Australian Open 2013: Match Thread 2

[User 774433]

First topic message reminder :

Australian Open 2013:

Information: The Australian Open is a major tennis tournament held annually over the last fortnight of January in Melbourne, Australia. First held in 1905, the tournament is chronologically the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events of the year – the other three being the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. It features men's and women's singles; men's, women's, and mixed doubles and junior's championships; as well as wheelchair, legends and exhibition events. Since 1988 the tournament has been played on hard courts at Melbourne Park.
The Australian Open typically has very high attendance, second only to the US Open. It was also the first Grand Slam tournament to feature indoor play during wet weather or extreme heat with its two primary courts, Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, equipped with retractable roofs.

Day by Day Match Reports: http://www.sportpulse.net/category/tennis

v2 Preview: https://www.606v2.com/t39437-australian-open-2013-the-contenders#1785084

Dates: January 14 - January 27

Draw: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ms/index.html

Schedule: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html

AO Rankings Points Tracker: https://www.606v2.com/t39351-points-tracker-ao-2013


Ready? Play.

Amritia3ee

[laverfan]

@SH... congratulating the victor, Murray, today, in no way demeans Federer's legacy or his achievements.

[Guest]

Just watched the Murray v Federer match.

Was well impressed with Murray's aggression. He backed his FH and took it on. Was solid on his BH. The first time I have seen Andy really go after Federer and keep him pinned to the baseline. His serving was brilliant despite the wobble in set 4.

I actually think Federer's defence kept him in the match and little pockets of brilliance at times serve a great reminder to us all that he still has it despite his age and fragile body.

The whole hoo har in the 4th. I don't care for little bits of chat between players. Christ play hard or go home. Yes it may have contributed to Andy succumbing in the 4th, but he came out in the 5th with aggression and I think maybe Federer emotionally invested a bit in sealing the 4th. What does annoy me is the window lickers moaning about Andy as if he is in the wrong. Don't watch tennis or sport for that matter if you don't like a bit of needle.

Last word goes to Mats Wilander.

Hi Mats. I hope you read this. Can you strangle the jerk that is Simon Reed!! What an unprofessional hand shuffler!! In the 3rd set was ruined when he was stuffing his face and wriggling about making a right racket in the booth!! This is why Sky Sports and the BBC kick Eurosport's arss in coverage of tennis!

If you can do that Mats I would really appreciate it

[carrieg4]

Agree with all of the above with the possible exception of the incitement to murder.

[Guest]

Agree with all of the above with the possible exception of the incitement to murder.

Did you not hear it?? I was in disbelief

I turned to me mum and said "I don't believe it. He is actually stuffing his face on air. Greedy little Poopie!"

It deserves capital punishment on top of his dreadful articles

[carrieg4]

I was watching it on BBC listening to Andrew Castle and John Lloyd - I don't know which is worse

[Guest]

As you are now a fellow Sky subscriber, check out Eurosport for the highlights. It can't escape

I would gladly suffer Castle and Lloyd than someone eating on air during a broadcast.

[The Special Juan]

On a random note, why did Federer's camp cover the camera?

[Danny_1982]

LK - I heard it. Annoyed the hell out of me. Very unprofessional.

Carrie - I feel for you having to listen to Lloyd and his BS. I assume he used his two favourite phrases at some point "that's just scary tennis" and "that's just ridiculous tennis".

How I wish Sky would buy rights to all tennis...

[carrieg4]

Carrie - I feel for you having to listen to Lloyd and his BS. I assume he used his two favourite phrases at some point "that's just scary tennis" and "that's just ridiculous tennis".

Yes to both The one that really bugs me is Castles "that shot asked a question"

[Danny_1982]

Carrie - I feel for you having to listen to Lloyd and his BS. I assume he used his two favourite phrases at some point "that's just scary tennis" and "that's just ridiculous tennis".

