Australian Open Recap

Roger Federer’s 2017 Australian Open Title Sets up Intriguing ATP Season
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Roger Federer captured Grand Slam #18 at the age of 35 this past weekend with his five set victory over long time rival Rafael Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3. Federer turned back the clock for two weeks in Melbourne, after missing of half of 2016 due to a back injury. The swiss legend took advantage of the quick surface in Melbourne to gain key advantages against Rafa in the three sets he won. Nadal was broken early in the three sets he lost, and in the fifth set, he was up a break, but lost it, going on to surrender the match. When Federer slipped into more passive play, Nadal took advantage with his topspin forehand, but from the start of the second week, with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray defeated, the tournament looked to be Federer’s to lose.

Federer had not won a title since 2015, and hadn’t won a slam since 2012, many thought he had at most a couple years left on tour. He still may have a couple of years left, but those years are all the sudden looking a lot more promising. The injury layoff gave Federer time to rest and recuperate, and in the right conditions, his ability to play masterful attack tennis is still good enough to beat almost every ATP player on tour.

Federer also showed renewed stamina, outside of his three set victory over Mischa Zverev, who served and volleyed his way into the quarterfinals, ending Andy Murray’s bid for a first AO title, the two other Federer victories to reach the final in week 2 were in five sets. Semifinalist Stan Wawrinka couldn’t keep up sustained pressure after coming back from 2 sets to 1 down. Kei Nishikori also forced a fifth set against Federer, but his serving wasn’t strong enough to take the 5th in their round of 16 match.

Nadal was an underdog all tournament, having not won a hard court title since early 2014. The 30 year old Spaniard was pushed to his limits against Grigor Dimitrov, in his second five set contest of the tournament, but in the end, Nadal’s experience and poise was too much for the less accomplished Dimitrov, who has been playing great tennis in 2017. Milos Raonic and Gael Monfils were Nadal’s two other victims, despite being top 10 players, they were no match for Rafa’s movement, and forehand pace.

Federer’s victory and Nadal’s finals appearance sets up an intriguing 2017 season. Djokovic and Murray remain the overall top 2 players, and should compete as co-favorites for the remaining three Grand Slam titles this season. At Wimbledon and the French Open however, Federer and Nadal will have key roles to play. A renewed Federer is dangerous on a fast grass court, especially if he continues to hit the ball as flat as he did against Nadal. A healthy Nadal remains the king of clay, and has a fantastic shot at winning yet another title in Paris.

Dimitrov has shown signs that he could solidify a spot in the top 10, after an excellent start to 2017. His performance at the eight Masters 1000 tournaments this season will go a long way towards determing his fate however. Dimitrov has historically failed to live up to expectations in clutch moments.

Wawrinka also showed he’s not going to drop from the top 5 anytime soon, having his Swiss countryman back playing at a top level should push Wawrinka to up his game as well. Wawrinka and Dimitrov were both masterful in their quarterfinal matches, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Goffin respectively.

Players on the second tier of the ATP tour in terms of accomplishment, such as Monfils, Raonic, Nishikori, and Marin Cilic are going to have to play much better if they are going to threaten the tour’s core of Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka, and once again Federer and Nadal. They benefited from Federer and Nadal’s relative absence, especially on hard courts, but the competition level of the ATP tour just rose. Young guns such as Alexander Zverev, and Dominic Thiem are also fast improving too.

Henri Kontinen and John Peers took home the doubles title, defeating the legendary Bryan Brothers in straight sets. The Finnish/Aussie duo rose to prominence in 2016, and brought joy to home fans already in 2017.

Djokovic Demolishes Murray to Win Third Straight Major Title at the Australian Open
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

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Novak Djokovic won his 11th Grand Slam, his 6th Australian Open, and captured his third straight Grand Slam in a row with a straight set drubbing of world #2 Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6(3) in the final. The world #1 has now doubled his ranking points compared to his two closest rivals Murray, and Roger Federer, who he defeated in the semifinals in 4 sets 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3.

Djokovic was masterclass in all of his matches, though he stared down a five setter against Gilles Simon in the fourth round. The Serbian has been far and above his rivals since last Summer, and his 12-0 record in 2016, shows no signs of incurring a loss anytime soon. He’s the player to beat in 2016.

