Waltzing Wounded Memorial

Friday Order of Play
Midnight: Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci vs Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva for WTA AO doubles title
3:30 AM: Djokovic vs Murray

Saturday Order of Play
3:30 AM: Victoria Azarenka vs Maria Sharapova followed by Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan vs Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek for ATP AO doubles title

Sunday Order of Play
3:30 AM: Djokovic or Murray vs Rafael Nadal

WTA Champion will be Maria Sharapova

Yes, I find it hard to see past Sharapova in the final. She's so dialled-in and Azarenka doesn't have the raw power off the ground to throw Sharapova off easily. On the other hand, something Azarenka has done brilliantly in the last few months is showing up with a clear and clever game plan, besides which Azarenka is a fantastic returner. If she can get a few great returns in early on, she might pressure Sharapova into a few double faults and grind out a win.

It's not too likely though.

I'm intrigued by your Dementieva analogy, Pete. I would never have thought of comparing the two - Dementieva was so solid off the ground in a way that Vika isn't, but I enjoy watching Vika in a way I never did Dementieva - well, for me Vika's backhand (and the way that she uses it, so cleverly) is a thing of beauty.

I'm intrigued. I hope it's a fun final.

Fun final or not, It's sure to be a noisy one.

I think we are seeing the coming of age of Pete "Bold Prediction" Bodo.

Very good post Pete and I agree with your approach with regard to the value of Maria's return in this matchup. Of course that if she is inconsistent with that shot and with the rest of her game in the final, then Vika will take advantage because she has also returned very well during this tournament and with the exception of the first set vs Aggie has been very solid and aggresive. Perhaps the key is if Vika manages to engage Maria in long rallies and makes her hit her shots in the run because if that is the case then the advantage goes to Vika who is a better mover.

sharapova is like beauty with brains....lets see if her brain works on saturday final or not

Pfft - I wish I could work up any enthusiasm or even interest in the WTA final, but I just can't. In some ways it is like when the boorish behavior of the Nasty/Mc/Connors era just took tennis away from me. The screaming, scrunting, squawking pushes me almost as far away.

BUT, I quite geddid that other people feel very differently, so to them, may the better player win. (If not the quieter one.;-))

Battle of the Banshees!

I hope the WTA Champion is Victoria Azarenka it would be nice to see a new Grand Slam Champion. She has the passion and I hope she fights to win.

Just in case anyone else was wondering about the song in the charming Melbourne ads, according to Google:

What song is on the new melbourne ad playing on the 2011 aussie open - lyrics: I want to know where you go? I want to know where you go when you're gone. I think these are the lyrics. It's a tourism commercial for Melbourne and is playing a lot during the australian open on ESPN right now. Does anyone know the song/artist?

It's A Heart Divided by Holly Throsby

I want to know
I want to know what you know
I want to go
(Where do you go? Where do you go?)
I want to go where you go when you're gone
I've longed all along but I cannot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzR_MlSk2_s

Sharapova is like the beautifull Roman/greek goddess: "Venus de Milo".
Maria is perfection in every thing, she has the most beautifull legs in the WTA. Her time has come after 4 terrible years with her health problems,she deserves every thing that is comming to her,
Vamos Maria!!!! Grunt all the way to the championship at the AO.

I have to pull for Sharapova - I like her fight in coming back from injury.

Azarenka would be wise to use the angles, and create some where there weren't any before, then strike hard and fast down the lines. If she can do that, she wins. But I'll be pulling for Maria, with the sound on mute.

@ CL
BUT, I quite geddid that other people feel very differently, so to them, may the better player win. (If not the quieter one.;-))
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Sharapova is the quieter one, her grunt has turned me on for years.
Azarenka gives the grunters a bat rap because hers is a grotesque animalistic painfull shriek.
Vamos Maria beat this loud pretender to the crown, Your time has come.

Venus de Bellow...a great beauty to some,a persistent fighter most definitely.
The serving yips are still there, but shes learned how to lessen the damage of them by playing more consistently off the ground.personally I think the extreme shrieking is just plain old gamesmanship, theres been more press about that aspect of the game than the actual talent of these two players.when questioned about the grunting both ladies shrug it off like it's no big deal.well theres
been enough talk about it throughout last
season.these two need to acknowledge how their
screaming may have a negative impact on the
sport.this final may be the tipping point

I am hoping that Bethanie and her partner can get their first GS in mixed doubles.

Well for those who think grunting is something to read about here we go...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/26/tennis-grunting-australian-open-women
it is also a better writing style if you are sick and tired of Mr. Bodo's tries to impress... And talking about good and humorous writing, try Guardian football pages (soccer/futbal for our US friends).
Finally... either Sharapova or Azarenkova win is fine with me... importantly, Kvit and Kim are out.

