Sunday, January 28, 2007

Australian Open 2007: What We Learned - Men

What we learned from two weeks in Melbourne – Men

Closer To Greatness – Roger Federer won the 10th Grand Slam title of his career, and his 3rd Australian Open title. Barring injury it seems just a matter of time before he passes Pete Sampras’s record Slam haul of 14. Federer improved his Slam final record to 10-1. The talk now will be of winning all 4 Slams in the season. Once again, Federer will look to conquer the clay (a feat which has eluded him thus far), and namely the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. Federer has redressed the balance with Nadal away from clay, but in order to win the French Open will now have to replicate that on the surface that the Spaniard is most comfortable. Last year’s clay court season was the Nadal-Federer show, as they contested the marquee finals in Monte Carlo, Rome and most importantly, Roland Garros. Surely the challenge from others will not be as non-existent this year as it was in 2006, and it’s likely that both Federer and Nadal will have more to contend with than just each other.

The World Number Two On An Island Of His Own – Rafael Nadal’s career has stalled since Wimbledon 2006. Arguably, his career has gone backwards. Having won Masters Series events on hard (Montreal) and indoor (Madrid) courts in 2005, in addition to dominating on clay, Nadal was unable to repeat his success away from clay in the latter half of 2006. That poor form has continued into the early stages of 2007. Nadal was beaten by Xavier Malisse in Chennai, struggled against Andy Murray at the Australian Open before winning in 5 sets and was then sent home after looking completely impotent against Fernando Gonzalez in the quarter-finals. All of a sudden Nadal’s eye can no longer be focused on catching Roger Federer for the number one spot, but preserving his own place at number two. With no points to gain during the European clay court season (bar Hamburg, where Nadal has withdrawn in successive years following Rome finals in 2005 & 2006 that lasted more than 5 hours), Nadal will be under pressure again to defend his King of Clay status.

A Good Coach Can Do Wonders – When Larry Stefanki began working with Fernando Gonzalez in May 2006, the Chilean claimed he was willing to sacrifice his style of car crash tennis (which has entertained many for both its excellence and insanity) in order to crack the top 10. A few months shy of a year later and Gonzalez has reached a Masters Series final (and two other tour finals), a Grand Slam final and broken into not just the top 10, but the top 5. Unfortunately for Gonzalez, in 3 of those 4 finals he ran into Roger Federer, to whom he now trails by 10-0 in their battles on court. Possibly the next challenge for Stefanki will be to find a way for Gonzalez to break his duck against Federer. Fernando Gonzalez can claim to have produced some of the most startling statistics from this year’s Australian Open. In the first two sets of his 4th round encounter with Lleyton Hewitt, the red hot Chilean hit 33 winners and just 2 unforced errors. In his semi-final with Tommy Haas, where one might expect him to have been a tad nervous, Gonzalez played quite literally, a perfect set of tennis; 17 winners and 0 unforced errors. He finished the match with 45 winners and 3 unforced errors (tut-tut-tut).

The Same Old, Same Old – James Blake and Ivan Ljubicic yet again failed to produce the goods in a Grand Slam. Both players still reside in the top 10, but their Grand Slam records are dreadful for players of such status. James Blake has now been beyond the 4th round of a Grand Slam only 2 times in 20 attempts. On both occasions he did make it to the last eight, Blake had the strong vocal support of a home crowd at the US Open behind him. Away from New York, his Slam record leaves a lot to be desired. Ivan Ljubicic’s record is even worse (hard to believe, I know). The Croat now has a truly dismal record of being beyond the 3rd round of Grand Slams on only 2 occasions in 30 attempts. Worse still, he has 15 1st round KO’s to his name.

The Same Old, Same Old II – Andy Roddick came into his semi-final against Roger Federer with reason to believe he could put up a realistic challenge despite a dreadful 1-12 record in matches between them. Having run Federer close at the 2006 Masters Cup, beaten the world number one in an exhibition in Kooyong (a confidence booster more than anything else) and having disposed in impressive fashion Marat Safin and Mario Ancic, Roddick could have been forgiven for thinking he would not just be cannon fodder for the Swiss number one. How wrong can you be? At 4-4 in the 1st set, it looked like we had a real match on our hands. Within the blink of an eye, Federer had taken 14 of the next 16 games to record a 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 win. Now 1-13 versus Federer, it’s back to the drawing board for Roddick and Connors. A futile exercise it may be, as Roddick has never been able to trouble Federer in the ways that Nadal, Nalbandian or Safin have. The American just doesn’t possess the array of shots to give Federer a lot to think about and deal with. This is never going to change.

