Federer, Serena Headed for Australian Open Titles Again?

by Sean Randall | January 17th, 2010, 6:55 pm
  • 155 Comments

Let’s talk some Australian Open. The first Slam of this new decade gets underway in less than an hour and it really shapes up to be a pretty incredible and hopefully unpredictable tournament. ADHEREL

The men’s and women’s fields are really tough to call and number of challengers in each is as many as we have seen in years. Sure, there’s Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams the clear favorites, but maybe this go round we’ll see some real surprises and upsets as status quo no longer reigns.

But, I’m not buying into that just yet. So I’ll say it right now that I like both Federer and Serena to be standing as champions at the conclusion of this event! Boring, I know. But give it a littel more time and some new blood will be collecting those major titles.


Taking a peek at the draws, Roger’s going to have to deal with Igor Andreev right off the bat. Recall Andreev took Mr. Federer to five sets at the US Open a few years ago, but the Russian’s really faded in recent times. Federer could also face a test in local hero Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round – Hewey did push Fed at the Open – and then a big showdown with the red hot Nikolay Dayvdenko in the quarterfinals. While Dayvdenko’s proven he’s a threat at the ATP events in his last two events, stepping up at a Slam is another matter. I’ll go with what I know and that’s that Federer’s proven he knows how to win big matches in Slams. Dayvdenko as of yet has not.

In the second quarter, it’s hard not to pick Novak Djokovic to get through. There just isn’t much in the way of real resistance for the Serb until the quarterfinals where I like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to land.

The third quarter is stacked with Andy Roddick, Fernando Gonzalez, Marin Cilic and Juan Martin Del Potro. It’s really the toughest of the four sections. If Del Po’s wrist is in bad shape then Roddick’s my pick over Cilic. If DelPo’s 100%, then he’ll get through. My thinking right now is that wrist really is a question mark, so my pick is Roddick.

The last quarter appears two-man show between Nadal and Andy Murray. I like my man Gael Monfils in there as well, but he’s also been battling a bum shoulder so Murray looks good to the quarterfinals. Nadal could run into Stepanek (who plays Ivo Karlovic in round one!) and Phil Kohlschreiber could present some problems, but I think Nadal v. Murray looks inevitable. For now, I’ll go Rafa.

That leaves my semifinals as Federer v. Djokovic and Roddick v. Nadal. And in the final…Federer beats Roddick! I honestly want to pick Djokovic over Nadal, but I can’t bring myself to do it. And can we really have another Fed v. Rafa final. It just sounds unlikely, thought not illogical.

On the women’s side, I think it’s Serena v. Radwanska in one semifinal with Clijsters and Sharapova in the other. In the final, Serena beats Kim in the US Open rematch. No foot faults issues for Serena this time! Have a good two weeks everyone!


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155 Comments for Federer, Serena Headed for Australian Open Titles Again?

tennisfan#1 Says:

sf1 federer def. tsonga
sf2 murray def. delpotro

f federer def. murray


Kimo Says:

Sean picks Federer?

Now I know he won’t win it :(


Kimo Says:

Ok what the hell is wrong with Sharapova? Her serve is ok, he movement is ok, he groundies are hit hard as ever, so why is she losing?

I think it has to something to do with Kirilinko. I don’t remember her being this good!!!


Kimmi Says:

Kirilenko in her last 2 game big serves..can she serve it out?

Sean you probably jinx sharapova.


tenisbebe Says:

Uh oh Sean, your second Womens SF matchup prediction is in danger…..Sharapova down 5-2 in the 3rd.


jane Says:

Kimo – Sharapova has hit like a gazillion errors; her forehand is questionable and her serve has been too inconsistent. But yeah, it definitely has something to do with Kirilenko. She’s been playing awesomely well – serving, defending, clean hitting. If she wins, she totally earned it. These two Marias are actually friends.


tenisbebe Says:

I remember the first time I saw Kirelenko play – it was at the FO (the same year Sharapova won Wimbledon – was that 2004?) and I could not believe how hard she hit the ball on that day. She’s never lived up to the potential I saw that day though.


Kimo Says:

Kirilinko is choking. From the very first point at 5-3 in the third you can see her groundies are getting loopier and shorter.


Kimo Says:

jane, yeah Kiri is playing awesome!!! She’s everywhere. Wherever Sharapova hits her shots, Kiri is always right there.


Kimo Says:

Look, I’m a big Sharapova fan, but I don’t wanna see her win by having Kiri choke.

And she just broke. That’s why it’s so hard for those who never won grand slams to beat those who have. It’s a mental block that only real champs can overcome.


jane Says:

Kirilenko is really digging in here, and Sharapova can’t get a first serve in to save her life.


Kimmi Says:

oh Nooooo! 2 match point


Kimo Says:

Well, Kiri couldn’t serve it out, but she sure deserved the win. Sharapova has to improve a lot to get back to her 2007 form.

First Rod Laver Arena match, first upset.

Sean, you should stop the whole predictions game right now!!! You sure got me spooked.


jane Says:

Congrats to the littler Maria for a big win! Too bad for Sharpie, but she needs to get those errors under control.


Kimmi Says:

Can u believe it? Congrants Kirilenko, she played very well but Sharapova probably was parting too much during hollidays. Her game is not sharp.


Kimmi Says:

I agree Kimo..Sean is spooking me too.


