Australian Open 2009

[TyCobb]

Tennis is slowly becoming my favorite sport to watch. My favorites have change over the years. I use to breathe Baseball. Read ESPN daily, watch Baseball Tonight, and all year round follow all that is baseball. Now I simply follow the Orioles and Yankees. I still feel like I am going to puke after ever Oriole's mistake or lost. Watching the Orioles can't be good for my health. But now lets not talk me and my favorites but about the subject of this Thread: Aussie Open 2009.

Tennis had a top 3 last year. We now are lucky to have a top 4. Fed, Nadal, Djokovic, and now Murray are all playing like they can win against anyone they face.

I filled out my bracket and it ends up with Nadal v Federer.

Murray got the easiest bracket. Nobody should give him trouble. Tsonga is some how the #4 seed (Davydenko is hurt and would be the 4th seed if he would play) with missing half the year last year. He should drop down big time as I have him losing to Gulbis in the 4th round (Got to the Finals last year)

Nadal has an interesting Bracket. Possibly Tursunov in the 3rd round, Gasquet in the 4th, and Monfils in the 5th. All those players can realistically beat him.

Djokovic's bracket just has Nalbandian. Roddick is not a threat nor is Fish, Baghdaths, Robredo, Querry, Mathieu. A lot of people have Nalbandian winning it because Djokovic switch rackets. And anyone that plays tennis knows that it takes time to adjust from a Wilson grip to a Head grip. I still have Djokovic winning it because Nalbandian is the Daniel Cabrera of tennis. Nobody can beat Nalbandian when he is on (maybe Fed if he is on), but Nalbandian has trouble being "on" for a whole Grand Slam.

My favorite Bracket is Feds. Del potro and Cilic are the next generation in tennis and they possibly will meet in the 4th round. If that happens, everyone should watch. Fed could have Safin in the 3rd round. That would be fun to watch Safin try his all in the 1st set and possibly win, but more likely blow up. Berdych and Wawrinka meet in the 3rd round. Those are two talent players. Berdych could win a Grand Slam if he wasn't a mental case (Was the one that quit after beating Roddick in the 1st Set).

1st round match to watch is without a doubt Hewitt v Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez got to the finals in the Aussie Open in 07. Is fun to watch because he is a power, free swinger. He dropped off a bit in recent years. Hewitt will have the crowd behind him and I actually have him winning the match. Should be a 5 setter.


I am going to use this site for odds: http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/australian-open.htm

Fed's the favorite with 3.6 to 1

Murray's ,IMO, rightfully the 2nd favorite with 4 to 1. Murray has been playing out of this world and if there were power ranking in Tennis, then Murray would be the #1 player in the world.

Nadal got 5 to 1

Djokovic got 9 to 1

Nalbandian,Tsonga, and Del Porta got 34 to 1.

If I was a betting man (and I am) then I would do a simple bet of $100 on Fed. I generally like to hedge my bets, but I don't see a safe hedge with Nadal facing Murray before the Finals. Those that want to risk a little more may try a connection of Nalbandian, Nadal, and Federer. $50 on Nalbandian, $50 on Nadal, and $100 on Federer. If Nalbandian wins you get $1550 profit. If Federer wins you get $310 profit. And if Nadal wins you get $350 profit.

Please comment on this as I don't want to be the only Tennis fan commenting on this Thread throughout the Grand Slam.

[YaBoyTopher]

I also love tennis, I watch both Mens and Womens Tennis. I think your projections are pretty good all around, I cant find fault but they are also very safe Nadal Vs Fed is what everyone expects.

However with that said, my favorite to win this think is Djokovic, When Novak is on his game I dont think he can be beat, he is a drama queen and can be sporadic at times but I think he will come in focused.

I dont count Roddick as a push over as you do, he always has a punchers chance and I like what I have seen from him lately however I dont see him knocking off Novak.

If not Novak my back up pick is Nadal.

On the Womans side, Ana Ivanovic is gonna pull it off, this is her favorite tourney and she was a finalist last year, she will win it this year.

I love the Aussie open.

[TyCobb]

I think the safe pick would be Murray v Federer. Murray has been the best player on tour the past 6 months.

Novak WAS my favorite player to watch. He got too famous for me to be a fan of him anymore. The reason I don't think he will win this event is because he switch rackets. Head grips and Wilson grips are different. I don't think he will be able to hit that big serve on the crucial points.

I agree with you that when Novak is on, nobody on tour can beat him.

