Australian Open Day 5: Friday, January 23

[tented]

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Click here for Day 5 Order of Play

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

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Please use this thread to discuss Day 5 action.

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[tented]

Only a partial schedule has been released so far. I'll update it when the rest is released.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Poor Andy! Being in the same half as both Roger and Rafa, Andy could not anywhere near
center court (RLA) yet. Let us see whether they put him over there for his showdown with
Baby Fed at least. Of course, it is also possible that he might have to wait for his match
against Papa Fed.

 

[rafanoy1992]

After struggling against Tim Smyczek, I don't even know what to expect from Nadal. I know he should win this match but his confidence just not there yet after what happened last match. I just hope he continues to fight and play a lot better.

 

[tented]

The schedule has been updated.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Now the tournament truly comes to life, even though it's been interesting already. With Nadal's form, every match he's in is worth watching because you never know what might happen. I think Seppi will prove to be a challenge for Roger, not necessarily score wise, but he's at least good enough from the baseline to force Roger not to go through the motions and actually show up and play.

Baghdatis-Dimitrov should have some good shot-making.

 

[Federberg]

Poor Andy! Being in the same half as both Roger and Rafa, Andy could not anywhere near
center court (RLA) yet. Let us see whether they put him over there for his showdown with
Baby Fed at least. Of course, it is also possible that he might have to wait for his match
against Papa Fed.

It would be absolutely criminal if Murray isn't on RLA for that match! That's a big draw match surely. In fact that should be the night match on that day. So if they want to fit Rafa and Roger on RLA it should be in the afternoon session. Frankly it would be a terrible thing if one of them is on the MCA or whatever the next best one is called. Is Rafa playing anyone as accomplished as Seppi?

 

[Federberg]

Ooops.. I'm mixing up days! Obviously Murray isn't playing Dimi in the next round. But when (if?) that match happens it's surely going to be the big one of the round

 

[the AntiPusher]

Now the tournament truly comes to life, even though it's been interesting already. With Nadal's form, every match he's in is worth watching because you never know what might happen. I think Seppi will prove to be a challenge for Roger, not necessarily score wise, but he's at least good enough from the baseline to force Roger not to go through the motions and actually show up and play.

Baghdatis-Dimitrov should have some good shot-making.

This is a very dangerous match for Baby Fed if Baggy is in good form. Its funny, I never notice anything from him until AO, Why?

 

[Federberg]

Now the tournament truly comes to life, even though it's been interesting already. With Nadal's form, every match he's in is worth watching because you never know what might happen. I think Seppi will prove to be a challenge for Roger, not necessarily score wise, but he's at least good enough from the baseline to force Roger not to go through the motions and actually show up and play.

Baghdatis-Dimitrov should have some good shot-making.

This is a very dangerous match for Baby Fed if Baggy is in good form. Its funny, I never notice anything from him until AO, Why?

Haha! I was just thinking that he only seems to pop up at the AO and Wimbledon. I suspect it's injuries

 

[brokenshoelace]

Yeah, it's true re: Baghdatis and the AO. Pretty weird.

 

[Carol]

After struggling against Tim Smyczek, I don't even know what to expect from Nadal. I know he should win this match but his confidence just not there yet after what happened last match. I just hope he continues to fight and play a lot better.

Poor Rafa, I can imagine what he went through suffering from the stomach, nausea and dehydration, he thought that he went to faint but even that he continued playing, jzzz what a brave man!
Today (tomorrow?) he is going to play at 8:30 pm local time and 4:am my time grrrrrr but I'm glad he plays at night with less heat after what happened to him. His doctor says that he has recovered well and he doesn't think that Rafa would have any problem playing this next match

 

[rafanoy1992]

After struggling against Tim Smyczek, I don't even know what to expect from Nadal. I know he should win this match but his confidence just not there yet after what happened last match. I just hope he continues to fight and play a lot better.