Yes to both The one that really bugs me is Castles "that shot asked a question"

I know Castle has to appeal to a wider audience, but it really bugs me that he assumes the audience has no knowledge. Like when he explains the rules of a tie break before one begins.

Plus he looks so smug, and like he fancies himself...

And in spite of all this, I actually PREFER him to Lloyd!!

[carrieg4]

Carrie - I feel for you having to listen to Lloyd and his BS. I assume he used his two favourite phrases at some point "that's just scary tennis" and "that's just ridiculous tennis".

Yes to both The one that really bugs me is Castles "that shot asked a question"

I know Castle has to appeal to a wider audience, but it really bugs me that he assumes the audience has no knowledge. Like when he explains the rules of a tie break before one begins.

Plus he looks so smug, and like he fancies himself...

And in spite of all this, I actually PREFER him to Lloyd!!

Me too. Can't stand Lloyd. Loved it when he was commentating on a Wimbledon match with John Mcenroe, Lloyd was going through a let's whine about Murray phase and Mcenroe was having none of it!

As for commentators, we really need Robbie Koenig for these matches.

[CAS]

I'm still baffled how it even went 5 sets, Federer served poorly, didn't hit any 'wow' shots that I remember and hit few winners and lots of UE, where Murray hit so many winners and less errors. Its a miracle it went 5 really, should have really been 3 tbh

[summerblues]

Very solid from Murray. The score flatters Federer. When Andy broke for 6:5 in the fourth, I expected him to win 7:5, and even then I was thinking the score looked too good for Roger. With the exception of the last two games of that 4th set, it was pretty much always Murray who looked the better player. Federer was just barely hanging on and - I suppose - through his experience managed to sneak two sets. This could have easily been a straight set affair.

Andy looked better in Roger in so many areas, but if I were to pick one, I would say his returning was most important for the result. Federer was just not getting any easy points on his serve, every point started sort of in neutral position. I actually thought Federer's baseline game held up quite well, or else this could have looked far worse.

Difficult to see what Roger should have done differently as there were almost no areas of his game where he had the edge over Andy today. One thing I thought he could have done was to return more aggressively on more of Andy's second serves. Nevertheless, hard to see how that would have made much difference.

Well done Murray, who is now in his third straight slam final. Can he repeat what he did at the USO? It is 50-50 for me.

[ryan86]

No one watching the bloodbath womens final?

[CaledonianCraig]

Yes I have it on ryan. Hope Li Na wins.

[ryan86]

My heart says Li Na, my wallet says Azarenka.

[Mad for Chelsea]

I'm watching, there's actually some really good tennis being played by both.

[CaledonianCraig]

I'm watching, there's actually some really good tennis being played by both.

Agreed MfC.

[Mad for Chelsea]

bit of controversy there with a line-call. Azarenka hits a FH which seems to skid on a bit off the baseline and Li Na is hurried into missing her next shot, but it's called out. Azarenka challenges, correctly, and wants the point but it's replayed. I think the chair umpire got that one wrong actually, but it won't endear Azarenka to the crowd any further.

Scarecely matters though, Azarenka takes the replayed point and has the break.

[The Special Juan]

Come on Li Na!! Booooo Azarenka!!

It's been quite an enjoyable match. Ok, it's filled with errors and breaks but Li Na is quite a character and looks to be enjoying herself a lot, plus she's pulling off some wonderful shots.

[Taylorman]

That poor animal with a broken leg whine of Azarenkas is so annoying that sometimes I wished Li Na smacked the ball straight at her mouth to shut it up. Completely ruins the spectacle. Na's had a couple of knocks and in longer rallies seems to be dropping her shots closer to the net, then sure enough nets them.

[The Special Juan]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! Undeserved victory.

[Mad for Chelsea]

well done Azarenka

[Il Gialloblu]

Good effort Li Na. Can't be easy playing against Ric Flair.

That's the first time I've seen Azarenka play. Had to turn the sound down.

[The Special Juan]

I love how the crowd really loathe her, like myself. Has there ever been a more unpopular player, especially in Australia?

