Quarterfinal Surprise- Radwanska beats Azarenka

The odds that Radwanska would beat Azarenka were very low indeed.  I thought so too.  Radwanska would simply be no match for the power and sullen aggression of Azarenka.  But, I am going to hang my soothsayer boots and stick to commentating in retrospect.  Radwanska made Azrenka run from one corner to another, made her come to the net to meet her impossibly low and close to the net drop shots, made her scurry back to the baseline for lobs.  Radwanska moved like a demon and she could do no wrong.  She makes it to her first semifinal  of the Australian Open 2014 and awaits the winner of Bouchard V/s Na Li match.  Radwanska plays Cibulkova also called the pocket rocket as she stands at a mere 5”3in she would still be way shorter than Radwanska who is 5”8 in. But watching Cibulkova overcome Sharapova the Russian amazon who packs frightful aggression with her banshee-like screams and her sheer physicality was a spectacle in itself.  There is a gap of 23 ranks and 11 inches between the player and the when Cibulkova plays the backhand, her left knee almost touches the ground.  It was literally and figuratively a David V/s Goliath battle.  Dominika ultimately won the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, progressively getting better with every set. 

All my equations are going haywire and as a lover of sports, I couldn't have hoped for a better result and more thrilling entertainment- a more than enough return on my investment in expensive tour tickets and time.  No more predictable outcomes and every match throws up a new player who is a delight for sore eyes. Cibulkova now battles Radwanska and I have absolutely no idea of who will win given the sudden crest and tide in fortunes over three sets.  This ‘inspired play’ throws all my predictions off.  One moment everything is looking great for the usual culprit but then she makes unforced errors and couple with inspired play which is more to do with mental fortitude, the ranked player throws the gauntlet.  The term- play is more apt for the Cibulkova- Sharapova match.  Whereas I would credit Bouchard’s play without any inspired play bit to defeat Ivanovic.  Her composure was remarkable for a mere 19 year old who has no experience playing in such a big theater.  As it has been happening in women’s tennis these days, bigger ranked players who are everybody’s favourite to win matches just self-destruct.

 This year, the ouster of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova in round 4 and Victoria Azarenka in the quarter finals has really brought in the diversity factor in the semifinals.  Of the four players, we now have Bouchard  who is all of 19 years and has never progressed beyond 3^rd round in a slam, Cibulkova who hasn’t made it beyond quarterfinals just once and only Na Li who won at Roland Garros.  Radwanska even though she hasn’t won a grand slam event yet is the only one who have held the no.1 spot and has made it as a runner up and into the semis at Wimbledon in 2012 and 2013 and quarterfinals in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in Australian Open.

Even though I have hung up my boots, old habits die hard and I say that Bouchard will beat Na Li, Radwanska will beat Cilbulkova.  It will be a Agniszka Radwanska V/s Melanie Bouchard Finals.

NEVER GIVE UP!

I always felt that Wawrinka chokes at the pearly gates.  He works all the five setters only to lose and being denied entry inside the golden gates of the slams. Case in point being his epic  battles with Djokovic at Us Open and Australian Open last, year.  A year and a tattoo -Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail Better- later, Wawrinka has announced his arrival on the big stage and demanded attention. The back hand that demonstrates elegance of a ballerina and the lethality of a knife made of German Solingen steel.  I thought Wawrinka will fall at the Djokovic hurdle and the first set Stan lost only served to fuel my anxiety- 2-6.  Thereafter he won the next two sets, lost the fourth set and I felt the match as well because experience tells me that anything that stretched beyond three sets against Djokovic is out the opponent’s bag and into Novak’s.  Except of course if he is playing Rafa. And the decider is always at the fag end of the game when it is a question of who blinks first.  But once you blink, then there is no creeping back out of that hole as today’s quarter finals proved. 

Both were evenly poised till the 7^th game of the final set.  Stan lead with seven games to six. Djokovic served to level at seven games each.  Wawrinka served in the 15^th game and held to lead at eight games.  Djokovic was now serving to stay in the match.  He took his time to serve, bounced the ball at least 12 times, that clearly was a sign that something had changed.  I think Novak fired an ace and then lost the first serve but managed to score a 15-30.  Then Wawrinka leveled score at 30-30 and suddenly it looked like Stan can make it after all.  And he did win the next two points to defeat Djokovic in the 5-set epic at the Australian Open. I felt that whatever was going on inside Djokovic’s heat during the dying moments of the match which was when the score was 30-30, ultimately lost him the match.  It is a break from the past where Djokovic has literally climbed out of the coffin, dusted the soil off his clothes and resurrected himself to stay in the match and wrestle it away from his opponent. 

