I'm sure you were all checking this blog hourly looking for insights and predictions during the Aussie wondering what on earth I could be doing.
Well, in short, I have begun my own tennis season and have been staying up until 4 every night watching the tennis.
Anyway, enough apologies we have a lot to get caught up on.
The Australian is almost over...we're halfway into the semis, with the last two quarters playing tonight.
Without wasting too much time on the past, lets see....Monfils retired again, Nalbandian lost a 5 setter that he never loses, Blake couldn't make a move, Tsonga is on fire, Fed survived a scare, Rafa looks unbeatable, Murray felt the favorite jitters, Roddick lost 15 pounds, Simon keeps winning, and Novak switched rackets.
Now to the meat of the Slam...the quarters. Yesterday featured the blockbuster showdown between Roddick and Djokovic. I must say this match inspired me to get back on the blog wagon again because I had so much to say about it.
First some history...we all remember at the Open when Roddick was making fun of Novak saying he has 15 different injuries...and Novak retaliated by beating A-rod in front of his home crowd.
Yesterday Roddick would have the last laugh as the over 140 degree on court temp drained Novak of everything he had, forcing him to retire in the 4Th set, down 2 sets to 1 and a break.
Roddick looked like he was playing in a 60 degree breeze. This match also solidly placed Roddick back in the mix, and might prove to be his last best chance to win a Major.
The bad news is Roddick plays Fed after his 3, 0, 0 massacre of Del Potro last night. I'm sure Roddick is praying for another heat wave.
Tonight showcases Verdasco VS Tsonga and Nadal VS Simon.
Verdasco is one of the hottest players on tour right now, and looked like he had a new found consistency, maturity, and faux hawk, in his win over Murray last round. Tsonga is Tsonga and will be ripping impossible winners and errors all day. This should be a good match to watch.
My Prediction: Verdasco in 4 tough ones.
Nadal's outfit this tournament gets a C-(what is that pink stripe?) from me, but his game is beyond an A. He is hammering the ball off both sides, and looks like he is on a mission. I think Simon has the the game that can give him trouble, and has beat him before...but this time I think he is in for a beating.
My Prediction: Rafa in straights.
I hope you all are enjoying the Aussie, and managing to get some sleep. Take Care, see you tomorrow with results and a preview of the semis.
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2 comments:
Great to see you back, good luck with your tennis. Last night was unbelievable, Andy was on fire and I mean in every way. Between the heat on the court and the heat off his racket it was great to see him back too.
They make such a big deal about the heat. Brad Gilbert was right in saying that Novak must have not prepared (hydrating, and working on his fitness) he was exhausted after the first set. Andy put in the time and deserved the win. Maybe we can have an American slam winner, its been about six or seven years. Blake can't ever make it out of the quarters, his problem is not fitness its his choices that he makes during the match.
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