Last 16 emerges for top seeds

The top seeds in the top half of the draw carried on where the seeds from yesterday left off.  Djokovic carried on his superior form seeing off the injured Nicholas Mahut, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1.  The pundits who doubted whether Djokovic could carry on his amazing run from 2011 into 2012 seem to be well and truly silenced as the Serb has only lost 10 games so far.  Djokovic will play the winner of Milos Raonic and Lleyton Hewitt.  Andy Murray also cruised through against a potentially difficult opponent, Michael Llodra, but Murray’s flare proved too much for the Frenchman as he was dispatched, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.  Jo Wilfred Tsonga also went through convincingly against Frederico Gil, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 and will now play Kei Nishikori in the last 16.  Richard Gasquet put in a superb performance against Janko Tipsarevic winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 and will now play Spaniard David Ferrer who had a tougher round against Chela, although he still managed to win in three sets.  The biggest upset in the men’s draw today was Gael Monfils losing in five sets to Kukushkin, 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 1-6, 6-4.  Kukushkin’s coach, who also happens to be his wife, must be pleased that Kukushkin was able to set up a clash with Britain’s Andy Murray. 

Serena Williams went safely through to the last 16, as she was never troubled by Greta Arn winning 6-1, 6-1.  She will now face the German, Sabine Lisicki who after dropping the first set against Svetlana Kuznetsova fought back to win the match, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.  Sharapova made her opponent Angelique Kerber look like a junior as she went on to win 6-1, 6-2, so far only losing 5 games in the whole tournament.  Sharapova is still seeking another grand slam after winning her last slam here in Australia.  Ana Ivanovic continues to progress through the tournament under the guidance of Nigel Sears, beating Vania King 6-3, 6-4 convincingly; she will now face Petra Kvitova who had an even easier ride against Maria Kirilenko who pulled out after losing the first set 6-0 and 1-0 down in the second.  There were a few more upsets in the women’s draw today.  Marion Bartoli was out powered by Chinas Zheng, 6-3, 6-3 and Vera Zvonareva losing to a fellow Russian Makarova, 7-6, 6-1. 

Tomic battles past Dolgopolov

In a thrilling and controversial 5 set match, that could have gone either way, Tomic sealed the match with amazing finishing shots 4-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-3.    

Bernard Tomic had never won against the Ukrainian and 13^th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov but with the crowed behind him the match was always going to be close.  Dolgopolov took control of the 1^st set winning 6-4 in 42 minutes with very aggressive tennis.  But the home favourite battled back to win the next two sets on the tiebreaker with a stunning array of shot making, which Dolgopolov had no answer too. 

In what looked to be a 4 set win for Tomic, Dolgopolov managed to fight back after an injury time out with the Aussie giving way thinking the final set showdown was inevitable after a loss of concentration.  The Ukrainian taking the 4^th set, 6-2. 

In the electrifying final set, controversy was created by the confident Tomic after he appeared to challenge a ball midpoint, raising his racket and looking at the umpire, Carlos Ramos.  However no verbal communication was made, and so after a backhand error by Dolgopolov he was understandably fuming with the point not been stopped for a challenge.  This looked to throw the 13^th seed as he went a break down which led Bernard Tomic to have a 5-3 lead giving him the chance to serve for the match.  Tomic continued with his calculated and fearless play to create 2 match points.  Tomic failed to take his first chance after being played out of position by Dolgopolov.  But he took the second after Dolgopolov missed a return of serve to take the match and create a 4^th round match up against Roger Federer . 

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.    

Roddick retires, Djokovic advances

Lleyton Hewitt continues his run at the Australian open with a win against rival Andy Roddick, after the American retired after winning the 1^st set.  His movement was hampered due to an injury which meant he could not carry on in front of the Rod Laver Arena; the score finished at 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 ret.  Another upset developed when the Serb Victor Troicki losing in 5 sets to Kukushkin of Kazakhstan, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. 

Novak Djokovic fared better than his compatriot easing into the 3^rd round with the loss of just 5 games.  Andy Murray also went through comfortably winning 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.   Number 5 seed David Ferrer had to battle his way through against Ryan Sweeting eventually winning 6-7(4), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. 

Top seeds had to battle hard in the women’s game too with Kvitova beating Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.  Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams both went through in straight sets with Sharapova looking incredibly dominant over both of her opponents so far. 

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.   

Aussies go down under

The 1^st round at the Australian open has been completed and it has not been without upsets.  Samantha Stosur has never been past the 4^th round at her home grand slam and she won’t again this year losing to Sorana Cristea 7-6(2), 6-3 in a match full of Stosur’s 33 errors.  Stosur was not the only grand slam champion 0f 2011 to lose early in the next grand slam – Kim Clijsters lost second round at the French Open, Li Na lost second round at Wimbledon and Kvitova lost first round at the US Open.   On the men’s side of the draw things looked slightly better.  Lleyton Hewitt set up a second round clash against Andy Roddick, but his energy levels may be diminished after a tough 4 set match which lasted 3hr and 18 minutes.  Bernard Tomic won his 1^st match yesterday with a stunning fight back against Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2, 7-5.  The 19 year will be looking to do well at his home grand slam and further his run with a win against Sam Querry, the very beatable American who is slowly climbing his way back up the rankings. 

Andy Murray managed a 4 set win over the American teenager, Ryan Harrison, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 6-2. It was a tough match to get through especially with it being ferociously hot but this could stand the Brit well in the latter parts of the tournament...if he gets there.

Djokovic, Federer and Nadal also came through their matches along with Clijsters, Kvitova, Sharapova and Williams. 

Austraila Warm up - Round Up

The 2012 tennis season has already begun with 3 main ATP tournaments already completed.  World No. 4 Andy Murray was number 1 seed for this tournament and he got his first trophy of the year defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-3.  Although the final was a relatively easy win for him due to the Ukrainian not being fully fit, he struggled in the early stages of the tournament having to win the first two rounds in 3 sets but maybe his loss of concentration will be ironed out by his new coach Ivan Lendl. 

It was all French affair at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open with Jo Wilfred Tsonga going head to head against Gael Monfils winning 7-5, 6-3.  Hopefully it will serve up as a good warm up towards his Australian open hopes, he will certainly be looking to do well at the first grand slam event of the year. 

The final men’s 250 event was one by Milos Raonic in Chennai.  2011 was an amazing year for the Canadian but the 21 year old had some doubters who did not believe he could follow up his breakthrough year.  He has started to prove them wrong winning a hard fought match against Janko Tipsarevic, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6(4) to win his second ATP World Tour title.  Now Milos Raonic is now tied with Andy Murray and Jo Wilfred Tsonga at the top of the ATP 2012 race – a place where I am sure he wants to stay!

The Australian Open starts on the 16^th January.