Masterful Hewitt Outserves Raonic; Djokovic, Murray, Serena Criuse At Australian Open

by Staff | January 21st, 2012, 9:17 am
  • 182 Comments

Who would have believed old, washed up and left for dead Lleyton Hewitt could still outserve a younger, stronger kid like Milos Raonic, let alone beat the Canadian in four convincing sets? Well, the Australian former No. 1 did just that Saturday night in Melbourne in a third round match at the Australian Open. Hewitt upset the in-form Raonic 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 to advance to the fourth round.

While Raonic smacked total 23 aces, Hewitt still managed to win as many first serve points as Milos and more on second serve. And Hewitt broke Raonic three times to two.

“The games I was able to break, in the second set he hit a couple loose shots purely because I was getting his first serve back,” Hewitt said. “You just have to find a way of getting it back sometimes. As the match went on, I started returning a lot better.”


The 30-year-old Hewitt is lucky to be even playing the Australian Open after suffering from a toe injury that has plagued him the last year or so. But the Aussie great gave it go and so far it’s come up roses. Hewitt outlasted Stebe in the first round, got a retirement from rival Andy Roddick in the second round before his impressive and some would call improbable win over Raonic Saturday.

“A couple of months ago, I didn’t know if I’d be able to play,” Hewitt said. “Yeah, obviously I didn’t play much tennis last year. I always wanted to play this tournament. I’ve done a lot of hard work. It’s only my close friends and team that know what we’ve done to get here. Yeah, that’s probably why it’s very satisfying.”

Added Raonic, “He was more steady. He was more constant the whole match. I was more up and down. It’s going to win the race that way. I guess it’s unfortunate in a way because I felt like I had the ability to win, but I just didn’t do it.”

Ahead for Hewitt is a showdown with World No. 1 Novak Dokovic on Monday.

“I’ll prepare as well as possible again,” Hewitt said. “I’ll do all the right things. Yeah, he’s the No. 1 player in the world for a reason at the moment. I’m going to enjoy going out there and having a crack.”

Djokovic has won the last four meetings with Hewitt and after losing just two games today in a dominant performance over Nicolas Mahut, who wasn’t 100%, the Serb will be the heavy favorite in that clash.

“I’m happy with the way my first week went here in Australia, and hopefully I can continue the same way in the second one,” Djokovic assessed.

Elsewhere, Andy Murray hammered Michael Lldora 6-4, 6-2, 6-0. The Scot is a perfect 8-0 under new coach Ivan Lendl. Murray will play Mikhail Kukushkin who avert a colossal choke to beat Gael Monfils in five sets 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 1-6, 6-4.

“When I played him in Brisbane, the first six games he was unbelievable,” said Murray of Kukushkin. “He hardly missed a ball. To me it’s not that unexpected. He’s won a couple of long five setters. He’s obviously in good shape. When I played him in Brisbane, he was hitting the ball very well.”

The 24-year-old Kukushin served for the match in the third set before blowing the huge lead against Monfils. With the win Kukushkin becomes the first Kazakh to reach a Grand Slam fourth round.

Monfils and Michael Lldora weren’t the only Frenchman in action. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced in straight sets over Federico Gil and Richard Gasquet upended the hopes of Janko Tipsarevic also in three.

Kei Nishikori became the first player from Japan to make the fourth round at the Australian Open after overcoming a set and a break deficit to Julien Benneteau, 4-6 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 6-3.

“I’m excited to get through here,” said World No. 26 Nishikori. “That’s my best result right now in Grand Slam. I want to win [the] next one.”

David Ferrer was also a winner on Saturday beating Juan Ignacio Chela.

In the women’s draw, Serena Williams won her 17th straight match at the Australian Open smashing Greta Arn 6-1, 6-1. The 5-time Australian Open champ has had little trouble so far making it back to week two in Melbourne.

“I’m okay with how I’m going,” said Serena. “I’ve had tough practices. You know, it’s okay. I mean, I’m pretty experienced so I kind of know what the feeling of having tough matches is, having simple matches is. I think my first match could have been tougher, you know. She played pretty good. So it’s okay.”

Former champ Maria Sharapova and finalist Ana Ivanovic were also “okay” today winning their matches in straight sets. Petra Kvitova enjoyed an easy day earning a retirement from Maria Kirilenko at 6-0, 1-0.

Tomorrow, Roger Federer takes on Aussie teen sensation Bernard Tomic. Rafael Nadal returns to play good buddy Feliciano Lopez. In the women’s, Kim Clijsters and Li Na lock up in a rematch of their 2011 final and in a battle of Slam-less No. 1s Caroline Wozniacki test Jelena Jankovic.