Kimo Says:

The Nike people might be thinking it’s not even woth the effort anymore coming up with sophisticated dresses for Maria coz she never goes deep into the tournament to show them off. LOL


jane Says:

Sharapova will get it together. She just needs to get her old service motion back and stick to it, and she needs to cut WAY down on the errors. But the fight, the reflexes, the angles, it’s all still there. She just came up against a really fired up foe in the first round and fell flat. Kirilenko to be a surprise here? She looks uber fit and ready to go. I hope she can use the momentum of this upset and push it.


Kimo Says:

Now that Sharapova’s out, I have no doubts about who I’m rooting for on the women’s side: Clijsters all the way, baby.


Kimmi Says:

Yes she can come back. She got the game BUT she probably needs to change her schedule and play a tournament before AO for more match practice. She was just not sharp…because you never know who you will get in the first round.

Venus too, last year she lost 1st round. what can she do this year..I hope she is not going to make too many errors too.


Kimmi Says:

yanina wickmeyer in trouble too..


Ezorra Says:

Editors’ picks to win AO (TENNIS.com)

4 of them pick Davydenko
2 of them pick Djokovic
2 of them pick Nadal
1 of them picks Murray
1 of them picks Federer

5 of them pick Clistjers
3 of them pick Sharapova
1 of them picks Serina Williams
1 of them picks Kuznetsova


jane Says:

Ezorra, thanks for posting those picks; interestingly, 3 of them just got it wrong on Sharapova. It’s surprising to me that so many of them would pick Davydenko. I know he’s been playing really well… but still.


Kimo Says:

I hear you, jane. People picking Davy is mind-boggling. I personally wouldn’t be surprised if he flames out before the quarters. He’s not used to anywhere near this kind of pressure.


Kimo Says:

And how come they one of them picks Murray to win but no one mentions Delpo who already won a hard court slam?!


Kimmi Says:

Sharapova just signed a 70 million contract with Nike ? Oh boy. I did not like the dress.


tenisbebe Says:

Does anyone have the link for that automatic update thing for the blog? Sorry, I’m not describing it very well… Jane, do you know what I’m talking about? Thanks.


Kimmi Says:

Wickmayer broken twice serving for the match, maybe she does not want to win it.


jane Says:

tenisbebe, no I don’t sorry. “Automatic update thing”? Didn’t know there was one.

Kimo, don’t get me wrong; I mean Davydenko has been playing well and he does have a ton of experience. But I was surprised that he had more picks than anyone else. And yes, it is also surprising that no one picks Delpo or even Roddick. Delpo won a slam last year; Roddick was in the semis here and in the finals at Wimbledon last year. I guess the pundits are just going on most recent form. I actually think if Murray can get past Rafa (assuming he’s there in the quarters too), then Murray does have a good shot at the whole thing.

Just have to wait and see…


Andrew Miller Says:

I love Kirilenko!


tenisbebe Says:

I think people aren’t picking Delpo because of his injury. He’s taped up & his wrist is very questionable & the way he whips that FH, I can’t see it holding up for 2 weeks. As for Davy, in my recollection he’s rarely gone deep in a major so I don’t see why people would suddenly think that he’s capable of doing so now this late in his career. Even taking acct his recent good form, I just don;t see it for Davy.


tenisbebe Says:

Andrew – She’s a hottie!


Kimmi Says:

Wickmayer eventually won!


Kimmi Says:

Murray 32% first serve is too low, he is winning here easily but please please improve that serve.


JONATHAN Says:

some clowns on this site talking about sharapova likes shes ever won more than one grand slam, this is tennis not a modelling competition, serena is hotter and serena will win, you fools dont follow tennis. clown.


Kimmi Says:

tenisbebe:”I think people aren’t picking Delpo because of his injury. He’s taped up & his wrist is very questionable & the way he whips that FH, I can’t see it holding up for 2 weeks”

delpo is wacking his FH and BH like there is no injury. I think he is good to go all the way.


NachoF Says:

How is it possible that Nadal and Murray are in the same quarter?… I thought seeding meant #1 through #4 got their own quarter.


madmax Says:

tenisbebe – the updating thingy – I think you mean – pressing the F5 key on your laptop? (above % key). Hope this helps?


madmax Says:

Kimo,
dont worry about sean’s predictions – federer plays matches one at a time, and he will work his way through the way he always does, have a bit of faith! – else what’s the alternative, man?

I think sean likes this notoriety –


Rick Says:

I am glad that you picked Federer for the title! So that you could jinx him again! Even he gets the same people in every every slams. lol


Rick Says:

Actually, I like Kirilenko better than Sharapova. Sharapova has an aggressive personality. I had been listening to some stories about how she couldn’t get along with the Williams sisters.


Rick Says:

Davydenko just reminds me of Nalbandian.


cliffbarnes Says:

How about Soderling-Murray in the final? Soderling has already proven he can play big in the slams, more so than Murray really. A question mark about his elbow though.


jane Says:

Murray began very strongly. Or at least the scoreboard suggests as much – couldn’t stay awake to watch it all. I see Delpo eventually dropped a set; it seemed like he was getting broken a fair bit. I don’t know if that bodes well for him winning here. Also Rafa is through in straights, as is Roddick. No major upsets on the men’s side, though I did think that after the rain delay Steps would beat Karlovic.


tennisfan#1 Says:

Nadal did not look good at all to me. He is gone in the quarterfinals to Murray.


margot Says:

madmax: John LLoyd picks Fed for the title! The swine…..!
jane: Up at 5am to see Andy play. He did well but his first serve, as kimmi said, was just awful. I suppose better to be awful now rather than in the later stages, if he gets there.
Imagine being a Jokic fan, even worse for your nails, than supporting Andy. Think those around her are still to blame.


