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. 

What happened to Sania Mirza?

 But is that a fair question to ask?

At least we had an Indian tennis player who captured the imagination of the people.  Young boys and girls wanted to play tennis seeing her in action.  There was also as usual a spate of babies with the names ‘Sania’ born around the time she peaked in popularity.  So far so good. She also gave it as good as she got especially to the Mullahs who wanted our Sania to play as long as she wore a Burqua, possibly also hand gloves that extended till the elbow, a veil and basically they might as well had asked her to jump in a sack in the locker room before she came on to the court.  She was brave and also knew when to stop giving sound bites as much as she knew when to sound them. So far really good.  With resource limitations and the cascading effect it has on everything- quality of training, support staff, travel, accommodation, Sania still managed to overcome these and become the possessor of a decent game.  Believe me, this is a compliment of the highest order.  It is tough anyway to pick a game no plays and knows anything about apart from something or someone called Navratilova and McEnroe.  So she did smash the ceiling that ends with cricket.  Admirable, really.

But then came a spate of injuries, involving knee, hips, wrists, that can spell doom for your game. Surgeries followed and finally at 26, Sania has admitted that it takes longer to recover and there are always niggles; that she is ready to hang up her boots soon and hopes that she can win a few more slams before that.  At 26 the same age as Maria Sharapova or Marion Bartoli is 28 or Any Murray is 26.  But again, is it fair to judge Sania Mirza vis-à-vis the world’s top players?  Absolutely not.  So I shall continue with my column and keep these players entirely at bay.  They will be mentioned henceforth for reference purposes only. 

Whenever I have watched Mirza’s game, two things strike me immediately- the number of unforced errors and her attitude/ state of mind concerning her game off the court.  Sania Mirza’s highest ranking was 27.  Her approach to ‘unforced errors’ was very surprising to say the least.  When asked about it after a defeat (where these jokers played a very prominent part), she replied that unforced errors are not important and one has to look beyond them.  And here I thought that these errors cost matches! But then again what do I know, I am just an amateur player and commentator on the game.  In one of the matches against one of the top 10 players (I forget the name), the play was really lamentable, there were no rallies, the opponent would serve, Sania would hit, the opponent would return and Sania would hit into the net or wide or long or high anywhere but within the court.  Understandably, I could see the frustration on her opponent’s face. Are you surprised?  I am not, it is like a seasoned player playing a novice or a weaker player.  The caliber of the opponents play totally puts your game off, you cannot find the rhythm, there are no rallies that help you settle down in the game and also read your rival’s game.  But then reading it not that big a problem (the game is just one line long- she is making n number of unforced errors) as much as finding your rhythm is.  Finally the tragedy of this game ended shortly, Sania’s opponent was relieved and I am sure so was Sania.  My point here is what happened to Sania’s game? How did it dip to such a level where errors started costing her matches and threatened to loom over her entire game.  That she had a strong forehand was known, that she was courageous was a given (otherwise you cannot make in this individual sport) but how about some mental mettle?  How about that determination to excel? 

I have read reports of her requesting the CM of Andhra Pradesh to grant her land to start a training academy even when she was far from retiring. If I remember right, she had just started to blossom and media had taken notice of her and she was playing well.  I have never seen her game where I can just rest assured that this is going to be a winning shot. Alas, Sania had made friends with the net.  She has since moved on to doubling her presence in life and on the court in form of marriage and doubles.  But that is even more tricky.  I have watched Bhupathi and Sania in action and it can safely be said that while Bhupathi earned some great points, Mirza squandered them with wayward tennis, But they have managed to win the French Open Mixed Double Championship. Unbelievable but true.  It makes me sad to think that a player that everything going for her was let down possible because I feel that her desire to excel let her down. When you see the Top 20 and their training, dedication to train and improve, it make you feel that you are constantly falling short regardless of the effort you take.  Age-wise, 26 yrs. hardly the age to talk about retirement and I am not confusing this with the wisdom to know when to quit.

Sania Mirza has started the eponymous tennis training academy in Hyderabad and I hope, I really do that she creates little Sanias, both boys and girls in India who will hit a mean forehand..sorry a winning forehand and who do not know the meaning of unforced errors. I hope she and her team of coaches will instill in them this desire to excel and a determination to win.  Having a great support staff does leave you to deal with your game without any burdens in your heart or head.