Poor Rafa, I can imagine what he went through suffering from the stomach, nausea and dehydration, he thought that he went to faint but even that he continued playing, jzzz what a brave man!
Today (tomorrow?) he is going to play at 8:30 pm local time and 4:am my time grrrrrr but I'm glad he plays at night with less heat after what happened to him. His doctor says that he has recovered well and he doesn't think that Rafa would have any problem playing this next match

I'm more worried about his state of mind than his health. Although Nadal is not 100% physically fit, I believe he can overcome the physical issues. I'm worried about his state of mind because in the past of couple of years he seems to lose confidence every time he starts to struggle a little bit during the match. Usually, when the going gets tough, the more focused he becomes in the match. However, this is not the case since last year. Now, part of it is the injuries. I mean I can't blame him for worrying about his body getting an injury. Another part of it is age. I do believe that once you get older you tend to get more "scared" or conservative because you can't do the things you did because you are not young anymore.

I just hope whatever problems he has right now whether it is mental or physical he could overcome it in the future. Because as a huge fan, I want to see him win majors and I want to see the "old' Rafael Nadal back meaning the devastating forehand and celebration when he wins a crucial point.

 

[Vince Evert]

I wanna see a R16 Nadal vs Richard Gasquet match-up. Bring it on

 

[the AntiPusher]

Now the tournament truly comes to life, even though it's been interesting already. With Nadal's form, every match he's in is worth watching because you never know what might happen. I think Seppi will prove to be a challenge for Roger, not necessarily score wise, but he's at least good enough from the baseline to force Roger not to go through the motions and actually show up and play.

Baghdatis-Dimitrov should have some good shot-making.

This is a very dangerous match for Baby Fed if Baggy is in good form. Its funny, I never notice anything from him until AO, Why?

Haha! I was just thinking that he only seems to pop up at the AO and Wimbledon. I suspect it's injuries

Well I like Baggy game but I like his Ex better:basiate

 

[Carol]

After struggling against Tim Smyczek, I don't even know what to expect from Nadal. I know he should win this match but his confidence just not there yet after what happened last match. I just hope he continues to fight and play a lot better.

Poor Rafa, I can imagine what he went through suffering from the stomach, nausea and dehydration, he thought that he went to faint but even that he continued playing, jzzz what a brave man!
Today (tomorrow?) he is going to play at 8:30 pm local time and 4:am my time grrrrrr but I'm glad he plays at night with less heat after what happened to him. His doctor says that he has recovered well and he doesn't think that Rafa would have any problem playing this next match

I'm more worried about his state of mind than his health. Although Nadal is not 100% physically fit, I believe he can overcome the physical issues. I'm worried about his state of mind because in the past of couple of years he seems to lose confidence every time he starts to struggle a little bit during the match. Usually, when the going gets tough, the more focused he becomes in the match. However, this is not the case since last year. Now, part of it is the injuries. I mean I can't blame him for worrying about his body getting an injury. Another part of it is age. I do believe that once you get older you tend to get more "scared" or conservative because you can't do the things you did because you are not young anymore.

I just hope whatever problems he has right now whether it is mental or physical he could overcome it in the future. Because as a huge fan, I want to see him win majors and I want to see the "old' Rafael Nadal back meaning the devastating forehand and celebration when he wins a crucial point.

Everyone goes sooner or later through bad times due to different issues. To me Raga has had a bad luck more than anything else. Appendicitis (everyone can have it) and this last match maybe due to have been long time off and a lack of matches then the stress, the heat/humidity and probably still not too much confidence it made him to suffer those issues
But nothing is forever, if he plays well this next match and healthy his confidence (and also his fans) will be back and I have the feeling than soon we'll see "the old Rafa" even if he couldn't reach the semis or finals. He has enough game, now he needs the confidence, that's all

 

[Carol]

Good luck for Garbiñe, Muzz, Feli and Rafa!!!!!!!!!! :heart:

 

[tented]

I wanna see a R16 Nadal vs Richard Gasquet match-up. Bring it on

You must not be familiar with their head-to-head. Let me help:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=G628&oId=N409

 

[Front242]

Honestly Gasquet is no challenge to any of the one time "big four". He continues to stay 20 feet behind the baseline in every match and he's not winning anything big playing that way. He needs to hire a coach who teaches him how to play properly but I reckon it's too late at this stage.

 

[Vince Evert]

Thanks Tented. That was then. This is Now.