Rod Laver Arena 11:00 AM Start Time
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[3] v. Iveta Benesova (CZE)
Feliciano Lopez (ESP)[18] v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]
Kim Clijsters (BEL)[11] v. Na Li (CHN)[5]

Rod Laver Arena 7:00 PM Start Time
Bernard Tomic (AUS) v. Roger Federer (SUI)[3]
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[1] v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[13]


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182 Comments for Masterful Hewitt Outserves Raonic; Djokovic, Murray, Serena Criuse At Australian Open

Kimmi Says:

too bad for milosh, did he get to fourth round last year? third round is not bad finish, plus the win in Chennai, great start to the year.

As for hewitt, good to see he can still trouble few players. during his match the commentators were talking about the amount of surgeries he is had so far. he must love the this game to still play. can’t see him beating djokovic though, but a fourth around finish is not bad.


Kimmi Says:

ah, la monf!! i thought he will be the dark horse this year but not to be. too many injuries are slowing him down..he started so well in doha. sad to see so much talent go to waste.


Ajet Says:

hewitt doesn’t want to let tomic have all the limelight of the aussies I guess. Good for him and good for me! :D

It was wonderful to see that my old favourite hewitt(still a favourite!) can still catch a big prey! So all you lovers of young blood, don’t take the good/bad oldies lightly! ;)

C’MON HEWITT!!! :D

And yeah, NEVER WRITE LLEYTON HEWITT OF!!!


Ajet Says:

I mean ”OFF” in my previos post!


skeezerweezer Says:

Credit Mondils for continuing to play and give Kushta whatever a credited win. Monfils obviously was not good to go from warly on and it was evident he could not rotate his upper body very well nor change direction like he normally can. Too bad, i agree wirh kimmi he was primed for a great run here. He could have quit, and given an RE. But he gave it a go. Kudos to him. Wish more players were like him and once there committed to play on the court they try to finish if they can. Its called courage and respect, even though your looking at defeat. Too often nowadays players “pull rhe ripcord”


jane Says:

Methinks Nole’s path is beginning to look a little tougher. Hewitt next, then winner of Ferrer/Gasquet, then Muzza/Tsonga, then Fedal. None of those are easy for him, it’ll be quite a shift from week one.

Fed’s is tough too: Tomic next, then Delpo (likely unless Khols wins big), then Rafa, then Muzza/Nole/Tsonga.

Muzza’s has opened up next round, with Kukushkin, then Nishikori/Tsonga, and Kei just beat Tsonga at KooYong so it could open up next round too if Kei can get another upset, then winner of Nole/Hew/Ferrer/ etc, then Fedal/Delpo. If Delpo and Muzza get to the final, I think Andy wins his first slam!

Rafa’s looks pretty good to the semi: F-Lo, Berdych/Almagro, Fed/Delpo, Muzza/Nole/Tsonga.

No one has an easy path, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Muzza and Rafa in the final. What do others think on the brink of week two? Some exciting matches to come.


jane Says:

As for the ladies, Wozniacki/Jankovic could be a cracker, but likely Woz wins, then Clijsters/Na Li in a rematch, which I think Clijsters wins.

Azarenka will win her next match then will face winner of Goerges/Radwanaska. Likely Aggie.

Don’t know Serena’s opponent, so put her through, and she’ll face the winner of Lisicki/Sharapova. In that one it will depend on whether Lisicki’s serve is firing. I like Sharpie to win. But it could be Sabine.

The Erranin/Zheng. Nice to see Jie Zheng reach week two so I am pulling for her to meet winner of Ivanovic/Kvitova, which will be Petra. I think Ivanovic is one her way back to some nice form – her defense was what I found most striking in the highlights I saw of her and King’s match. She was hitting her forehand well too. But I think her serve is still not quite there. So Kvitova through.

I think the bottom half semis will be Serena/Kvitova in all likelihood, and on top, either Woz or Clijsters verses Azarenka or Radwanska.


andrea Says:

i hope jankovic pulls the win over caroline – she needs to get back up there.

for the men’s, it’s been a pretty predictable first week – none of the top guys in any trouble. some great 5 setters from the lower ranked guys. novak looking very strong.

jane – you think andy could make it to the final? i’m not in that space yet.

ivanovic is moving along nicely…suprisingly.

tomic/fed should be good – but if tomic grinds out roger over 5 sets and if fed wins and then has to play a grinder agains delpo, i’m wondering how the back will hold up.

congrats to hewitt though for pulling out the win over our canadian boy.


jane Says:

hi andrea, sure, I could see Muzza in the final; this surface is ideal for him, and of course he’s been in the final the last two years in a row. So why not a third time? Add to that that he has a new coach, he is hungry, etc. Lots of reasons to see him there.

I’m happy for Hewitt too. Milos is young and will have more chances; the same can’t be said for Hewitt. He will be tough for Nole though, in that he can pressure Nole’s serve more than Milos could have done. Nole should be able to “return” the favour hopefully. They’ve played here a couple of times I think, and it’s never been straightforward. Nole’s played all his matches in the day so far; this will probably be at night, conditions to which Leyton’s accustomed. I think it will be a good match all things considered.