The King Of Early Round Drama – Having been a doubt for the Australian Open due to tendonitis in the knee, David Nalbandian did himself no favours in trying to conserve early round energy. In his 1st and 3rd round matches, Nalbandian had to come from two sets down, and faced match points in both encounters. Janko Tipsarevic and Sebastien Grosjean were the latest victims to Nalbandian’s list of players he has recovered from two sets down against. Often criticised for his overall fitness, Nalbandian can claim he is as fit as anyone when you consider his record in matches of this nature. But ultimately it was to be his downfall as he hit the wall in his 4th round match with Tommy Haas, and exited the tournament after a 4 set battle. Nalbandian has now dropped out of the top 10, and he will not play again until the ATP tournament in Buenos Aires, in order to rest his aching body. That means Argentina will travel to Austria in the 1st round of their Davis Cup quest without their main man. Nalbandian will be hoping that Argentina can survive without him, until he can return to the squad in a healthier state.

Last Year’s Story – This time last year, one of the images of the Australian Open was the smile of Marcos Baghdatis and the echoes of his band of supporters. Back then he was still a relative unknown, 12 months on and the expectation and pressure was far greater. Baghdatis had made reference to such matters after his 1st round win versus Rainer Schuettler, following his next match, the pressure was off. He was out. His tournament ended by an energetic and athletic performance from Gael Monfils.

Fourth Round Barrier For The Young Guns – Aside from Baghdatis and Monfils, other young players tipped for big things in the future, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Richard Gasquet and Tomas Berdych could not advance past the 4th round. Murray was ousted in 5 sets by Rafael Nadal, the Scot will feel it was an opportunity missed having failed to convert on numerous break point opportunities. Djokovic was hoping for a measure of revenge against Roger Federer following some none too kind words about the Serb’s propensity to pick up ‘joke’ injuries during the course of matches in order to stall and disrupt his opponent. Despite talking a good game, Djokovic failed to play one, at least to the standard required to trouble Federer, and was beaten in straight sets. Richard Gasquet continued to keep those who feel he has a very strong future waiting after a weak display versus Tommy Robredo. Gasquet has thus far failed to shine in matches against top players in Grand Slam events, and this match was no different. Gasquet offered brief resistance in the 3rd set, before predictably running out of gas at the end of the 4th. Gasquet’s conditioning has been in question for a couple of years, and continues to be so. Until this situation is addressed, his supporters will have to continue wishing on a prayer. Tomas Berdych did nothing to suggest that his biggest obstacle is being removed either; the Czech often shows a lack of steel and maturity in his game, and this was to be no different against Nikolay Davydenko. Having taken the 1st set and playing well, Berdych looked on course to make the last eight, but inexcusably disintegrated, allowing Davydenko to impose his game and will on the match, eventually coming through in a nervy 4th set tie-break. The 4th round excursions of the young talents told us that Murray’s fitness is greatly improved, that Djokovic can bark but not yet bite, that Gasquet needs to dedicate himself to being as physically strong as he can be and that Berdych’s mind shows no sign of growing up.

It Shouldn’t Have Ended That Way – Playing in his last Australian Open, Wayne Arthurs won through to the 3rd round where he was set to face Mardy Fish. Already requiring treatment for an existing hip injury, Arthurs’s body broke down on him after a bad reaction to an anaesthetic he had taken 15 minutes prior to the match. Arthurs left the Australian Open in tears having been only able to play 3 games of his 3rd round match.

It Was A Good Tournament For – Aside from Federer and Gonzalez, there were good tournaments for Tommy Haas and Mardy Fish. Haas made his 3rd Grand Slam semi-final (all at the Australian Open) and was crushed by an inspired Fernando Gonzalez. Many will have seen this opportunity as the American based German’s last chance to get to a Slam final. Mardy Fish had never been beyond the 3rd round of a Grand Slam in 17 attempts until the 2007 Australian Open. Fish knocked out 4th seed Ivan Ljubicic in the 1st round and 16th seed David Ferrer in the 4th round. As good as his run the quarter-finals was, the American would probably like to forget the way his tournament ended, winning only 6 games against compatriot and friend, Andy Roddick. Fernando Verdasco showed the compassionate side of tennis, after trailing by 2 sets and behind in the 3rd set tie-break against Paul-Henri Mathieu, the Spaniard who looked to be going out of the tournament instead got a free pass to the next round after Mathieu picked up an untimely injury that halted the match immediately. Verdasco didn’t bask in the glory of an extremely fortunate victory, instead accompanied Mathieu to the hospital.

A Tournament They’d Rather Forget – Aside from Blake, Ljubicic, Baghdatis and Nadal it was a bad tournament for Juan Carlos Ferrero. The former King of Clay, hoping to kick-start his 2007 with a good Slam showing, failed to serve out either of the 1st 2 sets in his second round match with Danai Udomchoke, and eventually lost in 4. Despite not being at 100%, Nicolas Massu, could only manage 2 games against Novak Djokovic. No excuses for Alberto Martin, he was 100%, but could only manage 1 game against Andy Murray.

Tell Sports Magician what made you smile and what made you sad over the past couple of weeks.