SG Says:

I don’t think there’s much point in judging Nadal until after the claycourt season. If he stumbles in Paris, there may be some reasons for concern. The surface in Australia is good for Nadal’s game but not particularly good for Nadal’s knees. I know Nadal’s at the AO to win. He has points to defend from last year. But, he’s a player that needs a lot of matches to gain confidence. I don’t think he’s played enough in the last 6 months to have that unshakeable confidence.


madmax Says:

Sean

“So I’ll say it right now that I like both Federer and Serena to be standing as champions at the conclusion of this event!”

Guys – this is NOT a prediction, this is a “wish” – so dont read more into it than what it is! kimmi! dont worry!

Hello Margot!

John Lloyd predicted Fed for wimby last year and so I see this as a good sign – Like you, I dont like predictions Margot, but some people do, so just go with it –

There is no reason why fed cannot go deep into this tournament as long as he has his wits about him. I have read that many interviews he has given, honestly, the guy is so hungry, I cannot imagine anything else other than fed wanting to win and doing everything he can to win ALL his matches – nothing less will suffice, amongst all the strongest competition of players at the AO.

Yes, he can have a bad day, that goes without saying, but really, I just love watching him play. For me, everything now is a bonus (in watching him play his best tennis). Of course I want him to win everything – but it’s not up to me! My opinion (for what it’s worth), is that he will always be the best for me – but – of course the AO is on his list to win back – and I know he can do it! Go Federer!


jane Says:

SG: ” I don’t think he’s played enough in the last 6 months to have that unshakeable confidence.”

This could be true, especially missing Wimbledon. But it’s worth noting that Rafa ended 2008 in similar fashion – losing in the USO in the semis and then pulling out of the YEC. Last year, he played the WTF and he helped his team win another Davis Cup. So I don’t know. It’s tough to tell with Rafa; he can sometimes play his way into form as an event progresses.


been there Says:

NachoF Says:

“How is it possible that Nadal and Murray are in the same quarter?… I thought seeding meant #1 through #4 got their own quarter.”

He is actually seeded 5th for Australia ‘coz he dropped in ranking – I think it was in the past two weeks – ‘coz he didn’t defend some points from one of the 250 event when he decided to play Hopman Cup. Can’t remember which though. So Murray could have been in either Fed’s, Rafa’s, Djoko’s or Del.P’s quarter. When the draw was made last week Friday, he was still ranked ATP 5th(hence seeded 5th in Australia)…but today, he is back to ATP 4th ‘coz Del.P has also lost points from some 250 event which he can’t defend. (See the difference between Murray & Del.P on ATP website is just 200points.

Let’s just say poor timing for Murray ‘coz he was ranked 5th for I think less than two weeks, but unfortunately, that’s when the draw was made. But it shouldn’t matter too much – they can all take out each other right now.

Madmax – thanks for that ‘F5 key’ tip at 6.52am. Learnt something new today :)


madmax Says:

been there – anything for you!

Kimo, the latest article I’ve read, which should give you a bit more umph!

Roger Federer should come through this match without too many problems but the key to the match may be how much the Swiss Number 1 is going to put into the match.

He has 2 scenarios of how he plays this match- either he will go for the quick disposal or he will test some of his other plays by looking to serve and volley and also experiment with his backhand efforts.

Igor Andreev has nothing to lose here and no one, except his trainers and family, will expect him to win. He has not played well but does have the tools to cause problems for parts of this match. I dont think he can match up to Federer throughout the match and he will need to play his best tennis here to stand a chance.

Federer has looked a little lethargic in tournaments at the back end of last season and also in Doha this season. He does raise his game for the Grand Slam events and I have no doubt we will see the best of Federer in this tournament [sic]

Enjoy your evening everyone!

Jane, I read your post a while ago – regarding our friend Huh! Havent seen him in a while, I wonder whether the Chinese government had put an embargo on google? – God, I hope not – Huh was simply LOVELY.


jane Says:

madmax, I think that was margot talking about the internet access in China, but I also recall huh saying that his (her?) exams were during the AO so he wouldn’t be around much for a while. Huh will be back, though, I am certain.

I don’t think Fed should have anything to worry about with Andreev; he’s been in a slump for a long while. I’d be surprised if he put up any sort of trouble for Fed.


madmax Says:

Hello Jane! Do you know Jane, I am that excited right now, I cannot sleep! I have recorded the AO from midnight, because I cant stay up that late, I am someone that needs lots of sleep! I think some federer fans have little faith in Roger sometimes – I do understand – but I remember the time when you said to me, max – just think 15 slams! So I do – (and counting), and it makes me feel better Jane! PLUS, federer is a world champ in my eyes, and should easily come through this match – if he doesnt – in the first round, well – i will be speechless, but i’ll live, so will he – but i want to believe that he will just look at this first round (as he frequently says in his interviews), as “dangerous”, his oponents have “nothing to lose” and therefore he must be “on his guard”. Yes. He may well test a few things out, here and there, but the guy has got to be the best strategist out there on the court – so I trust in his game, because I just love his style of play so much – you know Jane, like you love novak. Talking of which, what has happened to Duro? Where is he?

