Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Well the first Grand Slam gets underway on the 16th of January in Melbourne, Australia. And I am pleased to say that I have tickets for the first four days, or the opening 2 rounds. I am disappointed by the news that Andre Agassi has pulled out of the Australian Open because of a lingering ankle injury. Really bad news for Australian fans, as we may have seen the last of this unbelievable player. I was looking forward to seeing him one more time. Also in doubt for the Open is World No.2 Rafael Nadal, Marat Safin and on the woman’s side Maria Sharapova. All I can say is that if they all pull out, I am going to be extremely angry. My predictions for this tournament are that 18 year old Ana Ivanovic will show everyone why she is the most exciting young talent in the game, and also 16 year old Victoria Azarenka could cause some upsets. Keep an eye out on these ladies. I am tipping Federer to once again come out on top, and Kim Clijsters on the women’s side. And on a positive note, Martina Hingis is back and has received a wildcard for the tournament. It will be great to see if she still has what it takes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Federer always has to be the favorite. I am truly hoping Roddick will be able to solve him some time soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 7, 2006 "Martina Hingis faces her first major test since announcing her comeback to professional tennis after being drawn to play Justine Henin-Hardenne in the first round of the Sydney International." What an awesome match it promises to be, just the start of the road to the Australian Open. Other news around the globe is that Roger Federer has reached yet another final (suprise, suprise) and is up against 19 year-old Gael Monfils in the Qatar Open. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 Well I’m pretty annoyed, Marat Safin, Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi have all withdrawn, and Carlos Moya is in doubt. On the women’s side, Alicia Molik isn’t playing and Nadia Petrova is also doubtful. Would any more players like to be in doubt? Well I think everyone should be well aware of Ana Ivanovic now, she defeated World No.3 Mauresmo yesterday and looms as a real threat for the Open. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 Well I’m pretty annoyed, Marat Safin, Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi have all withdrawn, and Carlos Moya is in doubt. On the women’s side, Alicia Molik isn’t playing and Nadia Petrova is also doubtful. Would any more players like to be in doubt? Well I think everyone should be well aware of Ana Ivanovic now, she defeated World No.3 Mauresmo yesterday and looms as a real threat for the Open. I haven't paid much attention but I saw on the ticker that all of these players withdrew. Agassi doesn't surprise me. I really like to watch Safin and thought he would defend his title. Alicia Molik was really fun to watch last year - maybe that was her big day in the sun - who knows. Anyhow I will be watching when play gets underway - alot of matches come on here late eve-night so I get to see them live! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Day One- Feature Matches: (1) Davenport v Dellacqua (4) Sharapova v Kloesel (9) Dementieva v Schruff Dokic v Razzano (2) Roddick v Lammer (20) Blake v Acasuso And my favourite for the day, (25) Kirilenko v Linetskaya. Well make sure you look closely because you may see me on the TV, I'm going for the first 4 days! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 20, 2006 Well just got back from the Tennis, and how many new posts since I've been gone? Zero. Ah well nothing new I guess.... I took plenty of shots, most of which are of Maria Kirilenko. She's beautiful and an extremely nice person. Enjoy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruiser008 37 Report post Posted January 23, 2006 (edited) Nice pics. That girl has questionable fashion sense but she's a looker Really glad to see Hingis back and rolling. Federer is unstoppable, but who's gonna win on the women's side? Edited January 23, 2006 by Cruiser008 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 23, 2006 Nice pics. That girl has questionable fashion sense but she's a looker Really glad to see Hingis back and rolling. Federer is unstoppable, but who's gonna win on the women's side? "Questionable fashion sense", are you serious, they look stunning on her! Yes well Federer is just a joke, I don't know how anyone can beat him. Although right now, Tommy Haas has just taken the third set off him. It is awesome to see Hingis back and playing well, she just beat Aussie Sam Stosur tonight. I hate to say it, but Mauresmo is looking very strong, but she'll probably choke again. One QF is Henin v Davenport, what a match that should be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lordstanleyofpreston 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2006 Roddick wasn't very impressive out there against Baghdatis. At least he has plenty of time to turn things around to give Federer a run for his money at the All England Club. P.S. Melbourne looks like a magnificent city. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted January 24, 2006 Not the best Aussie Open if you ask me. I'm interested a bit in Hingis' return and possibly having Davenport in the finals again. On the men's side - pretty boring. With Hewitt, Roddick out it's pretty much going to be Federer blows out fill in the blank for the rest of the tournament. Not that either of those guys had a shot anyhow.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Not the best Aussie Open if you ask me. I'm interested a bit in Hingis' return and possibly having Davenport in the finals again. On the men's side - pretty boring. With Hewitt, Roddick out it's pretty much going to be Federer blows out fill in the blank for the rest of the tournament. Not that either of those guys had a shot anyhow.... I think the best game of the tournament was Thomas Johansson v Xavier Malisse. It was a second round night match, went to five sets. I was at the game and the tension was incredible. But I doubt you would have seen the game, because it wasn't as high profile as some other matches. Other classics were Federer-Haas and last night's Ljubicic-Baghdatis thriller. Yes the return of Hingis has been great, I can't believe how well she's doing already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 26, 2006 What an unbelievable game Sharapova v Henin was. Some people have been questioning the quality of matches at this years Australian Open, but this match was incredible. It was worthy of being the Final. I was so impressed by Sharapova, she hits the ball with so much angle, and has so much power, especially off her backhand. I genuinely believe she would be pretty much unbeatable if she worked on one thing, her play at net. On so many occasions she could have come in and finished off the point, only to allow Henin back in because she retreated back to the baseline. This is the opposite of Kirilenko, she is always looking for the opportunity to come in to net. However Henin was just too good, I was amazed at her ability to stay in the point, and make Sharapova hit one more ball. She just will not go away, imagine the frustration playing her! Her ground strokes are lethal, but her biggest weapon is her determination. Now lets hope Clijsters can win the other Semi and set up an all Belgium Final. Did anyone catch the Federer v Davydenko game yesterday? The Russian 5th seed had 6 set points in the 3rd set to take a 2 sets to 1 lead. And in summary, he choked. He lost them all, and double faulted when Federer had his first set point. If only he held his nerve things could have been very different. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted January 27, 2006 Yup that was a great women's semifinal last night. I thought Sharapova was going to take her - couple of bad calls aside I thought she came real close. I hope she gets just a little better and gets back into finals. Not too interested in the women's now. I was pulling for Clijsters on the other half - Mauresmo doesn't thrill me. The all Belgian final would have been fun. I'm not a big Henin-Hardenne fan but I'd bet on her winning. p.s. cool pics above Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted January 27, 2006 Yup that was a great women's semifinal last night. I thought Sharapova was going to take her - couple of bad calls aside I thought she came real close. I hope she gets just a little better and gets back into finals. Not too interested in the women's now. I was pulling for Clijsters on the other half - Mauresmo doesn't thrill me. The all Belgian final would have been fun. I'm not a big Henin-Hardenne fan but I'd bet on her winning. p.s. cool pics above Well I cannot stand Mauresmo, and although I don't particulary like Henin either, I will be supporting her. Sharapova lost to the eventual champion in every Grand Slam last year, so it shows how close she is to another break through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted January 31, 2006 Yeah what a crappy women's final - tuned in for the end of the 6-0 first set. I left for a few minutes and it was over - I can't belive that girl (Henin) just up and quit. Stomach bug right..........just reiterates my hopes for a Sharapova-Clijsters final were justified. I saw the replay of the Federer match - I didn't know the score since it didn't make the morning paper - I really though Bagdatis (sp?) was going to win after the first set - but how stupid of me, Superman put his cape back on and the match got very boring from then on.............. See you in a few months for the next tourney.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted February 1, 2006 Yeh the women's final was very disappointing. I was in disbelief when Henin retired. The point before she called the trainer, she won a 30+ stroke rally. Surely she could have kept playing if she had to. She then lost the first two points on her serve and called it quits. Firstly it's a Grand Slam Final, you keep playing regardless, and to retire from a bit of a stomach upset? I’m far from a fan of Mauresmo, but at least give her the joy of ‘winning’ the match, how can she truly enjoy the victory when she didn’t even win Championship Point? The men's final was a better game. Baghdatis really played well in the opening two sets; in fact he should have taken them both. However Federer showed his class, fitness and just destroyed him in the last two sets. And he showed so much emotion after the game, he could barely speak during his speech. So I guess we'll talk again once the French Open starts.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
