Azarenka and Djokovic emerge victorious down under

The women’s champion was decided with Azarenka dispatching her Russian opponent Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 in a very one sided match.  She lost the first two games of the final but managed to get back on track with ferocious baseline winners and powerful serving.  Sharapova could only compete with the decibel levels as her racket gave to many unforced errors which ultimately led to her undoing.  Her wait for another grand slam lives on.  But for Victoria Azarenka she won her first grand slam and is the new number one with Caroline Wozniacki dropping down to fourth position. 

It was not as straightforward for Novak Djokovic as it took him five hours and 53 minutes to retain his Australian Open crown.  It was the pair’s 30^th meeting and ended up being the longest match in the tournament s history.  Djokovic managed to come through 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5.  Nadal had his chances, none more so than when he was a break up in the final set and at 30- 30, when he missed a straightforward backhand down the line.  It turned out to be the most crucial point in the match as Djokovic managed to break back and seal the set and the match.     

Azarenka and Sharapova to meet in Aussie Final

Victoria Azarenka reached her first Grand Slam final, by coming through her 3 set match against Australian favourite Kim Clijsters, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.  A nervous looking Clijsters could not take her chances in the first set and was dominated by Azarenka.  However she fought her way back in the second set hitting huge ground strokes to secure a break in just the second game.  In the final set momentum swung as both players struggled with their nerves as they both lost their service games.  But Azarenka kept her cool and won the match with a smash winner.  Kim Clijsters walked off court to affectionate applause to what could be her last appearance on the Rod Laver Arena. 

Victoria Azarenka will be joined by the Russian Maria Sharapova in the final after she defeated Petra Kvitova in another three set victory, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.  After losing the first set Kvitova relaxed in the second putting constant pressure on her opponent making fantastic winners.  The Czech also had lots of opportunities to take the final set due to Sharapova being 15-40 or love-30 on her serve but could not take them thanks to the Russian being able to find her first serve when it mattered.   

Rafael Nadal came from behind in what was an eagerly awaited semi-final clash against Roger Federer.  Federer made the better start cruising into a 3-0 lead, taking the ball early and hitting some unbelievable winners.  But Nadal battled back with some more super shot making, but went onto lose the first set on a tiebreak.  Nadal then stormed through the next set but looked a bit nervous in the third with them both making unusual errors.  This ultimately led to Federer’s demise as Nadal was able to get through this and continue to make fabulous winners to take the match, 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4.  He will now face either Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray in the final.   

Supreme performance seals semi final place for Rafa

Through to the semi finals in the men’s draw is Roger Federer who beat Del Potro 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.  Federer put in an excellent performance to see off the Argentinean making sensational winners.  He will now face Rafael Nadal who also put in a supreme performance to beat Tomas Berdych 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-3.  His forehand was impressive as he out powered the Czech hitting some untouchable returns sealing the match at the 1^st time of asking after 4hours and 16 minutes on court.      

Azarenka had her toughest test so far against Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska in their quarter final match.  Radwanska won the first set in a tie break winning it 7-0, but Azarenka fought her way back, shouting and screaming herself through the games to take the next two sets, closing out the match, 6-7(0), 6-0, 6-2.  Azarenka who has not been a favourite with the Aussie crowed due to her screeching will now play Kim Clijsters who is affectionately known as Aussie Kim due to her engagement to Lleyton Hewitt.  The Belgium beat the world number one Caroline Wozniacki in another tough match winning, 6-3, 7-6(4); the defending champion was in stunning form as she battled past Wozniacki who also produced some fantastic points.  But her wait for a grand slam lives on.

Cruise control for top seeds

It was a very straightforward day at the office for the women with none of the top seeds really struggling.  Caroline Wozniacki, the world number 1, looks to be having no trouble as she dispatched Niculescu, 6-2, 6-2 in 1hr and 15 minutes.  Jelena Jankovic continues her run of form beating American Mchale6-2, 6-0; the nerves that she has suffered from in the past don’t be affecting her ability to close out matches this year.  The ever consistent Agnieszka Radwanska went through her match easily with a 6-2, 6-2.  Azarenka also went through in 2 sets, 6-2, 6-4, although it was tough against the inform Mona Barthel who won the title in Hobart the week before the Open.  Kim Clijsters also won in straight serves, 6-3, 6-2 against Daniela Hantuchova, in what could have been a tough match if the Hantuchova hadn’t been injured. 