I agree re: Fed’s back. He should try to keep points short like he did with Ivo. I think he can beat Tomic though. Delpo could be tougher if at his best. But Fed moves so much better than Delpo. The real test will be Rafa because I think he’ll be fresher if they meet in the semi, and the court is playing slowly.


rogerafa Says:

I can not look beyond Djokovic so long as he is in the tournament. He is looking scary. This is his to lose. Rafa is the next best bet especially if Murray and Djokovic play a five hour slug-fest. Rafa is looking good to reach the final. He will be the favorite if he meets Murray but that is unlikely. Rafa will need some luck to beat Djokovic. That could eventually come down to a test of endurance. He can hope to grind out a win over the Serb if he is tired from the Murray win. This is the start of the season. Rafa is likely to have much more in his tank at this point than he has around the time of the US open.

In the ladies’ section, the winner of Williams-Kvitova match is likely to be the champion.


steve-o Says:

Raonic falls again to a patient, grinding player. He has not mastered the art of controlled aggression.

It was amazing he won the first set despite hitting so many wild forehands. Guess it caught up to him the longer it went on.

Hewitt thrives on breaking down players who swing for the fences like that, you have to outsmart him. It takes a long time to learn how to play him and some people never do.

Murray will have an easy time against Kukushkin: as I predicted, a cushy draw.


jane Says:

The experience of playing Hewitt was good for Milos. He has to learn to be ready for those service bombs coming back; as Hewitt said, Milos hit some loose shots due to being unprepared. So it’s all part of the learning curve for Raonic. He is just 19 so hopefully he will continue to get better. Also, the training in Spain can only help with regards to him rounding out his game.


alison hodge Says:

yeah great win for hewitt,against one of the emerging talents of the future,milos is still young with much to learn,im sure he will have a great tennis future,also great to see that the veterans of the game can still make a run,and challenge the young guns,great that leyton still has that desire,i wish him good luck in his match against nole,nole will most likely come through,im just hoping to see more of a competitive match though this time purlease.


racquet Says:

Jane, I gather you went to bed before Murray’s match. Here’s a little of what you missed. All 4 rallies were from the crazy 8th game of the 2nd set as Andy served it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zcRLU6nvpM


jane Says:

Awesome! Ha, racquet – some great points there. Murray couldn’t help but smile to himself hey? Reminds me a little of when Murray played Santoro on grass all those years ago. Too bad I couldn’t stay up. Didn’t even see the end of la Monf. Muzza is looking dangerous, so fast and agile. Loved the backwards somersault. :)


Lou Says:

Federer has the toughest draw in line if he wants to capture his 17th GS…Tomic, Delpo, Nadal, Djokovic..coming on to his first hurdle..I think he will easily surpass Tomic today- because he is playing way better than Tomic in AO (look at his stats-“Federer vs. Tomic: Clash of Two Generations?” http://bit.ly/x4Wygc)

Federer should be able to reach the next round easily..


racquet Says:

Yeah, very Santoro/Mecir-like points. I also loved Llodra throwing the towel at Andy in mock disgust afterwards.


Kimmi Says:

jane – milosh is 21. 22 june this year. check out his profile from ATP.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Milos-Raonic.aspx


Lou Says:

Federer has the toughest draw in line if he wants to capture his 17th GS…Tomic, Delpo, Nadal, Djokovic..coming on to his first hurdle..I think he will easily surpass Tomic today- because he is playing way better than Tomic in AO (look at his stats-”Federer vs. Tomic: Clash of Two Generations?” http://bit.ly/AysC9T )

Federer should be able to reach the next round easily..


laslo Says:

Jane
Murray has never taken a set off Novak on plexicushion.


Dan Martin Says:

http://tennisabides.com/2012/01/21/australian-open-sweet-16-mens-predictions/

Here are my picks for the round of 16 Men’s matches. Hewitt is like a bad penny – he won’t go away and good on ya Rusty for sticking around.


carlo Says:

As to Hewitt, nothing against him, but I was hoping #83 ranked Cedrick-Marcel Stebe would take him out in the 1st round. For 21 yr old Stebe, it would have been a huge win and maybe he could get out of the challengers. He’s built a little like Dolgo, is speedy, and has a tricky lefty serve. He won the 3rd set but maybe the crowd and playing on Rod Laver was too much in the 4th.

Also felt bad again for Benneteau. He just missed getting his 1st atp title a week ago and was fighting really hard to beat Nishikori.


jane Says:

Kimmi, doh you’re right – I was thinking of Tomic; he’s only 19 right?

laslo, Oh, thanks for the info. How many times have they played on plexicushion, do you know? Just curious. Because I think on hard court they’ve always had some good contests, last year’s final here being perhaps an exception (as well as some older match ups).


bstevens Says:

It is nice to see 5 of the remaining 16 men in the draw play with a one-handed backhand(should Tsonga be included?). Maybe this development could encourage new players to learn the single handed backhand as it seemed like more and more players prefer the double-hander. I personally think that single-handed backhands are nicer to watch and more versatile, albeit more inconsistent.


jamie Says:

Federer will not reach the final, he will lose to Del Potro in the QF.

