Bad day for Nadal's Conqueror And i was hoping for another sound thrashing of the 'Mallorca Freak' forthe third time .......Hmmmm News from www.theaustralian.com.au FRENCH Open finalist Robin Soderling became the first big male casualty at Melbourne Park when he blew a two-set lead to fall to Spaniard Marcel Granollers. Though, for a moment it seemed possible Roger Federer, the man who defeated Soderling at Roland Garros, would be the massive upset of the second day, instead it was the Swede who departed in disappointing fashion. The eighth seed, who followed his French Open breakthrough with career-best efforts at Wimbledon and in New York, looked set for an easy passage against an opponent ranked 113 after claiming the first two sets. But Granollers, whose only title was on a claycourt in Houston two years ago, refused to wilt and fought back to win 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-2. "I don't know what happened, I just didn't play well," Soderling said. "I played a terrible match and am pretty disappointed." His loss opens up the draw in the short-term for 2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who easily defeated Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3 6-4 6-4 and was due to meet Soderling in the fourth round. It is also a possible danger removed from Federer's side of the draw, though the Swiss had beaten him in the final three majors of last year. For three fleeting moments on Rod Laver Arena yesterday, a second-round encounter looked anything but assured for Federer, who has reached at least the semi-finals of the 22 previous grand slam events.
Thats why they are still in competition in the Aussie Open. Maria S who is still as tall and slim as ever lost.
As long as not to the extend of looking like the current women's No.1(or is she a man?) from some BIG country will do. Women's tennis should have more Sharapova, or Kirilenko, Henin, to maintain the beauty of Women's tennis. No offence intended to anyone
Down Under Updates Henin held off fifth-ranked Elena Dementieva 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) While i cheer for Henin, i can't help but feel sorry for Dementieva. She is like the female version of Davydenko, so versatile and good but yet to win a Major. Hope one day she will do it to cap off her Olympic Gold Medal. Sixth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko knocked out qualifier Illya Marchenko 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. This seasoned man is on top form since last year end's Masters Cup finale. Hope he will last till second week. Definitely the man to watch in 2010. Ana Ivanovic, the 22-year-old former world No. 1, extended her run of poor results with a second-round 6-7 (8-6), 7-5, 6-4 loss to Gisela Dulko of Argentina. Another beauty gone early
Hmmm... bad news indeed. Many male viewers might be turning their TVs off if more beauties fall by the wayside. Could be quite a barren second week
Australian Open Day 4, A Royal Audience. The future King of England, HRH Prince William of Wales, came face-to-face with the king and queen of the courts today, dropping in on the night session at Melbourne Park. The Prince paid a post-match visit to world No.1 Serena Williams before heading on to Rod Laver Arena to take in some of Roger Federer's second round match against Victor Hanescu. HRH's entrance onto court was greeted by a warm round of applause from the assembled fans, delaying play for a couple of minutes. At the end of the match Federer addressed the Prince from courtside, saying: "welcome to tennis". Later, the two met face to face backstage, posing for photos that were mailed to the Palace at the request of the Prince. In his post-match press conference, Federer said he was delighted to have played in front of Prince William. "This one tonight was obviously extremely special," said the world No.1. "It's a pleasure playing in front of him.” "Where he comes from, he knows tennis, and Wimbledon's big, you know. So for me it was … a big honor that he came to watch me." Source: australianopen.com
Aussie Open Updates Top-seeded Roger Federer breezed past Romanian Victor Hanescu and moved into the third round 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 Next up for Federer will be No. 31 seed Albert Montanes of Spain. He was a 4-6, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victor over Frenchman Stephane Robert. No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic came from one set down to beat unseedeed Swiss Marco Chiudinelli 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 Australian Lleyton Hewitt, the 22nd seed, beat American Donald Young, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-1. Ninth seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain crushed Ivan Sergeyev of the Ukraine, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the No. 10 seed, surged past American Taylor Dent, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 18th seed Tommy Haas from Germany was a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 winner over Serbian Janko Tipsarevic
me silenced too... Wonder what rf will text to tw. Psstt... we have hottie here too. You sure the rehab will work??
Justine Henin's fine run continues...... It is just amazing to watch this small sized lady on her game. So nice, so perfect. She really is the femal version of Roger on court, especially her single hannded backhand and her overall game plan. Wish her all the best to go all way to win the Aussie Open! And the most anticipated QF in the men's draw : Andy Murray vs Rafa MUST watch heheheheeh
Henin–best looking backhand in the women's game. I can watch it every day. Little woman that packs a serious punch
