Australian Open is here
The grand slam of the Asia-Pacific is here,it’s time for the Australian Open!
And of course,the biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether anyone can stop the juggernaut that is Roger Federer.
The defending men’s champion is “trying” to become the frst man in the Open era to win 3 consecutive Australian Open titles.
The seeding in this year’s tournament has been along expected lines,with Federer,Nadal,Djokovic And Davydenko seedeed according to their ATP Entry ranks in the tournament.
The same goes for the Women’s line-uP,with the top seed being World No.1 Justine Henin,and the seedings follow the rankings thereafter.India’s Sania Mirza is seeded 31st coming into this tournament.
The first 3 rounds have yet so far produced no major upsets.Indeed,Federer has powered his way through the first 2 rounds,mauling Fabrice Santoro 6-1,6-2,6-0,and is showing,much to his non well wishers’ disappointments,no signs of lacking match practice(this being his first tournament after the Masters Cup in Shanghai last year).Federer is fit,fast and hungry for his 4th consecutive Aussie Open title,which will take him to 2nd on the all time list.
His nemesis,as usual,is the 2nd seed Rafael Nadal.As usual,Nadal will be trying everything in his power to thwart Federer.He came in this tournament having lost in the finals of the Chennai Open to Mikhail Youzhny,so is definitely not short on match practice.His form in the first round has been impeccable,losing only 4 games en route to defeating Sarra 6-0.6-2,6-2.
The rest of the field’s been marching as usual.Djokovic easily reaching the 2nd round of the open,with Davydenko being stretched to A tie breaker in the 3rd set.Roddick,Gasquet,Youzhny have managed to reach the 2nd round without too many hiccups.
Seeds lost so far include the 9th seed and British hopeful Andy Murray,who lost in the first round to .and the 11th seed Tommy Robredo,who lost in the first roud to Mardy Fish Of The Usa.
Also Out Of The Open Are Former Champions Thomas Johannson(2002) And Marat Safin(2005),Both To The Cypriot And 2006 Finalist,15th Seed Marcos Baghdatis,who Defeated Safin In An Epic 5 Setter In The 2nd Round.
There Have Been No Major Upsets In The women’s Matches,Though The Form Of Several Of The Top Players,Both The WIllliams sisters As Well As Henin Looks Patchy At Best.All Have Been Taken To Tie Breaks In The Tournament,Though Have Yet To Drop A Set.
The Russian Brigade Is In Strong Contention,With Sharapova Annihilating Davenport’s Comeback Charge,Losing Just The One Game In Their 2nd Round Encounter.The Other Russians Like Kuznetsova ANd Chekavedatze Too Have Safely Survived The First Rounds.Safely Through Too Is The Glamour Brigade,With High Seeds Like Ivanovic,Jankovic,And Vladisova. India’s Sania Mirza Too Has Made It Safely Past The First 2 Rounds,And Will Face Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams In The Next Round.
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