. He still had Brad as a coach, and his game was improving. Then he dumped Brad and it's been downhill ever since. The next year at the Open (2004) he really lost it playing Nadal in one of the early rounds. Nadal was still new, and Andy had the match in control, but he let some controversial calls that went against him really get to him. He bitched at the ump after every change-over after that. He needs way more control to begin with, then he can satrt working on trying to improve parts of his game. He doesn't have the discipline himself to do it--he needs Brad back.

[joeybee12]

36. I was right about no American woman winning...Justine beat Lindsey...

...it should be an interesting match between Justine and Maria in the semis.

[tishaLA]

37. Martina is in the Mixed quarters, too

She and Mahesh Bhupathi won today in a tough match against Lisa Raymond and Jonas Bjorkman, the #2 seeds, 5, 6-7, 7-6.

Congratulations, Chucky!

I hope tonight's match between Clijsters and Hingis is a good one. I expect Kim to win, but I hope Martina puts up a strong fight with her smart, crafty game.

[ticapnews]

38. Important lesson from the Grosjean-Kiefer match

It is perfectly acceptable to throw your racket at your opponent when he is trying to return your volley. This is going to change my game considerably...

[tishaLA]

41. That was SO fucked up

Kiefer is a fucking loon.

[Awsi Dooger]

39. Clisters takes out Hingis in 3 sets

More competitive than I expected, albeit largely due to Clisters' error prone backhand.

Hingis was obviously nervous early and Clisters overpowered her in the first set at 6-3. Then Clisters broke to open the 2nd set and Hingis was on the verge of being wiped out at 3-6, 0-2 and 0-40 on her own serve. She even swiped at the air in disgust after missing a routine volley. Remarkably, Hingis pulled out that game then won 5 straight to take the set 6-2! Clisters was moving well and no sign of the leg injury bothering her, but for that stretch she was impatient and the backhand wild.

Hingis fought back in the 3rd set after being broken to open the set, then was nearly broken again. But she broke back to make it 3-3.The pivotal point was 30-all in the 7th game when Clisters hit two big shots to break. She held without much trouble twice to win the final set 6-4.

Overall, still many signs Hingis can't compete with the sluggers but she started adjusting to the pace in the second set and her shots were deeper. It just takes Hingis so many shots to set up the point while the big hitters can seize advantage with one swing.

BTW, Clisters was slightly more than a 1/3 favorite in that match. Henin-Hardenne is a 2/3 favorite over Sharapova. That's bet 3 to win 2. Clisters was basically bet 3 to win 1.

[tishaLA]

40. I'm not sure what the match says yet

It proves that Martina can compete with the top players IMO because, despite Clijsters's errors, Martina made more than she had in previous matches too. The third set was probably the best indication of what we will see if Hingis decides to make a full comeback, but it showed that she has not hit at that pace yet--as she grew more acclimated to it, she handled it better and used her sense to come up with better answers.

I still think she needs someone to approach her about her serve and perhaps someone to convince her to work religiously with weights. Mary Carillo on ESPN spoke convincingly of CHris Evert doing that to contend with Navratilova, but I think Hingis is NOT like Evert in many ways--Hingis has an all court game, has greater variety of shots, and is more strategic than Evert, who was a human backboard and won because of incredibly consistency--and instead is more like Henin-Hardenne.

Overall, I am quite impressed with Martina's performance. It's certainly more than almost anyone expected and, when she gets her timing down, I think she will be a real competitor again even if she doesn't make it back to #1.

[joeybee12]

42. I'm not sure what this means, either, largely because it was Martina's

first big match. Didn't see it, but like you said, she was nervous, which was understandable. I wonder if Kim was also--quite frankly, the media has been all over Martina's comeback, and the pressure really has been on her opponents. Need a few more matches with her against some of the top players--if she sontinues to lose those matches, we all know what that means!

[Awsi Dooger]

43. Henin-Hardenne vs. Mauresmo for the title

Damn. Anti-climatic ending in the second semifinal when Clijsters suddenly defaulted due to injury with Mauresmo leading 3-2 in the 3rd set. Clijsters fell hard behind the baseline during a rally. They were really wrapping her ankle during the injury timeout, then she decided she couldn't continue.