Been there,

Am just about to go to bed, but before I do, I am still having a bit of a problem with this translation business – if Roger says this: (video conference, from his own mouth!) –

“Roger Federer also granted an interview at the start of the Australian Open. He was asked how difficult it has been to see his friend, Tiger Woods, going through the current scandal. Roger Federer answered:

“Well, I mean, just following it from afar, you know. All I can say, I’m not going to talk about his personal life, but I wish him all the best, you know, getting back, you know, hopefully on the golf course, resolving his problems, and see how he goes.

But yeah, that’s about it.” Roger Federer –

THEN:

How can this be translated as he phoned him – if fed was “following from afar” – doesnt make sense to me – sorry been there – but i just dont see this as them having a close/phone relationship – not that it matters – just isnt clear to me.


madmax Says:

Scheduled Timings for the matches today in Australia:

Rod Laver Arena day session 11:00 am
Xinyun Han (CHN) v [13] Samantha Stosur (AUS)
[1] Serena Williams (USA) v Urszula Radwanska(POL)
[1] Roger Federer (SUI) v Igor Andreev ( RUS)

Rod Laver Arena night session 7.00 pm
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v Ricardo Hocevar (BRA)
Julie Coin (FRA) v Alicia Molik (AUS)


SG Says:

Any of you ever feel when you watch an Andy Murray match that the fate of the match never really seems to be controlled by Andy Murray? I haven’t seen him much since the USO but Fed seems to think he’s figured him out. Be aggressive with Murray. I think Fed’s right. Seems like Murray is often content to wait for the error. I hope he brings more aggression to the court this year because if you’re standing still in tennis, you’re really falling behind. Murray has the feel and enough firepower to be an excellent & aggressive all courter. Let’s hope he brings this to the table at this year’s AO.


Duro Says:

Just to check in, say hello to my dear friends Jane, Maxi, Sar, i am it, huh, contador, our “traitor” Ben, Daniel, Nina, Margot, Kimmi, tenisbebe… I wish you all a happy New Year and a lots of good tennis to enjoy to! I’ll be around. Aussie finally!

For Nole’s supporters, Novak wears Adidas shoes! Now I am a bit less worried. 25 millions for wearing ST shirt and a shorts, not a bad deal after-all, regardless my not liking it at all.

Cheers all till tomorrow.


been there Says:

madmax, please understand that those were two different interviews, carried out in two different continents on different days in different time zones! It’s quite simple really; don’t complicate it :D

The L’Equipe interview was published on Friday 15th Jan, (but carried out many days before on the 5th of Jan in Doha). In that interview, by all accounts, by lay bloggers and news organisations, including the BBC & AP (& many more…you can google for yourself, even in French without the translations. lol) he says he spoke to Tiger. The question was specifically if he spoke to Tiger and he answered in the affirmative & said he’s there to support him. The newspapers claim he is one of the very few people to have gotten in touch with Tiger.

Then in Melbourne, he was interviewed on the day of ‘hit for Haiti’, which was just on Sunday the 17th Jan. That’s where the press conference was. lol. There, he was asked to comment on the comments he had already made before (I clearly showed you that on the other thread)..and he said that he was following it from afar & wouldn’t comment on Tiger’s personal life. Roger is a pro with interviews…I’m sure he could smell that the Melbourne reporters were looking for juicy gossip by asking him to add to his previous comments. They did not ask him whether he had spoken to him in Melbourne..that was the L’Equipe interview. Don’t quote me…see on the previous thread the specific questions asked in L’Equipe & Melbourne and see that the Melbourne one is tying up to previous comments Roger already made. Better still, since you heard the interview, you should know this already.

So as I’ve said many times, they were two different questions with two very different answers. And they were conducted a whole ten days apart, one the first in Doha & the 2nd in Melbourne. One doesn’t cancel out the other because they are independent questions. 1+1=2, but 2+2=4. see…two different questions with two different answers. I’m trying hard here. lol

What you are trying to do is take the answer he gave he gave to L’Euipe (carried out on 5th Jan in Doha) and insert it in the Melbourne question (which is a follow up to get gossip and asked on 15th Jan). Which isn’t the case. Why you’re doing this, I can’t tell.

There is no confusion at all.

“but i just dont see this as them having a close/phone relationship – not that it matters – just isnt clear to me.”

This is what amuses me. Why do you have such a problem with them being friends, when both men have said they are good friends? And since you like it ‘from the horses mouth’, there are many videos on you-tube of both men saying so, including one of Tiger saying that they communicate daily. So when both men say it, and Roger as recently as this year on Jan 5th that he is Tiger’s friend and he is there to support him, why are you doubting it? I find this puzzling & amusing at the same time. lol.

Anyway, am off this topic ‘coz it’s bound to go round in circles. I just reported what is there for all to see…and I haven’t heard Roger’s PR dispute it yet, despite it appearing even on major news organisations.


Kimmi Says:

Duro..happy new year and welcome back.


been there Says:

madmax, I’ve mixed up the dates of the Melbourne press conference. It was either on the 16th or 17th Jan depending on which time zone is being used (Australia or US eastern). But the sentiments expressed remain the same :)


jane Says:

Hi Duro – happy new year to you also! Be happy about those shoes my friend. ; ]

madmax – I get where you’re coming from with style of play; we are all drawn to particular styles. Though for me a player’s personality also has something to do with who I enjoy watching.