Both Murray and Federer are great talents who consistently performed well all tournament, but they were unable to crack the code of Djokovic’s physicality, counter punching, and court coverage. It takes a super human effort to defeat him, something Simon put up, but wasn’t able to maintain over five sets, though the Frenchman for a time was getting to every ball put into play.

Djokovic also comfortably dealt with Hyeon Chung, Quentin Halys, and Andreas Seppi, without dropping a set, but needing a couple of tiebreaks, in the early rounds. In the quarterfinals he crushed Kei Nishikori, another top player who simply had no footing against the world #1. The tennis we are seeing from Djokovic is out of this world right now.

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Murray rolled past Alexander Zverev, and Sam Groth, then needed four sets against Joao Sousa to reach the second week. Home Australian Bernard Tomic also failed to grab a set, and David Ferrer took him to four sets in the quarterfinals. Murray’s triumph to reach the final came against Milos Raonic, who was bidding for his first Grand Slam final. The Canadian #1 has shown major improvements this season by playing more aggressively, and coming to net. Raonic had a two set to one lead, but failed to close out the match, as the great returner Murray ended up winning in five sets 4-6 7-5 6-7(4) 6-4 6-2. Murray has had great success in Melbourne, but once more he failed to come home with the Champion’s trophy. The British #1 is rushing home now to be present for the birth of his first child.

Raonic beat Stan Wawrinka by clinching the fifth set and staving off a great comeback from 2 sets to love up, and in the semifinals after that, he dealt with Gael Monfils, who played well, but could only manage to capture a set. Raonic’s great serving took his game to the next level, as he looks capable of challenging for a top five ranking, if he can continue good results on fast surfaces.

Federer scored notable wins in the second week over Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, and Tomas Berdych, as his path was somewhat easier compared to the other semifinalists. Still at his age he continues to perform as an elite player, and remains a threat to win the big tournaments. His game is still working like it has for years.

Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, a new pairing, won the men’s doubles title in three sets over Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek, a pair of grizzled veterans. Jamie Murray won his first major, as his brother Andy cheered him on. It was a great tournament for British tennis.

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Steen Kirby (Marseille)

Djokovic Dominates All Challengers, Captures Fifth Australian Open Title
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

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Novak Djokovic simply could not be stopped in Melbourne, as the Serb only played one five setter all tournament, and he won that set with a bagel. Djokovic beat four time finalist Andy Murray, who continues to struggle with losing finals there, while playing some of his best tennis at the tournament, in the final in 4 sets. The match was a competitive 7-6 6-7 for the first two frames, but after that Djokovic took control, winning 12 of the final 15 games of the match for a 7-6 6-7 6-3 6-0 victory over the Scotsman.

Novak remains the world number one, and he’s the best plexicushion player on the planet at the moment, and perhaps the best of all time on the surface. He struggled with bouts of full body cramps, a jammed finger, and perhaps other ailments in his final with Murray, but after long rallies, and a physically taxing match where both skilled returners struggled to hold their serves throughout, Djokovic had Murray up against a wall, and he finished him, as winning a second set tiebreak didn’t seem to do much for Murray’s belief and left him spent emotionally and physically. Djokovic’s ailments and rollercoaster form early on, seemed to unnerve Murray, who would have to play a difficult, and taxing point, and often not even win it, then be treated to Djokovic doubled over and hitting the ball into the next the next point. His rhythm was interrupted and he simply didn’t serve well enough to win this, as he had every chance to go up 2 sets to love, if he had taken the first set tiebreak, and putting in all his effort to win the second, only to be faced with a renewed Djokovic over the final two frames, broke him. Djokovic wiped up in the fourth, and the final was simply not compelling after the first two sets, as it started to go faster, and the momentum of the match was established.