Pete

Many thanks for your thoguhts on the upcoming womens finals.

I have been impressed all tournament with Azarenka and Sharapova

I guess their wins in the s/final is a testament to my thoughts.

First let me say working at the Apia International Sydney I was soo impressed with Victoria.I found her to be soo relaxed,focused and with a new calm.I must give credit to her coach Sam who I had great conversations with during Sydney.I told him personally I felt he had brought more calm into Victoria's game.I felt at times she could be 'her own worst enemy' not anymore and I witnessed that fact when she won Sydney and now again when she won a place in the womesn final.

In regards to Maria.Let me say this first.I have always admired her 'fighting spirit to the last point' and her focus in her games.I also was of the opinion when she had that Rotar Cuff injury that may be the end of her game.Her serve was a key area of her game.To her credit and the love she has of competing she has proved that she is 'going nowhere" and she has battled her demons and tried various new servive actions.Okay she may be doubel faulting more and I know she has felt pressure now more on her serve though to her credit she tries to remain positive at all times.The mark of a Champion in my eyes.Indeed she has gotton over the Hump

Though I feel Victoria in ways has gotton her her Hump

This will be a most interesting final.Both women deserve to be in the final.

I guess it may come down to whch player can prove to themselves on court that their 'personal hump' was just worth it in the end.

Just watching the womens doubles final

The Italien team have 2SP

Erani/Vinci 1st set 7-5

Hi AM congrats on Rafa's win last night never in doubt after he won the second set. Sorry that you can't be at the final due to Peter's health but at least the tixs have gone to your cousin who can enjoy the final.

I'm a bit torn in the doubles but hail I'll go with the Italians as those headcasey Russians knocked out my girls.

Marg- good to see you got home safely.
Wished your hubby well in the 20 page (whew!) post. I'm gearing up for Nole v Muzz and preparing my stomach lining for copious amounts of coffee tomorrow.

No stake in the ladies' final, though it would be nice to see Vika get her first.

Have to agree with Sam Smiths comments Vera is letting down the Russian team.Though to be fair they havent had the expierence like the ladies in the Italien team.

A very enjoyable read Pete. Hope Maria can win, but Vika would be ok also. I wanted Kim to get a 2nd AO title, but maybe she can finish with a French and/or a Wimbledon title.

In the Girs Junior AO, 15 year old Taylor Townsend, who was being coached by Donald Young's dad, has made both the Singles and Doubles Finals.

In Honolulu, 19 yr olds Jack Sock and Denis Kudla have made the Qtrs and Go Soeda and Taesuma Ito respectively for Semi berths.

AA and Izidane

Thanks soo much.I am sad I wont be at the final though Peter's health comes first.This has been a ongoing problem with this current medication he has been on for some 12 months now.The dr said if he was to change the medication Peter will have to come slowly off this drug also Peter being lethargic is a side effect of this drug.Peter is ok and he has had these feeling before.The Dr is monitering him at present.Its not life threatening still I hope any new medication will be more suitable for him

Ididane

I understand the feelings you are going through before Noles game.Deep Breathes in okay.

AM Do you think Vera will have another epic meltdown if she loses the doubles GS like at Wimbledon?

izidane - Or do as Nole does breathe through your nose.

I hope the match goes five sets as I have drinks after work and will miss the start. BTW it is still stinking hot in Perth.

Marg- Yes... deep breathing and hug a pillow, punch a pillow night:)

I'm going off line now to get zen, right before my pillow eats it.
Enjoy the match all.

Ajmo!!

Last time I watched their match, Maria’s cannonballs injured Aza’s wrist, so Aza had to surrender.
Davai Maria, don’t let the impudent baggage sneak to the top.

AA

I hope not.Vera already had a melt down in her singles game at the AO

By the way I am soooo over Tomic at the moment.D.

Bye Idzidane take care.

So am I or to be fair I was never really on his bandwagon. Once a hoon always a hoon. But to be fair I think his father needs to take responsibility for his behaviour. I said the same as you last night Tomic should lose his licence for six months. Gee his girlfriend isn't too bright is she.

It seems that today will be US V JAPAN day in Honolulu as Smyczek meets Sugita, Sock v Soeda, and Kudla v Ito. The winner of the rain suspended match of Ginepri-Reynolds meets Delic. Sock is also in doubles Qtrs.

AA

His father has always been a problem.We both agree he needs to get a new coach.I feel he should go back to use a Push Bike.

Sam Smith mentioned the Almafi Coast

Oh My that is G O D's country

I could live there tomorrow

Davai the Russians will serve for the 2nd set

Sokok dont give up hope yet.

Better still get his girlfriend to drive him around, she is afterall older than him as she needs something fill in her time.