The psychic predicts the SF will be:

Djokovic-Tsonga and Nadal-Del Potro

Let’s see if she is right.


jamie Says:

The psychic sees Murray losing in the QF to Tsonga, unfortunately for Murray fans…. :(


grendel Says:

@steve-o 1.20 p.m. Another thoughtful post. Anything insightful always looks obvious – as if you’d thought it up yourself. That’s an illusion, though.
Don’t agree with the last sentence, however. Murray was scheduled to meet Monfils, a difficult prospect. But Monfils was injured, and that was chance (of a sort – given Monfils’ propensity to breaking down).

b.t.w.I thought I heard in one commentary that Hewitt was retiring after the AO. Did I hear right, or was I just picking up some fag end?


laslo Says:

Plexi is what the Australian Open uses.
I do know that last year he couldn’t take one set off Novak on that surface.
I don’t think Fed ever took one off him on Plexi either.


grendel Says:

This is hilarious – my comment awaits moderation. Scratching the old coconut, I suddenly see why. It was the use of the word “fag-end”. “Fag” is American for homosexual. “Fag-end” is English, and refers to people catching the tailend of conversations they probably shouldn’t have been listening to anyway and making all sorts of unsound inferences from them. A “fag” is also a cigarette, so a “fag end” is the butt. And now I expect this too will await moderation. Who said the English and the Americans shared a common language?


grendel Says:

Told you so.


Kimberly Says:

All bracket people, Colino6 won his 8 and under tournament today, any congratulatory notes to him on the bracket site would make him very happy.


Kimmi Says:

Azarenka is not one of my fav. the reason i dont like her is her noise..it kind of put me off. she has been playing very well though..

If only she did not scream so badly..for some reason I find her screaming worse than all other players.

she got easy draw at round 16. Poor kim and Li na.

the temperature today is up to 31 degrees apparently. very hot.


rave Says:

So Jamie, who does the psychic think will win the AO. FInal between Djoko and Nadal?
I am a fed fan, I hope the psychic is wrong. But, man, she has been right more often than not. Thanks Jamie for the update. Keep it coming.I will keeping cheering fot Roger.


Kimmi Says:

as for the psychic, we will find out soon enough.


Jamie Says:

She said Djokovic will win the final, most likely over Nadal because Del Potro beating Nadal looks difficult.


S Green Says:

One non-expert, outsider’s opinion, which may not matter in most counts: Tomic is Australia, the whole nation and its hunger, and he is Australian Open sensation this year, and he will derive a lot of energy from that and ride on the crowd mania. The surface suits his style, and the kid has some talent plus he is tactical. Combined together, he is formidable, but will that be enough to topple Federer? I don’t know, but I would like to believe this match is 50-50 so I can enjoy my excitement.


Kimmi Says:

“most likely over Nadal because Del Potro beating Nadal looks difficult”

lol. sounds like the predictions i have heard here on tennis-x over and over. we all know federer is old. Murray has not been able to beat djokovic and rafa in the last few slams. Nadal and djokovic has contested last two GS. Anyone could see these two have been the best. Anyways, enough of me reading jamie and his psychic predictions and enjoy the tennis.

azarenka cruising – again.


jane Says:

Everytime I check the scores and see “Benesova” I think of bossanova and want to dance – especially recent bossanova take-off artists, Nouvelle Vague. Okay, veering off track.

jamie, here’s what I want to know – do you have to pay for the psychic updates each time? If so, it must’ve set you back a pretty penny already; I hope your winning on bets to compensate. ;) Psychics don’t come cheaply.


jane Says:

*you’re winning *not “your.”


Kimmi Says:

jane, maybe benesova should dance instead of tennis. completely poor performance.


jane Says:

:) I think that’s why my mind wanders Kimmi. Yep, dancing instead may be the way to go.


Kimmi Says:

Since this match is so Zzzzzzzzzzz. I decided to look at the prize money for this year oz open. benesova will go home with a good chunk of money.

Points Prize A$
W 2,000 2,300,000
F 1,200 1,150,000
SF 720 437,000
QF 360 218,500
R16 180 109,250
R32 90 54,625
R64 45 33,300
R128 10 20,000


Kimmi Says:

I just checked the exchange rate

1.00 USD = 0.953925 AUD (astralian dollar)

Almost 1 to 1


Kimmi Says:

azarenka in a djokovic mode. she lost only 12 games so far the commentator said.


laslo Says:

S Green
You may be right about Australia’s hunger. His dad certainly thinks he’s going to win big.

“Tomic’s father John, a typically intense and robust tennis dad who drove a taxi when he emigrated to Australia, said years ago he expects
his son to win “10 to 15 grand slams”. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jan/21/australian-open-bern


jane Says:

Kimmi, those are some interesting statistics, thanks for posting them. Azarenka has a decent shot of getting to the finals as she’s in the upper half, and thus can avoid Kvitova and Serena until then. It will be interesting to see who comes through on both the top and bottom of the ladies’ draw. There should be lots of excitement there in week two.