Australian Open 2007: What We Learned - Women

What we learned from two weeks in Melbourne – Women

Unseeded Champion – Guess whose back? Serena Williams, that’s who, coming into the Australian Open off the back of a defeat in Hobart to Sybille Bammer and only 4 tournaments played in 2006. That didn’t seem to bother the now 8 times Grand Slam champion as she claimed her 3rd Australian Open title. Williams knocked off the number 5, 10 and 11 seeds on her way to the final. In 2 matches she had to break to stay in the tournament against Nadia Petrova and Shahar Peer. Williams improved her Slam final record to 8-2. Her most impressive performance and victory came in what was expected to be a hard fought and close final, her performance ensured that it was anything but close. In winning the tournament off the back of so little match practice, Williams reminded the tennis world she is still the best player around when she is healthy. What remains to be seen is how much she will be able to play for the rest of the season, but the message is loud and clear, Serena Williams is back. And she means business.

A Shell-Shocked Number One – Maria Sharapova is the new number one. But many will say Serena Williams is the real number one, and that it’s just a question of her staying healthy and playing enough tournaments before she eventually reclaims that position. In her third Slam final, Sharapova suffered her first defeat. It was quick, but certainly not painless. The Russian was unable to contend with the power and precision of Williams’ ground strokes and could not gain any foothold in the match whatsoever. Like Williams, Sharapova also had to break to stay in the tournament in her 1st round encounter against Camille Pin, a match that was played in extreme heat. Even Sharapova’s fighting spirit and will was not enough to challenge Williams, in a very one-sided final. The ‘Siberian Siren’ will need to work on her second serve if she is to avoid similar punishment from Williams in the future.

No More ‘Aussie Kim’ – Adopted by the Australian crowd after once dating Lleyton Hewitt, Kim Clijsters bid farewell to the Rod Laver Arena in a manner she would have preferred not to. Having been talked up as a legitimate contender for the title in Melbourne, Clijsters showed none of the form expected of her when the tournament reached its business end. An astonishing 62 unforced errors against Martina Hingis in the quarter-final did not stop Clijsters progressing to the last four. How that happened, not even she knows. Her semi-final performance was not much better, having led by a break on two different occasions in the 1st set, Clijsters put up a thoughtless and feeble display against Sharapova and was dispatched in straight sets. It was a very low key end to her Slam career in Australia for the Belgian. It is impossible to see Clijsters winning one of the remaining Slams in the last year of her young career if she does not improve significantly on her quarter and semi-final performances in Australia.

No Defence Of The Defending Champion – Having won the Australian Open in 2006 thanks to retirements by the Belgian duo of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne (soon to lose the Hardenne) in her semi final and final, Amelie Mauresmo put up a poor defence of her title. Mauresmo was defeated in the third round by young Czech, Lucie Safarova. Her younger opponent out thought and out hit her to complete a 6-4, 6-3 victory and send Mauresmo home earlier than many would have expected. Having won two Grand Slams in 2006, there is a big question mark over whether Mauresmo will add to that tally in 2007.

Serbian Youngsters Disappoint – Much was expected of Ana Ivanovic, but more specifically, Jelena Jankovic. Neither was able to deliver in Melbourne. Ivanovic was crushed in the 3rd round by Vera Zvonareva, 6-1, 6-2. Ivanovic looked devoid of ideas or any kind of game plan to get back on track as she was swept aside by her Russian opponent. Jelena Jankovic was set for a 4th round meeting with Serena Williams, and when it came turned out to be as anti-climactic as the eventual final. Much like Sharapova, Jankovic was unable to deal with the power and intimidation of Serena Williams and left the tournament without showing her true qualities. Jankovic is set for a very bright future, but we did not see her best in Melbourne.

The Next Big Thing Still A Work In Progress – Nicole Vaidisova is a future number one and multiple Grand Slam champion in the making. Believe it. Still only 17, Vaidisova reached the second Grand Slam semi-final of her very young career before being ousted by eventual champion, Serena Williams. Vaidisova’s serve is fast becoming the most devastating weapon in the women’s game, banging down 51 aces in her 6 matches (only Serena Williams served more). Still with room for improvement, Vaidisova is going to be a major force in the very near future, for many years to come.

Some Things Never Change – In 4 matches, Elena Dementieva served 33 double faults, her tournament was ended by Nicole Vaidisova in the 4th round. Still refusing to compromise with her all-out tactics, Sania Mirza exited the tournament in the 2nd round; totalling 58 unforced errors and only 32 winners in comparison (she may want to give Fernando Gonzalez or Larry Stefanki a call?). Tatiana Golovin, Maria Kirilenko and Gisela Dulko continue to flatter to deceive.

Making Some Noise – Anna Chakvetadze continued her good start to 2007, following a title in Hobart, with a quarter-final appearance in Melbourne, losing to Maria Sharapova 7-6, 7-5. Shahar Peer picked up 3 titles in 2006, and served for the match against Serena Williams in her quarter-final having recovered from a 4-1 3rd set deficit. The 19 year old Israeli pushed Williams to the limit, before succumbing 8-6 in the decider.

Gone But Not Forgotten – Justine Henin-Hardenne, ended 2006 as world number one, the 5 time Slam champion withdrew from the Australian Open following the announcement of her divorce. Anastasia Myskina, the former French Open champion was not in Melbourne due to injury, the same can be said of Venus Williams and Mary Pierce.