Good play by the Italiens they are getting to the net and its paying off

Italiens with 3BP

Italiens break back on serve in the 2nd set

AA

LOL! good point

I wish I watching the doubles match.

I remembered last year watching the women's dubs final from my hospital bed after major surgery and I was trying so hard not to jump around but failing big time.

Great play by Sveta yes she does have a good tennis brain

Russians break to win the 2nd set 6-4

We now go into a Super T/breaker

Sokol I am keeping my fingers crossed and also my skinny legs lol!

AA

Goodness me that time has gone fast.

By the way how is your new job going? do you like it?

OOps hang on they are not playing a Super t/breaker in the womens doubles final

Sorry my bad...okay I have had a big day lol!

Russian team 1-0 in the 3rd set

Sveta has really stepped up and Vera remember your her partner too lol!

Gee the prize money for the winning doubles team is $454,000.00 Aussie Dollars

Vera will you get into the net and puts some pressure on Erani please

Hell Sveta had to put up a lob cause Vera your hanging on the baseline??

Italien team has challenged though the ball was out

Russians get the early break in the 3rd set

Russians 2-0 3rd set and are serving

Well hello Vera you have woken up and now are showing the good form of a doubles player that you are.

Erani's game is falling apart some what and the Russian team are really attacking her now

Russian team consoldiated their break and are coming home strong now

Russian 3-0 3rd set and the Italiens will serve

AM my new job is going ok. I don't have anyone looking over shoulder and giving me a hard time. I think though if I am here this time next year I might ask if I can go to four days a week.

I am seriously considering going to AO next year for the first week. Last night I looked up hotels which were in my price range.

Italiens held serve though they were pushed by the Russian pair.Vera good attacking play from you keep this up

Russians 3-1 3rd set

AA

Well I know you will enjoy the AO.I am glad your happy with your new job.

The slow motion Kuznetsova despair cam is very entertaining...

Svetsa is on fire.Sveta mixing up her serve and coming in and using the s/volley a great cross court winner by Sveta to win the game

Russians 4-1 3rd set and the Italiens will serve

Italiens hold serve but again were pushed especailly by Sveta

Russian team I cant undetstand why you dont use the 'Eye Formation play in doubles' by the way

Russians 4-2 and will serve...Vera is serving by the way

Great pick up by Vinci on that last point

Sveta too good and they hold

Russiand team 5-2 and the Italien team will serve

Sokol I have a great feeling your Russian ladies are only one game away from the womens title.

Solid service game by the Italien team

Russian team of Sveta/Vera will now serve for the match and the title of the womens doubles.

Russian team 5-3 and Sveta is serving

Italien team have 2BP

Ufe errors and a foot fault by Sveta hasnt heled them and Sveta hasnt been able to get her first serve in

Erani is making a challenge the ball was good

1 BP for the Italiens left

Clurch serve by Sveta

deuce

BP for Italiens has Erani hit a great low slice and Sveta netted the ball

Sveta with a 2nd serve

Bows to Sveta who took the ball on and made a great o.head and made a great cross court volley to bring the game back to deuce

Okay great point by Erani and they have their 4BP

Sveta closes in at the net and again with great hands does a wonderful cross court volley

deuce

Ad now to Sveta

All this hype about Sharapova...I can't stand it.

What has she done, he?

I really hope Vika takes it.

Great ROS by Vinci

deuce

Vinci puts up a high lob and Sveta netts the ball

5th BP for the Italiens

Sveta good 1st serve and Vinci ROS wide

deuce

Ad pint to Sveta who has played brillant tennis for her.MP for the 2nd tinme

Hell Sveta you kind of got in the way of Vera whose lob went wide

Deuce

Okay Sveta with a great serve and MP for the third time

Yay she did it

Kutzenova/Zvonerava d Erani/Vinci 57,64,63

To win the Womens Doubles Final

Great effort and shout out to Sveta who was just sensesational

High Fives Sokol!!!!!!!!!!

Davai

Bad luck Erani/Vinci the Russian team upped their game in the 2nd set and cam ehome strong though you pushed them all the way when they were serving for the match and the title.

"Italiens" eh?
Sounds like aliens.

Yay Sveta...now find a way to bring that kind of fire and execution to your singles

Also a most important note with the Russian Doubles team they were unseeded for this doubles compeition at the AO 2012.

Well Done Girls.

Congrats team Russia you got there in the end. Bad luck Italy but you had a good run especially Errani.

Looks and sounds like the guy from Fargo...Ima so lonely.

MagicVilas
Are you talking about the guy that wanted to eat at'Pancakes House'?

