Australian Open 2014 - Finals

Na Li and Stanislas Wawrinka came out victorious. Na Li was an outside bet but how many realistically believed Wawrinka would be the first since Del Potro to win a Grand Slam especially against Nadal in the finals.

Na Li (China) [4]

VS

Dominika Cilbulkova (Slovakia) [20]

7-6(7-3),6-0

Rafael Nadal (Spain) [1]

VS

Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) [8]

3-6,2-6,6-3,3-6

Na Li now brings her Grand Slam total to 2 and is now the oldest female to win the Australian Open. Wawrinka wins his maiden Grand Slam and finally breaks the stranglehold of the Top 4. Will this shape into the year where the Top 4 break? The rankings of Monday will already signal it as Wawrinka will rise up to No.3 in the world and become the top Swiss! Del Potro and Ferrer will leap ahead of Murray to become No.4 and No.5 respectively whilst Murray stands in at No.6. Federer will also drop to 8. This is the most varied Top 10 ranking in a long while. But it's all subject to change as the rankings from 3-8 are all quite close.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 11 and 12

As the finals are now set lets see what results led to them!

Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) [30]

VS

Na Li (China) [4]

2-6,4-6

It would have been one too many shocks if even Na Li was ousted. The veteran finally put a stop this all this chaos and will surely be the favourite to win her first Australian Open in the finals against Cibulkova though she is playing very well.

Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) [20]

VS

Agnieszka Radwanka (Poland) [5]

6-1,6-2

I am absolutely dumbfounded by this scoreline. How could she beat Azarenka (with one bagel) and then lose so tragically against Cibulkova, I should really watch this match.

Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) [7]

VS

Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) [8]

3-6,7-6(6-1),6-7(3-7),6-7(4-7)

Both were playing for their first Australian Open final but it was Wawrinka, who has arguably had a more successful run to the semis, who prevailed. I wish him luck against Nadal as I can't imagine anything besides that if he is to beat him.

Rafael Nadal (Spain) [1]

VS

Roger Federer (Switzerland) [6]

7-6(7-4),6-3,6-3

Federer has shown good form in the past two weeks but up against Nadal was simply too much too soon. Nadal will surely get his second Australian Open.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 9 and 10

Sorry, the piling work and the WTF losses deterred my interest in keeping up to date. This slam is nearly as messed up as the whole of Wimbledon 2013. Here are some significant results

Na Li (China) [4]

VS

Flavia Pennetta (Italy) [28]

6-2,6-2

Since her wake up call Na Li has been playing with conviction, if she continues this form I can't imagine any of the remaining players having the game to beat her though weirder things have happened this tournament.

Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) [14]

VS

Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) [30]

7-5,5-7,2-6

One day beating the undisputed world No.1 the next day losing to an upstart teen. Bouchard isn't a pushover but if Ivanovic wanted to reclaim her No.1 spot this inconsistency is not going to help.

Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) [8]

VS

Novak Djokovic (Serbia) [2]

2-6,6-4,6-2,3-6,9-7

Good job to Wawrinka, but unless he can keep this up he's just made the finals so much easier for the top half, which most likely will be Nadal.

Simona Halep (Romania) [11]

VS

Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) [20]

3-6,0-6

I did not see such a scoreline happening, I guess Cibulkova is in even better form than I'd imagined, Radwanska next, will this be another shock and Cibulkova makes her first finals?

Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) [5]

VS

Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) [2]

6-1,5-7,6-0

The favourites keep falling, falling, falling. I applaud Radwanska, hopefully she'll manage to make it to the finals and give Na Li a good fight since she looks in decent form or I will lament on the fact that my three favourite players all left too soon.

Rafael Nadal (Spain) [1]

VS

Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) [22]

3-6,7-6(7-3),7-6(9-7),6-2

Dimitrov did well to push this into four sets, he's finally graduated from being a young star to a legitimate future contender.