[GunsGerms]

Theyre all at it nowadays so its really nice to see a good womans tennis player thar doesnt grunt. For thay reason I wanted Na to win. Though not sure why Azarenka is so disliked.

[carrieg4]

According to Neil Harman it is due to be 22C, breezy with a chance of showers for tomorrows match.

[Il Gialloblu]

The normal grunting has never bothered me, I never found it annoying... But Azarenka's woooo! got on my t!ts straight away today.

Shouldn't be about that though really, congratulations to her for winning it.

[barrystar]

Azarenka vs. Sharapova is not watchable live or with the sound up.

[break_in_the_fifth]

I was saying this exact same thing about her on another thread. Really disappointed that Li Na lost, had she won it might have made up for Fed losing.

[Henman Bill]

I wonder how many millions of dollars a year in lost sponsorship and attendance money Azarenka costs the tour, her colleagues, the WTA etc.

[User 774433]

Today I was playing in a exhibition friendly set against the top guy at my club.
It was a friendly so just first to 6 games.

Anyway I went 4-1 down, he was out-hitting me. He looked at me really smugly as I sat down and positioned my water bottles.
I was quite annoyed by this, so then I started doing the high pitched Azarenka scream every time I hit the ball. Really loudly.
I think that a boy doing that really put him off, his game seemed to collapse and I won 7-5.
Good win for me.

[The Special Juan]

Today I was playing in a exhibition friendly set against the top guy at my club.
It was a friendly so just first to 6 games.

Anyway I went 4-1 down, he was out-hitting me. He looked at me really smugly as I sat down and positioned my water bottles.
I was quite annoyed by this, so then I started doing the high pitched Azarenka scream every time I hit the ball. Really loudly.
I think that a boy doing that really put him off, his game seemed to collapse and I won 7-5.
Good win for me.

Were you playing Berdych? He must have seen the finishing line and bottled it. (no pun intended)




Azarenka's impression of a banshee is about 70% of why I don't like her. 25% is her interaction with the crowd: there is none. She walks on with her hood up and listens to music. IMO it's unacceptable. The 5% is what she did a couple of days ago.

[The Special Juan]

Oh, well done to the Bryans who are now most successful doubles pairing of all time.

[summerblues]

Today I was playing in a exhibition friendly set against the top guy at my club.
It was a friendly so just first to 6 games.

Anyway I went 4-1 down, he was out-hitting me. He looked at me really smugly as I sat down and positioned my water bottles.
I was quite annoyed by this, so then I started doing the high pitched Azarenka scream every time I hit the ball. Really loudly.
I think that a boy doing that really put him off, his game seemed to collapse and I won 7-5.
Good win for me.

I think shrieking's impact is overrated, it was your loopy forehand to his backhand that wore him out.

[bogbrush]

Oh, well done to the Bryans who are now most successful doubles pairing of all time.

I'm calling weak era on that for sure.

[The Special Juan]

Are you saying Granollers and Lopez aren't top class? *cough*

[User 774433]

Today I was playing in a exhibition friendly set against the top guy at my club.
It was a friendly so just first to 6 games.

Anyway I went 4-1 down, he was out-hitting me. He looked at me really smugly as I sat down and positioned my water bottles.
I was quite annoyed by this, so then I started doing the high pitched Azarenka scream every time I hit the ball. Really loudly.
I think that a boy doing that really put him off, his game seemed to collapse and I won 7-5.
Good win for me.

I think shrieking's impact is overrated, it was your loopy forehand to his backhand that wore him out.

No, there was a low rood so I couldn't moonball properly.
Very unfair

[The Special Juan]

Have a good 'un socal + Murdoch. May the best man on the day win.



(Also, I've just thought about Hutchins and I think Murray will do it for him)

[carrieg4]

Will not post during the match tomorrow, too busy hiding behind the sofa.

As TSJ said, may the best man on the day win.

Should be a great match

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