For womens, I am going to pick the other Vic :)

[YaBoyTopher]

I think the safe pick would be Murray v Federer. Murray has been the best player on tour the past 6 months.

Novak WAS my favorite player to watch. He got too famous for me to be a fan of him anymore. The reason I don't think he will win this event is because he switch rackets. Head grips and Wilson grips are different. I don't think he will be able to hit that big serve on the crucial points.

I agree with you that when Novak is on, nobody on tour can beat him.

For womens, I am going to pick the other Vic :)

True the change of Racket is the wild card for Novak. I like Murray alot he has all the potential in the world I am just not convinced he will be able to win on the big stage, I know he made the finals at the US Open there is just something about him that makes me feel iffy on picking him.

I am just glad to have Tennis to watch, and glad to know I am not the only tennis fan on the OH :D

[TyCobb]

Last year we had a few more tennis fans on this thread.

[glenn__davis]

Still here TyCobb!

Love the Aussie Open. It's on my list of sporting events I want to see in my life. More than the other Grand Slams, it almost seems like a big summer party, in which they happen to play a lot of tennis.

I can't match your analysis, Ty, nor will I try to. But I agree that it's nice to see men's tennis competitive again, as much as I loved watching Federer's dominance. Now for crying out loud, let's get an American in there!

[TyCobb]

Really happy we are going to see the Del Porta v Cilic match. Should be a must watch guys.

Fed v Safin match could be interesting

Nalbandian is out and I am not that surprised. He is a hit or miss. Can have a great tournment and can exit really early (2nd round early lol ).

Gulbis is a real surprise so far for me. Guy loses to Andreev who is a great player and he lost in 5 sets after losing the first 2 sets. Kid is going to be great some day, just not yet.

[SHAWN555]

Really happy we are going to see the Del Porta v Cilic match. Should be a must watch guys.

Fed v Safin match could be interesting

Nalbandian is out and I am not that surprised. He is a hit or miss. Can have a great tournment and can exit really early (2nd round early lol ).

Gulbis is a real surprise so far for me. Guy loses to Andreev who is a great player and he lost in 5 sets after losing the first 2 sets. Kid is going to be great some day, just not yet.

Just saw this thread.

Cilic Del porto is going to be a great match.

Cilic was my sleeper pick in the mens draw.

I like Safina in the womens, but Zvonareva is playing really well.

Nalbandian seemed to not get the feel of the surface, he won last week in sydney on a must faster surface and he seemed to never really make the adjustment on the slower surface.

Looking forward to Monfils and Nadal in two rounds.

[YaBoyTopher]

So far the two surprises for me have been Blake and Tsonga. I know Tsonga made the finals here but I did not expect much from him this time around but he has played very well with a ton of heart. And this is the best I have seen Blake play in a long time.

They should make for a very interesting match next round.

I am also looking forward to Roddick Vs Djokovic, normally I would say Djokovic wins, and I should because I picked him, but Roddick has looked pretty good and Novak a little shakey. Perhaps you were right Ty and the racket change is gonna affect him more then I expected.

And for tonight I cant wait for Safin Vs Federer, Fed should win and probably will, But if Safin shows up with his head on straight he could pull the upset. I doubt it because Marat is a complete head case but it could be very interesting.

And my girl Ivanovic is getting better each round, she needs to keep getting better if she wants to beat Jankovic in the Semis however.

[TyCobb]

Roddick may get knocked out by Robredo next round. Both have been playing well. This slower surface isn't going to help Roddick's power game out.

Federer needs to watch out for Berdych. He has a top 10 game, but is a head case. Federer will not have an easy match against him.

Tonight watch for Blake to lose to Andreev. The Monfils v Almagro should be a good match up too.

[YaBoyTopher]

Bah Ivanovic lost, She really needs to get her toss figured out, it not only affects her serve but her entire game, She showed alot of heart fighting back in that 2nd set but she is gonna have a hard time winning any matches with that terrible toss.

The Blake Vs Andreev should be a good one, I am not a big Blake fan but he has looked great so far so I think he will pull this one out in 4.

[TyCobb]

Federer v Berdych match was great. I think Federer is the only player in the world that could win that match. Berdych was playing unreal. I don't think I ever seen him hit as well as he did that match.

[YaBoyTopher]

Federer v Berdych match was great. I think Federer is the only player in the world that could win that match. Berdych was playing unreal. I don't think I ever seen him hit as well as he did that match.

That was a great match, I really though Berdych was going to pull it off. I agree Fed started playing some amazing Tennis but I also think Berdych tightened up a little in the third set and then the injury in the 4th threw him off.