Andy Murray (Great Britain) [4]

VS

Roger Federer (Switzerland) [6]

Whatever happens in this match it will be noteworthy, so I'm leaving a space for it right now! Watch for updates!

Australian Open 2014 - Day 8

And the French are all out. Well actually the Russians, Germans and Americans all bowed out before them with equally large contingents but minus Sharapova and Williams their contingents looked meagerly in comparison. And, a side note, each of the female quarter finalists are from different countries! Here are some significant results.

Rafael Nadal (Spain) [1]

VS

Kei Nishikori (Japan) [16]

7-6(7-3),7-5,7-6(7-3)

A very valiant effort from the Japanese player. This is easily the most difficult straight sets win Nadal could possibly have imagined. Nishikori shows that he clearly has a bright future.


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) [10]
VS
Roger Federer (Switzerland) [6]
3-6,5-7,4-6

This was not as expected, a rather comprehensive win for Federer. Does he have what it takes to capture his fifth Australian?

Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) [22]

VS

Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain)

6-3,3-6,6-2,6-4

With this win Dimitrov has announced his arrival. He is finally showing the tennis world that he's ready, now he'll need to show that he's a legitimate contender against Nadal.

Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) [20]

VS

Maria Sharapova (Russia) [3]

3-6,6-4,6-1

This was expected, Sharapova was rusty and Cibulkova was in fine form, congratulations to Cibulkova, she now has reached the QFs or better in every slam.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 7

The world is still shaking from the results today. And we say goodbye to the last Aussie. Here are some significant results.

Fabio Fognini (Italy) [15]
VS
Novak Djokovic (Serbia) [2]
3-6,0-6,2-6

Djokovic is in it to win it!

Serena Williams (USA) [1]

VS

Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) [14]

6-4,3-6,3-6

It's not impossible for Serena to lose but for her to lose in that fashion and to Ivanovic wasn't on the plan! Ivanovic is finally coming back.

Na Li (China) [4]

VS

Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) [22]

6-2,6-0

Na Li announced her return after narrowly beating Safarova, she'll be the favourite in the top half now Serena is gone.


Casey Dellacqua (Australia)
VS
Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) [30]
7-6(7-5),2-6,0-6

The last of the Aussies, she stood strong at the start but withered towards the end.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 6

The tournament is reaching its interesting stages with some real tough matches beginning to form. Oh, and we lose half a dozen French. Here are some significant results.

Milos Raonic (Canada) [11]

VS

Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) [22]

3-6,6-3,4-6,6-7(10-12)

Dimitrov finally shows us his mettle in a good match against a tough competitor. Has he got more in the bag?

Benoit Paire (France) [27]

VS

Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain)

2-6,1-6,4-6

I think we kind of saw this coming but not in this way, this was a right mauling.

Rafael Nadal (Spain) [1]
VS
Gael Monfils (France) [25]
6-1,6-2,6-3

How did this end so tragically?

Garbine Muguruza (Spain)

VS

Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) [10]

4-6,7-5,6-3

Wozniacki is still a shadow of the player she once was and Muguruza took that opportunity.

Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) [8]

VS

Kurumi Nara (Japan)

6-4,7-5

Three Japanese in three rounds, Jelena I think you should avoid the country in the next few weeks!

Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) [16]

VS

Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) [20]

1-6,0-6

A real dissection of a fellow Top 20 player.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 5

As the number of players begin to fall we get to see some real contention. Here are some interesting results.

Florian Mayer (Germany)

VS

Jerzy Janowicz (Poland) [20]

7-5,6-2,6-2

We saw this coming but you'd have thought Janowicz would put up more of a fight.


Kevin Anderson (South Africa) [19]
VS
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (France)
3-6,4-6,6-3,7-6(7-5),7-5

It was looking like the end two sets down but Anderson climbed all the way back.


Tommy Robredo (Spain) [17]
VS
Richard Gasquet (France) [9]
2-6,7-5,6-4,7-6(8-6)

This was always going to be one of the tougher match-ups in the end it was the Spaniard who prevailed.


