Australian Open 2016

[britbox]

Upset of the day S.Zhang ranked 133 defeated Halep 2nd seed 64 63



Has to be the biggest upset of the day at the AO.



Well done to Zhang 27 years old from China!!!!! she took the ball early and was too aggressive for Halep,first time into rd 2 of a Grand Slam!

Huge upset really - Halep was playing pretty well coming into the AO.

 

[Carol]

Meanwhile Verdasco has said: "I closed my eyes and everything went very well, better than I was expecting, my serve, the shots, everything. I was remembering the 2009 and I didn't want to lose that match again, I was very concentrated and everything worked very good"

The problem is that he can't do that very often

 

[britbox]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJaZn4Lge5w

 

[britbox]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBop9_Wqpuk

 

[britbox]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRCTJ3ZYl6o

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Britbox even though she lost to Sveta in Sydney where she did have her chances to win that match,my main concern was her movement heading into the AO.Zheng took the ball early,went for her shots,played aggressive all match.Zheng deserved her win,also Zheng is an accomplished doubles player.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BTW Halep has now lost in the 1st rd at the AO 3 times in the past five years (2012,2013,2016).

 

[Billie]

Halep losing is a big upset, but it seems that this major is kind of cursed for her, looking at the stat that Margaret posted above.

Venus was out of sorts as well.  But the kudos have to go to their opponents, they played well.

 

[Billie]

Due to rain, only 2 matches are being played right now:  Masha is winning easily but Svetlana is in big trouble, down 1:6 and 1:4....

 

[MashaFan]

Maria Sharapova (RUS) def  Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 62, 61 - 5 matches to go

GO Masha!!!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

S.Williams d S.Hsieh 61 62 after this win for Serena she is 70-9 at the AO.Just an incredible stat.Serena is my pick to win,Azarenka is my dark horse.I have projected a Serena v Vika final,we shall see no?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Another seed bites the dust.Daria Gavrilova d Petra Kvitova 64 64,for Daria it is the first time she has made it to the 3rd rd of a Grand Slam tournament.She was aggressive on return.One of the most important factors is Garia's mentality,she never gives up.Daria did have a small blip when serving for the match,she got broken,I felt nerves got in the way,though she broke Petra right back to win the match.Well done Daria!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Another seed bites the dust.Daria Gavrilova d Petra Kvitova 64 64,for Daria it is the first time she has made it to the 3rd rd of a Grand Slam tournament.She was aggressive on return.One of the most important factors is Garia’s mentality,she never gives up.Daria did have a small blip when serving for the match,she got broken,I felt nerves got in the way,though she broke Petra right back to win the match.Well done Daria!

Petra was the 6th seed

 

[britbox]

Ana Ivanovic through. I wonder if Flipkens can make things interesting against Garbine.

 

[Carol]

Garbiñe 6-4  

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Great win for Japan's 18 year old Naomi Osaka ranked 127th in the world defeating Elina Svitolina 18th seed 64 64.

Osaka hit 27 winners.Naomi strongest shot would be her fhand,she does go for her shots.Naomi is no longer restricted in the number of tournaments she can play since turning 18 years of age.Naomi is projected to play Azarenka next the match I am currently watching.

 

Well done Naomi!

 

[Carol]

Garbiñe 5-1 second set and......maybe 6-2 and match?

 

[Carol]

Yep, 6-4  6-2, match and.......next!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Britbox,if this match was on grass I believe Flipkens would make it interesting,to me that is her best surface.Just went and watch their match pretty routine win for Garbine 64 62.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Azarenka (14) d Kovinic 61 62.

 

BTW Azarenka and Muguruza are heading to a highly anticipated R16 clash.