Kimmi Says:

it is still a long way to the final for azarenka yet. there is clijsters/Li or wozniacki in her half. next she might play radwanska who she could beat. But I believe it wont be easy to beat Kim and or wozniacki for that matter.


Kimmi Says:

rafa next. how many games will F-Lo get?


jane Says:

Azarenka is 2-4 versus Clijsters and 2-4 versus Wozniacki, so no it won’t be easy. Just saying that she has a decent shot to get to the finals if she stays on this form.

It’ll be straight sets for Rafa methinks. Game one and he has break point. I wish Fed/Tomic wasn’t so late; that’s the one I am curious about. I thinK Fed will win but it’d be exciting to see how Tomic’s manages.


carlo Says:

F-lo will be over in straight sets like at US Open 2010.

I was hoping Isner would make it to Rafa in good shape but Isner went through the wringer.


Kimmi Says:

OK, maybe F-lo will prove us wrong. he has 0-30 on rafa serve.


carlo Says:

Melzer and Benesova are a hot item, according to AO Radio. I didn’t know that.


Kimmi Says:

carlo, its good time to know who dates who during GS. I am going to watch radwanska/goerges match, i think it will be interesting.
poor F-lo, too many deuces and break points in his service game, this does not look good.


carlo Says:

Well, I read all sorts of rumors and stories on the livestream chat but for the most part, the stories there aren’t repeatable. But I tend to believe AO radio reports and I saw Melzer in Benesova’s box. Apparently he has a new date every year though.

I like both Radwanska and Goerges. But I picked Agniezka. Yeah, have to go find a stream, it’s not on my TV.


rave Says:

Jamie, How do I get in touch with your psychic. my email is rave1955@yahoo.com if you are interested in writing to me


jane Says:

Wow, so much for Goerges and Radwanska being interesting; it’s a rout so far.


Kimmi Says:

I know jane, too many errors from goerges. I am actually waiting for clijsters and Li Na. rafa vs f-lo seem close enough? only one break difference so far.


Kimmi Says:

horrible frm goerges. radwanska was steady like always. I dont think she can beat azarenka, I am hoping she does though.


jane Says:

Kimmi Aza and Radwa are 6-3 H2H in Vika’s favour. However, if looks like most of their recent matches have been close, the last three all going 3 sets. So it could be a possible upset.


Kimmi Says:

f-lo with three break points on rafa serve. missed 1 and another and then he decided to go for big return. he breaks. good for him.


Kimmi Says:

thx jane for that stats, sure does not look promising for radwanska.


Kimmi Says:

rafa works f-lo back hand…again and again.


van orten Says:

Rafa Vs f- Lo as predictable as always..so everybody talking bout slow surface and balls…anyone thinks they re goin to speed it up in the future and what do u think players as nadal ( & his fans) would react ??? It s not that he’ ll lose every match…he plays good on faster courts too!!!


van orten Says:

Do i see right or is nadal fistpumping after every ue by f- Lo


Kimmi Says:

Hoping for a berdych win. c’moon.


Kimmi Says:

F-lo is trying but just not good enough. he is been making costly errors to be broken, otherwise it is a good match.


Skeezerweezer Says:

vo,

Very predictable. The Rafa Gods continues to bless him in the draw. Not worried, playing guys in this caliber will catch with him. F-lo has only beaten Rafa twice, one each on grass and indoors. Otherwise, F-lo is Rafa’s biatch. Such an exciting match…,yawn.


Skeezerweezer Says:

Allright..a more exciting match espn switched too, birdy and almagro…money!!


carlo Says:

Come on, Berdy! Then again, I don’t see either of these two challenging Rafa. I doubt Berdych’s resolve vs Nadal in a GS especially. And with Almagro the match would be along the lines of Roddick or Stanley vs Federer.


Kimmi Says:

berdy has to be careful here. bad error to give alamgro a break chance.


Kimmi Says:

what a stupid drop shot. grrrrr berdych wake up!!!


van orten Says:

Yeah sw…more exciting indeed…but let’s be honest f-Lo would not be more dang er to fed or nole nor to Murray


carlo Says:

Almagro got the 1st break. Berdych could melt out there.


jane Says:

Alamgro breaks: will Rafa be playing another compatriot next round? I think Almagro usually does well here. Nole had him last year, in maybe the R16? Anyhow, he has the upper hand a.t.m.

Kimmi, who are you pulling for in Li Na/Clijsters?


Skeezerweezer Says:

Rafa vs. Almagro? LMAO.

Li Na/Clijsters cool womens matchup.


Kimmi Says:

I love kim. I like Li Na too but Kim more.


carlo Says:

How lame, really, Nadal v Almagro anywhere, anytime.

