Australian Open 2025 [Men] - Grand Slam

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don’t know if it’s discussed elsewhere but I’ve only seen brief highlights of it: what do we make of Carlos new service action? Seems he’s leaning back on it a lot, which can cause strain, and might make it difficult to play in windy conditions. But I haven’t seen enough of it to say if he’s getting more power or accuracy or anything else from it.

Has he improved his serve?

I watched his practice match against Novak, though like you I didnt see enough of his serve, I know his team in the off season were going to 'work on it' it is an area he does need to improve. I will wait for his first match at the AO to get a better view.

 

[mrzz]

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Jannik Sinner

Someone duped Sinner's first name!

 

[kskate2]

Someone duped Sinner's first name!

HUSH

 

[mrzz]

I don’t know if it’s discussed elsewhere but I’ve only seen brief highlights of it: what do we make of Carlos new service action? Seems he’s leaning back on it a lot, which can cause strain, and might make it difficult to play in windy conditions. But I haven’t seen enough of it to say if he’s getting more power or accuracy or anything else from it.

Has he improved his serve?

Serve is a very sensitive area. Alcaraz and his team surely know what they are doing, but I do not think they are expecting major upgrades on such short term. Actually, I would guess they are thinking long term, and ready to sacrifice short term results for it. Anything other than that is a huge reward for a somewhat risky move.

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for Australian Open, Day 1 Round 1, January 11, 2025

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

At this year's Australian Open, coaches can choose to sit 'court - level" with the players, in pods which display real - time statistics.
As with the changed rules, players can speak t coaches while on the same side of the court ( smh.com.au/sport/tennis/c...)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Matches on the outside courts are now suspended due to rain, rain is forecast for Melbourne on and off for most of the day
Roofs are closed on RLA, MCA and John Cain Arena
Matches on outside courts will hopefully resume at 2pm local time

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Updated weather, play hopefully will start on the outside courts at 5pm local time

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Going 5 sets now on RLA match between Ruud v Munar, with Muner having the momentum taking the 4th set 62, he has really lifted his game, upped his serve, taking the ball on early, also good to see David Ferrer in his playing box. Ruud taking a bathroom break.
Ruud's bathroom break was longer than the allowed time? Ruud more experience in 5 sets matches at this level, Munar lost his momentum early in the start of the 5 set, 2 DFs early and loose shots, he never really recovered.
Ruud (6) d Munar 63 16 75 26 61

On John Cain Arena another match going 5 sets, Nishikori v Q Monteriro, Kei was down 2 sets to love, lifted his game, after playing so well at the Hong Kong tournament,, just started the 5th set
Nishikori weathers the storm, coming back from 2 sets down and saved a couple of match points to defeat Q Monteiro 46 67(4) 75 62 63

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Play has commenced on outside courts that were suspended earlier in the day
Matches cancelled for the day,
Shang - Davidovich Fokina
Niemeier - Chwalinska

 

[mrzz]

Nishikori weathers the storm, coming back from 2 sets down and saved a couple of match points to defeat Q Monteiro 46 67(4) 75 62 63

Noooooooo, Thiago, you had match points!!! Very good match, another good performance, at one point those performances will translate into results...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Noooooooo, Thiago, you had match points!!! Very good match, another good performance, at one point those performances will translate into results...

Sorry mrzz, I was certain Thiago would win, he did have the trainer out at one stage, it was a very tough 5 set match.

 

[mrzz]

Sorry mrzz, I was certain Thiago would win, he did have the trainer out at one stage, it was a very tough 5 set match.

I feel for him. He is a fighter, made his way up all by himself. Never caught a break in majors or big tournaments, one tough draw after another. A lot of idiots here in Brazil trash talk him all the time, you would not believe the comments I just saw. Aaargh! But that's tennis. It can surely make you mad...

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for Australian Open, Day 2 Round 1, January 12, 2025

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Upset Alert on John Cain Arena,
Alex Michelsen leading 2 sets to love over Tsitsipas (11) , 75 63, I am not surprised this was a danger first round match for Tsitsipas

 

[mrzz]

Upset Alert on John Cain Arena,
Alex Michelsen leading 2 sets to love over Tsitsipas (11) , 75 63, I am not surprised this was a danger first round match for Tsitsipas

I have Michelsen in my draw...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have Michelsen in my draw...

At present I am watching a womens match and then will go over and watch the match live, though Alex is down a break in the 3rd set

 

[Front242]

Fully expecting Struff to tear FAA a new one later.

 

[Moxie]

I have Michelsen in my draw...

Clever. Now he's down the early break in the 4th. I looked at this match in my draw, but thought, "Nah, surely he hasn't fallen so far as to go out first round." He well could.

 

[El Dude]

Michelsen is talented. To me this was the most likely upset of the first round, but we'll see.