Now we are gonna start to get some really good Matches, I am looking forward to almost every Mens match thats on the docket.

Roddick Vs Djokovic

the Joker should win, and I think he will but I am curious to see how much trouble can give him, I think Roddick loses in 5, a good tough match.

Blake Vs Tsonga

Both these guys been playing great, I cant wait for this one. I got to go with Tsonga the guy has impressed me alot so far, I thought he was a one slam wonder when he made the finals here last year, but he looks like the real deal.

Verdasco Vs Murray

Murray has been playing fantastic tennis, but he will face his first real test in Verdasco. Neither guy has dropped a Set thus far. Should be exciting.

[DuffMan]

Outside of Murray's upset every other seed advanced to the quarterfinals. A pretty amazing feat if you ask me. Nadal has been on a roll and looks like a good bet to make the final. Coming out of the other half I would have to go with Federrer who pulled out a whale of a comback to stay in the tournament. The Roddick-Djokovic match is tonight at 9:30. Roddick seems to be playing well right now and I'm tempted to stay up and watch at least a set or two. I'm gonna root for the Yank and say he pulls off the upset before losing to Roger in the semi's.

[glenn__davis]

Didn't get to see the match, but the headline says Novak retired due to heat? What's up with that?

Anyway, congrats to Roddick. Not really a huge fan of his, but I'll settle for any American player to make some noise on the men's side. Just saw that Fed steamrolled del Potro. How long was that match, 90 minutes or so?

[DuffMan]

Didn't get to see the match, but the headline says Novak retired due to heat? What's up with that?

Anyway, congrats to Roddick. Not really a huge fan of his, but I'll settle for any American player to make some noise on the men's side. Just saw that Fed steamrolled del Potro. How long was that match, 90 minutes or so?

Yeah I was disappointed in missing the match as well. I thought it was the first one on last night at 930, but that obviously wasn't the case. To answer your question Novak pulled his I'm hurt/tired and am quiting in the middle of another big time match. Was it hot out for the match, yes it was but Roddick had to play in it as well. Apparently A-Rod dropped 15lbs over the offseason and from the little I've seen him play in this Tourney he definitely looks slimmer and quicker out on the court.

Fed didn't even need 90 minutes dispatching of Del Potro in 80.

Roddick seems to be playing well and has some momentum, but I still think he will be hard pressed to beat Roger. I think the key will be the first set. If he can take the first set he will be in great position, kind of an obvious statement, but even more so when playing against Federrer.

[TyCobb]

Yeah I was disappointed in missing the match as well. I thought it was the first one on last night at 930, but that obviously wasn't the case. To answer your question Novak pulled his I'm hurt/tired and am quiting in the middle of another big time match. Was it hot out for the match, yes it was but Roddick had to play in it as well. Apparently A-Rod dropped 15lbs over the offseason and from the little I've seen him play in this Tourney he definitely looks slimmer and quicker out on the court.

Fed didn't even need 90 minutes dispatching of Del Potro in 80.

Roddick seems to be playing well and has some momentum, but I still think he will be hard pressed to beat Roger. I think the key will be the first set. If he can take the first set he will be in great position, kind of an obvious statement, but even more so when playing against Federrer.

Let me say that I am a Novak fan.

I play tennis and I also watched the entire match. People who play tennis or any sport if it is hot out you know that the sun drains you out. I have played before fine for the first set and then all of a sudden I completely out of it. Now these athletics have personal trainers who will make sure they are properly hydrated. Apparently they didn't do that with Novak. Novak last match ended at around 2:30am in the morning. After doing the press and all that Novak probably didn't head to bed until dawn. So maybe he needed the extra ZzZs.

During the match the Court temperature hit as high as 59 degree C. That is almost 140 degrees F. I didn't even know that was possible on Earth.

Roddick played great and was able to handle the heat more. I don't understand why they didn't close the roof as tennis to me is about the tennis and not who can handle the heat better.

All is mute because Federer is going to steam roll Roddick next round and would have done the same to Novak as well.

Federer v Nadal final is going to be so sweet.

[DuffMan]

Let me say that I am a Novak fan.

I play tennis and I also watched the entire match. People who play tennis or any sport if it is hot out you know that the sun drains you out. I have played before fine for the first set and then all of a sudden I completely out of it. Now these athletics have personal trainers who will make sure they are properly hydrated. Apparently they didn't do that with Novak. Novak last match ended at around 2:30am in the morning. After doing the press and all that Novak probably didn't head to bed until dawn. So maybe he needed the extra ZzZs.