Tell Sports Magician what you thought of the women’s event and what you envisage happening during the rest of the season.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Australian Open Final Semi-Finals Preview

The Australian Open is down to four men, one former Slam winner will be in the final and one player will be experiencing his first action in a Grand Slam final, that much we know for certain.

Roger Federer (1) v Andy Roddick (6)

It was the expected semi-final, and so we have it. Roger Federer arrives at this stage of the tournament without losing a set, unsurprisingly, but unusually has been broken 12 times in his 5 matches. The statistic is not alarming, but surprising nonetheless. Federer has not been at his best thus far, but history shows he plays his best at this stage of Grand Slams and an improved performance versus Roddick is what is to be expected in comparison to his previous matches. Federer has made 11 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals and will be looking to make his 7th consecutive Slam final.

Federer is in search of his 10th Grand Slam title and should he be victorious this week, so will follow endless talk in the media and fans alike about whether he will win all four Grand Slams this year.

Andy Roddick was given a first round scare against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, trailing by a set and a break, before turning the match around to win in 4 sets. Since then, Roddick has been in excellent form, with significant wins over Marat Safin and Mario Ancic, as well as destroying Mardy Fish in the quarter-finals in a match that was as one sided as you will ever see in the last eight of a Grand Slam. Since teaming up with Jimmy Connors, Roddick’s career has been re-ignited off the back of a poor first half of the season in 2006. The evidence of this was shown during the US Open, where Roddick reached the final before losing to Federer. The American has been broken 8 times in his 5 matches, with 7 of those breaks coming against Safin and Ancic.

Roddick reached the last four in Melbourne in 2003 and 2005, making this his 3rd appearance at the semi-final stage of the Australian Open.

The history between the two suggests only one winner. Federer dominates the head to head with a staggering 12-1 record dating back to 2001. 4 of those meetings were in Grand Slam events, with Federer victorious each time. Roddick’s sole win against Federer came in 2003 at the Montreal Masters by virtue of a deciding set tie-break. Amongst Federer’s 12 victories, Roddick has managed to win only 4 sets. Another crucial stat in Federer’s favour is the tie-break history; the world number one is 8-1 in tie-breaks against the big serving American.

Roddick came as close as you can to recording his 2nd career victory over Federer at the Masters Cup in Shanghai at the back end of 2006. Roddick was unable to convert match points in the 2nd set tie-break and went on to lose 6-4 in the 3rd. Preceding the Australian Open was the often star studded line up at Kooyong (exhibition), where Roddick secured a moral boosting victory against Federer. How much impact that result will have on the semi-final is open for debate, at the very least it was a much needed boost for Roddick. But it would be unwise to assume that Roddick is now destined to follow up that exhibition victory with another in Melbourne, based purely on that result.

Tommy Haas (12) v Fernando Gonzalez (10)

Hands up those of you who picked this semi-final?

I don’t see any hands.

Both Tommy Haas and Fernando Gonzalez are good players, but others were favoured to reach the last four in the bottom half of the draw, like Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko or David Nalbandian. Haas put paid to both Nalbandian and Davydenko, in four and five sets, respectively. Haas even saved match point versus Davydenko in the 5th set, having recovered from a 2 sets to 1 deficit. Gonzalez produced the performance of the tournament to date, by obliterating Nadal in straight sets. Gonzalez was equally as impressive against Lleyton Hewitt, but was stretched to 4 sets in that meeting. Gonzalez’s biggest test in the tournament came against highly touted Argentine youngster, Juan Martin Del Potro, in the 2nd round. The Chilean trailed by 2 sets to 1 before eventually outlasting his younger South American opponent who was forced to retire during the 5th set.

Fernando Gonzalez became one of only six active players to reach at least the quarter-finals of all 4 Grand Slams; his appearance in the last four in Melbourne is the furthest he has been in a Slam. Tommy Haas will play in his 3rd Slam semi-final; his previous two semi-finals were also in Melbourne in 1999 and 2002.

The winner will be making their first appearance in a Grand Slam final and it remains to be seen which player will be able to handle that pressure and expectation in order to produce their best tennis and move on for a chance at lifting the title.

There is little history between the two, having only met on one occasion in 2004 on clay during the World Team Championship. Gonzalez was the victor in straight sets, and following his excellent displays against Hewitt, Blake and Nadal will be the marginal favourite to progress.

Looking Towards The Final – Head To Head Records
Federer v Gonzalez – Federer leads the H2H 9-0, 22-2 in sets and 3-1 in TB’s.
Federer v Haas – Federer leads the H2H 7-2, 17-8 in sets, level at 2-2 in TB’s.
Roddick v Gonzalez – Roddick leads the H2H 6-3, 14-8 in sets, level at 3-3 in TB’s.
Roddick v Haas – Haas leads the H2H 5-3, 11-8 in sets, Roddick leads 3-0 in TB’s.