Good Luck Sania!  

Now that Wimbledon is over.....

Britain’s wait for an English hero was over on 7^th July and ironically it was none other than a Scotsman who brought them this glory.  For women’s tennis, it couldn’t have been a greater anti-climax as Sabine Lisicki showed none of the stehaufmaennchen attitude that she is no famous for.  I an however understand her case of nerves and it is no different from an elocution competition or a speech competition of taking part in a play where there are hundreds, thousands pair of eyes watching your every move.  Stage fright, nerves and just mental meltdown.  I lost interest when Sabine was down 1-6 to Marion Bartoli.  But a one-sided match never makes for great viewing.  My heart goes out to Lisicki and also to Marion Bartoli who has said that she wanted to hug Sabine when she shed  a tear.  This is one unusual champion- fierce but all warm hearted and one who doesn’t forget to be human on a stage where is forbidden to show any vulnerability.  Bartoli has face misogyny from BBC and we are by now used to the broadcasting corporation fielding journalist who ask stupid questions and make irrelevant remarks under the guide of ‘hamfisted’ but ‘well intended’.  In this case John Inverdale of the beeb commented "Do you think Bartoli's dad told her when she was little: 'You're never going to be a looker, you'll never be a [Maria]Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight'?"  Sad, outrageous and also the fact that he didn’t think twice before spitting it on millions of viewers.  But Bartoli was equally strong to take it on her chin and fling it back calmly saying that ‘she is not looking for modelling contracts’.  I admire this calmness that is anything if not contrary to her on-court restlessness.  I love Bartoli and I wish she continues her form for as long as she plays. And I know Sabine has talent by her sheer will to stay and fight. But consistency is the key as she well knows.  You cannot beat everybody by ‘going all out’ all the time.  It will burn you before you can burn the opponent.  So here’s a toast to Sabine and Marion, tennis ‘found again’ champions and hoping to see more of them in the future.

Meanwhile what are out tennis players doing now that there is a bit of calm till the last grand slam down under?

Lisicki is back in Berlin and her schedule is chock-a-block with press commitments before she retreats to Bradenton, Florida and starts training.

The dizzying heels that Bartoli waswearing were Louboutins. She will head back to Geneva, Switzerland where she resides.  Federer was lookng forward to playing on Centre Court as late as 23^rd June and was tweeting about wanting play Gstaad Open as early as 2^nd July. I admire the spirit in this man.  There is no embarrassment in playing Ranji trophy if you cant see the balls whizzing past you. He will also play in Hamburg which is ‘favourite tournament’, never mind that he hasn’t played there in more than 4 years. This was the tournament where he got his first wild card. 

Andy Murray had 11 rackets in his kit bag.  Djokovic hosted a party after the Wimbledon for his Novak Djokovic Foundation for raising funds for underprivileged kids in Serbia.  The foundation is run by Jelena Ristic.  The gala was held at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road and guess who is the global ambassador of this foundation? None other than Sarah Ferguson or more commonly know and more likely recognised as ‘Fergie’.  Why Novak why! And I though there is nothing worse than your missed down-the-line backhands! Groan! It was a star-studded event with cocktails and dinner.Novak’s girlfriend Jelena Ristic wore a lovely black and white striped Oscar de la Renta and Djokovic looked like he stepped out of a photoshoot for GQ.  Naomi Campbell, Kate Hudson, Gerard Butler, local boy Boris Becker were there as well.  And so was Marion Bartoli in her Louboutins.  The lady doesn’t lie, she indeed loves her heels!

Vicgtoria Azarenka has bought a house in california and is currently rejuvenating by buying furniture for her new abode.  And to top all news- Our own Mahesh Bhupathi and his Globosport will team with Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment to manage Andy Murray’s commercial interests which will leave him in peace to concentrate on his core competency which is hitting balls on the court.  Bhupathi has announced that he will try and earn the rich man more riches inform of $200 million this year.  They will pursue Federer style endorsements where he will have his own personal line of clothing from Nike/ Adidas.  Well winner takes all Andy, make the most of it!