But Rafa is blowing through his draw.


jane Says:

I like Kim as well, and didn’t I hear that this may be her last AO? If so I’d like to see her around for a little longer.

skeezer (or skewer according to my spellchecker), it’s a rematch of last year’s final, so yeah it could be a cool match up.

Personally I don’t think it matters if Rafa faces Berdych or Almagro next; he’ll beat both of them. Almagro has been in the R16 twice here. He lost to Nole last year, and the year before that he lost in an epic 5-setter versus Tsonga, 9-7 in the fifth. So he likes this surface. It usually sets him up well to dominate the South American clay court circuit too.


Kimmi Says:

true about almagro jane, he always been under the radar. I should have picked him to R16.


carlo Says:

He cleans up points on South American Swing, Almagro.


carlo Says:

I didn’t think about Almagro to Round 16 – too busy hoping Isner would get there.


Kimmi Says:

F-lo is losing the belief, though i dont believe he had any from the start of the match.

5-2 rafa, serve it out will you? bring on the girls.


Kimmi Says:

ha ha ha carlo, we all been hoping for the repeat of FO last year. isner vs rafa.


Kimmi Says:

congrats to rafa. he could get another friend in the next round. this draw is open up well for him.


carlo Says:

I wonder if there is time for a nap between Li’s match and Federer’s. Li v Clijsters is the match wta match I most want to see and of course Tomic v Federer. And it is too hot out there for Delpo.


jane Says:

carlo, do you think Delpo could be beaten due to the heat. I checked and he has a good record versus special K. But Kohls has had some slam upsets in the past.


carlo Says:

Delpo. Will he faint? I’m liking Kohli’s chances. He had a tough match with Monaco 1st round then he got a w/o. Could be an upset. Upset for me, anyway if my man Delpo goes down in the heat.


carlo Says:

PK wasn’t at all good in Auckland so I didn’t feel good about picking him and his rankings fell some. He looks to be back, yeah. I’m worried about del Potro.


jane Says:

I am cheering for Delpo; each time I recall when Special K had slam upsets (e.g., Roddick AO 08, Nole FO 09) he lost the next round. At least with Delpo you get the sense he could win the whole thing! So it makes it more exciting.


skeezerweezer Says:

Wow Na/Kim such a great start. Looks faster than the Rafa match! You go girls!


Kimmi Says:

go kim.


carlo Says:

Exactly, Jane. The sense I have though is del Potro still isn’t showing his summer 2009 champion mentality and his serve isn’t there yet either. Mannarino took a set off him. No disrespect to Mannarino but I doubt Nole would have lost a set. If Tomic can wear out Federer and del Potro makes it looks easy against PK, the big man could beat Federer. But he’s not going to beat both Nadal and Federer, no way. Maybe by September he’ll be stronger.


carlo Says:

I love Kim and Li!


Kimmi Says:

kim problem is double faults. awful game, she got broken right back


carlo Says:

3 all. I picked Li to win, Kimmi. Win AO. But I didn’t know what to think of Clijsters form pre-AO.


carlo Says:

Ah no. Kim injured her foot/ankle.


Kimmi Says:

oh nooooo. kim twist uncle


Kimberly Says:

Went to the heat game with kaiser which we won, got home to see rafa win, and colino6 won tournament. Good day for me! (unless you count my subpar play today but I have tendinitis of my right thumb so like rafa, I can play the injury card)

Skeezer, are you going to the game. Was able to get super cheap heat Tim for kaiser and colino6 tomorrow as it is at the same time as the NFC championship!

I am rooting for li na I think. I like her. But I doubt she will win.


Kimmi Says:

why kim does not tie her ankles? ah, very sad.


Kimmi Says:

got it! yes berdych.


carlo Says:

Garrigues did almost the same thing. Now she’ll go try to play with the bandages. Poor Kim.


Kimberly Says:

Oh boy, just saw Kim ankle

And berdych takes set 2.

I would settle for two good matches here. Most of the ones I have been awake to watch have been not so great. Don’t really care who wins.


Kimmi Says:

grrrrrr. kim is unlucky with injuries


Kimmi Says:

double faults continues


carlo Says:

Li went through this with Garrigues already.


Kimmi Says:

i heard that carlo, didnt see the match. li must have a lady luck somewhere


carlo Says:

I sleep with AO Radio on, Kimmi and woke up during Li’s last match v Garrigues who had to retired with an ankle injury.


Kimmi Says:

Li ahead with a break.


carlo Says:

But this isn’t good anymore. Kim wouldn’t make it to the final this way even if she did beat Li somehow. Bad luck. Kim was looking good her last match- moving so well and hitting hard.


Kimberly Says:

Hmmmmm, you don’t want too many walkovers, you want to be as match tough as your opponent in the final and you do want to be tested a little but not too much before the final. Of course you don’t want to arrive at the final exhausted. All about balance.