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Murray had a great tournament, but he simply had to put in a lot more effort to win points than Novak had to, the Serbian has an extra gear, and it served him well this tournament. In week 2, Djokovic didn’t drop a set against big servers Gilles Muller, and Milos Raonic, then was pushed to five, but bageled Stan Wawrinka in the 5th, as the Swiss couldn’t replicate his shocking victory last year. Raonic was disappointing to only force one tiebreak, and his return simply wasn’t good enough to trouble Djokovic, who eventually was able to read his serve. Previously, Raonic needed 5 sets to oust Spanish serve and slice maestro Feliciano Lopez, taking advantage of his opponents double faults to break. Wawrinka fought hard, and was dictating points with his backhand at times, but he mentally faded after taking the 4th set and having a break point chance early in the 5th. Simply put, Djokovic relied not only on his physical and technical talents, but also on his mental fortitude to bludgeon his opponents into submission.

Murray beat Grigor Dimitrov in 4 sets, that match was full of highlights but Dimitrov squandered break up leads in both the first and fourth set and lost the match that way, an injured Nick Kyrgios, who saved match points in a classic round of 16 encounter against Andreas Seppi that went 5 sets, in straights, and Tomas Berdych also in 4 for his week two campaign. Berdych, who totally dominated a listless Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals, Nadal only able to play even top 50 level tennis for one set, that Berdych had a bit of trouble closing out, but eventually did, winning in straights, was powerful in the first set, but Murray turned it on after feeling the Czech out and won the next two sets by a combined score of 12-3. Berdych tried to rally back in the fourth, but a late break for a mentally tougher and physically conditioned Murray was enough to win him the match. Murray was angry with Berdych throughout as there were harsh words exchanged. Berdych had also previously taken out another home Aussie, Bernard Tomic, in straight sets, as Tomic struggled with his power and dictation of the rallies.

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The Charismatic Italian duo of Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli beat French bromance Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut to win their first ever grand slam titles in the men’s doubles. The doubles final was contested between two pairs of players that both primarily have focused on singles on tour throughout their careers.

Djokovic will go into the rest of the season as a favorite on every surface besides clay at every tournament he plans to enter, while Murray is back playing top 5 tennis, Wawrinka proved he is here to stay this season, and Berdych continues to search for the answers as to what it’s going to take for him to get over the hump in slams.

Episode 4 of Tennis Atlantic/The Grandstand’s Courtside Videocast Discussing the Australian Open Finals and More!

Posted by Admin on February 2, 2015

Posted in: ATP, Australian Open, Courtney Massey, Courtside Videocast, Jean-Yves Aubone, Steen Kirby, WTA. Tagged: 2015 Australian Open, 2015 Australian Open Final, 2015 Australian Open week 2, Andy Murray, atp, ATP Discussion, ATP World Tour, australian open, Australian Open Discussion, Australian Open Final, Australian Open Recap, Dallas Challenger, Djokovic vs. Murray, Google Hangout, Hangout, Jean-Yves Aubone, Joey Hanf, madison keys, maria sharapova, Match Fixing, Match Fixing in Tennis, novak djokovic, Podcast, rafael nadal, serena williams, Stan Wawrinka, tennis, Tennis Atlantic, Tennis Discussion, Tennis Inside Out, The Grandstand, The Tennis Nerds, tomas berdych, Videocast, Williams vs. Sharapova, wta, WTA Discussion.

Episode 4 of Tennis Atlantic/The Grandstand’s Courtside Videocast Discussing the Australian Open Finals and More!
Staff, Tennis Atlantic

Tennis Atlantic/The Grandstand’s Courtside Videocast

Tennis Atlantic’s hosts Steen Kirby and Courtney Massey, along with The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon, were joined by Tennis Atlantic life on tour player Jean-Yves Aubone, Joey Hanf of The Tennis Nerds, and Valerie David of Tennis Inside Out to discuss the men’s and women’s Australian Open finales for 2015, and everything that went down in week 2 of the tournament, including Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Rafael Nadal, Madison Keys, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and more! In addition, the issue of match fixing in tennis was discussed.

Thanks for watching, and we will be back close to Indian Wells with new guests, and a discussion of everything prior to that tournament, along with a lookahead to the first Masters 1000 event of the year.

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Tennis Atlantic plain (Bogota)

Serena Storms To Number 19 with Australian Open Title over Sharapova
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic

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Tennis is a game of numbers, and it’s the digits that tell the story yet again. Serena Williams’ 17th career victory over Maria Sharapova captured her 19th Grand Slam title, moving the American within 3 of Steffi Graf’s record of 22 major victories.