SG – When Murray does play aggressively you get the sense he can totally control a match. Go back and watch some of his matches in the summer and fall of 2008 if you can – the Cincy final with Djok; the USO quarters vs. JMDP & the semi with Rafa; the YEC match where he eliminated Fed. Murray can play that way (i.e., take control of rallies etc). But there is also a stubborn streak to him; he wants to win his way, which is mixing it up, counter-punching, and great defense. I’ve read him defending this style in interviews lately (he compared his style of play to a winning soccer team’s defensive style. However, I also read this article today, in which he knows he needs to add in some aggression:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jWeEIA1ZNEMElLj8I6kra1ams0XQ

He can do it! Murray’s on the same path as Djok in some ways, trying to round out his game by adding more offense, and in Novak’s case, by adding more net play to his baseline strengths.


puckbandit Says:

Hello to everyone!

Wow it is so great to have tennis back. I love everything about the AO except for the time difference for me (EST) that really plays havoc with my sleep schedule.

Jane, I hope you are right about Murray stepping up his aggression. It’s interesting that he states that he has been a “counter-puncher” since he started playing as a kid. I wonder if that would have been the case if he knew he was going to end up with a physique (6’3″) that allows him to play a more power game.

I believe if Murray serves well, and takes control of the points, he can win it all. If not, he’s out by the semis. I hope it’s the former!


madmax Says:

okay been there – thanks again for explanation. we’ll leave it there.

DURO!

where have you been?!!! Happy new year to you too! in noleland. Best wishes to you and your serbian following! Did you see novak play for ‘hitforhaiti?’ – wonderful youtube 4 minute vid. if you havent seen it my friend, go watch it! Nole came on court, bouncing up and down – a real charmer!

Jane,

as you can see – i cannot sleep. Serena is just playing right now and I think federer is after – so will prob go back to bed for a couple of hours, come downstairs again, and record – because in a few hours, I get ready to go to work and now, my life, for the next 2 weeks is tennis -nothing else matters! It’s amazing that a sport grabs an individual in this way, with such psychotic passion! (I dont know how else to describe it!).

And that Sun in Australia – it’s so tempting to think about moving there – (Margot! – especially after all this snow in the UK! – and more expected on Wednesday!). How can anyone live in a country that snows EVERYDAY! Pretty though it is!

Go Federer!


contador Says:

i can’t believe verdasco and ball are still at it! ( according to my coverage )

cilic finally def santoro

and madmax…..c’mon serena get this match over! madmax i understand u need ur sleep…has to be 2 am or sometin’ where you are!

GO federer!

GO nole!

c’mon gulbis!

saw rafa on a replay….wow, can’t believe his shorts could get worse than the blue checked ones from last fall, however, maybe it was just my imagination but it appeared he was not tugging at the back of them much, hm…


puckbandit Says:

contador,

Rafa still tugging. Too much of a habit at this point to change.
I thought he looked pretty good, no problem with knees from what I could see.


Kimmi Says:

Hi guys, everybody seem to be here. madmax..federer is just in. Hope he can show us some magic.


puckbandit Says:

Andreev can give Feds trouble, not the easiest first rounder for Roger. Still, I have no doubt he will prevail.


Kimmi Says:

Poor game from Fed to be broken straight back..those approach shots not good.


Ben Pronin Says:

Fed’s forehand really has lost some pop over the years.


Kimmi Says:

Ben, he is starting to give it a little pop. maybe in the begining he was feeling Andreev spin.


Ben Pronin Says:

Andreev has this match in the bag.


Kimmi Says:

Big FHs from Andreev..looks like we have the US Open match


Kimmi Says:

Oh noooo..not good..the returns are very shot


jane Says:

Ben, that’s hyperbolic wouldn’t you say? Fed’s right with him so far. Which one of these guys has more experience digging out the wins in 5 setters? I am assuming Andreev will drop off and Fed will bite. That said, I am also admittedly surprised at how well Igor has been playing (minus the weak first serve) given his lengthy slump. His forehand is on fire, he’s moving well, and he’s playing with some assurance. Hmm… But Fed will come back.


jane Says:

Wow did you see how high some of Andreev’s shots were bouncing? Boing!


Kimmi Says:

Andreev first set in the bag..time to dig deep

C’moon fed


Ben Pronin Says:

Why does everyone assume this is going to 5 just because it went to 5 last time?

Andreev in 4… I don’t understand why and how Andreev is able to run around every single shot Federer hits. No pop.


Kimmi Says:

Jane, the bounce will trouble federer BH…this court is not the same as US open..trouble


madmax Says:

Ben,

Go away please. federer fans dont need this. if you dont want to support federer then disappear – you are on the other side of the fence now. and dont we know it.

contador I am here – just switched on to record and igor is playing like, well, IGOR the monster that he is. He plays like this sometimes. Nothing to lose. They all have nothing to lose now. Federer puts me into a spin sometimes, but he is like this.

And Ben. To remind you. Go back to your post, way, way back. Where you keep changing your mind about Federer. One minute he is going to win, next minute he is out of the loop. Nice Ben. Keep it up. May be your wish will come true.

I cannot converse with you right now when you bring doom and gloom. So, he loses? rafa fans will be happy, gives everyone else a chance – yes. I can see that.

Sometime, the semi final streak is going to have to be broken. But it ain’t over til its over. And Federer’s name begins with an “F”. In other words, “F” for fighter. If you dont want to believe Ben, then “B” for BUZZ off!