Henin-Hardenne won the earlier match by breaking Sharapova at 5-4 in the 3rd set. Sharapova had just put the set back on serve by breaking when Henin-Hardenne served for the match at 5-3. Sharapova won the first set 6-4 but Henin-Hardenne took the 2nd set easily. I think it was 6-1. Henin-Hardenne looked more reliable and confident from the baseline during the match so I expected her to pull it out although I was rooting for Sharapova.

Henin-Hardenne will be favored in the final. But Brad Gilbert just picked Mauresmo.

[joeybee12]

44. I'd have to pick Justine, although I'll root for Amelie...

...this is her best chance to finally win a big one. Justine is playing great again, but she's not unbeatable.

[bigwillq]

45. Sharapova got screwed on some calls....

but Henin-Hardenne hit some amazing shots.

I felt bad for Clijsters and a bit for Mauresmo too. You always want to win it on the court. I think Mauresmo would've pulled it out anyway if they had continued...Kimmie seemed to be more tired.

[Awsi Dooger]

46. Clijsters out two months with two torn ligaments in her ankle

According to Patrick McEnroe, commentating during tonight's Federer match. Tough break for Kim but at least it's several months until the French Open in May. With a recovering ankle I wonder if she'll even contest the clay season, with all the necessary sliding?

[joeybee12]

48. I read that also...too bad...

...but as you said, the French isn't until May. But since Justine might win the Aussie, youd think Kim would try and win the French, since Justine would be the obvious favorite. I gather there's no love lost between the two.

[bigwillq]

50. Oh, that stinks for Kim.

I really like her. She'll be back though. Look what she did last year when she came back from injury.

[ticapnews]

47. Kiefer got his ass kicked by Federer

Good to see the low rent little punk go down. With a third set bagel no less. At least he didn't throw his racket at Roger today.

[joeybee12]

49. Could the final be a wash-out?

Seems like there are occasions when some unseeded guy makes it to the final (like the Dutch guy against Ferrero at the French a few years back) only to get steam-rolled in the end. Baghdatis just could be that victim this year, although I hope it's a good, close match. My gut instinct says Federer will roll.

[Awsi Dooger]

61. The ultimate example: Chris Lewis in the '83 Wimbledon final

He held serve in the first game then got wiped out in straight sets, winning only a handful of games. That's always my stumper triva question: "John McEnroe played 5 straight Wimbldeon finals between 1980 and 1984. Two of the matches were against Bjorn Borg, and two against Jimmy Connors. Who did McEnroe face in the other final?" No one has ever gotten that. One guy started guessing names and finally came up with it after a long period of time. No one else even remembered the name, not even big tennis fans. I think Lewis was from New Zealand.

I think Federer will win semi-easily. I'm really rooting for him to break the Slam record because he's a phenomenal player but this isn't a heyday of tennis so even semi-avid sports fans have no idea how great he is. When Roger starts rolling that backhand he can be absolutely lethal, no apparent weaknesses. The slice works at Wimbledon but I've noticed he takes a while to exhaust that from his system coming out of the grass season since he takes a big break at that point. In the US Open he was still cutting the backhand far too much.

Baghdatis has a terrific looking new blonde girlfriend, an 18 year old French model. I was cracking up the other night when they focused on her so often, even while she was wearing a very conservative black top. A few days earlier when he was interviewed by Jim Courier for Australian TV, Courier asked him if he would watch the match that would determine his next opponent. Baghdatis said, "I think my coach will watch and I'll be sleeping with my girlfriend." The crowd roared.

[joeybee12]

64. I could NOT have told you that...could have told you the women's

finalists...Martina won...and her opponent was the wunderkind of her day, who never really lived up to her potential...wait, I can't tell you who the other finalist was...can't recall her name! She dropped out when she was like 17, after starting at around 13 or 14. American, long hair, big girl.

[tishaLA]

65. Are you thinking of Andrea Jaeger?

I'm not even sure that's how you spell her name. I remember braces and long hair. Kinda gangly.

[joeybee12]

66. Yes!

The original poster girl for early burnout!

[tishaLA]

67. I looked her up after I posted that

And it turns out she had a really severe shoulder injury when she was 19--in 84! Yikes. link

[joeybee12]

68. Thanks for the info...

...it's a shame that she never really made it big. I sort of recall an article in SI a while back, a sort what happened to her article.

[bigwillq]

51. Mauresmo WINS!

She was up 6-1, 2-0 and Henin-Hardene retires.