Na Li (China) [4]
VS
Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic) [26]
1-6,7-6(7-2),6-3

It was a real tussle and at points it looked like it was all gone for Na Li but she showed her mettle as a top tier player over the much less reliable fSafarova.


Samantha Stosur (Australia) [17]
VS
Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) [14]
7-6(10-8),4-6,2-6

A tough battle, a great first set but in the end it was Ivanovic who held out strongest.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 4

As play was halted by the extreme heat and weather more players began to complain, to the verge of tears. And we lose our first big name in the men's draw. Here are some significant results.

Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain)

VS

Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) [5]

4-6,6-3,5-7,6-4,7-5

The shock of the day, the big man gets shocked in five sets by his Spanish opponent.

Andreas Seppi (Italy) [24] 

VS 

Donald Young (USA)

4-6,6-2,3-6,6-4,5-7

Another five setter for Seppi though this time he didn't manage to pull through.

Fernando Verdasco (Spain) [31]

VS

Teymuraz Gabashvili (Russia)

6-7(1-7), 6-3,6-2,4-6,4-6

Another five setter ended up in a loss for another seed.

Benoit Paire (France) [27]

VS

Nick Kyrgios (Australia)

6-7(5-7), 6-7(5-7),6-4,6-2,6-2

Kyrgios had his chances and was looking like he could take Australia into Round 3 but as the night wore on he seemed to lose his steam.

Marin Cilic (Croatia)

VS

Gilles Simon (France) [18]

6-4,6-7(3-7),7-6(7-5),1-6,2-6

This tough match ended with the more experienced Simon pulling through.

Karin Knapp (Italy)

VS

Maria Sharapova (Russia) [3]

3-6,6-4,8-10

Sharapova took 3 and a half hours to conquer Italian Karin Knapp.


Sloane Stephens (USA) [13]
VS
Tomljanovic (Croatia)
3-6,6-2,7-5

Stephens manage to salvage what could have been a shock loss in the latter stages of the match.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 3

The heat continues but the top seeds stand strong as Na Li, Serena, Berdych and Djokovic all made quick work of their opponents. Here are some significant results.

Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
VS
Ivan Dodig (Croatia) [32]
4-6,4-6,6-3,4-1 (Retired)

Despite it being because of a retirement Dzumhur makes it to the third round in his first Grand Slam main draw.

Monica Niculescu (Romania)

VS

Sabine Lisicki (Germany) [15]

2-6,6-2,6-2

As said Lisicki is still inconsistent outside of grass but I didn't expect her to lose here.


Casey Dellacqua (Australia)
VS
Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) [18]
6-3,6-0

Casey Dellacqua kept Australian hopes high with this demolition of the 18th seeded Flipkens. She faces Jie Zheng next.


Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic)
VS
Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) [31]
3-6,6-3,10-12

Another grueling match for Hantuchova, this one lasting over 3 hours. Her 3rd Round opponent will be much tougher though.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 2

The hopes of the home nation begin to dwindle as their headliners bow out with fewer still looking capable of surviving Round 2. Here are some significant results.

Rafael Nadal (Spain) [1]
VS
Bernard Tomic (Australia)
6-4 retired

One of Australia's rising stars nobody thought he'd be able to overcome the giant that is Nadal despite being in decent form. However I remember reading yesterday that he had confidence of causing an upset, which is quite ironic now seeing as he retired.


Andreas Seppi (Italy) [24]
VS
Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
7-6 (7-4),6-3,5-7,5-7,7-5

Australia's hope and a record setting player bowed out in five tough sets against Seppi. It's a shame to see Hewitt out in Round 1 since many were touting his good form being able to draw in a good result. There's not many more years left for Hewitt so I hope he gets his game back on.


Jimmy Wang (Taiwan)

VS

Yen-Hsun Lu (Taiwan)

3-6,2-6,1-6

How often is it that you get two male Taiwanese players playing each other in a Grand Slam? Well in this case the more seasoned player came out victorious.


