Australian Open Day 1: Monday, January 19

[tented]

---

Click here for Day 1 Order of Play

(All matches, on all courts, are listed in order to give you a feel for when everything will begin and end.)

---

Please use this thread to discuss Day 1 action.

---

 

[TsarMatt]

I can't wait! Looking forward to see Nadal and Federer play, but particularly the former whose form going into the AO has been questionable at best. I still think he'll win rather comfortably, though.

We'll see how Kyrgios goes - he really hasn't had that much preparation, withdrawing from the Hopman Cup and only playing one match at Sydney, but I'm confident he'll win. Same goes with Tomic, too.

Dimitrov vs. Brown should be an entertaining match, as well, but I'll most be looking forward to Kokkinakis vs. Gulbis. I have a feeling this will be a close one, especially with the crowd playing a role.

So many matches I can not wait to see. I'll be a couch potato for the next two weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to attend the AO at least once or twice this year, we'll see.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal vs. Youzhny is today? Awesome.

I usually don't get excited for the first couple of rounds because I just want them out of the way so that the serious stuff begins but with Nadal's form and the fact that his opponent is no scrub, I'm game for this.

Time to start living on Melbourne time for two weeks I guess. My vacation has been timely (It's a coincidence...I'm sure).

 

[Vince Evert]

I guess everyone whether they're Nadal fans or not, are looking forward to his Opening round match just to see where he's at at this time. I don't understand, however, TsarMatt comment about Nadal: "whose form going into the AO has been questionable at best". Are you basing that on his recent loss to Murray, 6-2, 6-0 at the Mubadala Tennis Championships ?!?? Doesn't count. It's the Slams and Bo5 that will give us better indication.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I guess everyone whether they're Nadal fans or not, are looking forward to his Opening round match just to see where he's at at this time. I don't understand, however, TsarMatt comment about Nadal: "whose form going into the AO has been questionable at best". Are you basing that on his recent loss to Murray, 6-2, 6-0 at the Mubadala Tennis Championships ?!?? Doesn't count. It's the Slams and Bo5 that will give us better indication.

Probably his loss to Berrer too.

 

[TsarMatt]

Perhaps "questionable" isn't the right word. I just meant that with the surgeries, the injuries, and his recent shock loss in R1 of that tournament a week or so back, there is no doubting some of the skepticism surrounding his form.

 

[mrzz]

I think there's no doubt that Nadal's form is poor right now. The thing is that he is part of the bunch who can:

a) Raise his level considerably in two or three weeks;
b) Find a way to win even with his C- game;
c) Know how to win a major.

So what people are left guessing about actually is his end result, and translate it in to his form.

If people were not sure his form is poor, they wouldn't be considering that he may lose early. But, given the points above, he may found himself in the quarters. Then, his form in *that* moment will be key, and his loss to Berrer could seem a distant memory by then, depending on how he got there.

Honestly, I don't expect much from Nadal this time around, and to my eyes it would be yet another proof of greatness if he finds a way to make the final (not that it was needed).

 

[Vince Evert]

I think there's no doubt that Nadal's form is poor right now. The thing is that he is part of the bunch who can:

a) Raise his level considerably in two or three weeks;
b) Find a way to win even with his C- game;
c) Know how to win a major.

So what people are left guessing about actually is his end result, and translate it in to his form.

If people were not sure his form is poor, they wouldn't be considering that he may lose early. But, given the points above, he may found himself in the quarters. Then, his form in *that* moment will be key, and his loss to Berrer could seem a distant memory by then, depending on how he got there.

Honestly, I don't expect much from Nadal this time around, and to my eyes it would be yet another proof of greatness if he finds a way to make the final (not that it was needed).

Being the antithesis of a Rafa fan, I now find myself unlikely position of defending him.

Mate, Bo3 set match in some mickey mouse tournament is a different animal to Bo5 in a GS. Therefore you cannot gauge his 'form' until the first round match vs Youzhny is over. The russian's a real seasoned campaigner and that will be the ultimate test for Nadal's form. We shall see. Is it a day or night scheduled match ?

 

[Vince Evert]

Perhaps "questionable" isn't the right word. I just meant that with the surgeries, the injuries, and his recent shock loss in R1 of that tournament a week or so back, there is no doubting some of the skepticism surrounding his form.

Which tournament and on what surface ?

Mate, Channel Seven here are really hyping up Nick Kyrigos, big time. They showing the 4th set (twice this week) of his Wimbledon upset of Nadal. I really wish that the media in this country would cease building Nick up as the next big thing for Australian Tennis. Nick has also played little tennis since Wimbledon because of injury.

 

[mrzz]

^I know that, but I also know what I saw in the last six months. People can only use evidence at their disposal. So, when I wrote "right now", I meant "according to the last set of evidence". However, 2 weeks have passed, so...

 

[Vince Evert]

Just found out. It's scheduled for 2:00pm on Monday -

Men’s Singles – Round 1
Rafael Nadal (ESP) (3) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

What's Youzhny's H2H record like against Nadal and also tournament record over the last 6 months been like ?

 

[brokenshoelace]

Perhaps "questionable" isn't the right word. I just meant that with the surgeries, the injuries, and his recent shock loss in R1 of that tournament a week or so back, there is no doubting some of the skepticism surrounding his form.