During the match the Court temperature hit as high as 59 degree C. That is almost 140 degrees F. I didn't even know that was possible on Earth.

Roddick played great and was able to handle the heat more. I don't understand why they didn't close the roof as tennis to me is about the tennis and not who can handle the heat better.

All is mute because Federer is going to steam roll Roddick next round and would have done the same to Novak as well.

Federer v Nadal final is going to be so sweet.

I understand the heat factor and how it fatigues you quicker I'm just not buying it. As Roddick had to play in the same conditions. While Having the late much does hurt some, it's not like this match was the same day the other ended early in the morning so he had time to recover. As far as hydration goes you shouldn't need a personal trainer to tell you to drink water, gatorade etc. especially knowing how hot it was going to be. Novak should've spent the whole day putting fluids in his body to get him hydrated, that's no one's fault but his own. Having said that if your gassed your gassed, personally I think it would've been better to go down swinging than just "give up" This is the 3rd time he's done this now. And for this tournament he was the defending champ, so one would think that would provide some extra incentive.

As for the Roddick Federer match I think Roger wins, but I don't think it will be a steam roll.

[YaBoyTopher]

I picked Djokovic to win this tournament and he is one of my favorite players but he should have sucked it up and finished, in his press conference after he essentially said he was tired, its ashame.

I take nothing away from Roddick though he played a great match the first two sets were impressive and Andy was playing blow for blow with Novak.

I am rooting for Andy big time against Fed, I hope he can pull the upset, I dont think he will but I hope he can. I remember I think it was the US Open two years ago when they played, Andy looked the best I had ever seen him he couldnt have done anymore then he did and he still lost in straight sets. I hope this leaner faster version has better luck against the Fed Express.

I think Nadal is gonna steam roll this tournament though, he looks unbeatable right now.

[RayFink1e]

Why didn't they shut the roof before? It cooled way down once they shut it today.

[TyCobb]

Why didn't they shut the roof before? It cooled way down once they shut it today.

They claimed it wasn't hot enough as yesterday. ESPN really isn't a fan of Novak and love Roddick. I hate their spin on the game.

[bryanman8]

Question--about how long do the matches take? When will the Roddick/Fed match be over about?

Trying to time getting up to see the end. 3:30 start= ugh.

[DuffMan]

Well so much for that Roger dismisses Roddick in straight sets. Man does he have his number. Looks like were headed towards another Nadal/Federer Final.

[glenn__davis]

I'm following the Nadal-Verdasco match. Looks incredible - wish I could see it!

[TyCobb]

I'm following the Nadal-Verdasco match. Looks incredible - wish I could see it!

Amazing is all I can say. Verdasco looks like a brand new player. Going to be putting him farther in my brackets for the other Grand Slams.

Nadal wins on a double fault. That hurts for Verdasco. But it is the best thing for tennis.

NADAL v FEDERER HERE WE COME!!!!

[ccbird]

Tremendous match. As high a quality a match as Fedrer/Nadal at Wimbleton last year. That one ranks higher because it was 1 vs 2 in a Grand Slam final but the shotmaking was just as good here.


What was so amazing to me was that Verdasco was giving it everything he had and was playing at an insane level yet Nadal was still eventually able to shake him. Can't wait for Sunday morning, I'll be setting my clock to ge up and watch that one. I just hope Nadal has something left in the tank.

[glenn__davis]

Are they showing an encore?

I had it on as I was getting ready for work this morning, and even my wife was impressed. And she hates that I watch tennis.

[TyCobb]

Are they showing an encore?

I had it on as I was getting ready for work this morning, and even my wife was impressed. And she hates that I watch tennis.

I think ESPN2 at 3 pm.

[TyCobb]

Yea I got up for this match.

[Baltimoron]

Yea I got up for this match.

I'm up. Me no know tennis, so post me some knowledge. I watched some Wimbledon. Me no tennis and it was sick to watch.

I hope for same.

Tell me smart thinks 'bout tennis Cobb!!!

[Baltimoron]

My girl says Federer much more coordinated than Nadal, she no fan of Nadal's neon headband/wristband matching pair/clashing all else.

Dick Enberg just said "16 strokes." LOL

Bye. i be backk

[Baltimoron]

My girl says Federer much more coordinated than Nadal, she no fan of Nadal's neon headband/wristband matching pair/clashing all else.

Dick Enberg just said "16 strokes." LOL

Bye - i be backk. smarts please!!!