This time however it was a different story.  The man with that perfect hyperbola of a backhand had won.  I might go so far as to equate it with the Beckham Bender.  Now the Swiss meets Berdych in the semifinals.  Berdych is another dangerous player but has languished in rankings albeit of the top ten variety.  Keeping him company is Del Po, Tsonga, Federer, Gasquet and Wawrinka.  Gasquet and Wawrinka have been recent entrants in the top 10 club as is Federer! As he won the the last set and the match, he smiled, truly the happy smile of a person who knows what he has achieved. He kept smiling and said “I am really, really, really, really, really happy” and I guess that says it all.  Stan admitted that when Novak plays well, Djokovic is a better player than himself. I interpret that as -Novak plays that level of tennis 'consistently' whereas Stan's brand of tennis is 'inspired' or the superb tennis happens in bursts. But whatever it was in the past, something has changed in Stan's play and demeanour. 

And now time for a long, long ice bath where he might contemplate the next player- Tomas Berdych.

Women's Quarter Finals- One win and one loss for my predictions!

Melanie Bouchard! The first Canadian woman to make it to the semifinal of a grand slam.  As predicted, Bouchard lost the first set and won the next two to oust Ana Ivanovic.  In the on-court interview she was asked who she would like to date and she said..hold your breath, Justine Bieber.  I hope it was said in humour though, I wouldn’t want any teenage girl to date him forget being in the same newsprint space!  Bouchard showed her mettle in the quarter finals.  She now battles Na Li whom she played three years ago in Montreal and lost of course.  She says she has a bit more experience and she is ready for the match. Watch out Li. 

I also said in my last blog that Na LI will lose to Flavia Penetta but she won and how- 6-2, 6-2.  So now you know, you cannot blog about a match and predict the outcome without getting a handle on how the player is faring currently.  And yet I believe that Bouchard will win against Na Li in two sets.

In the other QFs Cibulkova will play Simona Halep and Azarenka will play Radwanska.  Its Halep V/s Azarenka semifinal. This is unless Azarenka can control that imploding anger and play her power game without getting trapped into playing Radwanska at her own game and pace.  Radwanska is no match against the brute power of Azarenka.  The alternative scenario is, Azarenka will lose her cool, commit unforced errors while Radwanska will lie in the wait quietly.  Azarenka will be turn blind in fury at her own ineptitude and will abandon her style of play and tactics.  Then it will of course be a walkover for Agnieszaka Radwanska.

If everything goes as I say, it will be Bouchard V/s Na Li final!

Men's singles, Round 4

In men’s 4^th round we have Federer battling it with Tsonga for a place in the quarter finals of the Australian Open.  As I thought, Federer won the first two sets with ease and then in the third set while serving in the 8^th game, he showed nerves and I thought Tsonga would break him.  Fortunately if not his forehand, Roger's serve is standing him in good stead and he rode out the game on the strength of his serve.  Federer leads five games to three.  Federer is now serving for the match and a place in the quarter finals.  Second serve is quite menacing and Tsonga hits it in the net.  Second serve from fed again.  This time the ball forces Tsonga into a corner and scurrying to the centre of the court only to find that Federer has hit in the same spot again.  It is 40-0.  And a double fault.  I must say, Federer does show fraught nerves just as he is on the verge of closing a win.  And a beautiful volley wins him the game and match. 

Federer has gained a spot in the Quarter finals and now begins the real task.  He will meet Andy Murray in the QFs.  Murray does not show the delectable, faultless form he was in at Wimbledon in 2013.  The Scot could do no wrong against the equally sparkling Djokovic.  Murray was there within hitting distance of the ball always, wherever you hit it.   I was watching his match with Stephane Robert of France ranked 119^th in the world.  Stephane’s been around since 2001 and has never progressed beyond 2^nd round at the slams.  Murray made heavy work of the 3^rd set which he was expected to win.  Confused shots, unforced errors, leaden footwork and just wayward tennis.  When he started the usual self-flagellation, I thought, oh oh here comes another upset and nothing less than the Nadal-upset brought about by Lucas Rosol. 