C’moon Roger. We know what you are like in the early rounds of a tournament, but seriously, this is too much sometimes.

Am going to bed to try to sleep – up early (ha!) one hour! and then will check in –

Staying positive! (unlike ben pronin).


madmax Says:

What seriously irritates me, (yes, it’s a sport I know), is that these guys see federer – give it their all – (benneteau comes to mind), then move on to the next round and get ousted. Look at Benneteau in the AO now?) –

So Igor – GO AWAY!

Fed! C’moon!

Everyone knows that the backhand is the weaker shot, so what do they do? Well “I’ll hit at Fed’s backhand” – derrrrr – roger! Wake up!

Sean, you can go away too – let the fun begin by you and Ben going for a drink, far away from this forum!

Let the fans converse!


jane Says:

madmax, don’t be mean to Ben. That’s the way with him; he changes his mind. And he is very quick to make statements that he says in the heat of the moment. He’s been posting here forever and that’s just how he is. You need not take it to heart. Nor should you tell him to buzz off! Just sigh and think to yourself “oh Ben!”. LOL.


Ben Pronin Says:

Madmax, relax. I don’t know what you’re talking about but just so you know, after Federer lost the AO final last year, I didn’t wanna have anything to do with tennis. I deleted all the sites from my computer and I completely shut tennis out for a whole week. If Federer loses in round 1, where there’s 2 more weeks of slam tennis, I don’t know what I’ll do.

Back to the tennis, I really want to know why Andreev is able to run around so many of Federer’s shots. The pop is coming back but I feel like Federer has to tell himself to hit harder, it’s not as natural as it used to be. I like when Federer comes into net, though. Like Henin, I love to see great volleyers in action.

Madmax, you can’t get upset every time someone says something negative about Federer. You gotta save your upsetness for when he loses.


Ben Pronin Says:

“What seriously irritates me, (yes, it’s a sport I know), is that these guys see federer – give it their all – (benneteau comes to mind), then move on to the next round and get ousted.”

Couldn’t agree more. That’s why I don’t mind when he loses to the top guys (as much) but when he loses to these random guys it’s just like, why? What was the purpose. Unfortunately that’s tennis.

I don’t actually change my mind. I say these things to keep my hopes down. Does anyone here really think I want Federer to lose?


Kimmi Says:

Double fault..aaaaarg..please don’t get broken here


Kimmi Says:

Ben, not at all..you are federer fan deep down..C’moon federer


contador Says:

oh you guys….you make me laugh as i cry…..

i am not liking this IGOR problem. it’s just wrong, all wrong

c’mooon feddy!

nervous nellie, here…..aye, yi, yi


Kimmi Says:

Ben, there was a POP in that last forehand.


Kimmi Says:

Contador..our feddy bear was a little slow. Lets hope for more magic…

C’moooon


Daniel Says:

Amazing how Fed never gets desperate when the opponent is playing great, and he himself was not playing bad in 1st set, Andreev once got broken played like he had nothing to ose and it paid off.

Now, as always in Slams, Fed upped his level in the second set and start to dictate play whie Andreev didn’t hold his own.


Daniel Says:

Fed made 9 winners in second set compared to 4 in 1st, Andreev made 2 winners in second set agaisnt 10 in the first. They both missed 10 UE per set.


contador Says:

the problem is: feddy has to win 2 more sets!

does he look a little paunchy in the middle to anyone else?

no offense, my lovely madmax. u know he sports a little more around the middle sometimes. a step slow too?

c’mon fed! we also know he uses these early matches to practice and get in shape…..uh these days.

but IGOR is al psyched-up to win. didn’t his girlfriend knock out masharapova? or was that someone else.


Kimmi Says:

Ok, another break…here we go again


Kimmi Says:

Phew !!


junaid Says:

hmmm seems Fedex still not in his best form…this match is more important for him to survive in the whole tournament… Lets see what happen..Good luck Federer…..


contador Says:

wow kimmi, fed’s ball toss is sure low. wish he had that service game that won wimbles last summer….oh my stomach….

yeah the ue’s are ugly


jane Says:

Wow – Andreev utterly blew his break chance at the net there, and now Fed breaks to serve for the set. Amazing shift in momentum. That’s probably the match? Or not?


Kimmi Says:

BROKEN BACK!! Aaaaaaarg!!!!


tenisbebe Says:

MM says “Ben, Go away please. federer fans dont need this….Sean, you can go away too – let the fun begin by you and Ben going for a drink, far away from this forum! Let the fans converse!”

Jesus Christ, get a grip will you!


tenisbebe Says:

Even Steven.


junaid Says:

whats going there…….i can see only live scores not video…….what the hell is Federer doing there…if match goes long Fed will lose…Also stamina issue from Fed in 5th set


Kimmi Says:

FEDEDER…C’MOOON

Contador, he is gone.


Kimmi Says:

2 match points..bye bye federer


tenisbebe Says:

junaid – 6-4, 2-6, 5-all 30-40 Fed serving. And Igor breaks again!


junaid Says:

Fedex is broken again


junaid Says:

Thanks tenisbebe for scores…..I am very worried about Fedex…Common Federer


jane Says:

Andreev makes up for that crappy miss at net at least, but Fed is floundering a little here. Can Andreev serve it out? Who knows? And if he does, it’s still only 2-1 sets. Fed’s come back from that before. Let’s wait and see.


junaid Says:

i think Fedex is going to lose 3rd set…


tenisbebe Says:

Maybe his girlfriend’s upset of Sharapova has inspired him. The wind is definitely a factor in this match.


jane Says:

Match points Kimmi? Are you watching a different match?