Sports Magician will be reviewing the Australian Open following the conclusion of the tournament. Let Sports Magician know who you feel will win the tournament and your thoughts on the 2007 Australian Open in general.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Australian Open Men's Quarter-Finals Preview

The Australian Open is down to the last eight, containing three Grand Slam winners in Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal. Only one unseeded player has made it to this stage, Mardy Fish, who disposed of number four seed, Ivan Ljubicic. Roger Federer is the only player remaining who has either won or been to the final of the Australian Open.

Roger Federer (1) v Tommy Robredo (7)

As the tournament has progressed, Roger Federer has moved through the gears. Presented with the fourth round challenge of Novak Djokovic, Federer dispatched the Serb in straight sets. Djokovic briefly tested Federer in the second set, but eventually his resistance was broken. Having seen the draw, Tommy Robredo most likely believed a good tournament would mean a quarter-final defeat to Federer and that is the most realistic scenario. Coming into the match with a 0-6 record versus the world number one, not even Robredo’s family and friends will be giving him much chance, if any, of causing an upset. The Spaniard overcame Richard Gasquet in four sets in the last round, and at best will be hoping to stretch Federer to four sets.

Mardy Fish v Andy Roddick (6)

An all-American encounter in the quarter-finals pits two friends against each other. Andy Roddick buoyed by the arrival of his coach, Jimmy Connors, before his third round match will be expected to move on to the last four. Roddick has notched up two notable back to back wins against Marat Safin and Mario Ancic, and anything other than another victory here will be a major surprise. Mardy Fish has had an excellent tournament and his appearance in the quarter-finals is a career best Grand Slam showing for him. Previously, Fish had never made it past the third round of a Slam in seventeen attempts. Roddick leads the head to head 4-1, Fish recorded the first win between the two but Roddick has reeled off 4 straight victories since.

Tommy Haas (12) v Nikolay Davydenko (3)

Tommy Haas and Nikolay Davydenko pick up where they left off at the last Grand Slam of 2006. At the US Open that year, both players met at the same stage of the tournament that they will do in Melbourne. Davydenko overcame a two set disadvantage to move on to the semi-finals of the US Open where he lost to eventual champion, Roger Federer. Haas comes in off the back of knocking out number eight seed, David Nalbandian. The German was in trouble a set down and facing break points, but recovered and eventually eased to victory against a visibly exhausted Nalbandian whose tank was left empty after earlier difficulties with his draw. Davydenko recorded his fifth win over Tomas Berdych, winning a nervy fourth set tie-break to complete his victory. With a 2-0 head to head advantage, the Russian will be favourite to advance to the semi-finals.

Fernando Gonzalez (10) v Rafael Nadal (2)

Fernando Gonzalez and Rafael Nadal became the 5th and 6th active players to at least reach the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slam events. Gonzalez has done so off the back of victories against talented youngsters, Evgeny Korolev and Juan Martin Del Potro, as well as home favourite, Lleyton Hewitt, and number five seed and perennial Grand Slam flop, James Blake. The Chilean was in particularly devastating form against Hewitt, and followed that up with a straight sets win over Blake. Rafael Nadal enters the last eight after what is surely the match of the tournament thus far against Andy Murray. Nadal trailed 7-6, 4-1 before scratching and clawing his way back into the match, running out an eventual winner in 5 dramatic and tension filled sets. Gonzalez leads the head to head by two victories to one, and will be hoping to replicate the hard court victory he obtained in 2004 at the Miami Masters. Nadal is an altogether different proposition now to what he was then, so the challenge facing Gonzalez is vast.

Sports Magician will be previewing the semi-finals upon completion of the quarter-finals. Tell Sports Magician who will be making the last four and going on to claim the title.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Australian Open Men's 4th Round Preview (Part Two)

David Nalbandian (8) v Tommy Haas (12)

David Nalbandian’s participation in the Australian Open was in doubt due to injury; his continued participation has been in further doubt on two occasions in his first three matches. Nalbandian has developed a reputation for being able to recover from two sets down, and not only did he do that in his matches with Janko Tipsarevic and Sebastien Grosjean, he also saved match points in both encounters. The Argentine has a very consistent record in Australia, in the past four years he has made three quarter finals and last year was a semi-finalist. His opponent in the last sixteen will be German twelfth seed, Tommy Haas. Also a former semi-finalist in Melbourne, Haas has not yet dropped a set on his way to the fourth round. Due to the poor weather, Haas’s third round match with compatriot Florian Mayer was pushed back by a day. However, by winning in straight sets, Haas should still be fresh to play tomorrow. While Nalbandian took a much needed day off. Haas leads the head to head 2-0, winning their last meeting in the Paris Masters in 2005 in straight sets.