Muray is doing all the right things while managing the business end of Enterprise Murray.  He has given the reins in the hands of people who are effective and the best in the business at what they do freeing him thus to ‘focus on what he does best’.  Ideally there should be no dip in form except due to injuries. Alas that is precisely that has plagued him since his winning form of last year.  Right now, even discounting the back surgery, he should be going from strength to strength, winning more tournaments, getting fiercer, getting unbeatable.  Instead what I saw against Robert was not a play befitting world no.4.  I thought Murray was hypnotized by the ball that he kept in play for longer than necessary and not really for any constructed points or anything.  The ball that should have been put away after hitting it twice was finding the racket more often and in pointless rallies.  He did rush to the baseline but there was no thought to it.  Murray, pull up your socks or the man who wears four of them (incidentally Federer wears two pairs of socks to give him extra cushioning and softness should a match run into 5 sets.) will whip your muscular arse. 

Williams and Sharapova exit Aus Open in Round 4 and 3

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams’ defeat in Round 3 and 4 respectively has had a cascading effect on the fortunes of the winners of all Round 4 winners.  Na Li, Ekaterina Makarova, Eugenie Bouchard, Flavia Penetta all got through Round 4 and of course Ivanovic  and Cibulkova who were responsible for Williams and Sharapova ouster.  It’s never fun to watch Serena losing because it is never a keenly contested or a close match.  Williams always self-destructs and the opponent to her credit of course has to maintain her composure throughout the match because you never know because as wounded as the cheetah maybe, it still has the cunning to lie in wait for the deer and then it’s all over.  The cheetah just tears into the heart of the prey. But that will never happen now. 

Eugenie Bouchard has the power and guile.  I saw her match against Casey Dellacqua of Australia.  The crowd was naturally rooting for the Dellacqua.  Bouchard in spite of losing the first set, didn’t let go of her shots and committed fewer unforced error to take the next two sets and the match.  She will now play Ivanovic.  I think Ivanovic will lose in three.  Na Li will play Flavia Penetta, Cibulkova will play Simona Halep of Romania while Azarenka awaits the result of the match between the willy Radwanska and Muguruza of Spain.  Azarenka played Sloane Stephens in the 4^th round.  Of course there never was any doubt as to who would win with Azarenka taking the match 6-3, 6-2.  Stephens has a long way to go yet.  My prediction for the winners of quarter finals is Bouchard will win against Ivanovic, Penetta will defeat Na li, Halep will win against Cibulkova, Azarenka will defeat Radwanska.

In the semifinals Bouchard will defeat Penetta, Azarenka will beat Halep.  So in all likelihood it will be Bouchard V/s Azarenka finals.  

What is Federer these days doing besides playing tennis?

What’s it with Andy Murray?  He has unwittingly become a trendsetter of sorts on the circuit. First he brought in Ivan Lendl to coach him and it worked.  So Djokovic and Federer brought in Becker and Stefan Edberg respectively and we still don’t know it will work but older tennis stars are coming out of their woodwork thanks to Murray’s experiment.  Then he set up 77- a sports management company to look after his brother’s and hi interests on and off the court.  This initiative is in good hands, what with Simon Fuller being in charge with business strategy.  So now we have Federer who has started Team 8, also a sports management company.  In tandem with Roger’s image it is not a crude sports management company but a boutique agency that have onboard Tony Godsick- Federer’s longtime agent and another billionaire backer.  Juan Martin Del Potro and Grigor Dimitrov aka baby Fed and Sharapova’s off court interest are the first to be managed by it.

Tony Godsick who earlier worked with International Management Group that managed Federer’s interest before they parted ways said that,” We’re trying to be a boutique agency that will manage just a small stable of iconic athletes.  We’re really going to try to be selective here. Some of the other groups, they look to sign as many players as they can and hope a few of them stick and make it, and they really go after the juniors. We’re not going to.”” The agency has its headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.  Godsick also said that Team 8 had been created in part to give Federer a platform when he retires.  The smooth talking, suave Federer who looks just as much at home in the commercial world of wheeling-dealing and negotiation as with a tennis racket in his hand will be successful in his new role feels Godsick. “I can really sell Federer but nobody sells Roger better than Roger.

The other investors in this venture are Ian McKinnon and the billionaire financier Dirk Ziff, the eldest of the three brothers who started Ziff Brothers Investments in 1992 after their father, William, sold his publishing interests.

And Godsick 42, has the credentials.  He began working with the former No. 1 player Monica Seles when he was at IMG on a summer internship. He later represented Lindsay Davenport, Anna Kournikova and Tommy Haas.  Godsick is married to Mary Joe Fernandez, a former  French Open and Australian Open finalist with whom he has two young children. Godsick began working with Federer in 2005 when Federer returned to IMG after managing many of his own business interests for a brief stretch. 