Kimmi Says:

I know carlo. i am pissed. oh, well she hasnt given up yet so we will see.

berdych making a come back. go big bird


Kimmi Says:

wow Li is hitting the ball well


Kimmi Says:

kim is just hanging in there, Li looks the stronger one to me.


carlo Says:

Li blows hot and cold. I shouldn’t have picked her to win. That was dumb. But I like her. Li is going for her shots and missing too many. Clijsters just getting through this being professional about it.


Kimmi Says:

ah almagro breaks back. this looks like a five set thriller


carlo Says:

Wow. Clijsters must be feeling better or Li can’t play. I stopped watching tennis. Time to watch the del Potro match.


Kimmi Says:

bird takes the third. go birdy


carlo Says:

And Delpo has the early break.

And I hear Li is actually suffering a sore leg or ankle, something, too. Not an injury time out but something she hurt earlier.


jane Says:

Well Kim better take this second set now! After clawing her way back into this tiebreak and fighting off match points, I hope at least it goes to a third set.

Meanwhile, Delpo lost his one break lead. :/


Kimmi Says:

DRAMARAMA..go kim


Kimmi Says:

GO KIM! I am loving come backs! he he he !


carlo Says:

Clijsters saves 4 match points in 2nd set tie break. Oh man. Clijsters is going to win this set. I am shaking my head. The crowd is willing Ozzie Kim on. It’s not good for Li. This could turn out well for whoever the winner here plays next.

Meanwhile, Delpo gave the break back and it’s on serve. Too much going on at the moment! I have to decide who to watch.


skeezerweezer Says:

Impressive. Kim and Na are hitting balls out faved paced, imo. Best match of the day so far. These gals can knock it. Very enjoyable match, thanks girls!

@K
I regressed due to weather. New plan is watching game at Skeezers, pulled pork sliders with n. carolina BBQ sauce, triple bean salad with lime basil vinagerette. Pre game apps are homemade skeezer jalepeno poppers and Cali chipolte avocado dip with organic corn chips. Shhhhhaammoon!


carlo Says:

He’s about to serve for the 1st set. But on changeover he’s not looking happy. It’s very hot out there.

come on, serve well Delpo


Kimmi Says:

Li wheels are falling. why lose hope? but anyways, go kim.


carlo Says:

I’m thinking about when Kim hurt her ankle 1st set and how the adrenaline kicks in and everything starts to be okay but later, it’s bad. The crowd loves her but my question is how she’d play against…isn’t it, Wozniaki or Jankovic?


jane Says:

Come on Delpo, Kim and Berdy! Have to give Nico credit; he is keeping it close versus Berdych. I guess given their rankings they aren’t that far apart.

carlo, I think because Kim has a day to recover she should be okay, although Woz and JJ are both “grinders”.


carlo Says:

It’s great if Kim wins. 48 hours until the next match. Maybe it looked worse than it is. Li certainly had her chance.


Kimmi Says:

oh noo! kim FOCUS!


Kimmi Says:

break back! time for Li to come back now. this is horrible.


jane Says:

Oh Lord, Kim couldn’t close it out? She has one more chance. Come on Kim, get it together.


Kimmi Says:

C’mooooon Kim! I have a bad feeling :( Li is swinging now.


jane Says:

2 more points Kim, goooo!


carlo Says:

Poor Kim. 30-30


Kimmi Says:

clean winners on second serves return..jeeeez


carlo Says:

okay. matchpoint. 2nd serve. deuce


Kimmi Says:

needs first serve..phew miss. go kim


carlo Says:

2 match pt. got it! Clijsters wins


Kimmi Says:

Eventually! Wow! what a match…


jane Says:

Phhhhheeeewww! Congrats to Kim. :) Very fraught match.

Hold Berdych.


carlo Says:

Well. I do hope she can hang with Woz or JJ


Kimmi Says:

the berdy match is in danger mode. hold berdy


carlo Says:

They are doing tie breakers – Almagro and Berdy.

And Almagro means to get the next one, I think. Should be good, I’m chasing these matches.


carlo Says:

Wow. It’s a corker. Do or Die for Nico.


jane Says:

Third tiebreaker in a row – wonder if we’ll see a fifth set??


Kimmi Says:

I hope no fifth set. go berdych


jane Says:

Berdych and Rafa it is! Congrats to both of them; hope it’s a good match.

Delpo with insurance. :)


Kimmi Says:

6-2 berdych

ha ha i am starting to think how Li lost her 4 match point.


carlo Says:

Looks like Berdych wanted it. Berdych taking 3 sets in tie breaks after 1st set loss. Berdy! into quarter with Rafa


Kimmi Says:

congrats berdych, no choking there at the end. what a match, three tie breakers. almagro kept on fighting, good to see.


carlo Says:

Big Man from Argentina bossing PK and serving for 2nd set. Vamos!


Kimmi Says:

berdych didnt want to shake hands. c’mon berdych, you won the match. calm down man


Aravind Says:

Delpo takes the second set.. Dominating performance.. Anyone here thinks we have the possibility of seeing a Delpo Berdych SF? Both giants are looking very impressive. Berdych has been well tested in this match. Nadal will face a stern test in his QF. Delpo is slowly getting back to his top form. Fedal.. Watch out!!


