Djokovic Dominates While Murray Drops A Set; Federer, Nadal Return At Australian Open
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Novak Djokovic all but continued right from where he left off his 2011 Grand Slam season by dominating. In his 2012 opener, Djokovic thrashed 30-year-old Paolo Lorenzi 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 to win his 15th straight Grand Slam main draw match.
“Obviously I want to get a good start of the year in my first official match in this season,” Djokovic said. “I have decided not to play the opening week of the year in order to get ready well for Melbourne. I’m satisfied with the overall performance today.”
Even more revealing was the fact Djokovic scored the win in very hot conditions, which often get the best of him.
“It took me, you know, a couple games to get into the right rhythm,” he said. “You know, it’s a bit difficult conditions. I think it was really the hottest day since I’ve arrived here, so trying to get used to that.”
On a rather dull day on the men’s side, JW Tsonga also advanced in four sets over Denis Istomin. Tsonga’s compatriots Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils were also winners.
American Andy Roddick was impressive in the heat. Roddick ousted Robin Haase in straight sets in a rematch of their 2011 third round encounter. Seeded down to No. 15 this year, Roddick is still intent on getting back to the top, and his plan is to schedule better.
“I want to make sure each time I go out there I’m ready to play,” Roddick said. “I feel like last year, you know, it was the hardest one I’ve had, you know, physically. And I think, therefore, mentally. It was tough to start and stop. I felt like I was playing out of shape a lot of the time. At the Open, I even played well, but I couldn’t sustain it physically for long enough. It just caught up to me. You know, so I think my days of playing 26 events a year are probably done. But however many I do play, I want to make sure that I’m ready to rock each time.”
On Thursday Roddick will meet Lleyton Hewitt in a renewal of their great rivalry. Almost running on fumes, Hewitt rallied from down 5-1 in the fourth to close out German lefty Cecil-Marcel Stebe.
“He’s obviously a quality player,” Hewitt said. “A couple of those matches have been extremely tight. Obviously, the Grand Slam at Wimbledon could have gone either way, fifth set. Played him a couple times at Memphis, won the first set and lost three in tight threesetters there, as well. Just haven’t been able to get those one or two points against him when I needed them.”
And in the match of the afternoon for the men, two-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray did his usual one-set sleepwalk before righting the ship against Ryan Harrison 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Is Murray better or worse under new coach Ivan Lendl? It’s hard to say right now but he’s an undeniable 6-0 with the tennis great.
Today as the second round begins, Roger Federer is back on against German Andreas Beck. Rafael Nadal tests that back knee and shoulder against another guy with a history of injury problems, Tommy Haas. “Medic to Rod Laver Court”.
In the evening, Bernard Tomic tangles with big-serving Sam Querrey in what should be a good match. Querrey has the firepower to stay with anymore and if Tomic gets too defensive with his game and court positioning he could be in trouble.
In another good one, big John Isner clashes with former Australian semifinalist David Nalbandian. If healthy – a big IF – Nalbandian will be extremely tough for the American.
Speaking of big men, Ivo Karlovic, Juan Martin Del Potro and Tomas Berdych are also in action.
ESPN2 and Tennis Channel have all the live coverage starting at 7pm ET.
Rod Laver Arena 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Olivia Rogowska (AUS) v. Na Li (CHN)[5]
2. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Kim Clijsters (BEL)[11] v. Stephanie Foretz Gacon (FRA)
3. Men’s Singles – 2nd Round
Tommy Haas (GER) v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]
Rod Laver Arena 7:00 PM Start Time
1. Men’s Singles – 2nd Round
Sam Querrey (USA) v. Bernard Tomic (AUS)
2. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[3] v. Casey Dellacqua (AUS)
Hisense Arena 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Men’s Singles – 2nd Round
Tomas Berdych (CZE)[7] v. Olivier Rochus (BEL)
2. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Kai-Chen Chang (TPE) v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[13]
3. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[1] v. Anna Tatishvili (GEO)
4. Men’s Singles – 2nd Round
Andreas Beck (GER) v. Roger Federer (SUI)[3]
Margaret Court Arena 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) v. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)[20]
2. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[10] v. Romina Oprandi (ITA)
3. Men’s Singles – 2nd Round
John Isner (USA)[16] v. David Nalbandian (ARG)
4. Women’s Singles – 2nd Round
Paula Ormaechea (ARG) v. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[8]
Margaret Court Arena 7:00 PM Start Time
1. Men’s Singles – 2nd Round
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)[21] v. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)
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