Amazing match from Stan the man. Easiest side of the draw based on ranking not on form I'd say. Wawrinka is maybe the worst he could have come up against, at the moment he's top 3 in the world with maybe the best one hand backhand and serves of the highest order. Top top player.
So Semi-final 1 is Berdych v Wawrinka. The other side looks tough - probably too tough to call. Nadal v Dimitrov should be a win for the Spaniard, but you'd have said that about Djokovic as well, whoever he was playing. And Federer v Murray? I guess it depends on which Murray turns up on the day. I think andy on top form is just about ahead of Federer on top form, but any lapse by either will open the door for the other. Predictions: Nadal v Murray for the other semi. Murray has the mind-game to take Federer now, and I can't see another upset. Nadal v Wawrinka in the final, with a Nadal victory. I think that Nadal is probably too strong for Andy, just back from injury. And Wawrinka is playing out of his skin and will be too much for Berdych. Three tough games in a row may be one too many, however. My caveat is that IF Murray can overcome both Federer and then Nadal in the semi, I reckon he will win.
Another "classic" match. Wawrynka played very aggressively and very well - and deserved the win! Sweet revenege for the marathon and epic match of last year in R4 of the same tournament. That was voted the best mens'match of 2013. I will be rooting for Stan to beat Berdych and reach the final. In fact I am looking forward to a great mornings of tennis this forthcomming weekend. p.s. I did not expect to meet many tennis fans on here. Pleasant suprise.
I will probably get beaten up by the Brits (or Scots) but I would love Federer to beat Murray. He is playing really great tennis in this tournament in his very relaxed and very natural style. Probably a combination of good fitness, new racquet, new trainer in Stefan Edberg ... and no pressure to win). So, I hope for Federer-Nadal in the other semi and then I will realy be split for whom to support and just hope for a great classic game. Some real great games of tennis coming up and I will enjoy!
Ski, you'll find that there is a lot of interest in many other sports on this forum, we are an open minded bunch......doesn't have to be all about the R's.
Love a bit of tennis! I went to the Australian Open a few years back...puts Wimbledon to shame...great tournament. Sad to see Djokovic is out, he is fantastic to watch.
Didnt see the game but MelbourneIan will be gutted. Saw a few pics of him at the game on another page. Think he was hoping for a decent game !! Col, With regards to Wimbledon, Tha access, facilities and general standard of the event is at least level with thast of Wimbledon. I wont say its better as I havent been to Wimbledon for many years & i know they hae developed it a lot. What you dont get is the "snooty" attitudes associated with British Tennis. I've been to the Brissie open a few times & whilst the standard is not really comparable, the experience is. Wont take anything away from Wimbledon though.
Maybe put to shame is a little harsh...but major pluses were; almost walked straight in at around 11am, just before play started, for around $15; with my ground pass I could go in all courts except the main one (Rod Laver Arena if my memory is correct); no problems with weather; cheaper food; floodlit outer courts, so I watched Henman until around 11pm!
My only trip to a major tennis tournament was opening day at Wimbledon in 1985 when I was over for a holiday with a girlfiend. I remember a long queue early morning to buy tickets but unfortunately it rained most of the day and we ended up passing the time waiting for play to commence sipping champagne and eating strawberries & cream. Around 6:30pm we finally got to see a little tennis before close of day and I recall watching Ivan Lendl play. So that was it, no refunds, no tickets for next day, it was fun though.
Queens, not gutted mate, but was definitely wanting Joker to win. It was a brilliant night out with the missus - early dinner at a swish Southbank restaurant and a water taxi to the arena. Then 4 hours of great tennis. Stan the Man deserved it in the end - full credit to him!!! Didn't leave seat from warm up to the end. Better than Wimbledon? It's a very good set up at Melbourne Park... but very different to the Wimbledon experience. I've not been to Wimbledon for many years, but used to go there regularly when I lived in Tooting (uni days). That was a good day out and at least you could get into the standing areas on Centre Court. See you next Friday Queens, bring your drinking trousers
I go up at night to see the Azarenka-Radwanska semi but do not regret it! A great ladies match and a very impressive, suprising and easy win for Agnieszka Radwanska (6-1, 5-7, 6-0) against the current Champion and no 2 seed. Agnieszka had a bad track record against Victoria, but today she was mentally tougher and played bith accurate,strong, and clever tennis and deserved her win. Well done in reaching her first Australian Open semi and hope that she may win her first Open. I will now have to get up again in the middle of Thursday night to see the semi-final, but fear that Dominika Cibulkova is playing very well and may be too energetic, and quietly fancy her, in the tennis sense, to win. But quietly I hope I will be pleasantly suprised!