Okay time for my update with the posters that have a chance to win the Official Pink Ladies Towel for the womans final being played tomorrow

They are as follows

JJ,Lynne,Kim,Apple Deuce,Love-Means Nothing.

The following posters have picked Azarenaka to win and I will now post their names and the number of sets they wrote down

JJ Azarenka to win in 3 sets

Lynne Azarenaka to win in 3 sets

Kim Azarenka to win in 3 sets

Apple Decue Maria to win in 2 sets

Love Means Nothing Maria to win in 3 sets

Good Luck ladies.

The Asian guy that meets Marge at the restaurant, and tries to pick up on her...You were always such a super lady!! Apparently, he's the head of Kia motors.

Morning everyone. :)

Enjoyed the post, Pete, especially as I was disappointed that you didn't write about the SFs here. I don't know who will win, but I am very, very excited that the final will be a straight fight for the 1# ranking - should be terrific.

& I would prefer that to be the story over the noise-making. :)

Watched the last set of the doubles, felt like Kuzzy was doing most of the Russian team's work - one point especially she seemed to really think it was a singles match, LOL. Great tournament for Errani in singles & doubles.

Murray vs Djokovic will be on TV which makes me incredibly happy - no peering at a tiny stream for the first time in nearly two weeks. :)

AM - sorry to read about your husband not being well, I hope he is ok.

Posted by TennisFed 01/27/2012 at 02:57 AM
All this hype about Sharapova...I can't stand it.
What has she done, he?
I really hope Vika takes it.
-----------------------------------------------------
There is no hype.
It is all in your head.

MagicVilas
o yeah, he was pretty pathetic
i have to agree with Marge, sit over there, so she wouldn't have to turn her head sideways to see him

Hi and bye Jewell will catch up with you all later. Enjoy the start of the men's semi final which is in about 10 mins.

Djokovic/Murray Preview:

Djokovic's strong point has been his returns points won ( 55% - "Djokovic - Murray Semifinal- What do Australian Open Stats Indicate?" http://bit.ly/yM80VE ) and if Murray continues to serve the way he did in QF, I think it will be tough for him to win this match. This match will be a real test for Murray who is know for his emotional outbursts during important matches. Hopefully thanks to Lendl he will be able to keep his cool.

Jewell
Unfortunately, the shrieking probably won't go unnoticed.oddly enough it's such an integral part of both players game (?!) and it's obvious that it's not a necessary component, since the majority of champions play with little if any vocalizations

Murray looking like a stone cold killer! Novak going down down down...

Ivan may quietly get up and leave if Andy goes into crybaby mode and tanks the match

Murray still wearing the 50/50 slurpee colors...

Ugh - that's a really difficult name to address someone by! - yeah, I totally understand why it grabs attention but to me, considering we've had years of WTA-chaos-lottery-slamless#1 stories, I would've thought that people would be keener to talk about the good stuff.

Then again shrieking doesn't bother me personally and never has so that's probably a part of it. :)

*waves to Angel*

Jewell

You have mail

Murray pulling the BG tactic...defer serve. Already getting into his head.

This was supposed to be a frazzle-free day but I must admit I am feeling touches of it for Murray...picked him to make the final when I did my draws - well, picked him to win it all...yikes!

Cheers, AM.

Andrew Castle does the commentary...must get into "enjoy inanity" mode. There really should be an Andrew Castle drinking game.

Only 46% humidity in Melbourne. Murray's chances don't look good :).

Lendl looks like one of the baddies from a Guy Ritchie gangster film.

Murray, please hit the ball in the court.

morning.
how different the world looks after a good, full night's sleep.

hope nole and murdl play a good one.

Please hold here, Andy.

(not the drop shots, aargh, not the drop shots!)

Thats the way Muzz

Patience and keep moving Novak and I love your b/hand down the line most vital for you

1st serve Muzz is sooo important in this game

Deuce

Come on Muzz good first serves pls

Hey Milos & Bissy.

First serve in, please, Andy! Phew...15-40 to deuce.

Yes Fist Pump from Muzz and staring Novak right in the face

Come On

Thank goodness.

Great hold Muzz and such postive energy

That hold took literally YEARS off my life.

Terrific return from Murray for 15-all.

Thats the way Muzz great ROS and you just stood your ground

Love the pace by the way on your return

GAULY. Me too. :)

Gauloises

That makes you around 5 I would say:)

jewell,
if muzz were to make the final (which i think he can) in which corner would you be? rafa first, even before queen & country? or would you say "bugger it, rafa won them all, now let muzz have his breakthrough?"

good luck to Murray. I'll try to watch till the (bitter) end.

Brave 2nd serve from Nole, return into net from Murray.

Bissy - I said after the FO I'd root for Murray in their slam match-ups, but potentially in an AO final? Harder to do than I'd like. :)