Kimmi Says:

jane..I am dying here..it is a virtual matchpoint


tenisbebe Says:

Junaid – don’t know about that. Playing Fed is a huge mental task for players but yes Fed is floundering here.


junaid Says:

i think if Fedex break this game … Fed will will the match..turning point


tenisbebe Says:

Lord have mercy – the tension in this match!


junaid Says:

break point for fedex..showing great nerves….


tenisbebe Says:

Oh my God! Hawkeye.


jane Says:

Kimmi – lol it would be only a 2-1 sets lead. As I say, Fed’s come back from that before. No need to freak out just yet!

Tiebreak! Yippee!


junaid Says:

hmmm tiebreak starts…


Kimmi Says:

YEEEES..Tie break but Not over


Ben Pronin Says:

I need to get up early tomorrow. Damn you Federer!!! I’m shaking all over. I just wanna sleep.


tenisbebe Says:

Ben – I thought journalists were supposed to be neutral :-)


junaid Says:

Ben you can’t sleep now for at least a week :)


Kimmi Says:

Ben..me too…need to sleep please.


Kimmi Says:

Federer why do you give your fans a heart attack..great comeback though..


jane Says:

Andreev has unraveled! Oy, one mistake after another to fail to serve out the set, and then several more in the tiebreak. There’s the match. But boy, you gotta think Fed’s relieved to be up 2 sets as opposed to down 2 sets. Andreev had every opportunity but couldn’t use them. Fed hung in there. And he really does have “ice in his veins” – holy crap!


Sean Randall Says:

How many more forehands can Andreev miss?


tenisbebe Says:

Igor is going to be upset with himself on letting that slip away but how many times have we seen that vs Fed over the years. Now the momentum switches again, fed’s way.


Kimmi Says:

Andreev will kick himself. How many set points did he squander?

jane, this match is like Djoko/stepanek in basel..phew. Hope fed can come back strong in the 4th.


Ben Pronin Says:

So far, this isn’t like the Tipsy match where Federer had to win the 4th AND 5th set. Just win the 4th set and let me sleep.

Neutrality shmoochality. I’m just enjoying great tennis :)


Daniel Says:

Drama, drama, drama!!!!


jane Says:

tenisbebe, I know! We’ve seen that a lot over the years. But sheesh, I didn’t think Fed was playing that much better than Andreev in that third set. To me, Andreev *should have* won that set. In the past, Fed’s often raised his level. Here, however, it was Andreev who just blew it. It was astonishing how he missed those forehands, one after another. Especially when that’s his money shot.

Amazing defense from Fed to get that early break; Fed is moving really well. But his errors cost him in the last set.


tenisbebe Says:

Ben – enjoy away.

Well, not sure how this bodes for Raja for his upcoming matches. Or maybe it’s simply just a bad matchup for him vs Igor.


contador Says:

can fed hold the break? normally here i would think so but….bad serving day for RF.

fed winning is going to require an Andreev meltdown….now!


tenisbebe Says:

Jane – you are spot on: in the past Fed lifts his level and his opponent is toast. This was a case of Igor going for too much and missing at crucial moments. Aiyiyi! Now the FH is really coming unraveled.


tenisbebe Says:

Must take a break…


Kimmi Says:

Tenisbebe: I think andreev is a bad match up for federer..that FH spin. Like a poor man’s Nadal


tenisbebe Says:

Kimmi – you may be right but they simply have not played one another enough for me to make that call. “a poor man’s Nadal” Ha ha! Good one!

Fed survives & I can go to bed.


jane Says:

And Andreev has to choke down a bagel now. LOL. Poor guy. He’ll be cursing himself after that implosion. But he kept it interesting for a couple of sets. Fed rolls on.

Soderling is in a 5th; Ferrer is cruising; Tsonga’s up a set; Haas is down a set, as is Gulbis.


tenisbebe Says:

Yes that bagel will be hard to swallow. Soderling is in a fifth? Hmmm, what was the injury that he had 2 weeks ago? Go Tsonga! Go Haas!


contador Says:

oh yessssssss! omg, that was painful tho. my head hurts..

apalling if fed woulda gone out in rnd 1…..

now, GO Nole!!

madmax/kimmi….our man made it, barely. gotta get better from here, don’t you think?


Kimmi Says:

soderling 5th set, with that shoulder injury, i don’t think he can last..time for Novak to take the stand :)


Kimmi Says:

contador, YES, Great job. He said he was lucky in that match (3rd set)..I agree. anyways,I am going to sleep now. i was tired and ready to go to bed but now I am sooo awake.


tenisbebe Says:

Jane – are you staying up for Nole’s match? I am rooting for Safanova vs Venus. Met her in Cincy this year – what a doll. Go Lucie!
They are going to interview Fed on ESPN in a few minutes. Must listen to that.


tenisbebe Says:

Shoulder injury – thanks Kimmi.


jane Says:

Tenisbebe, I don’t know. When is Nole playing? I have to work tomorrow so can’t stay up too late.

I missed Fed’s interview; what did he say?? Curious to know. He must feel happy to have that over with.


Kimmi Says:

jane, I watch the winners interview on the court. He said he was very lucky on the third set..and its unfortunate for andreev but thats the way things go sometimes. He also said, he would have prefered easy match but he will take this one and lastly he said he got a difficult draw for first round (mentioning the match they had in USO 08).