Tomas Berdych (13) v Nikolay Davydenko (3)

Nikolay Davydenko was another injury doubt pre-tournament, but has safely made his way to the fourth round. The Russian with a career high ranking after an excellent 2006 campaign; will be hoping to at least equal his performances in 2005 and 2006 where he made the last eight in Melbourne. Wishing to minimise any further injury damage, Davydenko will have been glad to reach this stage without dropping a set. Standing in Davydenko’s way to the quarter-finals is talented Czech, Tomas Berdych. The tennis world has been waiting for Berdych to produce in a Grand Slam event, and that time may be now. Should Berdych win, he will move on to the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time in his young career. In order to achieve that goal, Berdych will have to beat Davydenko for the first time at the fifth attempt.

James Blake (5) v Fernando Gonzalez (10)

James Blake is hoping to back up a career year in 2006, by making his first Grand Slam quarter-final outside of the US Open. The American stormed through his opening two rounds before winning a very scrappy affair with Robby Ginepri. Blake took the first two sets of the match, which could have gone the other way, before eventually wrapping up the win in straight sets. His fourth round opponent, Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, comes in off the back of ending Australian involvement in the tournament after a four set win over Lleyton Hewitt. Gonzalez played flawless tennis for the first two sets, ripping off winners and keeping unforced errors at a minimum. Blake and Gonzalez have met six times, winning three matches each. Their last battle took place in America during a Davis Cup tie on grass, Gonzalez winning 10-8 in the 5th.

Andy Murray (15) v Rafael Nadal (2)

Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal meet for the first time in their careers, with both looking to reach the last eight in Melbourne for the first time also. Murray, under the guidance of Brad Gilbert, has risen at a fast rate through the rankings since his last visit to Melbourne. As with a number of other players in the last sixteen, Murray has reached this stage without dropping a set, winning his first round match with Alberto Martin for the loss of just one game. Rafael Nadal entered the Australian Open off the back of a below par six months in comparison to the standards he has set since bursting on the scene. Having emphasised a need to improve his serve, Nadal has seemingly done just that, serving harder than he had done so in 2006 with a good first serve percentage. The Spaniard followed up a largely average performance in the second round with his most impressive display thus far in the third round against Stanislas Wawrinka. Nadal winning comfortably in straight sets and ended the match with a devastating forehand winner that was possibly the shot of the tournament so far.

Sports Magician will be previewing the quarter-finals of the men’s event.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Australian Open 4th Round Men's Preview (Part 1)

The Australian Open is down to the last sixteen, the business end of the tournament begins here. A week of good tennis in what have been some very testing conditions at times brings us these eight matches.

Roger Federer (1) v Novak Djokovic (14)

Post-draw a Federer v Djokovic encounter was always on the cards, and both players have kept their appointments. The world number one and defending champion, Roger Federer, has steadily eased through his first three rounds, triumphing over Bjorn Phau, Jonas Bjorkman and Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets as expected. Djokovic has continued his excellent start to the season, following on from his tournament victory in Adelaide. The young Serb destroyed Chile’s Nicolas Massu in round one for the loss of just two games. He followed that up with wins over Feliciano Lopez and Danai Udomchoke. Federer leads the head to head 2-0, both victories coming in 2006. There is some added spice to this match, after some disparaging comments Federer made about Djokovic and his propensity to claim injury following their Davis Cup meeting in Switzerland. Djokovic is talking a good game and hopefully he will be able to see it through, if so we could all be treated to an excellent match.

Richard Gasquet (18) v Tommy Robredo (7)

Tommy Robredo has so far lived up to his seeding and made relatively short work of his draw, with wins against Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, Jurgen Melzer and Sam Querrey. The Spaniard has lost one set in the process, losing a tie-break to American wildcard, Sam Querrey. Twenty year old Frenchman, Richard Gasquet, came through his opening two rounds with flying colours, recording straight sets win over Filippo Volandri and Amer Delic. In the third round he was presented with the challenge of a French civil war against Gael Monfils. Gasquet was able to overcome the athletic and jack in the box nature of Monfils’s game, winning in four sets to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open. In three previous visits to Melbourne, Gasquet had not won a match. The players have met on two previous occasions and have split meetings. Robredo won the most recent match at the Cincinnati Masters in 2006.

Mardy Fish v David Ferrer (16)

Few would have predicted this meeting in the last sixteen, seeing David Ferrer here is not too surprising. Coming into Melbourne on the back of a title in Auckland, where he defeated Fish in the semi-finals, Ferrer has continued to exhibit his ability to never admit defeat. The sixteenth seed overcame Kristian Pless and Thomas Johansson, before showing his battling qualities to the full, coming back from two sets down against Radek Stepanek. Mardy Fish took out number four seed Ivan Ljubicic in round one, and has backed up that victory by reaching the last sixteen. That victory came in four sets, and another four set win over Nicolas Mahut, set up a third round meeting with home favourite, Wayne Arthurs. The Aussie would be playing in Melbourne for the last time, and it was a great shame for him to have to retire after just three games of his match with Fish. The head to head stands at two apiece, with Ferrer’s previously mentioned victory in Auckland just last week being their most recent encounter. Ferrer will be the favourite to make the last eight.