Kimmi Says:

crazy! crowd boooing berdych. no one want to listen to his speech. crazy!


jane Says:

Kimmi – why? What happened? Why didn’t he want to shake Nico’s hand?


carlo Says:

Ha! I like what I’m seeing from Delpo. Delpo is not going to miss out on a GS quarterfinal. Every set he has come out and gone up a break. 2-0 in the 3rd


racquet Says:

Berdych said that it was because Almagro hit a shot straight at his face when he had the open court. Still, he should’ve put it behind him.


Kimmi Says:

jane – almagro hit him with the ball earlier in the match. berdych thinks he did it on purpose. hence did not shake hands at the end of the match.


carlo Says:

I switched too quickly to Delpo. What was Nico up to?


carlo Says:

oh. I didn’t see your posts. Bad boys.


jane Says:

I missed it too, have scores, streaming, book, other websites, too much going on! Thanks for filling me in.


carlo Says:

I did read a comment on the chat that said, Nico being a bad a**


steve-o Says:

What unpleasant matches. First Li chokes miserably, then that tiff with Berdych refusing to shake Almagro’s hand.

The crowd are not shy about making their displeasure known, and I’m totally with them.

I know whom the audience will be rooting for when he plays Nadal, or rather, whom they’ll be rooting against.

Nadal will crush Berdych. We all know that the Czech turns tail and runs when Nadal shows up. One “VAMOOOOOSSS!” and he will quail. Nadal will be muscling the ball like a gorilla and running down every shot. None of this is the slightest bit in doubt.

As for Li, it was a rerun of last year’s final: a great first set, a second set where she failed to close out Clijsters, then a third set when she disappeared mentally. Except this time it was even more torturous because she had four match points.

Unless you’re a Clijsters fan, there was little point in putting yourself through all that again.


Kimmi Says:

good thing you are following delpo carlo. i havent, good to see he is winning easily. fed will have his work cut out.


jane Says:

Some of it is Kohls’ errors too, I’d say. But Delpo is moving well along the baseline. Backhand looks very solid.

I’ve no idea why, but PK reminds me of Tin Tin a little bit. :)


carlo Says:

I’m grinning from ear to ear watching Delpo, Kimmi. Vamos! He is up 4-1 in the 3rd and I like what I’m seeing.


steve-o Says:

Darren Cahill just called Berdych “a bit of a wuss”. Brad Gilbert weighed in too, on Almagro’s side.

Clearly, Berdych is not winning the PR war here.

Del Potro is playing fantastic, hopefully Roger will come through and give us a great quarterfinal.


jane Says:

Nadal is 10-3 over Berdych. Last time Berd beat Rafa was 2006. So yeah, it’s very unlikely he’ll win the next match.

Delpo with more insurance.v


Kimmi Says:

Tin tin and PK..he he he !


carlo Says:

5-1 Delpo over Tin Tin aka Philipp Eberhard Hermann Kohlschreiber, who wasn’t ready today for this Del Potro. This Delpo can do it all impressively looking very relaxed. Has a 2nd match point. Into the net. Deuce


jane Says:

Smoking passer for another MP for Delpo the Destroyer.


carlo Says:

He got it!! Delpo. Will he play Federer or Tomic?


jane Says:

Nice win for Delpo, very well done, big “Come on” at the end. He is pumped. Congrats.


Kimmi Says:

its 3 am here. time to Zzzzz. i will record federer match, hope he wins.


margot Says:

Hmm, does not really take a psychic to foretell that Tsonga could beat Andy and Delpot, Fed, does it? …:(
Na just folded start of set 3, horrid to watch.
And Delpot motors on against Kohl…oh really…*surprised* face…
Will be pleasantly surprised if Tomic takes a set off Fed. He still needs to learn when to kill a point.


steve-o Says:

Yay Del Potro! He was brilliant today.

Now come on, Roger!


S Green Says:

Yes, Jane, it looks like DelPo played really good, actually better than I expected. I am optimistic of his chances in the next round, regardless who comes out of Fed-Tomic match. And I am awake for Tomic-Fed fight; hope it is a good fight and worth sacrificing sleep.


S Green Says:

delete “looks like”


carlo Says:

There was some concern behind closed doors of the Delpo fan club members about it being very hot out there. And PK coming out perky. 5 sets is not good for the big man surviving a quarterfinal.


jamie Says:

@ rave

Predictions are free of charge, of course.

Do you understand Spanish?

I chat regularly with her but predictions are published here:

http://foro.astrodestino.com.ar/forumdisplay.php/deportes-44.html rave1955@yahoo.com

It is in Spanish. If you are not bilingual then you can use some online webpage translator like Google.

Hope this helps.


Steve 27 Says:

Federer is over in slams. Delpo, I know you can win this time! vamos1

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