Kimmi Says:

Anyways, good night guys, for Novak fans, hope he does well in his match.


tenisbebe Says:

Jane – Nole comes on at approx 3:30am EST. Brad Gilbert really likes his chances in Oz in general fyi but Cilic is his main man :-)

Darren interviewed Fed (remember a year ago when he said Fed needed a coach & then flew to Dubai for a look/see – what a difference a yr makes). Fed seemed really, really relaxed and happy – maybe the donut he fed to Igor in the last set make him relaxed. He didn’t get down on himself at all, only mentioning that it got a little scary in the 3rd set and he got a little lucky there – downplaying the situation.


tenisbebe Says:

I hope the appearance fees Soderling received for Abu Dhabi, Chennai and Kooyang were worth it cuz he’s paying for it now – seeded eighth and goin’ down…..


jane Says:

Thanks for the info tenisbebe. Now that Soderling just lost, that does open Nole’s side somewhat, though Tsonga is there waiting. I don’t know what to think until I see a match or two or three. : ) Cilic is a good one, but isn’t he on the other side of the draw? Think so. Gilbert is funny, and you know he’s often pretty right on his predictions.

Thanks to both you and Kimmi for Fed’s reaction to that match. Well, kudos to him if he can come out of that really relaxed. That’s the thing about Fed; he doesn’t get too emotional one way or the other and that’s got to help in tense situations. I tend to enjoy watching the emotive ones, but they aren’t as steady a lot of the time – am fully aware of that. Alas. :) But the excitement when someone like Monfils or Tsonga or Djoko or whomever gets on a roll and hollers and whoops everyone up, for good or ill, well it’s infectious, and I love it.


Kimmi Says:

robredo is out too.


tenisbebe Says:

Jane – you’re welcome. Good luck to Nole. Goodnite.


jane Says:

Yep saw that Kimmi. And Gulbis went down in flames! Looking at the draw, Fed should cruise now to the quarters. Maybe Verdasco can take a set or something, but Verdasco lost a set already to Ball so unless he picks it up I can’t see him beating Fed. By then Fed will have honed his game I’d think. I don’t think Hewitt can hurt Fed either. Only in the quarters, if Davy keeps rolling, will it get tighter again – perhaps?


madmax Says:

Jane,

slept badly. up and down all night. Thanks for the advice about Ben and will take it on board. you are like my mother on this forum (in the nicest possible way ).

Jane “buzz” off – if you know the word in the UK is used with a dose of affection. part serious/part affectionate. I could have used something stronger – but sometimes (most of time)

I feel affection for Ben aka DD, SS.

Ben – it isnt a problem. I feel how I feel. I just dont pop onto sites predicting doom and gloom the way that you and sean do –

And yes. I know federer will lose at some stage, but I like to keep the belief.

tenisbebe – go back and see my post where I tried to help you with F5 key – so kindly dont tell me to get a grip. Next time whoever you support doesnt play the game you want, I’ll return the favour to you by saying “get a grip”. See what it feels like. Not really supportive.

Contador – yes. Federer put us through it again. I’ll see if I can post the interview so you can read it in full, presuming you must be asleep now?

Are you from Canada or the States? What’s the time difference over there?


Heather Says:

Another Fedexpress match-but the phenomenal champion that he is pulled it together when it counted.

GO FEDERER-LOVE YOU FOREVER


been there Says:

Quite a shame I couldn’t watch the Fed-Igor match as I was deep in slumber land. But reading & watching retakes how it went, perhaps it’s a relief ‘coz I’d have heard too many mini heart attacks on a weekday. I’m quite happy with the 4th set score line (6-0)…finish with a statement to say, ‘yeah, I got it figured out now. pheux!’ But yeah, it’s quite understandable, I think most people who’ve watched them play before ( & with Igor’s relative high ranking – 18th on his better days in ’08 & current 37 – for a first round opponent), expected it to be a fight.

Thanks all for your live commentaries. I see it was real-drama.

Kimii, I quite liked this @10.30pm
“oh Nooooo! 2 match point”
lol..when it was just in 3rd set (I say just ‘coz Fed has come back from 2.5 sets down before and won.) I see where you are coming from and it’s true…who know, with how strong the ATP currently is. Anyone can go down, and as someone said, when they face Fed, they bring their A+++ games. Even Rafa struggled a bit to Luczak (highest ever ranking 64)who chocked while serving out the first set at 5-3.

Ben – I guess everyone expects all bad Fed matches to go to at least a fourth set (if not a 5th) ‘coz that’s simply the history we have…unless he’s playing Nadal on clay at FO ’08. (the other two years, Fed did manage to take a set of Rafa)

Australia timing really sucks, but what to do. I guess I’ll only watch Fed matches properly over the weekend ‘coz they’re really late – probably prime time in Australia. I’m quite sad that Soderling the great has gone down first round. Back to the drawing board now that he’s experienced 7 months of tal tennis high. No meeting with Fed. *sob sob*. I had quite looked forward to a potential match, if it ever reached there, to see if he could finally get him at a GS or a real ATP match, not in exho. Anyway, Monfils is still in, so life is overally good.

Looking forward to upsets today. hehe. On WTA, I hope Serena & Venus meet at semis, with Venus winning & going for the title. Unlikely, but there’s always hope for Venus. Go V!

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