Mario Ancic (9) v Andy Roddick (6)

A meeting of two big servers will determine who moves on to the quarter-finals. The pair have combined for 73 aces thus far in Melbourne. Ancic has reached this stage with wins over Go Soeda, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Dominik Hrbaty. Roddick has been well tested already in his first three rounds. A set and a break down in his first round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the American was in danger of a first round knock out. However, he was able to turn that match around and followed that up with a victory over another French opponent, Marc Gicquel. The anticipated blockbuster between Roddick and Marat Safin materialised after the Russian was able to win two five set matches in his opening rounds. The difference in the third round battle was evident in two critical tie-breaks in the 1st and 4th sets, Roddick served with authority and stamped on Safin the moment an error was made. Off the back of a moral boosting win against Roger Federer (albeit an exhibition), Roddick looks well placed to make the last four and another possible meeting with the world number one. Ancic has failed to record a victory against Roddick in four previous meetings.

Part two of the 4th round previews will be posted upon completion of the 3rd round matches which have been held up by rain.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Australian Open Men's Preview 2007

The first Grand Slam of the season is almost upon us; the draw has been made, and has thrown up the usual dissections of the 128 man field. Here is a look at what the draw has delivered and the possibilities over the next two weeks.

Easy pickings for Federer

The first quarter of any slam draw in the past few years has seen the same man waltz through each time – world number one, Roger Federer. Between 2004 and 2006, Federer has failed to negotiate his quarter only once (Roland Garros 2004), often ending up with the trophy or a semi-final place at worst. Few would be brave enough (or indeed foolish enough) to suggest he will not continue his efficiency in disposing of his quarters. His toughest test looks likely to come in the 4th round in the form of Novak Djokovic.

Other players and matches to keep an eye on; Can Juan Carlos Ferrero break the losing streak? The former King of Clay has lost six matches on the spin dating back to last season, and will be hoping to remind himself of what victory tastes like against Jan Hajek. Before Djokovic can think of a meeting with Federer, he will first have to get past double Olympic gold medallist, Nicolas Massu. Last year’s final could be this year’s quarter-final, if Marcos Baghdatis can get that far for a re-match with Federer. Three of the ATP’s current crop of young talents have been drawn in close proximity, Baghdatis, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet. However, 7th seed Tommy Robredo will be looking to uphold his ranking and make the quarter-finals at the expense of these youngsters.

The quarter of aces

A quarter containing Ivan Ljubicic, Mario Ancic, Joachim Johansson, Marat Safin and Andy Roddick can be described as nothing else. Despite the excellent serving likely to be on show from these players, only one at best will be making it out of this quarter in what would be a likely showdown with Roger Federer. Undoubtedly, the most anticipated match up of the first week is a possible 3rd round encounter between Safin and Roddick.

Mario Ancic and Joachim Johansson are set for a 2nd round meeting, meaning that at least two of these four big servers will be gone by the start of the 4th round. Ivan Ljubicic will like his chances of at least equalling his Melbourne performance from 2006, where he reached the quarter-finals. Before last year’s Australian Open, Ljubicic had never been beyond the 3rd round of any Grand Slam in 25 attempts. He backed up his Australian Open effort, by making the last four at the French Open, but has since reverted back to type with 3rd and 1st round exits at Wimbledon and the US Open respectively.

Who wants it?

The highest seeds in the third quarter are Nikolay Davydenko (3) and David Nalbandian (8), not only do they share the same quarter but they also share doubts over their fitness after early season injuries. At the time of writing both players are expected to start the tournament, but whether that remains the case is to be seen, or how long their injuries will hold up if indeed they do begin the tournament at all. There is never a good time to be injured, and both players will be cursing their luck, as each of them will consider they have strong possibilities to come through this quarter.

Brotherly love may be in order in the 2nd round if the Rochus (Olivier & Christophe) brothers can win their 1st round encounters and meet in the following round. Both face tough challenges in the form of Chris Guccione (for Olivier) and Sebastian Grosjean (for Christophe).

Looking to take advantage of the doubts surrounding Davydenko and Nalbandian, will be Tomas Berdych and Tommy Haas. It is approaching the time where tennis fans want to see if Berdych can realise some of his potential in Slams, or whether he will prove to be more hype than substance. The Czech has not yet been past the 4th round of a Slam in 13 attempts, and has an especially poor record to date in Melbourne (2 wins in 3 years). Tommy Haas has been to two Australian Open semi-finals in his career and will be hoping he can take advantage of a draw that sees him avoid Roger Federer (in early 2006 Haas saw Federer block his path in a number of tournaments).

Xavier Malisse versus Arnaud Clement is the pick of the 1st round matches from this quarter.

Who wants it II?

Number two seed, Rafael Nadal, cannot be considered a hot favourite to come through the bottom quarter given his form since Wimbledon 2006. The Spaniard began the season in Chennai, but was disposed of by Malisse, and then had to withdraw in the first set of his tournament in Sydney against Guccione. The injury is not considered serious enough to put his participation in doubt, but nonetheless it is a possible factor counting against him going deep.