Men's singles- Round 3 Jeremy Chardy Vs David Ferrer

Temperatures are soaring and players are falling like nine pins to the extreme heat conditions at Melbourne Park.  Federer says deal with it.  Sharapova says its is not known really what the limits of the players are.  I think it is like doing hot Yoga for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of five hours.  Inhuman really and the fact that the players are paid princely purses doesn't does not make it better while you are playing. PLay on outside courts was suspended due to soaring temperatures and matches are being playes in Hisense arena and Rod Laver arena.
COming back to Chardy V/s Ferrer, the Spaniard has won the first set 6-2.   

We have the season's first maverick

Nick Kyrgios is sparkling against the seasoned Benoit Paire of France.  While the spotlight was on Tomic who disappointingly retired with a groin injury against Nadal in first round, Kyrgios is arriving in style.  He has won the first set in a tie break, is playing calmly without squandering his cool.  The maverick sports a Mohawk cut with cornrows on either sides.  Kyrgios has power, a solid serve and fire up aces as only someone who is taller than 6ft 4 can.  He has the game. Now does he have the staying power to beat players higher up in rank?  Djokovic had to battle stamina problems in his early days when he ran into 5 setters and allegations of feigning injuries might still rankle Djokovic.  All players in top have The Game.  In fact players down the ranking along 5 to 10 have certain shots that surpass those of the top players. Some have a killer backhand, some have nuclear serves, some are better movers and some have far better volleying skills.  What differentiates the top players is that they never give up till the last ball.  They never lose till they have lost the match.  They never give up and are willing to stretch the last mile again and again reaching for balls that are whizzing past and returning them as winners.  Just when you think are tired, they reach inside their hat and pull out those extra reserves that tide them through that final lap.  The body language is always smart, shoulders never droop and slouch.  They are playing to win always.  And of course they are stronger and have more stamina to stay up for the long matches- all the time.  A lesser player will give his all in a five setter in the third round and lose in the fourth in a match of similar length. 

Back to the second set between Paire and Kyrgios.  Kyrgios has won the first set and they are five set all in the second.  Are we going in for a second tie break?

That was a cracking return from Kyrgios where all the opponent can do is watch it go by helplessly. Paire leads six games to five, Kyrgios is serving at 40-30 and there it is.  Second tie break to conclude the second set.  Who will win this one? The score read 3-3, Kyrgios serving and boom…an ace! It is 4-3.  Paire serves, Kyrgios resturn Paire pulls pulls out a brilliant drop shot.  It is 5-4.  Kyrgios serves and kboom an ace again, five all. And an ace again to pit Kygios in the lead at 6-5.  Set point for him again.  And it is two sets to love for Nick Kyrgios, 18yrs from Canberra, Australia.

To give you a brief on Kygios, he won the boys’ singles event at Aus Open 2013 and double event at Wimbledon in the same year.  He is of Greek and Malaysian descent.  To watch him play is to watch a player who brings immense to the game his immense self confidence without the burden of success and expectations.  It is refreshing to watch.  Alas the match was not to have a fairy tale ending for the 18yr old. Benoit Paire rallied to come back from two sets down and win the next three sets 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 to deny Kyrgios a place in the 3^rd round.  But Australia and world tennis has found possibly the next young thing to watch and comment on.  Here’s hoping that Kyrgios makes the progression steadily and not drops off the curve like Tomic.

And so the 2014 WTA season begins with the first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. 

Federer come with a bigger racket head, loss in the finals at Brisbane against Lleyton Hewitt and the biggest card up his sleeve- appointment of Stefan Edberg in place of Paul Anacone. Only time will tell if it turns out to be an ace! Novak Djokovic comes in with Boris Becker to guide him and two new brand endorsements in his kitty- Peugeot and Seiko watches. 

Watching Federer’s second round match against Kavcic of Slovakia in the Hisense arena,  I am observing for any changes in Federer’s game that might be influence by Edberg.  First let’s see some of Roger’s stuff that he brings to the game regularly. Right off the bat I notice his red shoes that are Nike Vapor Tour and the light grey short that are roomier.  

Federer’s outfit- baby pink/ baby blue/ red, any soft colours that none of men’s players wear- check

Unflappability- check

Magic pores that don’t sweat- check

Lethal back hand- check so far

Winged feet down-the line backhand- check

Service- looks solid

But then the opponent is not challenging Federer.  There is nothing unpredictable or dangerous that might threaten him.