Questionable is the right word. I'd go further and say his form has been poor. It was a fair assessment.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I can't wait! Looking forward to see Nadal and Federer play, but particularly the former whose form going into the AO has been questionable at best. I still think he'll win rather comfortably, though.

We'll see how Kyrgios goes - he really hasn't had that much preparation, withdrawing from the Hopman Cup and only playing one match at Sydney, but I'm confident he'll win. Same goes with Tomic, too.

Dimitrov vs. Brown should be an entertaining match, as well, but I'll most be looking forward to Kokkinakis vs. Gulbis. I have a feeling this will be a close one, especially with the crowd playing a role.

So many matches I can not wait to see. I'll be a couch potato for the next two weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to attend the AO at least once or twice this year, we'll see.

I dont think Nick should have entered Apia at all,he had to have 3 physio sessions on his back a day just to play Sydney,he still has niggling injuries,his back and has picked up a left knee injury,I cant see him going far at all quite frankly,Tomic needs to improve his transition game to the net,he never was a good volley player even in juniors,that was evident in his match against Muller at Apia,who he has never beaten in 4 matches.Tomic needs a new coach,of course that wont happen

 

[tented]

The full schedule has been released, so I updated the OOP.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I agree with Nadal's form right now that is poor that's why Nadal's fans like myself are not that optimistic about his chances winning the whole tournament. However, Nadal is the type of the player that could win a Slam even being rusty just because of his willpower and mental toughness.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal just needs to get to the second week. He'll start finding his groove then.

 

[Vince Evert]

Nadal just needs to get to the second week. He'll start finding his groove then.

And what if he has long grinding,matches in the first week and QF ? Do you think at 28 years he will have enough in the tank left ? I'm hoping that will be the case so that by the time Roger faces him in the SF, the spanish time waster will be comprehensively thrashed :laydownlaughing

 

[Vince Evert]

Let's examine Nadal's H2H vs Youzhny-

2014 Rome Masters R16 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-7(4) 6-2 6-1
2013 Madrid Masters R16 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-2 6-3
2012 Doha QF Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-4 6-4
2010 US Open SF Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-2 6-3 6-4
2008 Chennai F Hard Youzhny d. Nadal 6-0 6-1
2008 Wimbledon R16 Grass Nadal d. Youzhny 6-3 6-3 6-1
2007 Paris Masters QF Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-4 6-2
2007 Wimbledon R16 Grass Nadal d. Youzhny 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-2
2007 Rome Masters R16 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-2 6-2
2007 Dubai QF Hard Youzhny d Nadal 7-6(5) 6-3
2006 US Open QF Hard Youzhny d. Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6(5) 6-1
2005 Rome Masters R64 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-0 6-2
2005 Australian Open R64 Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-1 4-6 4-6 7-5 6-3
2005 Doha R32 Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-3 7-6(3)
2004 Dubai QF Hard Youzhny d. Nadal 6-2 1-6 6-1

15 matches over 11 years and Nadal won 11 of those. A telling stat is the 4 of Youzhny's wins
was on Hardcourts. On those stats Nadal fans have every right to be nervous. Bring it on Mikhail :laydownlaughing

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I like the chances of my fav young Aussie Kokkinakis playing Gilbus.I think that Kokkinakis can match Gilbus off the ground,wait till Kokkinakis grows physically his fhand now is laser like,it will be scary,at times it reminds me of Del Potro's fhand in ways,it does have some spin on it.

 

[Kieran]

Let's examine Nadal's H2H vs Youzhny-

2014 Rome Masters R16 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-7(4) 6-2 6-1
2013 Madrid Masters R16 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-2 6-3
2012 Doha QF Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-4 6-4
2010 US Open SF Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-2 6-3 6-4
2008 Chennai F Hard Youzhny d. Nadal 6-0 6-1
2008 Wimbledon R16 Grass Nadal d. Youzhny 6-3 6-3 6-1
2007 Paris Masters QF Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-4 6-2
2007 Wimbledon R16 Grass Nadal d. Youzhny 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-2
2007 Rome Masters R16 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-2 6-2
2007 Dubai QF Hard Youzhny d Nadal 7-6(5) 6-3
2006 US Open QF Hard Youzhny d. Nadal 6-3 5-7 7-6(5) 6-1
2005 Rome Masters R64 Clay Nadal d. Youzhny 6-0 6-2
2005 Australian Open R64 Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-1 4-6 4-6 7-5 6-3
2005 Doha R32 Hard Nadal d. Youzhny 6-3 7-6(3)
2004 Dubai QF Hard Youzhny d. Nadal 6-2 1-6 6-1

15 matches over 11 years and Nadal won 11 of those. A telling stat is the 4 of Youzhny's wins
was on Hardcourts. On those stats Nadal fans have every right to be nervous. Bring it on Mikhail :laydownlaughing

Youzhny annoyed Rafa at some stage early on, I can't remember how, but it was something like how Berdy did - then neither of them hardly took scraps off the Nadal table since. It tells us more that Youzhny is currently facing Rafa in the first round, and not later, than anything about Rafa's comeback and lack of match fitness...