In the match of the 1st round, James Blake faces Carlos Moya (both players will be meeting later today in the final in Sydney). The winner of the clash in Sydney will not only pick up a title, but also a huge psychological boost going into the battle in Melbourne. The pressure is on Blake to start delivering in Slams, as of yet, he has failed to reach the quarter-finals of a Slam outside of the USA.

Lleyton Hewitt comes into the 2007 tournament with a new coach, Scott Draper, after Roger Rasheed cut his ties with the former world number one. Hewitt will be encouraged to have avoided a number of players with the potential to blow him off court, and this represents an opportunity for him to build on the quarter-finals he made in the final two Slams of 2006. His first big challenge could come in the form of Fernando Gonzalez in the 3rd round. The Chilean has the firepower to shoot Hewitt down, and it could be another explosive 3rd round match to go with Safin-Roddick.

Another player who will be hoping to go deep into the second week is Andy Murray. A possible 4th round match with Nadal awaits him should both players reach that stage.

Let Sports Magician know how you see the draw developing. Sports Magician will be commenting on the Australian Open during the course of the two weeks.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

ATP Week One Review

After the first week of the ATP season, Novak Djokovic, Ivan Ljubicic and Xavier Malisse were the happiest men on tour after winning titles in Adelaide, Doha and Chennai respectively. Adelaide saw the introduction of the round-robin system for the first time on the ATP Tour. During the group phase, seven of the eight groups were won by a player with a 100% record (two wins from two). Group four had to be decided by percentage of sets won after Joachim Johansson, Florent Serra and Gilles Simon ended the round-robin action with a win each. Johansson’s straight sets win over Simon proved crucial and enabled the Swede to progress.

The biggest shock of the group phase saw Lleyton Hewitt knocked out by Igor Kunitsyn, and soon after losing his coach too, as Roger Rasheed jumped ship claiming that ‘within the current environment, I don’t believe it is possible for us to get the results we are looking for.’ Hewitt has since pulled out of Sydney and his participation in the Australian Open may be in some doubt also.

The quarter-final line up consisted of some the younger talents on tour expected to achieve greater things in the years ahead, Novak Djokovic, Juan-Martin Del Potro and Richard Gasquet. The Frenchman, Gasquet, fell at the quarter-final stage to Chris Guccione, an Australian wildcard. Djokovic safely moved on to the last four, while Del Potro had his quarter-final delayed by rain. With the prospect of having to play two matches in a day to reach the final, the 18 year old Argentine, crushed Kunitsyn for the loss of just two games. The semi-final was a far tighter affair and eventually it was Guccione who progressed, winning 7-5 in the 3rd. Djokovic ensured his passage to the final with a straight sets win over Johansson (who like Del Potro had to play twice in a day).

For the first time in the tournament, Djokovic was taken the distance, but still prevailed over Guccione to claim the third title of his career.

Meanwhile in India, many expected to see a long awaited encounter between Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian, the top two seeds in the tournament. However, neither player made the final. Having celebrated his 25th birthday a day earlier, Nalbandian was knocked out in the first round by Kristian Pless. Nalbandian cited tendonitis in the left leg as a reason for his early departure, and his participation in Melbourne for the Australian is also in some doubt. The exit of the Argentine had all eyes focused on world number two, Rafael Nadal. Without a title since the French Open in 2006, Nadal would have hoped to go on and claim the title in Chennai to get his 2007 season off on the right note.

After recording three routine victories, the Spaniard met Xavier Malisse in the last four, and his tournament came to an end. Malisse triumphed 6-4, 7-6 in an entertaining encounter. His opponent in the final would be Austria’s Stefan Koubek, who produced some excellent tennis on his way to the final, including two emphatic victories against Paradorn Srichaphan and Carlos Moya.

Malisse claimed the second title of his career after a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 victory. It was his first title since 2005, while Koubek last won a title in 2003.
The tournament in Doha was without its defending champion and world number one, Roger Federer. Two of the world’s top five were present, Nikolay Davydenko and Ivan Ljubicic. Last year’s finalist, Gael Monfils, was unable to replicate his performance from the previous year, losing in straight sets to Mikhail Youzhny. The outstanding performance of the week came from Sweden’s Robin Soderling, who completely outplayed and outclassed Marcos Baghdatis in the quarter-finals. His reward was a semi-final with Ivan Ljubicic after the Croat had taken out Youzhny in a third set tie-break. The Croat would repeat the trick in the semi-final, after Soderling had to contend with the disappointment of being unable to serve out the match at 5-4 in the third.

In the other half of the draw, the seeds upheld their rankings, as Davydenko faced Andy Murray in the last four. Murray had lost his previous two encounters with the Russian and on this occasion was able to gain a measure of revenge by winning 7-5, 6-2. The final between Ljubicic and Murray began with a 14 minute game, where Ljubicic was able to eventually hold serve. The big serving Croatian went on to claim the title 6-4, 6-4, picking up his seventh career title. Up to 2005, Ljubicic had only won one title, but has won six in the past couple of years during the best period of his career.

The ATP Tour moves on to Auckland and Sydney before the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne begins on January 15th.
 
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