2012 Australian Open Thread - (Unofficial in honor of KB)

#51
#51
Totally missed the Tsonga match. I tuned in, but they were showing the Serena smackdown instead.

The Tsonga result is utterly shocking to me. I don't know if something happened to Tsonga, but to be taken out by a 24 seed after the way Jo's played recently is nothing short of shocking.

Fed/DelPo gets a late day match time slot Aussie time. That is the 4th match scheduled for Rod Laver Arena which means it should start no earlier than 11:00 (?) or so in the US East Coast.

Can't wait.
 
#52
#52
DyronNix said:
Totally missed the Tsonga match. I tuned in, but they were showing the Serena smackdown instead.

The Tsonga result is utterly shocking to me. I don't know if something happened to Tsonga, but to be taken out by a 24 seed after the way Jo's played recently is nothing short of shocking.

Fed/DelPo gets a late day match time slot Aussie time. That is the 4th match scheduled for Rod Laver Arena which means it should start no earlier than 11:00 (?) or so in the US East Coast.

Can't wait.
Click to expand...

Tsonga appeared winded very early on in the match. Not sure if he was sick or if he is out of shape, but he didn't seem up to the challenge.
 
#53
#53
MphsBlues said:
Ferrer/Djokovich could be a good match. Ferrer is 5-6 against him, winning the last meeting at 3 and 1.
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Ferrer is always always a tough out. I don't think he has enough weapons to take out Djoker, but he will make him work for every point.
 
#54
#54
DyronNix said:
Totally missed the Tsonga match. I tuned in, but they were showing the Serena smackdown instead.

The Tsonga result is utterly shocking to me. I don't know if something happened to Tsonga, but to be taken out by a 24 seed after the way Jo's played recently is nothing short of shocking.

Fed/DelPo gets a late day match time slot Aussie time. That is the 4th match scheduled for Rod Laver Arena which means it should start no earlier than 11:00 (?) or so in the US East Coast.

Can't wait.
Click to expand...

A lot of times, when Tsonga would throw a strong forehand out there, it came back to him with accrued interest. I think it threw Tsonga off a bit.

Serena said in her press conference afterwards that she wasn't healthy and that she shouldn't have played, but gave props to her opponent. I think that ankle injury prevented her from practicing, and she was off in evey aspect of her game. Normally, she can come back from a layoff and play pretty strong, so clearlly something was the matter.

Fed/DelPo gonna be good. Wish I could stay up for it. 4:30 comes early.
 
#55
#55
If Azarenka and Sharapova meet in the final, I will mute it. Forget the commentary..
 
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#56
#56
Woz getting worked by Kim is delicious.

Azarenka's ghostly howl is pretty terrible. They need to ban that crap already.
 
#57
#57
Fed did work today. Nadal-Berdych is looking very interesting, don't think he can sustain his current play.

5 am now, tennis ruining my sleep pattern.
 
#58
#58
Woz might be the tenth most talented player on the women's side. It's just a shame no one else can stay healthy enough to truly claim the number 1 spot.
 
#59
#59
#62
#62
#63
#63
I don't think I gave enough props to Sharapova in my assessment of the women's draw. She's playing pretty strong. She's just seemed like mor of an afterthought, lately. Kvitova better play better in the next round if she wants to keep alive.
 
#64
#64
Sharapova has a good game. She has it all. The announcers always talk about how badly she wants things and that she is so focused. She always has a clenched fist, takes some weird steps before each point as she turns her back to her opponent, etc.. I may be alone here, but it seems more like neurosis than competitiveness. I could be wrong..
 
#65
#65
I just watched the replay of Federer and DelPo. All I can say is there was some serious thumping of the ball going on in that match.

Federer played the big points big. Not tentative at all. All the big points that he won tonight he has lost those same points in the biggest matches since 2009.

I believe that Nadal no longer has rental space in Federer's head. That was evident at the 2011 French. Doesn't mean that RF's game can beat Rafa's game on a given day, but I don't think any more losses can be blamed on the demons in Federer's head (e.g., W 2008, AO 2009). He has made his peace with it.

Is it crazy to think the Federer/Nadal semi could be for the championship? I am starting to feel the champ comes out of this semi.
 
#66
#66
DyronNix said:
I just watched the replay of Federer and DelPo. All I can say is there was some serious thumping of the ball going on in that match.

Federer played the big points big. Not tentative at all. All the big points that he won tonight he has lost those same points in the biggest matches since 2009.

I believe that Nadal no longer has rental space in Federer's head. That was evident at the 2011 French. Doesn't mean that RF's game can beat Rafa's game on a given day, but I don't think any more losses can be blamed on the demons in Federer's head (e.g., W 2008, AO 2009). He has made his peace with it.

Is it crazy to think the Federer/Nadal semi could be for the championship? I am starting to feel the champ comes out of this semi.
Click to expand...


I don't believe it has ever been a mental issue for Federer. Federer is much too fond of himself to let somebody else take up residence in his head. No no. He's got that space fully occupied. Nadal has dominated Federer simply because of stylistic reasons. If Federer couldn't beat Rafa in '09 when Fed was 27 and Rafa was completely spent after a brutal 5-setter, then Fed ain't beating Rafa tomorrow.
 
#67
#67
DyronNix said:
I just watched the replay of Federer and DelPo. All I can say is there was some serious thumping of the ball going on in that match.

Federer played the big points big. Not tentative at all. All the big points that he won tonight he has lost those same points in the biggest matches since 2009.

I believe that Nadal no longer has rental space in Federer's head. That was evident at the 2011 French. Doesn't mean that RF's game can beat Rafa's game on a given day, but I don't think any more losses can be blamed on the demons in Federer's head (e.g., W 2008, AO 2009). He has made his peace with it.

Is it crazy to think the Federer/Nadal semi could be for the championship? I am starting to feel the champ comes out of this semi.
Click to expand...

Even if I'm wrong about the Fed/Nadal outcome, I think it is sort of irrelevant. I see Djoke beating the winner of Fed/Nadal in 4 sets.
 
#69
#69
The big four in the semis. Can't say I'm surprised.

I'm very excited for the upcoming Fed/Nadal match. Even as #2 and #3 in the world, it still carries the same significance to me. Fed/Nadal matches are, as I see it, a big deal. Can't wait.

Vamos!
 
#70
#70
Federer appears to be playing with more confidence, more solid ground strokes... and by default fewer errors... than I've seen him in a while. It should be a good 5 setter.
 
#71
#71
IBlvNTmWrk said:
Federer appears to be playing with more confidence, more solid ground strokes... and by default fewer errors... than I've seen him in a while. It should be a good 5 setter.
Click to expand...

I think it will go 5 either way. And I'd be shocked if either guy won in 3 sets.
 
#72
#72
Unfortunately, I think the Fed/Rafa match is a match for second place. I just don't see either beating Djokovich this week.
 
#73
#73
I love how the press are trying to run with 'Tension between Roger and Rafa.' Chrissakes, they're friends.
 
#75
#75
I absolutely think Rafa has a chance. With all of his scrambling to get to shots, he has a way of getting in other players heads and forcing them to press more than they normally would.
 
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