Archives for January 2011

A Breath of Fresh Air

AUSSIE OPEN MEN’S FINAL PREVIEW/SATURDAY, JAN. 29

Murray vs Djokovic welcome change of pace

MELBOURNE – There are no on-court secrets between buddies Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, who have been playing together since they were 11-years-old and have practicing together since the beginning of this season.

On Sunday, they will butt heads for the first time in the final of the Aussie Open.
Due to the fact that they

A breath of fresh air: Murray vs Djokovic welcome change of pace

Novak Djokovic

MALT PHOTONovak has been on a roll.
MELBOURNE – There are no on-court secrets between buddies Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, who have been playing together since they were 11-years-old and have practicing together since the beginning of this season.

On Sunday, they will butt heads for the first time in the final of the Aussie Open.
Due to the fact that they

A breath of fresh air: Murray vs. Djokovic welcome change of pace

Novak Djokovic

MALT PHOTONovak has been on a roll. MELBOURNE – There are no on-court secrets between buddies Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, who have been playing together since they were 11-years-old and have practicing together since the beginning of this season. On Sunday, they will butt heads for the first time in the final of the Aussie Open. Due to the fact that they

Murray Flusters Ferrer

To Meet Djokovic in Final

Andy Murray
MALT PHOTOAndy & Novak will face off for the eigth time.
MELBOURNE – Andy Murray almost didn

Nadal Injured & Falls, Murray to Face Ferrer

Andy Stops Creative Dolgopolov

Rafael Nadal
Lum Photo Rafa’s Slam is overstretched by his left
hamstring.

MELBOURNE – It could have been delicious, wonderful rematch between two of the most colorful and competent players of the past seven years. But Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal will not meet up again at the Aussie Open as No. 1 Nadal didn

Business As Usual on Men’s Side, Until Dolgopolov

What Ails Sharapova?

Andy Murray
MALT PHOTO Murray gets Dolgo.

MELBOURNE – The men

Wawrinka Smokes Roddick, Petra-fied by Kvitova

Czech Stymies Stosur, Shows off Top 10 Stuff

By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net

Petra Kvitova
MALT PHOTO Kvitova is a lethal lefty.
MELBOURNE – The expectations for Sam Stosur here in Australia were pretty high coming into the tournament and for those of you who read me regularly know I didn’t share them. I certainly thought she had a shot at the semis when the draw was released, but I also thought that what occurred to last night — a decisive 7-6 (5) 6-3 loss to Petrova Kvitova — was a real possibility.

The lefty Czech has tremendous talent, significant power off her forehand side, a tough to read backhand, a fine hooking first serve when she gets it in and decent hands at the net. Due to her struggle with English (and my obvious ignorance of Czech) it

Roddick Survives, to Face Stan

Wozniacki Takes Stand, Opens Up

By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net

MELBOURNE – Andy Roddick is pure scrapper these, days, holding is serve at ATP record levels (91 % of the time in 2010) and maneuvering the ball around until he coaxes an error out of his foe, or happens to get a ball he can charge in on, or occasionally, that he can put away with his forehand. He was in substantial trouble for most of two sets of his 2-6 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 win over the talented yet still green Robin Haase of the Netherlands in the third round, but Haase played an atrocious tiebreaker, began to have ankle problems and Roddick simply stayed the course. He

Roddick Survives, to Face Stan

Wozniacki takes Stand, Opens Up

Wozniacki takes Stand, Opens Up

RoddickMELBOURNE – Andy Roddick is pure scrapper these, days, holding is serve at ATP record levels (91 % of the time in 2010) and maneuvering the ball around until he coaxes an error out of his foe, or happens to get a ball he can charge in on, or occasionally, that he can put away with his forehand. He was in substantial trouble for most of two sets of his 2-6 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 win over the talented yet still green Robin Haase of the Netherlands in the third round, but Haase played an atrocious tiebreaker, began to have ankle problems and Roddick simply stayed the course. He

Out of the Chair for a Date With Date-Krumm

Radwanksa’s Inspiring Comeback, Ivanovic, Hewitt Fall in Marathons

By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net

Aga Radwanska
MALT PHOTO Aga took her 1 percent chance.

MELBOURNE – There wasn’t a more intriguing backcourt match on Tuesday morning than Aga Radwanska vs. Kimiko Date Krumm, matching a cagey 40-year-old former top 10 player against a wily 21-year-old former top player. It was Radwanska’s first match since October as she underwent foot surgery and somehow, made it back on tour nearly two months before she though she’d be able to.

The contest could have been prettier, but it was so intense and super competitive that ever though neither woman was at her best. It was worth taking in and the court was packed solid with Japanese fans with a small group of Poles sprinkled in. As the Japanese pulled Date in and out of trouble the Poles alternatively cheered and that send silent when Radwanska would either pull off a smooth winner or crack her racket in disgust after making an uncharacteristic error.

Although Radwanska is nowhere near her top form and will unlikely go deep in the tournament, she showed just how much she missed the sport over the past few months and served notice that she will be heard from again this year.

After she underwent foot surgery in October, she was told that it was likely that she wouldn