--

Nadal played soccer- of course

[Baltimoron]

My girl says Federer much more coordinated than Nadal, she no fan of Nadal's neon headband/wristband matching pair/clashing all else.

Dick Enberg just said "16 strokes." LOL

Bye - i be backk. smarts please!!!

--

Nadal played soccer- of course.

[TyCobb]

I'm up. Me no know tennis, so post me some knowledge. I watched some Wimbledon. Me no tennis and it was sick to watch.

I hope for same.

Tell me smart thinks 'bout tennis Cobb!!!

lol

Well Federer looks good so far. Nadal will be in trouble if Federer keeps his unforced errors down. From the looks of it, I think Fed will win in 3 sets.

[TyCobb]

haha

Federer is looking good so far. I won't be surprised if the 1st set stays close and then Federer breaks away.

[Baltimoron]

My girl says Federer much more coordinated than Nadal, she no fan of Nadal's neon headband/wristband matching pair/clashing all else.

Dick Enberg just said "16 strokes." LOL

Bye - i be backk. smarts please!!!

--

Nadal played soccer- of course

[TyCobb]

haha

Fed is looking pretty good. Cound be a close 1st set and then Fed breaks away.

[TyCobb]

It is all mental for Fed. He broke down on the stage. Maybe he finally hit the floor and will step up his play (if that is possible). He can make all the shots, serve was weak today, but normally is great. It is in his head.

[mweb]

I agree with the announcers in that Federer's lack of aggresion on Nadal's 2nd serve really cost him.

[ccbird]

I agree with the announcers in that Federer's lack of aggresion on Nadal's 2nd serve really cost him.


Yeah, as good as Federer's groundstrokes are even he isn't going to win playing rallies against Nadal. To beat Nadal you have to be aggresive and go for the winners like Verdasco did the other night.



There is no doubt though that Nadal is also in Fed's head. How sick must it feel knowing that one guy has already stood in the way of you having 17 or 18 Majors and will likely deny you more times in the future. Luckily, Fed looks much better now than he did at the start of last year. It's foolish to think he could give Rafa much of a fight at the French but I'm already looking forward to another potential Wimbelton showdown.

[glenn__davis]

Great match. Can't say I got up for it, but I did volunteer to do the morning feeding with our 8-month old, which not only let me watch from the 3rd set or so but also score some brownie points with the wife.

These two guys are just really sick. They hit winners on shots that most players are just happy to return. I liked during the one rally when Nadal hit a sick winner and Enberg and McEnroe (I think it was McEnroe) simultaneously yelled "Come on!" in disbelief.

I know it's not likely, in fact he may need someone else to beat Nadal for him, but I'd really like to see Federer win a French. Funny to think that clay is his "weak" surface, yet if it weren't for Nadal he'd probably have at least 2 French Open titles.

Nadal's really grown on me. He seems like a humble enough guy and a good sport. And you have to love the way he fights for every point.

[DuffMan]

Nadal's really grown on me. He seems like a humble enough guy and a good sport. And you have to love the way he fights for every point.

Not to mention the guy is jacked! How many other tennis players are there that bring their guns to work?:wedge:

[glenn__davis]

Not to mention the guy is jacked! How many other tennis players are there that bring their guns to work?:wedge:

Yeah, but he wears those goofy capris, so he loses some of that cred there.

I'd like to know from some of those that follow the sport more closely if these 2 guys are as "nice" as they seem. I watch the Grand Slams very closely, but not much more than that. Maybe they just have good public personas, but they sure do seem to always say the right things.

[DuffMan]

Yeah, but he wears those goofy capris, so he loses some of that cred there.


Ugh, those damn capris are the only weakness in his game.

[TyCobb]

Yeah, but he wears those goofy capris, so he loses some of that cred there.

I'd like to know from some of those that follow the sport more closely if these 2 guys are as "nice" as they seem. I watch the Grand Slams very closely, but not much more than that. Maybe they just have good public personas, but they sure do seem to always say the right things.

I won't call either of them "nice". Fed is extremely grumpy if he is not winning easily. Nadal gets pissed when people mess around with his routine (which is annoying).

[DuffMan]

Nadal gets pissed when people mess around with his routine (which is annoying).

As opposed to Djokovic bouncing a ball dozens of times before each serve.:wedge::D

[TyCobb]

As opposed to Djokovic bouncing a ball dozens of times before each serve.:wedge::D

He also is a baby when somebody tries to make a joke about him. Or if a fan says something during a point.