The world number one defeated Sharapova 6-3,7-6 to claim her sixth Australian title of her illustrious career and 19th major, which now separates her from Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova who have 18 each.

Serena was the favourite heading into the match, and with good reason. The American hadn’t lost to her final opponent in 15 matches. Maria’s last victory over Serena came in 2004 in the WTA Championships that year. Since then, the Russian has barely been able to win a set, never mind a match against her long-time rival. Despite the lop-sided head to head, there was a slight glimmer of hope for Sharapova as Williams appeared to be carrying a virus. Serena apparently only practiced for five minutes a day before the final, and was said to have a nasty cough heading in to the final.

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It didn’t take long for the world number one to stamp her authority on the match, however. Serena broke in the very first game, giving her the perfect nerve settler. The match stayed with serve until a rain delay at *3-2 30-30 forced the roof on Rod Laver arena to be closed. During the interruption, Williams took it upon herself to leave the court, presumably because of the illness.

Despite being pictured coughing in the tunnel, Serena came out and won the first five points after the delay extending her lead to 5-2, and giving herself a chance to serve out the first set. Sharapova is known for her determination and her competitive spirit and she showed exactly why that is. The world number two broke straight back giving herself a fighting chance of rescuing the opening set. Unfortunately for the Russian, it turned out to be all for nothing. Serena re-asserted control by breaking Sharapova to love; 1-0 to the top seed.

Williams continued to look dominant as she soon raced to a game lead, and two break point opportunities at the start of the second set. Most players facing Serena would fold in this situation, but the world number two isn’t just another player. The fighting spirit that has seen Sharapova win five grand slam titles was on display for everyone to see as she saved the break points and won the game.

The 27 year old had played her way into the match, and despite facing two more break points, and a match point on her own serve, Sharapova salvaged a second set tie break.

Possessing one of the best serves in the whole of tennis, and experience that most dream of, Serena was no doubt the favourite in the tiebreak. She gave the mini-break to Sharapova in the first point of the breaker, but it was soon overturned by the world number one as she raced into a 4-1 lead. The second seed kept in touch by holding on to her serve in the next two points, and she was rewarded by getting the mini-break back at 5-3. Unfortunately for Sharapova her efforts were futile as Serena re-established her advantage in the next point to set up 2 match points. Maria saved the first with a big forehand down the line, leaving Serena to settle it on her own serve. The world number one’s cough soon turned into a hiccup as an apparent ace was called a let by the umpire. But the 33 year old re-grouped to fire down an ace that replicated the ruled out one from moments before to close the match out. It was a champion’s way to finish it off, from perhaps the greatest women’s athlete of all time.

Williams stepped up to the podium to collect her trophy to cries of “I love you” from the crowd, in which she responded “I love you back, I really do!” She added: “I have to congratulate Maria, who played a wonderful, wonderful match tonight. She really pushed me tonight. She played so well and gave us a great final – not only for you guys, but for women’s tennis and all of the sponsors who support our sport and all of us. I’m honoured to play you in the final.”

“Growing up I wasn’t the richest, but I had a rich family in spirit and support, and standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen. I went on the courts with just a ball, a racquet and a hope. That’s all I had. So all you guys who want to do something or be something, just never give up. You never know what can happen or who you can inspire. I’m just so honoured.”

Sharapova was gracious in her runners up speech: “First of all I’ve got to congratulate Serena on creating history and on playing some of her best tennis,” Sharapova said. “It’s an honour playing against her. I haven’t beaten her in a really long time, but I love it every time I step on the court to play her because she’s the best, and as a tennis player you want to play the best, so congratulations on such a great achievement.”

“It’s been a long couple of weeks here for me. I was almost down and out in the second round, and I gave myself a second life in this tournament. It wasn’t enough today, but I love it here. I’ve had some of my best memories on this court and my toughest losses, but that’s life as a tennis player.”

Both players had their struggles on the way to the final, but they ultimately prevailed.