Martin Klizan (Slovakia)
VS
John Isner (USA) [13]
6-2,7-6 (8-6)

Another seeded loss, this time in the form of American giant John Isner but because of a foot injury.


Daniel Brands (Germany)
VS
Gilles Simon (France) [18]
7-6 (7-4), 4-6,6-3,3-6,14-16

Lasting over four and a half hours Gilles Simon managed to survive against German Daniel Brands. He next faces Cilic who also prevailed in 5 sets late into the night.


Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) [5]
VS
Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan)
6-0,5-7,6-2

Radwanska was on shaky ground today. She'll need to perform better if she is to equal her quarterfinal best that she has achieved the past three years.


Kaia Kanepi (Estonia) [24]
VS
Garbine Muguruza (Spain)
2-6,6-2,2-6

Garbine continues her fine form after winning the Moorilla Hobart International recently as a qualifier and now beating the 24th seed stalwart Kanepi.


Elina Svitolina (Ukraine)
VS
Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) [19]
6-3,6-3

The reliable stalwart regularly makes it deep into the first week or early in the second week at Melbourne so seeing her early loss to a teen is unusual.

Australian Open 2014 - Day 1

A pair of Italians and a pair of Britains. A beloved resurgent player and a Top 8 Grand Slam champion mark the losses on the first day. Here are some significant results.

Guillermo Garcia Lopez (Spain) 

VS 

Tommy Haas (Germany) [12]

7-5,5-2 (Retired)

Won't dent Haas' points since he lost at Round 1 last year as well.

Jordan Thompson (Australia) 

VS 

Jerzy Janowicz (Poland) [20]

6-1,6-4,4-6,2-6,1-6

Thompson nearly gave the home crowd something to cheer about until Janowicz found his form to steamroll over the Aussie teenager.

Heather Watson (Great Britain) 

VS 

Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) [31]

5-7,6-3,3-6

A good effort from Watson however both are basically doomed since they are drawn in Serena's quarter.

Annika Bech (Germany) 

VS 

Petra Martic (Croatia)

6-0,6-0

Only for the scoreline. Poor Petra Martic, we have our first double bagel of the tournament.

Roberta Vinci (Italy) [12] 

VS 

Jie Zheng (China)

4-6,3-6

To give Roberta the benefit of the doubt she is facing a formidable opponent in the form of a former Top 15 player and semi-finalist here in 2010. A tough draw.

Laura Robson (Great Britain) 

VS 

Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) [18]

3-6,0-6

Robson was bounced by the Belgian in 50 minutes. Flipkens was simply too strong for Robson with her first match from a recovery from wrist injury

Julia Goerges (Germany) 

VS 

Sara Errani (Italy) [7]

6-3,6-2

Another Italian handed a tough first round draw. Goerges is also a former Top 15 player and a consistent Australian Open performer. Whilst the same cannot be said for Sara Errani.

Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) [22] 

VS 

Venus Williams (USA)

2-6,6-4,6-4

A good match from both players, it's a shame to see Venus out so early though.

Luksika Kumkhum (Thailand) 

Vs 

Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) [6]

6-2,1-6,6-4

The biggest loss of Day 1 at the hands of an unknown Thai player in her first Grand Slam main draw. She will next contend with Mona Barthel, will her fairy tale continue?

Tennis Update 8th January

Loving the WTA, Kim Clijsters Vs. Justine Henin in Brisbane, Flavia Pennetta Vs. Yanina Wickmayer in Auckland. I hope it will be Justine and Flavia who come out victorious but it's going to be tough.

And as I predicted it wasn't a Federer/Nadal final, I just thought it was too early for that - gut feeling. Instead it's now a Davydenko/Nadal final. Whilst the Top 4 seeds are in the semis in Brisbane (nearly the same in Qatar if Mikhail Youzhny made it to the Semis.