2015 Australian Open Draw

[Front242]

All over for poor Del Potro and Djokovic is unwell. Great start to the tournament so far.

What's wrong with Djokovic?

He had the flu apparently. Says he's ok now though.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/01/djokovic-set-to-play-australian-open-recovers-from-flu/53650/#.VLujmS5VV0I

 

[mrzz]

If Rafa were to face Roger in the first round, then, yes, it would be a golden opportunity for Federer to beat Rafa at a slam for the first time since 2007. However, given that they would meet in a SF, that would mean Rafa will have had five rounds, and nearly two weeks to play himself into form. That's an entirely different scenario than meeting on the first day of the tournament.

I'm answering here your post from the other thread, Tented.

Yes, the above is completely true, but even if Nadal makes it to the semis I'll give Federer a shot. Yes, the obvious thing to happen is a repeat of the last events, and for some is very palatable to think of it as a sure thing.

But it is not, and that's a point I'm willing to make for a while: from mid-2014 onwards, Federer's backhand is simply much more solid. Match in, match out, you see much less shanks, much less UFE's from that wing. I did not check the stats, but I saw a fair share of matches to be quite sure of this.

Surely Nadal will test it more than the others, but one way or another the difference is there, and statistically he will get much less free points from there. And there's a side effect, as Federer wont need to take that much unnecessary risks knowing that he might miss the very next ball. All else being equal (which, by the way, it is not) just that is enough to see that he has a better shot than he had in 2013 and 2014.

Am I saying that Federer is a lock to beat Nadal at the AUSO? Hell, no. Am I saying that he is the favourite? No (he needs to beat him at least once this year for me take this step). I am saying he has a good, I would say around 40%, chance to beat him if they meet.

And, if I was him, I would want the chance to do that.

 

[Carol]

Murray will lose to Dimitrov in round 4

I hope not :cry

 

[Carol]

I'm sorry for Delpo and his fans but that's not a good sign for his tennis career, too much problem with his wrists. He went twice through a surgery but sometimes it's not the best alternative, we'll see......

 

[Front242]

It was the only alternative. He couldn't play at all either way with or without surgery. At least now when he does finally come back there's a chance he'll be able to play with less pain.

 

[Riotbeard]

Disappointing for delpo, but it's probably a smart move. five sets is a lot so soon. I think waiting to start after the AO paid off for nadal.

 

[shawnbm]

Melbourne is sixteen hours ahead of the east coast of the USA. So, does that mean Tennis Channel will begin broadcasting live coverage from Melbourne this (Sunday) evening?

 

[Kieran]

Federer says he'll take his off-season break after Oz is ended. “The off-season didn’t seem like an off-season, to be quite honest,” Federer said as he looked back over his busy time at the end of last year. “I only had eight days off. Then I went back into practice...So my year-end will come after the Australian Open. I can’t wait for it to come around.”

It's a risky strategy at his age, but if anyone can endure without sleep, it's surely the father of two sets of twins! :snigger

I'm off now for my Slam Break! Enjoy the tennis. Oh, and two words: Vam OX!!! :clap

 

[Front242]

^ Should do yup. 11 hours ahead of here which also means I'll miss all the matches as the first one starts at midnight and gotta get up at 5:30am. It's the worst slam for me here and likely most in Europe who get up early for work as I'll miss most of the tournament save for weekend matches :nono

 

[tented]

Melbourne is sixteen hours ahead of the east coast of the USA. So, does that mean Tennis Channel will begin broadcasting live coverage from Melbourne this (Sunday) evening?

ESPN2 (not the Tennis Channel) begins broadcasting at 7 PM [Eastern].

 

[shawnbm]

Thanks tented

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well at least now living in Sydney Australia I finally get to watch matches on my time zone,instead of having to set my alarm to wake up at 1.00am in the morning when the tour leaves Australia.
That is when I become a 'walking zombie' for the rest of the tennis season.

 

[Vince Evert]

GO Roger !!! GAME, SET, MATCH, CHAMPIONSHIP ROGER FEDERER. It would be poetic justice if he beats the two greatest time-wasters in the game back to back, LOL, LOL, LOL