Serena had to come from a set down against Elina Svitolina and Garbine Muguruza in rounds three and four. The two youngsters found themselves up a set, but Serena’s experience and ability to reach another level proved too much. From then on, the world number one didn’t drop a set as she dispatched last year’s runner up, Dominika Cibulkova and American prospect Madison Keys in straight sets on her way to the final.

Maria Sharapova was on the brink of an early exit in round two, but the 27 year old saved match points to defeat Alexandra Panova in three sets. That seemed to light a fire under the world number two, as she went on a tear in the new few rounds. Sharapova dispatched Zarina Diyas, Shuai Peng, Eugenie Bouchard and fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets before eventually losing out to Serena in the final.

It is a wonder whether Sharapova will ever defeat Williams again. When the Russian first burst onto the scene in 2004, she dispatched Serena with relative ease in the Wimbledon final. But since then, she has only defeated the world number one once, and even that was in the same year. Is it mental, is it technical, or is it a mixture of both? Either way, since 2004 Williams has dominated Sharapova in nearly all of their matches, and it’s hard to see that changing. But if Tomas Berdych can beat Rafael Nadal, surely Maria can beat Serena, no?

The legacy of the world number one just continues to grow by the year, and despite being at the ripe age of 33, Serena is still the woman to beat on the WTA tour. Williams has a presence on court that isn’t replicated by anyone else, and with the amount of time off she’s had during her career, I can safely say she will still be around competing for Grand Slams for years to come.

It has been a memorable grand slam, concluded with a great match between the two best players in the women’s game. The collapse of the seeded players in round one, the dream run of Madison Keys and Serena capturing her 19th grand slam title only scratches the surface of what happened in the past fortnight. As usual, the Australian Open didn’t disappoint and the best in women’s tennis will be back next year.

Be sure to catch all the WTA action on Tennis Atlantic throughout the season.

Niall Clarke (Sofia)

Episode 3 of Tennis Atlantic/The Grandstand’s Courtside Videocast Discussing the Australian Open Halfway Point

Posted by Admin on January 25, 2015

Posted in: ATP, Australian Open, Courtney Massey, Courtside Videocast, Jean-Yves Aubone, Steen Kirby. Tagged: 2015 Australian Open, 2015 Australian Open Draw, 2015 Australian Open Week 1, 2015 Australian Open week 2, Andreas Seppi, Andy Murray, atp, ATP Discussion, ATP World Tour, australian open, Australian Open Discussion, Australian Open Predictions, Australian Open Preview, Australian Open Recap, Australian Open Week 1, benjamin becker, bernard tomic, denis kudla, eugenie bouchard, feliciano lopez, gael monfils, Google Hangout, Grigor Dimitrov, Hangout, Jean-Yves Aubone, Jerzy Janowicz, Joey Hanf, lleyton hewitt, Lucas Pouille, Madison Brengle, madison keys, Malek Jaziri, Marcos Baghdatis, maria sharapova, Nick Kyrgios, novak djokovic, Podcast, rafael nadal, roger federer, serena williams, Simona Halep, Stan Wawrinka, tennis, Tennis Atlantic, Tennis Discussion, Tennis Inside Out, Thanasi Kokkinakis, The Grandstand, The Tennis Nerds, tim smyczek, tomas berdych, Victoria Azarenka, Videocast, wta, WTA Discussion, youtube.

Episode 3 of Tennis Atlantic/The Grandstand’s Courtside Videocast Discussing the Australian Open Halfway Point
Staff, Tennis Atlantic

Tennis Atlantic/The Grandstand’s Courtside Videocast

Tennis Atlantic’s hosts Steen Kirby and Courtney Massey were joined by Tennis Atlantic life on tour player Jean-Yves Aubone, Joey Hanf of The Tennis Nerds, and Valerie David of Tennis Inside Out to discuss the halfway mark of the 2015 Australian Open on the men’s and women’s side. Watch the crew break down all the action during the first week of the tournament, and analyze the week ahead in Melbourne, including picks for champion on both the men’s and women’s side. Nick Kyrgios, Tim Smyczek, Roger Federer’s loss to Andreas Seppi, Andy Murray, Denis Kudla, Madison Keys, and more were all topics of discussion among our analysts.