Congrats to Mauresmo on her first Grand Slam title! :bounce: :toast:

[joeybee12]

63. Congratulations Amelie!

A win is a win, and she was kicking ass anyway...

[tishaLA]

52. What a shitty ending

JHH could have toughed it out a few more games. Pffffffffft.

[bigwillq]

53. She must be really hurt

She's usually one tough lady.

[tishaLA]

54. She has an upset stomach, doncha know?

It's so hard to keep playing when your tummy is hurting.

I do like JHH, but this just reminds me, for some reason, of when she played Serena at Roland Garros and held up her hand to call for time....

[bigwillq]

55. It's not really her stomach

is it?? :shrug: I am at work. TV is on with no sound. We just saw that she retired.

[tishaLA]

56. Yes, it's her tummy

They medics offered her Gaviscon! LOL. And I'm not kidding.

ETA: "Her" not "he"

BTW, I loved mauresmo's lesbian fan-girls. For some reason, if you can believe it, ESPN didn't show a girlfriend in the player's box like they always do to heterosexualize the male players. Gee....I can't imagine why not.

[bigwillq]

57. Is that suppose to read

The medics offered her Gaviscon?? :shrug:
Just checking.
I can't believe that. Usually she's a tough nut.

[tishaLA]

58. Yeah, sorry. Just noticed that and changed it.

[bigwillq]

59. I usually don't care

that people make typos, I did it all the time :), but at first I didn't know the meaning of your post.

No big deal. :)

[Awsi Dooger]

60. I lost a lot of respect for Justine tonight

She said she just had no more to give out there. After 9 games of a Slam final? Pathetic. IMO she knew the rout was on and somehow decided this exit was less embarrassing.

[MaineDem]

62. That's how I felt too

It denied Amelie the match point to celebrate. Sad.

I agree with Brad Gilbert's commentary - she should have toughed out the rest of the match. It wasn't like she kept needing bathroom breaks.

[tishaLA]

69. Hingis wins mixed doubles title

6-3 6-3.

[joeybee12]

72. Yeah, but too bad the Bryan Brothers won the men's doubles...

...I wish they'd go away!

[bigwillq]

74. I can't stand their father.

He's so annoying. :mad:

[joeybee12]

75. I really can't stand the way the New York crowds at the US Open

just adore these putzes!

[bigwillq]

76. Well they are Americans

no fault in rooting for the state side boys.

But there father is a real wack job. I am a sports writer for a newspaper in CT and New Haven hosts the Pilot Pen tennis tournament in late August, the week before the Open.

Mr. Bryan does the player introductions on the court before the start of each match. When there's down time he's always in the media room and he'a a big jerk. He thinks he's big shit. I just think he's an asshole.

[joeybee12]

77. What is it with tennis fathers? There's a lot of jerks among them...

...Mary Pierce's father, Maria Sharapova's father to a lesser extent, and Richard Williams. Mrs. Williams, however, seems pretty grounded...no wonder they divorced!

[bigwillq]

73. I'm so happy for Martina!

:bounce:

[ticapnews]

70. Something unexpected happening in Australia this morning...

Marco Baghdatis wins the first set from Roger Federer, 7-5...
This could be an epic match...

[joeybee12]

71. Could, but wasn't...at least it wasn't a blow-out, a moral victory

for Marcos, but congrats to Roger!

[Awsi Dooger]

78. Incredible reaction from Federer after the match

He was speechless at first, then broke down into tears several times. Apparently he is really aware of his onslaught on the tennis record books and the aspect of Rocket Rod Laver attending the recent matches and presenting him with the winners trophy really choked Federer up. He hugged Laver when given the trophy and immediately after the ceremony.

It was such a contrast to his speech after winning the US Open last year, when I thought Federer was atypically cocky and didn't come across too well. He said something about playing his best tennis in the big matches and concluded, "Well, it happened again. Sorry."

[joeybee12]

79. Also, the family of his former coach (who died) came to the match...

I never thought he was cocky--just rally Swiss and reserved.

[joeybee12]

80. Anyone see the new rankings?

I think Roddick is like #14--Hewitt is #11, and Serena is #39!!!!!!!!

[MaineDem]

81. I thought Roddick was third

Behind Federer and Nadal.

I saw it on the ESPN crawl but maybe I read it wrong.

[joeybee12]

82. The top 10 on Yahoo doesn't have him in the top 10, unless that's

a mistake...thought I read with the early loss he really dropped far.