The top seeds in the men also went through in straight sets, with Rafael Nadal coming through against Lacko, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.  The Spaniard looks in imperious form with no sign of an injury to hamper his progress so far in the Australian Open.  Federer continued his run against the big serving Croatian, Ivo Karlovic, 7-6, 6-5, 6-3.  Federer managed to get the crucial breaks when needed and always looked comfortable when serving.  Thomas Berdych set up a fourth round clash against Nicolas Almagro, after conserving his  energy to just a 3 set match against South African Kevin Anderson winning 7-6, 7-6, 6-1.    

A-Tomic Win

The 3^rd day was completed at Melbourne Park with easy wins for the top seeds.  Roger Federer will be thankful to Andreas Beck who gave him a walkover after withdrawing from injury.  He will now face the big serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic.  Rafael Nadal had to battle a bit harder than Federer to get through to the 3^rd round, but ultimately eased through with a straight set victory over Germany’s Tommy Haas, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. 

The Australian flag is still flying due to the young Bernard Tomic beating the American Sam Querry, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.  Tomic will have another battle on his hands against Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.  The German born Queenslander will be hoping the Ukrainian will be struggling after his 5 set match and with the injury he sustained after losing the final to Andy Murray in Brisbane 2 weeks before. 

The Americans kept struggling on day 3 with 8^th seed Mardy Fish losing 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 to Alejandro Falla, in a match that left Fish uncharacteristically bad tempered after he questioned the rules of injury time outs when his opponent took an injury time out for cramping.  Things got slightly better for the Americans when John Isner emerged victorious over David Nalbandian winning, 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 10-8 in an encounter that lasted 4hrs and 14 minutes. 

On the women’s side, Clijsters strolled past France’s Stephanie Foretz Gacon, 6-0, 6-1 along with Li Na who does not appear to be suffering with the nerves that came after her French open win, as she got through to the 3^rd round closing out the match against Olivia Rogowska 6-2, 6-2.  The Number 1 in the world Caroline Wozniacki had to dig deep against Tatishvili after finding herself 4-1 down in the second set.  The Dane eventually managed to win 6-1, 7-6 after her opponent lost her nerve along with her forehand.  Victoria Azarenka looked sharp after winning her second match to set up a meeting with Anne Keothavong’s victor Mona Barthel. 

Finally it may just be down to Andy Murray to represent Great Britain in the singles, but as the doubles tournament started, Ross Hutchins & Colin Fleming won 6-4, 6-4 over the American duo Ryan Harrison & Ryan Sweeting.   

Flawless Federer

The audience at the O2 have been anticipating an epic match between Federer and Nadal.  Although it wasn’t the close encounter they had been expecting Federer produced a master class and won 6-3, 6-0.  Federer made some amazing shots whereas Nadal looked a step to slow, but Federer played too well for the World No.2 tonight.  He is now the first person to qualify for the Semi Finals even though he still has to play against Mardy Fish.  Nadal also has another chance to go through against Tsonga. 

London's Calling

The top 8 players and teams have been finalised and they are heading to London for the ATP Tour World Finals and today the groups were announced. 

Group A                                                                                                                       Group B

Novak Djokovic                                                                                                             Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray                                                                                                                 Roger Federer

David Ferrer                                                                                                                  Jo Wilfred Tsonga

Thomas Berdych                                                                                                           Mardy Fish

I think the two that make it out of each group will depend on injuries.  It has been a long hard season for all 8 with Djokovic, Nadal and Fish all pulling out of last week’s Paris Masters so we will have to wait and see how ready they will be.  This is why I think Murray has a real chance to win this year as he has had a fantastic end to the season.  Even though he lost to Berdych in the Semis in Paris this will fire up his determination and remind him that he can be beaten by everybody in this final 8.  Tsonga could be the dark horse of the competition, he made it to the final in Paris with the help of the French crowed; but the English love him to with his magnificent showing at Queens adn Wimbledon this summer.  But again his progress through Group B could depend on any injuries that the players have sustained in the past few weeks.