Federer serving rushing to the net, get the first volley off his feet but misses the straight down the line back hand. Aha that backhand! Play it again so that I can worship it with my tears!

And Federer serves out the last point to lead two games to love in the second set.

Kavcic breaks Federer and raises his arms as if he has won the match. I say no less. Greatness always has seeds in humble beginnings unless of course you are one of the Federer’s twins or his as yet unborn!

Kavcic serving fourth game and Federer making  up for the loss of his service game. Its love forty and Federer breaks Kavcic before I can blink my eye. Its four games to one.  Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia and the Russian commonwealth countries produce so many talented tennis players to grace the top twenty.  Serena Williams once said in her famously cringing way that is so American- there are so many povas, vics, renskas…(not the exact quote but close enough). The problem with women’s tennis is that there only pretenders and no contenders at all. Serena Williams is the queen or should I say the empress and the rest are foot soldiers. As I sais Eastern Europe produces tennis players in numbers only to populate top twenty.  They have the game obviously- Zvonareva, Radwanska, Safina, Sharapova, Kvitova, Azarenka (is learning slowly) Kutznetsova, Pironkova and the compatriots- Jankovic and Ivanovic. But mental toughness?  Serena can destroy them with her look alone.  I imagine her as the proud empress, conquering of all that she surveys and the rest are ants scurrying to get to the top of the cliff where the might one stands with the three pronged spear in her hand! Alas the rest are just no match for her power, speed, agility (oh my how she moves like a cheetah) Her presence alone I think is intimidating for most players and I am waiting for somebody who will challenge her and then we can see a riveting match.  Azarenka came close, is still coming close while Serena is moving without a backward glance. She lives in her own world- unapologetic, doing what she needs to do, never on the defensive! I was never a Serena Williams fan but have become one now and tennis is just one of the many reasons.  The major reason is that she rules and rules with her racket as well as her race! Being black in a white one’s sport must be hard and we have the stories to prove it.

Back to the game and Federer has broken Kavcic again to lead two sets to zero. I like Kavcic’s game but you can obviously see the rawness and the lack of thinking on your feet specially during net play and when Federer has hit the ball short, you won’t have a prayer if the top players are behind that ball.  Enough said, Its Federer now serving the first game of the third set. Two aces in a row

Back to the second rounder where Kavcic and Federer are tied at two games all.  Its one hour and fourteen minutes and five games into the match.  Federer has a break point but Kavcic saves it as Federer hits a forehand wide..and another down the line forehand goes wide (which should be cause for worry as he progresses to the next round).  He can get away with errors and wide and long shots against lesser players. Overall his game looks okay (okay for his standards which means his game is adequate to get him to the semi finals at least).

So far no breaks in the third set.  Kavcic has regrouped to hold his serve.  Federer leads five games to four and Kavcic will serve to stay in the match.  Its 30-15 and oh dear, Kavcic hits a regulation forehand in the net.  It is 30-30.  Federer and Kavicic both make unforced error to level score at deuce but Federer nets a forehand to hand advantage to Kavcic and one more from Federer for the score to read six games all and time for tie- break.

Federer serves and gets a cracking return from Kavcic. Its 0-1. A strong serve gets Federer struggeto return. It is 2-0.  Federer hits a cross-court wide and it 3-0.  Federer’s turn to serve.  Kavcic hits short and Federer jumps on it and hits a winner.  Ace from Federer and score tells 3-2.  Oops a double fault to leve at 3-3.  Costly fault that one!  Nerves are clearly on display here.  But Kavcic is doing really well.  Its at times like these that Federer has failed in his game. Kavicic should know and rally.  And again a missed forehand from Kavicic.  Score is 3-4.  Federer serves, Kavcic hits a backhand wide.  Federer is closing it as score reads 5-3. Oh oh, my earlier observation that Federer mishits under pressure (these days) and another unforced error to give Kavicic much needed point. And Kavcic hits a backhand in the net and another error to hand Federer the match.

Camera pans to Mirka and Edberg. Unlike Lendl, Stefan Edberg has a gentle smile and so does Federer.  Kavcic gets a round of applause and Federer stops for an on-court interview-

The crowd loves Federer.  I think more than Murray, Nadal, Djokovic, it is Federer who is the real star!

The statistics of Federer match read- zero double faults, 52 winners and first serve that stands at 76%.  On to the third round now.