Vince Spadea at the Tallahassee Challenger, speaking to the Tallahassee Democrat on rapping and tennis: “I think it’s an extension of my career. The longevity that I’ve had has been supplied with some other factors that I enjoy. It keeps me motivated to do something off the court and to know that my job is still on the court.”…

LET THE CLAYCOURT SEASON BEGIN — “Thank God the hardcourt season is over,” said Roger Federer. “It’s the end of the hardcourt season. I don’t care anymore. I’m moving over to clay, a new chapter.” Federer did not win a hardcourt title, or any title, through the first 3-1/2 months of the year…

The Russian sensation from Moscow will become the 19th top-ranked player in women’s tennis history, joining a distinguished list that includes Chris Evert, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Jennifer Capriati, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Amelie Mauresmo, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.

Stosur, better known for her doubles play, also has career Top 10 wins over Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo.

Safina saved a set point in winning the opening set on the tiebreak, but then sat back as Azarenka became the aggressor. Safina was up a break 3-1 in the third before dropping the last five games.

1. Roger FEDERER
What was with that fifth set in the final, playing like a whuss? Time to get a coach, get the killer instinct back and get Rafa out of your head.

Clearly this win boosts Rafa’s historical standing at a time when he looked vulnerable. His finish to 2008 left me wondering what his legs had left and how much strain his body has absorbed at such a young age. I did not think Rafa’s clay court game was in danger at the end of 2008, but I also did not expect him to win a hard court major coming off of an injury plagued end to last season. No one can pencil someone in to win the French Open, injuries, illness, banana choking and a potentially zoned opponent could always stop Rafa’s quest for a 5th straight French Open, but one has to think Nadal is going to enter Wimbledon half way to a calendar year Grand Slam.

Obviously, yes is the answer to my own question.

“I’ve been playing better throughout the weeks,” Serena told reporters regarding her form in Melbourne. “I think doubles was really able to help me out. And also I went out and hit a few balls this morning. I had a really good practice. Watching some of the men’s tennis, they were playing really well. I was really inspired like that. Especially last night’s [Nadal-Verdasco semifinal] match. It was just crazy.”

Serving at 4-5 in the fifth and past the five-hour mark, Verdasco was undone by nerves. Verdasco double faulted to give Nadal a 40-0 lead, then two points later double faulted on match point.

Roger Federer has not lost a set during night play in Australia…

“I served well in the first set and that gave me a lot of confidence,” Federer told reporters of his quick start. “I was moving well and getting a lot of balls back and making it difficult for Andy to get the upper hand from the baseline. That was kind of what I was hoping for.”

Roger Federer says Novak Djokovic is a quitter and a whuss — to paraphrase: “He’s not a guy who’s never given up before; it’s disappointing,” Federer said of Djokovic throwing in the towel in the fourth set against Andy Roddick. “I’ve only done it once in my career. Andy Roddick totally deserved to win that match…I’m almost in favor of saying, ‘You know what, if you’re not fit enough, just get out of here.’ If Novak were up two sets to love, I don’t think he would have retired 4-0 down in the fourth.” Ouch!…

“I had cramping and soreness in the whole body,” Djokovic told reporters. “I think the people could see that I was struggling with movement. I couldn’t serve the way I served in the first two sets. That third set I just started dropping 20, 30 kilometers per hour first serve. Obviously it was much easier for him to return. He saw that longer rallies are not comfortable for me at that point, so he was using it wisely. Really unfortunate way to end my Australian Open 2009. I really tried my best, but sometimes you can’t fight against your own body.”

Murray said the loss could not be attributed to any mounting pressure, but to the play of Verdasco, who not only showed his powerful repertoire of serving and crunching forehands, but a deft touch with dropshots, slices and lobs to keep the Brit on the move.

Who are the players to beat as week two begins at the Australian Open? Sean Randall breakdown down the men’s Sweet 16.